Fort Collins Artists to Discuss Public Art and Personal Expression at Lincoln Center
Four local artists who have contributed to Fort Collins' public art landscape will share insights about their creative processes during a free panel discussion and reception on October 10 at The Lincoln Center.
The event features Gregory Fields, Todd Kundla, Allie Ogg, and Stephan Shachtman—all contributors to the city's Art in Public Places program who are currently featured in a gallery exhibit of their personal works. The artist reception runs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., with the panel discussion "Exploring Local Public Art & Personal Expression" taking place from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in The Lincoln Center Columbine Room.
The discussion will explore the relationship between artists' private studio practices and their public commissions, offering community members a chance to understand how public art comes to life in Fort Collins neighborhoods and infrastructure projects.
Fort Collins' Art in Public Places program, established in 1995, has created more than 150 permanent installations throughout the city using funding from a municipal ordinance requiring eligible capital projects over $250,000 to allocate 1% of their budget toward public art creation, administration and maintenance, according to city budget documents.
The four panelists represent different aspects of the city's public art initiatives. Todd Kundla has created transformer cabinet murals, typically commissioned at $1,000 to $2,500 per mural depending on scale and location, according to Fort Collins budget records. Allie Ogg has participated in the "Pianos About Town" initiative, painting upright pianos for temporary and permanent installation downtown and in city parks at approximately $1,000 to $1,500 each through partnerships with the Bohemian Foundation.
Gregory Fields has contributed sculptural elements including pedestrian pavers for the city's trail and infrastructure projects, while Stephan Shachtman has created larger-scale sculptural installations, with major sculpture commissions typically ranging from $20,000 to $50,000 or more, according to city documentation.
The program has expanded significantly over its 30-year history, completing 42 murals and five additional projects in 2023 alone. The initiative now includes 377 transformer cabinet murals, 145 piano murals, and 272 sidewalk pavers featuring youth art across Fort Collins, along with newer storm drain and bus art programs.
Community response to the Art in Public Places program remains strong, with 86% of surveyed residents rating it as good or very good in 2023, according to city data. The program emphasizes inclusivity by translating artist calls into Spanish since 2021 and distributing opportunities to local cultural organizations.
Fort Collins' annual administrative budget for the program is approximately $200,000, with additional project funding that varies based on capital construction activity. In 2025, the city budgeted $295,514 for artwork projects, though funding fluctuates yearly depending on the scale of eligible capital projects.
The program pays 12 to 25 local artists annually for transformer cabinet murals and provides honorariums for 15 youth paver designers, while larger capital commissions hire local, regional and national artists along with local engineers and fabricators.
Light refreshments and hors d'oeuvres will be served during the reception, allowing attendees to view the exhibited works and engage in informal conversations with the artists.
The event takes place at The Lincoln Center, located at 417 West Magnolia Street. Admission is free and open to the public.
For more information, contact Kristen Vohs, Visual Arts Assistant, at 970-416-2737 or [email protected].