ASHLAND PUBLIC ARTS COMMISSION MINUTES June 15, 2018
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Sandra Friend called the meeting to order at 8:03 a.m. in the Lithia Room, 51 Winburn Way.
Commissioners Present:
Staff Present:
Dana Bussell Sandra Friend Thomas Fuhrmark Richard Newman Andy Stallman Stanley Smith
Fotini Kaufman, Assistant Planner
Absent Members:
Council Liaison:
INTRODUCTIONS Allison Renwick introduced herself and shared her background as an Art Historian and teacher. She served on the Historic Commission for nine years. She participated on selection committee for the Gateway Island project. She also initiated the historic markers program.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Commissioners Bussell/Fuhrmark m/s to approve the minutes from April 20, 2018.Voice Vote: all AYES. Motion passed.
PUBLIC FORUM - None
COUNCIL LIASON REPORT - None
PROJECT UPDATES
Update on the design for Velocity
Chair Friend updated the Commission on the plaque and the status of Velocity’s fabrication. Commissioner Newman added the piece would have LED lighting on the underside of the arch. Chair Friend explained the artist had not made a final decision on the color of the ball. The artist initially discussed having an orange ball. Presently, he was considering a white translucent ball with LED lighting inside. She described the fabrication process.
The Commission compiled questions for the artist that included the final color of the ball and material, lighting, day time appearance, structural integrity and scale. Ms. Kaufman explained the City Engineer Division had been involved with ensuring the art installation was structurally sound. She retrieved the structural permits for the Commission to review. The sculpture would be completed late August. They discussed the possibility of having the artist, Gordon Huether, design something to cover the electrical boxes on the wall in the Theater Corridor.
Update on Watershed Piece
Commissioner Bussell updated the Commission on the dedication for the last Watershed Piece on July 6th at 4 p.m. at the Reservoir. Chair Friend explained that a combination of a grant and non-public funds were used to purchase “Elevation.”
Review of the PAC three-year plan
The Commission reviewed the goals. Goal 1 Complete Current and Ongoing Projects
Theatre corridor
Finish defining the process to bring to point of CC review for approval
Manage fabrication and installation processes
Gateway
Develop public education strategy for use when sculpture installed
Rycheck/Watershed art project
Review completed installation
Accept sculpture into City public art inventory
Goal 2 Expand awareness of the value of Public Art
Develop visual presentation (What is public art? Why public art?)
Develop plan to do presentations
Seek information from the Visitor and Convention Bureau on their public promotion that the PAC might connect with to promote existing and future pieces of public art
Invite VCB to meet with PAC
Develop visual presentation to highlight our current and future public art projects
Ask Gateway artist to video/photograph her fabrication process for Threshold
Find photos from the Calle GTO process
Add this component as requirement for artists in future PAC projects
A rough of the Why Public Art? presentation was targeted for the end of August. The Rotary and Lions Clubs was interested in the Commission giving a presentation to each of their groups. This could happen in August or September.
Commissioner Newman mentioned the library’s series of “salon” events on various artists. Chair Friend thought it would be useful to know the audience attending those events and potentially have the Commission participate.
Goal 3 Strengthen Relationships with Other Commissions & Organizations
Identify opportunities to work with other commissions
Seek specific projects in which to foster communication with other commissions/organizations
Seek opportunities to give mini-presentations to other Commissions/organizations
Develop presentations
Request several minutes at other commission meeting for presentation
Communicate with other Commission Chairs regarding current/upcoming projects
This was an ongoing goal to look for opportunities to work with other commissions. There had been some contention earlier with the Historic Commission regarding the public art process that had since been resolved. There was also some criticism of the Commission for not choosing local artists. Many local artists did not have experience with fabrication and public art.
Goal 4 Review, Update and Expand PAC Processes
Improve RFQ verbiage/terminology for clearer responses from applicants
Using Corridor RFQ, identify ‘misunderstandings’ that impacted our ability to easily calibrate responses
Develop glossary for use in RFQs
Research format for RFQs from other cities
Consider developing an online RFQ format
Develop guideline for donated art
Use mural guidelines as basis for format
Reference existing ordnances
Review 2.29 and 2.17 for possible modification
PAC to review and determine if proposed changes are critical to move forward on proposing a request for changes
There was a need for a process to review privately funded projects as well as identify project sites throughout the city.
Goal 5 Identify future public art locations and opportunities
Identify sites for public art downtown
Identify sites for public art out of downtown
Develop site map and vision for public art for these location
Goal 6 Secure additional funding for public art projects
Seek grant writer
Explore community for pro bono grant writer
Seek donor opportunities
Use site map developed in Goal 5 as approach to donors
Develop plan to approach prospective donors
Advocate for continued TOT allocation
The Commission kept Goals 1-3 and 6 the same and switched Goal 5 with Goal 4.
COMMISSION ITEMS NOT ON AGENDA Ms. Kaufman explained the Ashland Transit Triangle was a plan involving Ashland Street, Tolman Creek Road, and Siskiyou Boulevard. The plan would up zone the area to encourage multi-story, multifamily housing and commercial buildings. It was a code amendment that would allow more flexible zoning. Storied buildings would have step backs to offset height. The draft ordinance would go before City Council at their August 7, 2018 meeting. A part of the Design Standards was allowances for plaza space and landscaping along the street. Developers could reduce plaza space by incorporating public art.
The Commission discussed identifying sites within Historic Districts. Ms. Kaufman would email a copy of the Local Historic District map to the Commission as well as the Historic Markers Master Plan. Ms. Renwick could lead teams throughout the districts. She suggested including Dale Shostrom from the Historic Commission. Chair Friend would participate in the initial conversation with Commissioner Shostrom. Ms. Kaufman would forward the Public Arts Master Plan to the new commissioners.
The Commission talked about the upcoming local election and the role they could play in promoting the benefits of public art to the candidates and the general public.
They went on to discuss their role in navigating the public reception of an art piece once it was installed. The purpose of public art was providing an opportunity for a variety of dialogues. Artistic design brought up the question what level of influence did the Commission have over the final design? It was important not to dictate design to the artist.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
Dropbox Account
Ms. Kaufman transfer the files on Dropbox to Google Drive. She would send the link out to the Commission once the files were transferred.
ANNOUNCEMENTS & INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: Next meeting: July 20, 2018, at 8:00 a.m.
ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 9:49 a.m.
Submitted by, Fotini Kaufman Assistant Planner
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