ALAMOSA — The City of Alamosa invested in local artists’ work this week as the city council purchased three pieces that had been part of the public art displays.

The council approved $12,160 to purchase two pieces by young artist Amyas Maestas (Old Goat for $4,200 and Longhorn for $3,500) and Trouvaille by local artists Kasia Polkowska and Kyle Cunniff for $7,500. Since the city receives a 20-percent commission, the cost of the pieces was reduced by 20 percent to $12,160.

Alamosa City Manager Heather Brooks told the council that one of the city’s goals with the Artscape program was to purchase at least one piece a year that could be permanently displayed in the city. The first year the city purchased El Pastor, which now resides at the depot. The pieces purchased this week will also remain in the downtown area, Brooks said.

Councilman Jan Vigil said he believed the new purchases should also be located at the depot. He said with El Pastor and “Old Goat” and “Longhorn” it seemed the city was developing a theme.

He said he also liked a sandhill cranes piece of art, but Brooks said that piece had already been purchased and would be located at SLV Health.

This year the art committee recommended Maestas’ pieces and Trouvaille. Brooks said it seemed fitting to purchase Maestas’ work since the Maestas family lost much of their artwork in a fire. Purchasing these pieces helps the family and supports local artists, she explained.

The city’s budget for 2018 had nearly $17,000 in it for art purchases, so the city has the funds to buy these three pieces, Brooks added. The city also received a $5,000 grant from the Department of Local Affairs.

Mayor Pro Tem Liz Hensley said she was glad to see the artwork permanently remaining in the community for people to enjoy and was glad to see that SLV Health would also have one of the pieces.