Minutes

Public Art Commission

July 17, 2009

Regular Meeting

Attendance:

Commissioners:  Bussell, Edson, Markell, Wynkoop, Pugh, Wilkerson, Longshore, Voisin (Council Liaison), Seltzer (staff liaison)

Absent: Wilkerson, Longshore, Voisin (Council Liaison)

Guest:

Alice Hardesty

Chair Bussell called meeting to order at 8:20 a.m.

Citizen Request

Former city councilor Alice Hardesty informed the PAC she intends to purchase the sculpture “Gift” by Wataru Sugiyama currently on display on the Calle Guanajuato staircase.  She offered the piece as a gift of public art to the City of Ashland.  The piece is offered in memorial of her late husband and former city councilor Jack Hardesty. 

Gifts of public art to the city are allowed by AMC 2.17.100 pending a recommendation by the Public Art Commission and approval by the City Council.

Hardesty requests the piece be re-located to the Japanese garden in Lithia Park, pending approval by the Parks and Recreation Commission, after the two year commitment of display on Calle Guanajuato is fulfilled.  If the placement of “Gift” in Lithia Park is not approved, she asks the PAC to identify possible alternatives within the City.

Hardesty and Bussell will attend the Parks Commission study session on Monday, July

Hardesty also requests a dedication of the piece in mid-October.

Wynkoop/Edson M/S acceptance of the gift of public art.  PAC voted to accept the gift. 

Next steps: Seltzer will prepare an agenda item for council approval at the August 4 city council meeting based on the recommendation of the PAC.

Loan of Public Art

At the June PAC meeting, the commission heard from property owner Jerry Garland and from artist Kevin Cristman about the placement of public art on private property.

They proposed to site Christman’s sculpture Alchemy of Light in front of the property owned by Garland known as Soundpeace.

AMC 2.17.120 allows for the loan and placement of public art on private property with a written legal agreement between the City and property owner.  The PAC has determined the site is appropriate and has accepted the loan of the sculpture.  The City Attorney has drafted Public Art Easement.

Next step:  Seltzer will prepare an agenda item for the council approval for the City Council meeting on August 4.

Meeting adjourned at 9:15 a.m.

Next meetings:

Friday, August 17

Friday, September 18