Minutes
Public Art Commission
August 19, 2016
Attendance
Commissioners: Garrington, Merchant, Newman, Friend, Block-Brown, Seltzer (staff liaison)
Absent:
Bussell, Lemhouse (council liaison)
Minutes:
Minutes of the July meeting were approved.
Citizen Issues:
Krista Hepford presented her concept for an outdoor mural at Abby’s Carpet and Floor at 1668 Siskiyou Boulevard. The 40 x 100 foot wall faces east. The mural will be cover approximately 36 x 18 feet of wall. Hepford introduced building owner Eric Austad who supports the Hepford’s proposal.
Hepford proposes using scrap materials, including wood and ceramic, from job sites where Abby’s Carper and Flooring materials have been used.
The proposed concept, titled “Uplifting”, shows two faces at opposite corners each with an outstretched arm and hand reaching for the other.
Hepford’s mural application was reviewed by staff and is incomplete: 1) professional portfolio of previous mural work and 2) scaled drawing.
Hepford spoke about her experience creating art using scrap materials, her experience as a teacher and working with children on murals. She noted the surrounding businesses and neighbors are excited about the project and have offered to help. Austad noted that he is supportive of the project and is hopeful that the mural will deter vandalism and tagging. The PAC noted that this would put public art in an underserved area of Ashland.
It was also noted that Hepford created a new awning for Abby’s using scrap bamboo flooring. Austed said it improves the look of his building and that the indoor product has not shown any signs of wear from the weather.
The PAC asked questions about the use of indoor products outdoors, the type of adhesive that will be used, type of grout and her experience translating a gridded pattern to a large space. Hepford has had a lot of experience using scrap materials and is confident she can execute the project but that she was not a professional muralist. The PAC suggested she partner with an artist who has mural experience and contact SOU about using art students as volunteers,
The PAC asked Hepford to provide the following to Seltzer to complete the application packet. :
- A resume, experience and examples of previous work
- A scaled image/concept of the proposal
- A revised updated budget with more detail
Other concerns and questions were raised. PAC members will send those to Seltzer to provide to Hepford. They encouraged her to return at a future PAC meeting with more information related to the questions.
Update to Mural Guidelines
The PAC praised Friend and Block-Brown for their work on the mural guidelines and requested the following be added to Overview.
Applicant may partner with a professional artist.
Applicant must provide a budget for the project and funding must be in place before the project begins.
In addition, the PAC requested that the budget requirement be added to the application.
Calendar review
PAC members were reminded to RSVP to City Recorder Barbara Christensen for the Volunteer Celebration.
October 3 is the deadline for the Theater Corridor RDQ submissions
Block-Brown will contact the Library about space availability for Theater Corridor display boards.
Newman suggested a dinner pot luck with PAC members and spouses. Early November was agreed upon and Newman will reserve the space and provide details at an upcoming meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 10:00 a.m.
