Lawrence arts and park officials want to create an outdoor sculpture garden to showcase the works of nationally recognized artists.

âÂÂWhat we really want is something that would house significant pieces of art,â said Dan Sabatini, a member of the Lawrence Arts Commission.

The cityâÂÂs Parks and Recreation Advisory Board gave the idea preliminary approval Tuesday after a presentation by Sabatini, Bill Carswell and Kay Henry from the arts commission.

Henry said the commission would like to see the first sculpture in place for the cityâÂÂs sesquicentennial celebration in 2004. But plenty of details must be worked out first, including where the sculpture garden will be and how it will be financed.

Finding a location accessible by the entire community probably would rule out a location on 1,500 acres of city-leased land at Clinton Lake, Henry said. City officials are anticipating a âÂÂSesquicentennial Plazaâ will be created there in 2004.

âÂÂIâÂÂd like to see (the garden) in the center of the city,â Henry said.

Henry said the project could also attract public support by featuring one work a year from the annual Outdoor-Downtown Sculpture Exhibition that features works at key locations along Massachusetts Street.

Carswell said heâÂÂd prefer to see the space reserved for nationally recognized pieces. âÂÂI donâÂÂt want to blanket statement that if the artist is famous, itâÂÂs good,â he said. âÂÂBut I think it should be special.âÂÂ

Sabatini said, âÂÂDepending on the funds, it might be every five years, every 10 years that we add a piece.âÂÂ

Carswell favored financing the garden through a mix of public and private backing. Sabatini said most sculpture gardens are privately owned.

The sculpture garden idea isnâÂÂt new to Lawrence; Parks and Recreation Director Fred DeVictor said a similar idea was floated about five years ago.

âÂÂI think it could be a very interesting addition to the city,â Carswell said, âÂÂand very attractive to the people who live here.âÂÂ