Minutes

Public Art Commission

October 16, 2009

Regular Meeting

Attendance:

Commissioners:  Bussell, Edson, Markell, Wynkoop, Wilkerson, Baker, Seltzer (staff liaison)

Absent: Pugh, Voisin (council liaison)

Guest:

None

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

Minutes

Approval of the August and September minutes were approved with corrections.

Update Sweatfree Art Exhibit

Wilkerson and Bussell provided an update on the upcoming exhibit of Sweatfree Art.  The nine painted will be hung in City Council Chambers on Monday, November 2 and remain until the evening of Friday November 6.  Wilkerson will supervise the installation and the removal.   PAC members will be in attendance when the exhibit is open to the public. 

The artist does not have liability insurance on the paintings.  Legal staff will prepare an agreement for the artist signature waiving the city of all responsibility for the art while en route or while in possession of the city.

Update Utility Box painting Project

Edson and Baker met to discuss the next steps for the Utility Box project and recommend the following steps:

1)      Determine the source of funding for the project, 2) then determine the process.

They recommend the project occur every other year to allow time to apply for appropriate grants.  The also listed the following options:

1)      do it again as was done this time, 2) place the responsibility of the all associated costs on the neighborhoods/businesses wanting to have boxes painted, 3) create a hybrid of a combination of grant/matching funds and contributions from neighborhoods/businesses.

The commission discussed increasing the stipend to the artist and where Phase II might occur.  It was suggested to develop a budget of the cost per box in order to help determine the funding needs and process.

Update on donation from Guanajuato Artist

Edson informed the group that contrary to her initial understanding the GTO artist is not interested in donating his work but rather expects to be compensated.  Bussell and Edson will draft a letter to the artist explaining the public art process and when the opportunity arises for the PAC to commission a piece of art, he can respond to the RFP.

Update on Gallery Guide

Markell contact the Ashland Gallery Association requesting an article on the progress of public art in Ashland.  She was invited to submit an article for the December publication of the Gallery Guide.  Markell will work with Bussell to draft an article.

Update on Croman Advisory Committee

As a member of the Croman Advisory Committee, Wilkerson provided a brief update on the work of the committee.  He explained that a draft Master Plan for the property has been adopted and the role of the committee is to review and tweak the draft plan, if necessary.  The City Council will review the final draft of the plan in the next few months.

Meeting adjourned at 9:35

Next meeting:

Friday, November 20

Friday, December 18