COLORADO SPRINGS — Damage to a favorite art sculpture in downtown Colorado Springs brings attention to a problem that happens more often than most know. “Pieces have been flat out stolen, where pieces have been intentionally damaged, most frequent pieces will be tagged,” said Pioneers Museum, Executive Director, Matt Mayberry.
The large deer sculpture with antlers like tree branches is in the median at Cimarron Street and Colorado Avenue. "That this is one of the favorite pieces in downtown Colorado Springs," It was found with one of its antler's bent and broken.
When any public art piece is damaged or stolen there is uncertainty about repairs. “Somewhat unique to cities its size, Colorado Springs does not set aside funding for public art,” said Mayberry. There are 99 pieces in the Colorado Springs public art collection. All were donated by generous individuals, organizations and artists. Part of the gift often includes a maintenance fund. "Because we just don't have the resources to make these kind of repairs on vandalized pieces."
In many cases repairs and replacement happen the same way pieces are acquired. They happen with donations.
