SANDPOINT — After putting out a call for artists in the spring, the Sandpoint Arts Commission received 22 applications for the Silver Box Project.

“(The commission) narrowed it down to three pieces, taking into account a variety of medium, appropriate size for the box, location, etc.,” said Elle Susnis, Arts Commission chair.

Of the three pieces recommended for approval by City Council, however, the commission was informed on Monday that one of the chosen pieces, “Phoenix Rising,” sold at Art on the Green over the weekend and would not be available for the rotating sculpture project in Sandpoint. Therefore, Susnis told council members on Wednesday they would only be recommending the other two sculptures at this time.

Council members subsequently approved the two sculptures, which will be featured at the downtown locations where the silver boxes, which will serve as the bases for the sculptures, were installed in November 2018.

The sculpture to be featured at the Fifth and Oak location is titled, “Okeefe 5,” by Patrick Sullivan of Pine Valley, Utah. Susnis described the piece as a “carrara marble with a very fluid form.”

A sculpture by George Rickert of Sandpoint, titled “Angry Bird,” will be featured at the Fourth and Church Street location. This piece, Susnis said, is “colorful and full of whimsy.”

The Silver Box Project was approved by council in March 2017, and was initially planned for locations by City Beach, at the trailhead for the Sand Creek, but commission members told council they felt the location was cramped, and would likely only be viewed by users of the path.

The chosen locations by Farmin Park, the post office and the Columbia Bank building will not only be available for viewing by pedestrians, but vehicle traffic as well, Susnis told council last year after a number of revisions were made to the project.

Because the third piece was sold, Susnis said the Arts Commission will choose from one of the other pieces submitted during the recent application process.

“The Arts Commission was not anticipating needing an alternate for the Oak and Fourth (Street) location, so we will revisit the selection process and report back at the Aug. 21 council meeting,” she said.

Mary Malone can be reached by email at mmalone@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @MaryDailyBee.