LEXINGTON, Ky. — With help from a select artist from central Kentucky, Lexington plans to bring visually pleasing and colorful relief to the dining area of the Lexington Community Corrections facility.

Over 200 corrections officers and others walk the halls at the Lexington detention center and, like many law enforcement positions, require major focus and mental relief from the hefty responsibilities. 

Now, a central Kentucky artist is being recruited with helping change the feeling of that environment.

The Lexington mayor’s office is asking people, from now through May 17, to pitch a unique idea, inviting art pieces to the city that will cover a wall inside the center’s dining and break room. 

Director of arts and cultural affairs, Heather Lyons, is securing the process. 

“We wanted to see if there was something we could do that might help create a pleasing and welcoming environment for the officers working there,” Lyons said about how the concept came to. It’s one of the first times the city has worked with the detention center to bring something like this to life. 

An artist in Lexington or any bordering counties, including Jessamine, Woodford, Scott, Bourbon, Clark and Madison, can submit their ideas online until May 17 or in person until May 12.

The goal is to bring a positive and interactive mural, painting or sculpture to the walls of the center’s most used space. 

Officers tell the city they hope the art will be a huge stress reliever. 

“Throughout our survey, when we asked the officers what kind of art they might like. It was a pretty overwhelming response that they would like something peaceful, calming, soothing,” Lyons explained. “They had many different kinds of words and themes and ideas to respond to, but that made sense to me because they work in a very stressful environment.”

The project will include an $8,000 budget for the chosen artist that is inclusive of all the artist’s needs to complete the piece. The future art installment is something the city will continue working closely with officers to create. 

Chief of Corrections, Scott Colvin, the idea is already improving morale. 

“The artist project at the division of community corrections is already lifting spirits. It is a fun and exciting interactive process for the corrections officers,” he said.