Simons was not at CSU, Chico then, and the two artists did not meet, but both sent admiring comments to the arts coordinator about the other's work. When Simons joined the CSU, Chico faculty in 1992, she and Bishop talked about working together. Their opportunity came when the Chico Arts Commission requested proposals for the municipal building. Publicly funded art is relatively new for Chico. Like many other communities, Chico established an ordinance setting aside 1 percent of the construction costs of public buildings for on-site public art.
Artists present ideas and models to an arts panel selected by the arts commission.
After extensive review, a piece is chosen and presented to the city council for approval. They're not immediately forgotten, and you may even find yourself referencing them at some point. Simons and Bishop's proposal was designed for the lobby of the municipal building, a space currently lined with unused chairs separated by groupings of large plants. Bishop and Simons wanted to activate the space. The piece was designed as a large community project with schoolchildren, community groups, and individuals writing stories to be buried in the vessels.