Outdoor artwork in today’s society may at times appear to be vanishing. However, plans are in the works to show off some of Ames’ best masterpieces.

The gallery to display the art will be none other than a Cy-Ride bus shelter and a former Iowa State student will be the artist.

The idea for the bus shelter art was created by ISU alum Chris Weaver, who submitted the proposal after graduating from Iowa State last December.

The piece, titled “Dancing Figures,” will be as tall as the bus shelter itself. The work will be made of one ongoing, coiling, curling, roll of optical fiber.

Throughout the entire piece, pulsating lights in a variety of colors will be placed.

In order to protect the art work from various types of damage and vandalism, the piece will be enclosed between two plates of plexiglass.

The bus shelter art is not a new idea in the country.

“This kind of public artwork is becoming very popular in communities around the United States,” Cy-Ride Transit Director Bob Dourne said. “In fact, on a recent trip I took to Seattle, Washington, I saw this kind of artwork in a number of transit facilities.”

Dourne said the transit committee signed a contract with the Ames City Council last week, which supports the construction of the “Dancing Figures.”

The lucky bus shelter chosen for the artwork will be the shelter on west Lincoln Way near Wallaby’s restaurant.

“We chose this particular bus stop because it is the most visible for the public” Dourne said.

However, even though the contract is signed, Dourne was unclear as to when the structure would actually be on display.

“We are still talking about the construction of other sculptures at bus shelters. The committee will discuss this again once we start receiving feedback from the first sculpture,” he said.

If the sculpture is successful the board may consider a second piece. The money for that will be taken out of what is left from the $6,000 budgeted for the first sculpture.