A Salina public art sculpture wins a major award.

According to Salina Arts & Humanities, “Dawn’s Silver Lining” has received the 2014 Juror’s Choice CODAaward for the Public Spaces category. “Dawn’s Silver Lining” is the large-scale public art work on South Ninth Street designed by artist Barbara Grygutis. It was installed in the Fall of 2012.

The CODAawards are presented by CODAworx, (Collaboration of Design + Art) a global organization based in Madison, Wisconsin that celebrates design projects that demonstrate successful collaboration and integration of commissioned art into interior, architectural or public space. CODA also recognizes exemplary creative work in film and video, through a separate awards program. The 2014 CODAawards drew 366 submissions from 32 countries. Winners include artists, architects, designers, art consultants and public-art agencies. A panel of 16 jurors including David Rockfeller, Jr and architect Hugh Hardy selected winners in 10 categories, plus two People’s Choice awards.

“Dawn’s Silver Lining,” a six-part aluminum sculpture, reflects the Kansas landscape during sunrise and sunset. Grygutis was inspired by the silhouettes of shelter-belt trees that are a familiar visual element of rural Kansas.

The focal tree forms of “Dawn’s Silver Lining” were translated during production into durable and low-maintenance laser-cut aluminum. The semi-transparent sculptural encasements deflect natural and artificial light around the forms, creating changes in color and mood within a 24-hour time period. The piece is situated on a major commercial roadway and one of Salina’s primary southern entryways. “Dawn’s Silver Lining” was officially dedicated on November 1, 2012.

The creation of “Dawn’s Silver Lining” as a public-art work also was influenced by long-range goals to enhance Salina’s infrastructure, including its interstate entrances and major arteries, while welcoming local residents and regional travelers. South Ninth Street also played a significant role in the historic development of Salina and its continued growth.

“It is an honor to have this project recognized with CODA’s top award in the Public Spaces category,” says Brad Anderson, Salina Arts & Humanities director. “Salina should be proud that this work has been recognized amongst projects submitted by larger cities with much larger budgets.” Grygutis remarked that “Working in Salina was an experience all the way around” and appreciated working with many project partners that played a role in the design, fabrication and installation processes.

In addition to the online record and recognition of the 2014 CODAawards, Interior Design magazine has dedicated a two-page spread specifically to “Dawn’s Silver Lining” in its August 2014 issue. The CODAawards for which Salina’s “Dawn’s Silver Lining” was chosen is the first juror’s award for work in a public space ever awarded in the state of Kansas.