The commission last awarded a project to a local artist in 2005, when Heide Trepanier was selected for an installation at a different public library.

Ellyn Parker, the city’s public art coordinator, said the selection is a demonstration of the city’s commitment to local artists, but noted Broth was chosen based on his merit. She said Broth won over two other finalists: Andrea and Kevin Orlosky, the co-founders of Art on Wheels, and Julien Gardier.

“He wasn’t selected just because he was local,” she said. “But our selection panel was definitely excited about the idea of working with someone who knows the community, and it keeps the money in Richmond.”

Broth grew up in Northern Virginia and graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a degree in painting and printmaking in 2005.

His graduation was delayed when, in 2004, he was sentenced to a 10-month jail sentence in Richmond and Hanover County for felony vandalism charges stemming from graffiti he had painted along Interstate 95.

He said his tag was to just write the word “refuse” as large as possible using latex house paint.