A public art display in the city of Clinton could act to brighten up, and draw residents to, a portion of the city that desperately needs it, Lisa Turlington told City Council members Wednesday night.

On the heels of the Fine Arts Center’s opening off of Vance Street, Turlington, director of the Sampson County Arts Council, announced that the previous Sampson County jail site was also being eyed as a possible spot for a public arts display.

“We are really excited,” she said. “We want something that’s going to wow everybody.”

It was back in January that Turlington met with city manager John Connet and assistant manager Shawn Purvis to discuss possibly applying for a planning grant for an arts display. In August, the Arts Council received a $5,000 grant to develop a public art plan, which was matched by the city. Officials also partnered with the Arts Council to provide resources in devising that plan.

A committee of 10 local people “representative of the community” was organized to give input during the process, Turlington said. With the help of an art consultant, the group has come to a clear course of action.

“We got excited about putting something at the central park site,” remarked Turlington, referring to the old jail site. Other sites floated during discussion were at the College Street parking lot or a mural to be seen as motorists traveled up College Street.

But the park site stood out with the committee.

“That’s the most pressing need,” said Turlington. “We really want to make a place to gather.”

Interviews were recently held with two artists, Heidi Lippman of Baltimore, Md. and Lorna Jordan of Washington state. Turlington said the committee was leaning toward Lippman, who has various works of glass, mosaic and terrazzo art to her name, as well as works on rooftops and studio works for interior and exterior settings. One particular work adorns large glass windows inside Baltimore Washington International (BWI) Airport.

Turlington also said Kofi Boone, an assistant professor of landscape architecture at N.C. State, has been solicited to get a local expert to speak to Clinton representatives about the project.

Discussion of a possible arts display was mentioned as far back as the beginning of 2008, when conceptual drawings on the third phase of a downtown revitalization project were first presented to the Council. The project, which has since been delayed due to economic conditions, was to include redeveloping the former jail site as a 24-space parking lot adjacent to a park consisting largely of greenspace and landscaping, with public art displays a distinct possibility, planning officials said at the time.

While the overall revitalization phase has been tabled until next year, the goal for some art looks to be headed forward.

Connet said the art project, and its implementation, would be further discussed at a special Council meeting Nov. 12.

Chris Berendt can be reached at 910-592-8137, ext. 121, or by email at sicrime@myclintonnc.com.