Artist Douglas Lochner from Ojai, California created a public artwork for the outer West wall of the Joseph Centeno Aquatics Complex at 290 Wasioja Street in New Cuyama, California. The stainless steel patinated relief sculpture, Let’s Swim/Vamos a Nadar, is 18 feet in length and is backlit by low voltage LED lights that will make it visible at night. This project is a County Percent for Art project, which allows 1% of construction costs from General Fund monies to be utilized for art in a County Building. 1% for the Arts is a board ordinance adopted in 1978.

“One of the criteria for design consideration was that the art should convey the joy of swimming. Anyone seeing Let’s Swim by Doug Lochner will know that the artist succeeded with this playful, bold and exuberant sculpture. This 18 ft sculpture is a gift to the Cuyama community for years to come,” said Rita Ferri, the Visual Coordinator of this County Percent for Art project. This final selection was enthusiastically chosen by a panel of jurors; and the competition was open to all artists or design teams working in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Ventura Counties.

The Community Services Department of Santa Barbara County will also be kicking off the summer pool season. The Joseph Centeno Aquatics Complex features a four-lane, 25-yard recreational swimming pool, plus a wading pool with a water-play feature, shade structures and restrooms. The Pool was named in honor of then Fifth District Supervisor Joe Centeno, a tireless champion of the needs for the Cuyama Valley community.

A 6pm Dedication will include remarks by First District Supervisor, Salud Carbajal and former Fifth District Supervisor, Joseph Centeno, with brief comments from Ginny Brush, Executive Director of the County Arts Commission. Rita Ferri, Visual Arts Coordinator of the Arts Commission will introduce the artist and Brian Roney, Deputy Director for the Parks Division will speak about the upcoming pool season. After the dedication and unveiling there will be a free BBQ, aquatic program raffles, an evening swim and a showing of a “dive-in” movie. The Arts Commission has produced a commemorative T-shirt designed by the artist for the occasion made possible through the generous support of Santa Barbara Pistachio Company and Santa Barbara County Park Foundation, Inc.

Login

Please note this login is to submit events or press releases. Use this page here to login for your Independent subscription

Not a member? Sign up here.