NCT Lux Art Institute Opens. Atop one hill stands the first permanent building of the Lux Art Institute, which debuts this weekend.

NCT Encinitas council changes library art plan. The City Council late Wednesday overturned its Commission for the Arts' recommendations for artwork for the library. The seven-member arts panel had suggested commissioning two gates and a sculpture totaling $101,800 ---- nearly twice as much as the $55,000 the city had budgeted.

"There's no way I can support spending $101,000 on this art," Deputy Mayor Jerome Stocks told his colleagues. "I really don't think we were given value pricing. There's no rush for this."

With Stocks dissenting, the council voted 4-1 to commission two artists to fabricate one gate each for the library's reading terrace and courtyard terrace. The price for the two gates is $41,750...

Councilwoman Maggie Houlihan defended the prices attached to the artists' proposals.

"It is not uncommon to find public art in the price range of what was submitted to the city," she said. "I don't know how we can possibly get three pieces of public art of a caliber required by this community for $55,000."

NCT Article on art selection process.