CHICO — What is art? To paraphrase former U.South. Supreme Courtroom Justice Potter Stewart, perhaps "I'll know it when I see it" should be our guide.

Now that the days are sunny and bright and the nights are cool and articulate, there are plenty of opportunities to see and savour the Metropolis of Chico's fine public fine art collection. That's why the Enterprise-Record is launching a new, interactive "Chico Art Map," which you can admission online at chicoer.com.

It's made with Google My Maps, so you can fifty-fifty download it on your favorite handheld device and create your own walking bout. The map has three singled-out overlays: Murals and Mosaics in bluish, Sculptures and Metals in purple, and Benches and Pedestals in yellow. They're all color-coded, and many take details on the name of the piece, the creative person and when it was installed.

Merely the question of how to ascertain public art is trickier than you'd think. Do nosotros include art and murals that are only accessible inside private businesses? Or does that defy the "public" role of public art?

What nearly graffiti? If y'all'd say no, what about graffiti that's meant to exist rebellious, public art; similar Banksy'southward work?

How well-nigh onetime art that is broken or fading? There are some lovely, onetime murals around town that are completely obscured, chipped or partially removed. Should we discount them?

  • "Our Hands," a sculpture by Donna Billick, installed near the...

    "Our Hands," a sculpture past Donna Billick, installed near the Chico Municipal Center at Fourth and Wall streets in 2000. (Robin Epley -- Enterprise-Record)

  • A message of "Love" casts a bright glow onto Main...

    A message of "Love" casts a vivid glow onto Principal Street from the Lulu's headquarters in downtown Chico. The landscape was painted by locals Jed Speer and Kris Smith in 2018. (Robin Epley -- Enterprise-Record)

  • Outside Upper Crust Bakery on Main Street there are two...

    Outside Upper Crust Bakery on Main Street in that location are two commemorative pedestals, the more colorful of the 2 celebrates Chico's plentiful farmers markets. Information technology was built by artist Kari Zigan with the help of Chico Country Day School in 2007. (Robin Epley -- Enterprise-Record)

  • This curlicue sculpture is called "The Spiral" and was created...

    This roll sculpture is called "The Spiral" and was created by artist Dave Brown in 2008. Information technology'south placed in the heart of Oak Way Park. (Robin Epley -- Enterprise-Tape)

  • "Basis Weightlifter" is a relatively new addition to the Chico...

    "Footing Weightlifter" is a relatively new addition to the Chico public art scene; it was created in 2017 by artist David Felkirk on the side of the Basis Health & Performance gym at 177 Due east. 20th St. (Robin Epley -- Enterprise-Tape)

  • "Let's Rock" is an art installation piece on the third...

    "Let'due south Rock" is an art installation piece on the tertiary floor of the Chico Muicipal Center building, only outside the metropolis director's function. It was created in 1982 past Paradise resident Eddy Martinez Hood. (Robin Epley -- Enterprise-Record)

  • The two mosaic Diamond Alley Arches are between the Diamond...

    The two mosaic Diamond Alley Arches are betwixt the Diamond Hotel and the parking garage, connecting West Third Street to Westward Fourth Street. According to a nearby plaque, they were congenital in 2003 by Kathleen Nartuhi and David Barta, with the assistance of the children of Chico. (Robin Epley -- Enterprise-Tape)

  • The Abbey Road Gate guards the entrance to Formal Education...

    The Abbey Road Gate guards the entrance to Formal Educational activity at 127 Chief St., and was congenital to commemorate and replace a popular mural that was brought down by renovations side by side door. Information technology was congenital by Old Chico Iron and installed in 2017. (Robin Epley -- Enterprise-Tape)

  • John and Annie Bidwell peek out from behind an overgrown...

    John and Annie Bidwell peek out from backside an overgrown palm tree on Westward. Second Street. The artist backside the mural is none other than John Pugh, of Chico Country's "Academe" landscape fame. (Robin Epley -- Enterprise-Record)

  • "Poetry Rock" is located behind the Chico Area Recreation and...

    "Poetry Rock" is located behind the Chico Area Recreation and Park Commune building on 545 Vallombrosa Ave. It was built by John Staple in 2003 and features a poem by George Keithly. (Robin Epley -- Enterprise-Record)

These questions and more led usa dorsum to Justice Stewart'due south wise words. To wit: I decided if it's publicly accessible if it was intended to be viewed as an art slice and if someone can safely garner enjoyment from it, it's included.

Well — I've tried to include it.

Chico has an awful lot of art, yous run into. And on this map, y'all'll find more than 50 pieces and installations, but I know there's many, many more waiting to be establish.

Hopefully yous'll even be surprised past a few that nosotros found: The majority are in downtown Chico, merely at that place are several, like the catfish sculpture in a field just north of Highway 32, or the Silver Plow installation sculpture southward of the city on Park Avenue, or The Screw at Oak Way Park that are well worth the drive, bike ride or walk. There may even be a few that you've walked by for years and never seen, like the faded, lonely window washer on the wall higher up 131 Primary St.

If you know of a landscape, bench, mosaic, sculpture or whatever other kind of public art — exist it officially condoned or not — yous can help this project abound by emailing repley@chicoer.com. It'll assistance if you can include a picture and the details (if y'all have them.) So go out there and enjoy our city's plentiful, beautiful public fine art this summer.