COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Downtown Development Authority approved a $1,500 loan agreement on Wednesday morning with a Schoolcraft artist who has agreed to install a caterpillar sculpture in the southeast part of the Four Corners Park near the downtown Branch District Library.
The one year loan agreement with Cole Stiemsma calls for the artist to transport the Artwork to the designated site at their own cost.
The City of Coldwater will affix the artwork using provided mountings or other means but the City will not alter the Artwork or damage it.
Stiemsma’s caterpillar was one of three public art license agreements approved by the D.D.A. as part of the “Make Your Mark: Downtown Coldwater 2026” initiative.
The D.D.A.’s Design Committee earlier this year selected a seven foot dandelion sculpture designed by Gregory Summers of Chicago for the Henry L. Brown Municipal Building and a 11-and-a-half foot tall giraffe designed by Goshen, Indiana artist Sunday Mahaja entitled “The Wanderer” that would be across the street from the Tibbits Opera House.
Main Street Director Kristen Johnson says the caterpillar would be installed next to the turtle at the downtown Branch District Library.
The funding for the projects was already in the D.D.A.’s budget.
Since respondents to the 2024 Downtown Corridor and Public Amenity Survey identified public art as a top priority for improving the downtown, the D.D.A. has developed a public art program.
In other business, D.D.A. Board members will be able to get an extra hour of sleep before board meetings starting next January. In setting the meeting dates for 2027, the board agreed to move the start time for their meetings from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m..
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