Minutes
Public Art Commission
8:00 a.m.
December 9, 2016

Attendance
Commissioners: Garrington, Merchant, Newman, Friend, Block-Brown, Bussell, Fuhrmark, Seltzer (staff liaison)
 
Absent:
Lemhouse (council liaison)
 
Guests:
Dale Shostrom, chair Historic Commission
 
Minutes of the November 18 meeting were approved.
 
Selection of artist for Theater Corridor
Each Public Art Commission member provided their assessment of each of the four remaining artists and their reasoning for their first choice.  Each member had Gordon Huether as their top choice.  Comments from members included Huether’s experience as a public artist, his aesthetics, his references were extremely positive and his project management skills.
 
Block-Brown made a motion to select Huether as the artist for the Theater Corridor project and Newman seconded the motion.  The PAC voted unanimously in favor of Huether.
 
The commission felt Huether has the resources to fabricate and install the project and his references commented that he is a good communicator, a good listener and works well with stakeholders.
 
Next steps:
Merchant will notify the artists that were not selected and Friend will contact Huether and discuss his trip to Ashland.
 
Questionnaire
The PAC reviewed the draft questions and agreed to narrow the list to four or five questions.  The intent of the questions is to solicit responses from the community to help inform the artist about downtown Ashland and the walkway.  These questions will also be used to frame the discussion at the public meeting with the artist in February.
 
Friend suggested it would be useful to discuss the questions with the artist to determine if there are others that would provide him with useful information.
 
Library Display
Fuhmark, Bussell and Block-Brown are collaborating on the display for the Library.  The display will invite people to respond to the questions that will be provided to the artist.
 
In addition, the group discussed the meeting between the artist and the public; location, date, presentation and discussion points.  Friend will discuss with Huether the dates in February he is available to come to Ashland.
 
General discussion
The PAC discussed placing the poster developed for the Library in additional locations such as the walkway itself.  Seltzer will create a page on the website where the community can respond to the questions and develop a press release announcing the artist and inviting citizens to respond to questions.  The selection of Huether will be included in the January issue of the City Source newsletter with an invitation to citizens to answer the questions.  Garrington will submit a letter to the editor.
 
AMC proposed changes
The Historic Commission will review the proposed changes at their meeting in early January.
 
Meeting adjourned at 11:00 a.m.
 
Next meeting dates:
January 20        regular meeting
February 3        First Friday