Two artists recommended to spruce up historic Wabash depot

Two Boone County artists have made the final cut for the opportunity to leave their mark on the historic Wabash Station under the city’s Percent for Art program.

It’s the first time that two artists have been recommended for selection under the program, which since 1997 has been setting aside 1 percent of construction costs to incorporate art into public projects.

A committee is recommending that the Cultural Affairs Commission select David Spear of Columbia, who specializes in two-dimensional art, and metal worker Don Asbee of Hartsburg for renovations of the Wabash train station that serves as a hub for city buses.

Each artist would receive $6,000 to work independently on art projects for the station on Tenth Street, two blocks north of Broadway.

Even though the artists would be hired separately, Spear said he looks forward to coordinating with Asbee.

“Anytime I get to meet someone who’s a good artist I’m happy,” Spear said. “I’m very interested to see what he has in mind.”

Although the artists won’t be asked to submit conceptual designs until the process is complete, Spears said he plans on using the constant motion of the bus station — he lives about 100 yards from it — as inspiration. He would also like for his two-dimensional art and Asbee’s three-dimensional art to work together and complement each other.

Asbee, who has not been to the station yet, said on Wednesday that he hasn’t thought much about the possibilities. “I didn’t want to get too emotionally involved before I knew I was chosen,” he said.

Asbee said he thinks his specialization in sculptural and architectural art will lend itself to the stonework of the station. He has done a number of restoration projects in the past, including historical metal work, which he thinks the building calls for considering the period in which it was built.

Splitting the project between two people is something the committee had been discussing for a while.

“I think it is an opportunity,” said Marie Hunter, committee member and manager of the city Office of Cultural Affairs. “It will allow for two works to be integrated into the space, which means there will be more to look at, enjoy and interact with.”

This wouldn’t be the only first for the Percent for Arts Program. If the recommendation is approved, Spear would be the first two-dimensional artist hired.

The Commission on Cultural Affairs plans to review the recommendation at its March 13 meeting. Final approval rests with the Columbia City Council. The artists would then sign contracts and have 90 days to develop a design.

“This allows time to learn about the space, the overall project and do any research,” Hunter said.

In preparation Asbee says he often does a lot of historical and architectural research. Spear said he’ll be reading whatever he can find about the station and ride city buses to get ideas.