Promote Alexandra commissioned New Zealand company Corrugated Creations to provide concept plans of a sculpture, designed either to be mounted on the Central Stories Museum and Art Gallery building or freestanding in Pioneer Park.
The group's aim was for Alexandra to boast a cherry blossom, in the vein of Cromwell's big fruit sculpture, Ohakune's carrot, and Gore's trout.
But residents and visitors to Alexandra have contacted the Otago Daily Times to say there is no place for such an installation in the town.
June Turnbull, of Dunedin, said the sculpture shown in concept plans was tasteless and would detract from the stark, magnificent natural beauty of Alexandra.
"The pink tin monstrosity atop the museum building looks cheap and tacky and won't do anything to enhance the town.
"My suggestion is Promote Alexandra abandon such crassness or find someone with knowledge of aesthetics," she said.
Alexandra resident Helen Young said the proposal was an "incongruous combination", although she supported the idea of Alexandra having an iconic sculpture of sorts.
"Alexandra is renowned for its Blossom Festival, so an icon blossom sculpture - like the clock on the hill - is a great idea.
However, I feel this would be best conceived and produced with local input," she said.
Promote Alexandra secretary Alice Stewart said the group had not actively sought public feedback on its proposal, although it welcomed any feedback.
She said the community generally seemed to support more public art being installed around the town, as indicated in findings from a Central Otago District Council-initiated survey.
"We have had some feedback indicating people would prefer a freestanding sculpture as opposed to one placed on top of Central Stories," she said.
Promote Alexandra applied last month to the Vincent Community Board for $13,500 for the project.
It was estimated a freestanding sculpture would cost more than $6000, while a sculpture on Central Stories would cost more than $4000.
Freight and installation would add at least another $4000.
Mrs Stewart said the proposal was still in its early stages and its construction would depend on community support.
"We are in no rush. There has been some discussion that maybe in this recession it is not the way to spend public money," she said.
In May, community board members resolved to table Promote Alexandra's funding application, along with three others from the group totalling $62,000, until further information was available.
The group plans to approach the board at its next meeting on July 20.
