Artist Unfazed by Public’s Pans

SANTA ROSA, Calif. —  A colorful new metal sculpture has been causing some heated debate in Sonoma County.

The $25,000 peach, blue and white sculpture was dedicated two weeks ago at the entrance to the Sonoma County Administration Center. Many have complained, including one employee who called the artwork “atrocious” and a waste of money.

But artist Robert Ellison said that’s exactly the reaction he was looking for when he set out to create the artwork, titled “Sun Zone.”

“I think my sculpture fits there perfectly,” Ellison said. “That county building needed a little animation to spice things up.”