PARADISE in bloom
Paradise Hills has gotten a bit more fun and flowery. On Sunday, the community gathered for its annual Day in Paradise celebration, which started with the dedication of Bernalillo County’s newest installation of public art, “Coneflowers,” located by the Paradise Hills Community Center Annex.
Created by Colorado Springs artist Christopher Weed, the sculpture consists of larger-than-life echinacea, or coneflowers, that stand around 15-feet tall and are arranged in a cluster that invites pedestrians to walk beneath the pieces.
“The powder-coated steel flowers evoke a sense of playfulness and wonder,” reads a county description.
The $38,000 project was paid for with the county’s 1 percent for the art program.
The community celebration then took to Paradise Hills Park, the site of music, food and fun and games.
As part of the festivities, this year’s Outstanding Citizens were recognized at the annual event.
Suzana Demusaj was honored for “her numerous hours of volunteer work with the Paradise Hills Little League,” while Deane Lamb was honored for “her volunteer work in the Sierra Vista Elementary School library for over 17 years. She also donates food each week to the school Backpack Program,” the county said.
“Both of our honorees were nominated by fellow citizens who saw the great work they were doing to help children grow and learn,” Bernalillo County Commissioner Lonnie Talbert explained in a news release.
Also receiving a tip of the cap were area sports teams: the Cibola High School girls soccer team and the Volcano Vista boys basketball team, both of which won 6A state titles; and the Tony Hillerman Middle School boys basketball team for winning the district middle school championship.
‘Coneflowers’ artwork dedicated during community celebration