HomeMy WebLinkAboutAugust 14- Stained Glass
City of Edina • 4801 W. 50th St. • Edina, MN 55424
Contact: Krystal Caron, Communications Coordinator
Phone 952-826-0347 • kcaron@EdinaMN.gov • www.EdinaMN.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Stained Glass Artwork Made Possible through Resident
Contributions
Edina, Minn., Aug. 14, 2014 – The stained glass artwork in Edina City Hall has been paid off, thanks to the
donations of many Edina residents.
The window is the work of Michael Pilla, a self-taught glass artist with nearly 40 years of experience. The two-
story glass window is an abstract piece that represents the Minnehaha Creek waterfall and the Edina Mill -- two
important aspects of Edina’s history. It was installed on an east-facing wall of City Hall in December 2006.
“We’re thrilled that we have finally been able to pay off the beautiful stained glass window at City Hall. It
couldn’t have happened without the contribution of several citizens, who contribute on a quarterly basis in a
very simple and easy process through their utility bill,” explained Barbara La Valleur, Edina Arts & Culture
Commission member and Chair of the Public Art Working Group. “It makes such a difference for public art.
The window is one example of what citizens can contribute to public art.”
The piece cost $48,150, which was outside the budget the City had allocated for the artwork. Thanks to
generous Edina residents, over $27,000 was collected through donations since 2006. Residents have the option
to donate when paying utility bills. Statements allow utility customers to choose a dollar amount to donate
toward public art. Over 200 residents participated in this donation program, with donation amounts ranging
from $1 to $25 per quarter. Until this point, all of the funds had been earmarked for the art glass window.
The art glass window was also funded in part by the City of Edina and a grant from the Edina Community
Foundation. Other major donors included the William D. Radichel Foundation, Excel Energy and Linda and
James Masica. The donation program will continue to be offered through the utility bills to help pay for various
public art pieces around Edina.
“We are planning to do utility box wraps. … We would love to see sidewalk poetry. While the rotating
sculpture exhibits are the main face of public art in Edina, there are many other art projects that we would love
to take on and this could happen through funding through the utility method,” added La Valleur.
For more information, contact Edina Art Center General Manager Michael Frey at 952-903-5729 or
mfrey@EdinaMN.gov.
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