Public art is a benefit to the community

For anyone who has not yet been into the remodeled Jean Oxley Public Service Center (935 Second St. SW, Cedar Rapids) and seen the wonderful lobby painting by Robert Barnum, Mecosta, Mich., you are in for a real treat.

The very large painting is a triptych and beautifully executed in rich colors and depicts elements of life in Cedar Rapids, particularly the flood. This is an extremely fine addition to our collection of public art.

And while it's always desirable that local artists have an opportunity to participate in these public art projects, it is also very exciting to see new work from outside artists who we are not familiar with. Go in and see this painting and take time to study the content. It's worth the effort.

Stan Wiederspan

Cedar Rapids