In starting the process of selecting a new artist to do a different Monument. The Workers Monument Committee contacted Bruce Williams of the Iowa Arts Council. Mr. Williams in his position of Grants, Public Art, Operational Support had dealt with several Monuments on the Capitol Grounds. Mr. Williams assisted the committee in sitting up an Artist Advisory Panel to make recommendations to the committee on the selection of an artist.

 

Mr. Williams then sent out a request for qualifications (RFQ) from the Iowa Arts Council. Thirty-two artists responded to the RFQ with their bio’s and pictures of their works.

 

The Artist Advisory Panel selected Michael Stutz and made a recommendation to the Workers Monument Committee.

 

The Workers Monument committee met and accepted the recommendation of Artist Advisory Panel.

 

 

 

During a three year period in New Orleans, Stutz found a new direction for his art, while working as a Mardi Gras parade float builder. The public nature of the parades, the emphasis upon scale and caricature, continue to inform his work.

 

Upon returning to San Francisco, Stutz became involved in the burgeoning Dot-Com boom fueled art scene. In 1999, he installed a 30 foot long, woven bronze reclining nude upon the W Hotel in San Francisco, directly adjacent to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.

 

After the birth of his son in 2000, Stutz and his family moved to San Diego County, where he continues to create private and public commissions for collectors and cities across the nation.