Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 8:20 a.m.
Minutes
Minutes from the November meeting were approved
Hardesty Memorial Sculpture
Bussell met with Amy Blossom at the Ashland Public Library and together identified an exterior location near the rear entrance to place the sculpture. Per Blossom, the majority of patrons to the library enter from the rear.
Chapman explained that he decided to attend the PAC meeting because he was a friend of the Hardesty’s. And he recently learned the sculpture was still in storage pending a site location.
Bussell provided background on the piece and explained Alice Hardesty purchased the sculpture in memory of her late husband Jack. Alice requested the piece be located at the Japanese Garden in Lithia Park with a memorial plaque. The Parks Commission did not agree to locate the piece in Lithia Park and did not agree to allow the sculpture to be located in the Calle Staircase area, where it was previously located, because Parks does not allow memorial plaques.
The PAC expressed frustration with the Parks policy and noted that public art is often funded by individuals in memory of someone and a plaque acknowledging the donation and the memorial is customary. PAC also expressed frustration that non-park city land is primarily limited primarily to public right of way and not being able to locate public art in City parks extremely limits what they can do.
It was also noted that Parks recently installed public art in North Mountain Park without going through the Public Art Commission and the public art process as defined in the Ashland Municipal Code. The artist of the piece advised parks staff that in order to install art in the park they needed to go through the Public Art Commission. She was told that Parks doesn’t have to follow the City’s Public Art ordinance.
Chapman asked for a copy of the Parks public art policy and the policy for signs, plaques and memorials. Seltzer will forward the policies to Chapman.
Bussell added that while the Parks Commission has a designated sub committee to review requests for plaques and signs, the sub committee does not keep minutes on their meetings. Chapman suggested the City Recorder be notified so she can contact Parks Commission and advise them that sub committees must keep minutes and have them available for the public.
The Public Art Commission voted to locate the sculpture at the identified library location.
Bussell will begin the process to have a pedestal built.
Article for Ashland Gallery Guide
Pugh distributed her draft article for the Gallery Guide.
She explained her approach to highlight the Public Art Commission and the most recent installations and upcoming opportunities for public art. It was noted the Police Station should be included in the article. She asked the commission members to read her draft and provide additional information. The article is due shortly after the New Year.
Davis underscored how important the article is since the Gallery Guide is widely distributed and has a long shelf life since it is published once a year.
Seltzer will provide input on the “percent for art” allocation required by Ashland Municipal Code.
Upcoming Projects
Davis touched on the upcoming public art projects and reiterated the importance of developing Artist Registry. Capovilla will research other cities and develop a recommendation for the commission on how to best proceed with developing an Artist Registry. There was general discussion on developing criteria and artist meeting the criteria in order to be included on the registry.
Seltzer will invite Fire Station No. 2 project manager Jim MacNamara to attend the January meeting and speak to the PAC on the timeline for the project so the PAC can develop the “Call for Artist” for that project. Seltzer will also invite police station architect David Straus to attend an upcoming Public Art Meeting to discuss the timeframe and opportunities for placement of public art at the new/remodeled station.
Review of DRAFT RFP for Fire Station No. 2
Davis distributed the draft RFP for Fire Station No. 2 and asked commissioners to pay provide feedback and give particular attention to the “Project Intent”. That is the place where the commission must clearly define the expectations of the PAC to the artist.
Gateway Project
The commission reviewed the draft Schedule A from Friend to be included in the Conceptual Design and Development Agreement. The commission agreed it clearly stated the expectations of the five finalist and did not indicate any chages.
The only remaining loose end is the deadline for RFQs to be submitted. Seltzer will compile the packet that will be posted on the City’s website for PAC review in January.
Enders Alley Mural
This item will be on the Council agenda on Tuesday December 20. Seltzer will be out of town but Davis will attend the meeting to answer council questions.
Letters were mailed (53) to properties within 300 feet of the mural site inviting people to email comments to Davis in favor of or in opposition to the proposed mural. Davis has received one comment in opposition to the mural. The deadline for comments is December 15. Seltzer will include the one comment received in the packet for the Council and Davis will bring any additional comments received to the Council meeting.
Lincoln Statue
The PAC agreed the Lincoln statue cannot be relocated until an appropriately scaled head is created and the PAC does not have the funds to pay for a new head. Bussell and Garington will draft a letter to the Parks Commission and cc Tom Foster advising the Parks Commission they are willing to help relocate the statue after the head is replaced.
Meeting adjourned at 9:55.
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