May 4, 2023 For Immediate Release Media Contact Below
County facilities have no shortage of blank walls, and Ottawa wants to change this in its new Family Justice Center. The 20th Judicial Circuit Court is seeking an artist to create an inviting mural or two-dimensional art installation that welcomes residents into the new courthouse. Project details are available in a Request for Proposals on miOttawa.org. The building, currently under construction in West Olive, was designed with a space intended for a 13-foot wide by 36-foot tall art installation in the main staircase. This artwork will be a focal point for the public entering the courthouse and for people on each of the three floors of the building.
“Courthouses can be intimidating places, but as this building is intended to focus on families. We want to make the public feel welcome in a manner that is appealing to all ages,” said Chief Judge Jon A. Van Allsburg.
An architectural rendering (below) shows the location for the proposed artwork in the Family Justice Center. All artistic proposals to fill the space must be submitted to Ottawa County by 2 p.m. on June 1. Those proposals will then be considered by an evaluation committee before a final design is chosen in July.
An architectural rendering shows the location for the proposed artwork in the Family Justice Center.
West Michigan has an abundance of incredible talent and the County's public spaces are beginning to reflect this more and more. Ottawa County regularly supports local artists and in 2018 began building a collection of pieces for its facilities with the annual Art Trust Exhibition.
After years of design work, Ottawa County broke ground for the new Family Justice Center on June 9, 2022. The courthouse is expected to be complete in 2024. The building is intended to bring all of the family services offered by the 20th Judicial Circuit Court under one roof. The Family Division judges, referees, Friend of the Court, Juvenile Services, the Legal Self-Help Center and County Clerk/Register’s Circuit Court Records will all have space in the courthouse, providing residents with the opportunity to handle all their family legal matters in one location.
Media Contact:
Susan Franklin, Circuit and Probate Court Administrator 616-846-8356, [email protected].
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