BRIGHTON — Irish Sculptor Maurice Harron has been selected to create two sculptures to occupy the inner courtyards of the new Adams County Government Center.

    Harron, a resident of County Donegal in Northern Ireland, was chosen by the 12-member Adams County Visual Arts Commission after a six-month selection process that included more than 200 applicants.

    “Maurice is an accomplished sculptor with his own foundry in Ireland who has placed monumental pieces in Chicago and Boston,” said Bob Grant, chairman of the Visual Arts Commission and former Adams County district attorney. “We were excited by his enthusiasm, his understanding of our county and its culture and the dynamic presentation he made to win this competition. We are all looking forward to seeing his pieces in place early next year.  We are sure they will be an excellent complement to the new government center.”

    Harron has already begun work on the two pieces, titled “Origins” and “21st Century.” The artwork will consist of six stainless steel columns in each courtyard, each topped with a bronze sculpture designed to represent the past, present and future of Adams County.

    Harron visited Brighton June 2 to finalize his design and arrange for preparation of the site where his sculptures will be placed. He was impressed with the beauty and spaciousness of the eastern area of the county and the complementary contrast of the commercial and residential development in the western portion.

    “The people of Adams County have shown me great kindness, and I am honored to create lasting pieces of artwork to represent the county’s rich past with a look into its future,” said Harron.  “The building is designed to serve Adams County for 100 years and my vision is to create art that will sustain the passage of time.”

    Funding for this project comes from a designated 0.5 of 1 percent of the capital budget to construct the government center near 124th Avenue and Sable Boulevard.  The Visual Arts Commission recently applied for SCFD grant funding to help finance the project. The budget for both pieces is $140,000.

    Members of the Visual Arts Commission include: Grant, of Brighton, vice chairman Wilbur Flachman (Westminster resident), Claire Mannato (Adams County representative), Sharon Holbrook (Adams County representative), Chuc Duff (Westminster resident), Judee Dickinson (Brighton artist), Buz Hedglin (city of Thornton public art director), Ruth Kedzior (Adams County representative), Kristen Hood (Adams County representative), Yolanda Mojzis (Adams County representative), Holly Osgood (Northglenn resident), Dino Valente (Westminster resident) and Harry Spetnagel (Gensler Architect consultant).