© 2024 Kansas City Public Radio
NPR in Kansas City
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Public Art Approved for the Zoo

courtesy of Municipal Art Commission

By Laura Spencer

Kansas City, MO – City officials recently approved a new $170,000 public art project for the entry plaza of the Kansas City Zoo. KCUR's Laura Spencer reports.

The proposed design by Denver based artist Andy Dufford includes a mythological beast with an 8 foot long carved stone head and a series of boulders.

Municipal Art Commission director Porter Arneill says Dufford will also sandblast a poem into the surrounding concrete leading the children on an exploration.

Arneill says, "What Andy picked up on, which I really appreciate is the whole educational aspect. And that's what he's really worked hard on is including through his poetry and the imagery that he's used a method to inspire children to ask questions about how animals adapt to their environment - on top of just having a neat place to play."

The public art installation is expected to be completed when the zoo opens its new entry plaza in the spring.

KCUR serves the Kansas City region with breaking news and award-winning podcasts.
Your donation helps keep nonprofit journalism free and available for everyone.