Flower art project back on for downtown Duluth

SKA Academy will fund flower art project on ‘Calaboose Island’ in downtown Duluth. Courtesy City of Duluth

SKA Academy will fund flower art project on ‘Calaboose Island’ in downtown Duluth. Courtesy City of Duluth

The Duluth City Council voted recently to approve a flower art project to be placed on ‘Calaboose Island,’ the park area near the city’s historic jailhouse. A request from the Duluth Public Art Commission and SKA Academy was denied in Oct., but approved this month after SKA agreed to provide all funds needed for the project.

SKA had originally requested $850 from the Public Art Acquisition Fund for the project. The city council chose to deny the request since funding for the art commission was originally intended for contracting with professional artists. Mayor Nancy Harris had noted SKA is an excellent academy and they have produced some very high quality work, but to honor the city’s relationship with developers who have helped fund the art acquisition program requests for sponsorships should support professional projects.

The temporary project will be installed as soon as possible and be removed prior to June 15.