Three student-athletes help with public art installation in downtown Alva

November 21, 2019

Helping to install a new public art piece on Alva’s downtown square are Northwestern student-athletes Blake Hoffman, Koby Spicer and Harry Park, along with Alva Public Art Committee members Jim Richey and Warren Little.

Three Northwestern Oklahoma State University baseball players assisted the Alva Public Art Committee recently during the installation of a public art piece on Alva’s downtown square.

Student-athletes Blake Hoffman, The Colony, Texas, junior majoring in health and sports science education; Koby Spicer, Hickman, Nebraska, senior majoring in criminal justice/law enforcement; and Harry Park, Frisco, Texas, senior majoring in political science, assisted committee members Jim Richey and Warren Little on Nov. 12 with the installation of three kinetic wind sculptures created by Santa Fe, New Mexico, artist Mark White -- despite the day’s cold temperatures.

Dr. Kay Decker, professor of sociology at Northwestern and executive director of Freedom West CDC (a 501c3 non-profit), said the Alva Public Art Committee has been working steadily for the past four years to identify possible public art projects around the downtown square.

“As funding options become available, the committee begins working toward acquiring additional public art pieces,” Decker said. “Public art signals to residents and visitors alike that the community’s cultural identity is important, and we know that tourists will spend time and dollars in communities with a healthy public art presence.  Public art is a community’s ‘welcome mat.’”

Decker said that Alva is home to more than 27 historical murals and a substantial number of public art pieces, several of which are located on the Northwestern campus.

In the fall of 2018, Decker said she was contacted by the National Endowment for the Arts about applying for funding support for a community arts project. The Public Art Committee decided to pursue funding through the National Endowment to assist with the purchase of additional art pieces. The Woods County Commissioners were approached about allowing a public art piece to be placed on the north side of the courthouse, and the commissioners agreed to assist with the project by providing the concrete work. The committee determined that these kinetic wind sculptures would provide visual interest and movement to the north side of the courthouse square.

Decker said the Public Art Committee wishes to thank Northwestern baseball coach Ryan Bowen and his team members for their ongoing commitment to community service including assistance with the annual Multi-Arts Gala, the Big Cruise and Car Show and this public art project.

“Civic engagement is an important aspect of personal development for college students today, and the Northwestern baseball team coaching staff focuses on civic engagement and service to community as an integral aspect of team development,” Decker said.

Bowen is proud of his players and is happy to give back when they can.

“We are always happy to give back to a community that does so much for us,” Bowen said. “Our players do a great job, and I believe it is a testament to them that people in our community reach out to us for a hand. Being able to support each other is what makes the Northwestern and Alva community so special.”

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