PUBLIC ARTS COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
October 21, 2022
DRAFT Minutes

AUDIO

1. CALL TO ORDER 

2. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA - None

3. PUBLIC FORUM – No member of the public wished to speak.

4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

5. LIAISON REPORTS  
   • APRC Liaison – Chair Engelund introduced Ashland Parks and Recreation Commissioner Leslie Eldridge as the new APRC Liaison to the Commission.
   • Community Development Liaison – Associate Planner Johanna Tuthill stated that Michael Morrison, the Public Works Superintendent, had informed her that the Medallions had been delayed due to staffing shortages but were still progressing.

6. OTHER BUSINESS
   • Introduction – Chair Engelund introduced Acting Community Development Director Brandon Goldman to the Commission. Mr. Goldman provided his professional background as well as his connection to Public Art.
   • Chair Engelund proposed a resolution expressing appreciation and admiration for former Community Development Director Bill Molnar, who retired from the City on September 30, 2022 after many decades of public service.

• Mr. Goldman detailed appropriate conduct for public officials and employees regarding elections. He noted that members of the Commission are considered public officials and as such are prohibited from engaging in political advocacy while in their official capacity.
• Annual Report to Council – Chair Engelund briefly spoke to annual Commission report he gave to the City Council on October 4, 2022, and thanked Ms. Tuthill for her assistance.
   

7. PAC WORKPLAN and PROJECT UPDATES
   • Peter Finkle suggested that a new plaque be commissioned for the “Nourishing Our Community” project. He offered three options for consideration (see attachment #1).

• Change the sentence from ‘All three “nourished” Ashland residents…’  to  ‘All three nourished Ashland residents, both figuratively and literally…’
• Removing the last sentence.

• John Pugh Presentation – Proposed Gift to the City: Elks Building Mural
  • Mr. Pugh provided a presentation to the Commission regarding his proposed mural on the Elks Lodge building (see attachment #2).
  • Commissioner Preskenis inquired if Mr. Pugh had reached out for feedback on his project from local indigenous peoples. Mr. Pugh replied that he had begun to seek feedback but that he is very early in the process. Commissioner Preskenis suggested that Mr. Pugh consider how his project could be perceived by local indigenous peoples, to which Mr. Pugh replied that he is open to opening that dialogue, making changes, and growing the project.
  • Commissioner Smith suggested that the artwork include an historical figure like Grandma Aggie. Commissioner Preskenis added that Grandma Aggie’s ancestors could also be an appropriate addition. Mr. Pugh was receptive to this idea.
  • Commissioner Frank recommended that the project no contain any politically-charged elements, particularly with the artist being of Caucasian heritage. Mr. Pugh responded that it is his intention to create an historical piece, not a political one. Commissioner Smith agreed that the political impact should be considered, but that the proposed project has a greater historical context than a political one. Commissioner Smith added that Mr. Pugh could be accused of appropriating Native American imagery. Commissioner Young agreed that the Commission should be prepared for some political pushback. Commissioner Preskenis commented that the artwork would not be political, it would be human, and could promote healing within the community. Mr. Pugh stated that his art could have the opportunity to provide healing.
  •  Chair Engelund noted that, with the mural packet required for the project, the budget for whole artwork would be approximately $200,000.
  • Commissioner Frank commented that many pieces of City art had become oversaturated with references to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and that Mt. Shasta would not be appropriate for inclusion in a City of Ashland artwork. Mr. Pugh responded that the mountain included in the artwork was Mt. Ashland, and that only a prelude to OSF would be represented in his project.

• Ashland Gateway Project
  • Chair Engelund mentioned that the prospect of a Gateway project had arisen in discussions with Scott Fleury, the Director of Public Works, and Beverly Hovenkamp, the Chair of the Historic Commission. It was suggested that the City consider the idea of establishing a Gateway Project and explore ideas for a more welcoming artworks at one-two sites in Ashland. It would be unrelated to the MAP project.
  • Commissioner Bloom wondered whether this would interfere with projects currently in progress.
  • There were discussions about what form these gateways would take. Commissioner Preskenis suggested a mural underneath the train tracks on the north end of the City, but both her and Commissioner Bloom were concerned about the Commission’s limited time and resources in undertaking another project.
  • Chair Engelund volunteered to begin the process, with other Commissioners taking on various steps in the future.

• Meetings with H.C. Chair and Commission: MAP I, MAP II, Volunteers  
  • Chair Engelund stated that he had given a presentation to the Historic Commission, and had proposed that both commissions recruits one-two members to form a subcommittee regarding the MAP II project, There was discussion regarding who among the Commission would be willing to volunteer to spearhead the MAP II project. Chair Engelund commented that the MAP I project had taken a considerable amount of work, but had established much of the needed groundwork for MAP II.
  • Commissioner Preskenis expressed interest in assisting identifying the next MAP II project location. Chair Engelund thanked Commissioner Preskenis, and commented that Mr. Finkle and members of the Historic Commission would also be involved.
     
• Public Forum considerations with Micah Blacklight’s work as a key component
  • Commissioner Preskenis announced that Micah Blacklight’s project was approved by the City Council, and Mr. Blacklight has now begun fundraising. He has requested that the Commission hold two public forums to assist with this, with the first taking the form of a panel discussion. There could also be an open discussion portion where non-BIPOC members of the community would be able to offer candid feedback on the project, as well as a Q&A. Chair Engelund said that the first public forum is currently scheduled for January 12, 2022, and would be used to then set up the second public forum.
  • Commissioner Preskenis invited any additional Commissioners to join in the organization of the meetings.
     
• Chair Engelund detailed how there have been discussions over the idea of creating a rack card for the Public Art Collection. It could be distributed at art galleries, and would direct holders to the Public Art Collection website.
• Commissioner Smith noted that one may already exist, and Commissioner Preskenis said that there is an outdated one at the Chamber of Commerce. 
• Chair Engelund stated that the price would not exceed $500 and be developed by Bruce Bayard, and would be 5x9. Commissioner Smith suggested that his company could do the printing if the Commission covers the cost of the paper.
   

8. ADJOURNMENT   - 10:06 AM
   Next Meeting:  November 18, 2022