Downtown Grand Junction’s Art on the Corner exhibit will install 21 new sculptures on Saturday, May 9. Work will kick off at 7:30 a.m. with the help of three volunteer work crews from FCI Constructors’ local branch. Pieces will be placed on pedestals, sidewalk mounts and in planter boxes.

“We’re taking out 12 pieces, too,” Downtown Grand Junction’s Robin Brown said. “It’s going to be a long day on Saturday.”

Many participating artists reside in Colorado, Brown confirmed, including five Mesa County artists: Michael Ford Dunton, Terry Burnett, Thad Tuin, Damian Radice, and Garry Keenan. Other artists come from as far away as Kansas and Utah. Colorado’s grandfather/grandchild artist team — Huberto Maestas and Amayas Maestas (11 years old) — have new sculptures in the exhibit. Artists will gather together for a reception on Saturday after the installation.

Tuin, a Colorado Mesa University junior majoring in sculpture, is excited to have his piece — called “Marine Revelry” — in this year’s show.

“It’s two clams suspended above coral with their tongues sticking out,” he explained.

There are currently more than 100 sculptures in Art on the Corner’s permanent exhibit. All pieces in the temporary exhibit are for sale annually.

According to Dave Davis, a Grand Junction artist who founded the program in 1984, Art on the Corner has received national attention since its inception.

“It’s a very special show,” Davis said. “It was replicated over 200 times around the U.S. and overseas. I received 150 letters the first year from municipalities and arts organizations wanting to know how to do it.”

For more information about Art on the Corner, visit http://www.downtowngj.org.