2011 Winner

Kevin Shaffer's sculpture Indian Rice Grass won the 2011 Jean Mellblom People's Choice Award. Shafer's sculpture is located at the west end of Festival Plaza. His sculputure is made of steel and is for sale for $15,000.

2010 Winner
Louise Peterson's sculpture On the Rise won the 2010 Jean Mellblom People's Choice Award. 










 

2009 Winner

J. Lucas Loeffler's sculpture Sky Dancer won the first Jean Mellblom Award in 2009.  Loeffler donated his sculpture to the City of Lafayette.  It is installed at Festival Plaza.




 
 

Jean Mellblom Story

Jean Mellblom lived in Lafayette for nearly 10 years in the 1990s. She brought the concept of publicly funded art to town. Jean is persistent, feisty, and a very friendly person – all of which helped her convince City officials that public art was necessary in Lafayette.

Jean start her campaign at the same time the new library building was being designed. She saw a large, eventually windowless wall on Baseline as a potential canvas. After developing an idea for the mural with a local artist, she spent several years raising funds for the project. She asked for donations, convinced city council to contribute matching money, and organized a program of selling mural tiles to donors.

The mural happened, and Jean raised so much enthusiasm for outside art that city council approved a public art fee on new developments. Many people have been involved since then, but it all started with Jean and a vision she had for Lafayette.

Because of her dedication and vision, the people’s choice award for Art On The Street is named the “Jean Mellblom” award.