By Ralph Derickson

Sandoval, who has taught at UK for 27 years, was one of 175 artists who competed for the art commission. He conducts art research work in industrial materials for which he is best known in combination with fiber using traditional weaving, interlacing and machine stitching work.

July 18, 2002 (Lexington, Ky.) -- University of Kentucky art professor Arturo Alonzo Sandoval has a date in federal court, but not for anything he did wrong. He has been commissioned to produce artwork for the new U.S. Sixth District Court building in London, Ky.

Sandoval, who has taught at UK for 27 years, was one of 175 artists who competed for the art commission. He conducts art research work in industrial materials for which he is best known in combination with fiber using traditional weaving, interlacing and machine stitching work.
The artwork for the London building is titled "Appalachian Knobs."

he "flagship" artwork, made of interlaced highly polished brass, copper and aluminum strips, is 40 inches high, 604 inches wide and one inch deep. The artwork's reverse twill pattern is painted and clear-coated. Three smaller pieces of artwork in the same reverse pattern but in different colors will be displayed on other floors of the federal building. The artwork will be dedicated Oct. 7.

The artist's contract is part of the U.S. General Service Administration's Art in Architecture project, which requires a small percentage of a new federal building's cost be used for artwork in the building.

Sandoval said several other persons are involved in the fabrication of the artwork, including the Ateleir Partners, Michael Maxson and Stacey Chinn, sculptors and metal fabricators; Tony Plaisted, a chemical engineer; Lisa Pantzer, a veterinarian and fiber artist; Michelle Noe, a mixed media artist; and Renee Robbins and Julie Warren, artists.