Veterans Memorial Park Art Under Consideration This Week In Carlsbad

CARLSBAD, CA — The City of Carlsbad’s Arts Commission will review the final recommended design for public art planned for Veterans Memorial Park during its meeting on Thursday at the City Council Chamber, located at 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive.

According to a city news release, the artwork is part of the larger 93.7-acre park project, which will include a Veterans Memorial Plaza, scenic trails, picnic areas, playgrounds, a fitness course, the city’s first bike park and other amenities. More than half of the land will remain as protected habitat.

The artwork under consideration is a proposed piece entitled "The Ring."

"The Ring is intended to offer a quiet space for reflection, honoring military service and sacrifice. Its circular form symbolizes the enduring nature of duty, unity and remembrance, and is meant to frame the horizon and invite moments of pause," a spokesperson for the city says.

This artwork is separate from the planned Veterans Memorial Plaza, which will be located in a lower area of the park. If approved, the public art piece would be installed on the park’s upper plateau, overlooking The Crossings golf course, lagoon and ocean.

The Gordon Huether Studio was selected to create the piece out of 35 artists who proposed artworks for the park.

"Earlier this year, the city gathered input on three proposed concepts developed by Gordon Huether Studio. The city received hundreds of survey responses and met with local veterans groups to learn which elements of each concept resonated most, which design people preferred, and what concerns or suggestions they had.

Some of the key themes that emerged included:

• Desire for clear military symbolism
• Interest in creating a space for reflection
• Concerns about safety and durability
• Suggestions to enhance storytelling

You can read the full input summary report for more details on how the city made its decision.