Minutes

Public Art Commission

May 21, 2010

Regular Meeting

Attendance:

Commissioners:  Davis, Edson, Bussell, Parker, Hanks (staff)

Absent:  Pugh, Wilkerson, Wynkoop, Lemhouse (council liaison), Seltzer (staff liaison)

Chair Bussell called meeting to order at 8:15 a.m.

Minutes from the April 16 meeting were approved with changes.

Carol Davis introduced Robert Beckman. 

His work – Robert Beckman has done 300 projects nationwide, many for government structures both interior and exterior with a large range of scale.  He has pioneered the use of fiberglass panels to enhance the longevity of the painting.  This has also enabled him to paint on a curved surface.  He has also worked on panels coated with fine cement using a silica paint that forms a molecular bond with the surface.  This can last 100 years with just a bit of fading in the color.  This cement surface can be applied directly to the wall if desired.

Mural Considerations –

1. What is the purpose of the mural?

2. What kind of accessibility will the wall have?

3. Can a north facing wall be selected?

4. The mural should be a component of the architecture, harmonic with the building and space.

5. Wall preparation can add significantly to the cost.

6. Other items that add to the cost – research that may be required and how much detail will be in the finished piece.

7. Is a unifying palette with the surroundings and other art works desirable?

8. Insurance

Evaluation of the Sites We Have Considered –

1. Will Dodge Way, Key Bank Wall – Large wall that is not easily seen from a distance, the surface could be workable, could be a less detailed composition but still would be expensive.

2. Garfield Park Bathrooms – Too hard to see and the rough block surface is hard to work with – would take a lot of alteration.

3. Bike Path Fence – Both sides are visible, must be properly structured, is very accessible so possibly would be better in another medium

4. Water St. railroad underpass – Robert's preferred site of those we showed.  The cement prepared surface and silica based paint would work well here but would be expensive.

Other Suggested Sites –

1. Fordyce Building

2. Parking Garage

3. Post Office

4. City's Winburn Way Building – Interior large wall behind the front desk

He spoke of the various materials available for murals and the different types of surfaces and site orientation.  Beckman reviewed photographs of the sites previously identified by the PAC as possible locations for a mural in Ashland.  Generally Beckman was least supportive of the site at Garfield Park and most supportive of the site located at the train trestle overpass on Water Street.

Workgroup updates:

Utility Box

The group briefly reviewed the four submittals and discussed extending the deadline in the hopes of receiving more submissions.

Murals

Bussell suggested they define and prioritize the project locations.  Parker asked if additional locations could be considered and Dana agreed that other photos and locations would be worth exploring and discussing as a group at a future meeting.  Edson likes the Will Dodge Way/Key Bank location as a first test location

Meeting adjourned at 9:45

Next meetings:

Friday, June 18 and Friday, July 16.