By Kiera Morgan

The installation of the sculpture, “Happiness Found,” is taking place this afternoon (3/23) in front of the Newport Aquatic Center. Parking and the street and parking located in front of the Newport Recreation Center today. The ADA spaces at the north end of this area will remain open. In May of 2012 the Newport City Council approved an ordinance creating a public arts committee and a percent for the arts program. This program requires that 1% of the eligible cost of construction from the project be dedicated to public art.

Peggy Hawker with the city of Newport said this was exciting as the Newport Aquatic center was the first piece of construction done by the city that allocated and utilized those percent for the arts funds. “The pool’s eligible construction costs were projected to be $65000.00. So the percent for the arts amount was $6,500, which is what the sculpture cost.” The public arts committee selected  artist CJ Rench from Hood River Oregon to build the sculpture. The arts committee recently selected the colors for the sculpture to be blue, orange and white.

The community is invited to participate in the unveiling and dedication of the sculpture tomorrow night (3/24) at 5:30 P.M., at the Newport Recreation and Aquatic Center. Speaking at the event will be Newport city manager Spencer Nebel, Mayor Roumagoux, Catherine Rickbone, representing the public arts committee and State Representative David Gomberg along with artist CJ Rench. There will be a meet the artist reception that will follow at the Newport rec center.