The Town Council voted to accept four new pieces of public art for display in the community at its Jan. 7 regular session.

A bronze sculpture of President Franklin D. Roosevelt entitled “Strength to our People” will be added to the Fount Rushmore plaza of presidents in Fountain Park along Saguaro Boulevard.

The sculpture is the work of Utah artist Matt Glen and has a price of $44,900. The Public Art Committee has announced a fundraising drive is being used to raise the money for the sculpture. The council was told the fundraising is going quite well and has nearly achieved its goal.

Vice Mayor Henry Leger alluded to a controversy over a plaque with quotes that was placed with the Thomas Jefferson statue and asked whether there would be a plaque with quotes.

Public Art Chairperson Sandi Thompson said there would be a plaque identifying the artist and title but was uncertain about any quotes. She said the content of any plaque would be brought to the council for approval.

Former Councilwoman Ginny Dickey made a statement in support of accepting the statue and suggested the quote that includes Roosevelt’s iconic “We have nothing to fear, but fear itself” phrase.

The council voted 6-0 to accept the sculpture, and approved of the placement.

Three additional pieces of art were accepted for placement within the Avenue of the Fountains Plaza.

Sky Totem is a 9.5-foot bronze sculpture by artist Warren Cullar. It has an acquisition cost of $40,000.

An aluminum sculpture entitled Ascendo is 12 feet in height, 40 inches wide with a 56-inch base that rotates with the wind.

The artist is local resident Brian Schader and the acquisition price is $19,200.

Interactive Sun Glasses is something of a novelty piece by another Fountain Hills artist, Don Kenworthy.

This is a stainless steel sculpture eight feet in height with lenses about 42 inches in diameter. The price is $18,500.

All three of these pieces are being funded by Bart Shea of Shea, Connelly Development, the developer of the Morningstar assisted living home and the proposed Park Plaza. The donation will meet the one-percent public art requirement for new development.

The three pieces will leave only one remaining “art node” built into the walkway of the Avenue Plaza.