Merriam residents can enjoy new art in a fun, reflective way. The City will dedicate Planting the Seedson Friday, Dec. 1 at 6:30 p.m. at Merriam Marketplace.

The stunning sculpture Planting the Seeds was made by Colorado artist Christopher Weed, who was inspired by nature. The three, 7-foot large spheres have a brilliant mirror finish with organic variations suggesting large, sprouting seeds. The goal of the piece is to transform the viewer to another realm - muting outside distractions and providing an opportunity to reflect, if only for a moment. The $100,000 sculpture is made with polished stainless steel.

The public is invited to attend the dedication ceremony on Friday during Soups on with Santa and the Mayor’s Tree Lighting where Mayor Ken Sissom will speak about Merriam’s newest art piece. Guests are encouraged to use #plantingtheseeds, #publicart, #exploremerriam, and #notcherries when posting photos to social media.

Looking for ways to enhance public spaces in the downtown area, the City began a 5-year initiative to bring creative and compelling art to Merriam. City Council allocated money for five public art projects. The idea was to honor the City’s history and identity while enriching and inspiring the community for those who live in, work in, and visit Merriam.

The first art sculpture, Still Time, was unveiled in July 2016. The 16-foot limestone tower and wind chime sits at Merriam and Johnson drives. The art committee is in the process of selecting its third public art piece. The winning design will be displayed near Waterfall Park by Summer 2019.

Experience art in Merriam and visit these local destinations.