PUBLIC ARTS COMMISSION - REGULAR MEETING
February 18, 2022
AGENDA

AUDIO RECORDING

Anyone wishing to submit comments can do so by sending an e-mail to PC-public-testimony@ashland.or.us with the subject line “Advisory Commission Hearing Testimony” by 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 18, 2022.  Written testimony received by these deadlines will be available for Public Arts Commissioners to review before the hearing and will be included in the meeting minutes.
 
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When: Feb 18, 2022 08:30 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Topic: Electronic Public Arts Commission meeting
 
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PUBLIC ART COMMISSION - REGULAR MEETING
February 18, 2022
 Minutes 

1. CALL TO ORDER 

2. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
    
3. PUBLIC FORUM
   Peter Finkle spoke at public forum about walking art tours and invited the Commission to join him. He has also reached out seven local artists about their interest in speaking at their art during a tour or first Friday.

4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

5. LIAISON REPORTS  
    
   • Associate Planner Aaron Anderson informed the Commission that Councilor Stefani Seffinger would be the new Council Liaison to the Public Arts Commission.
   • Ashland Parks and Recreation Liaison Jim Lewis gave an update on the interview process for the new Commissioner at the APRC and the process of confirmation. Commissioner Lewis also mentioned that the Grove and other facilities may begin opening soon. He then briefly called attention to a survey that the City Council would be sending out to all households in Ashland regarding the allocation of property tax funds. Given that some departments have mandated funding Commissioner Lewis welcomed the Public Arts Commission members to disseminate this survey to the community.
      
6. OTHER BUSINESS
   • Chair Longshore detailed damage done to the tile-work of the Rio Amistad mosaic. In consultation with Mike Morrison, Superintendent of the Public Works department, it was decided that the Public Arts Commission should hire a tile-work professional to conduct the repairs in order to retain the mosaic’s artistic qualities. Peter Finkle related that the damage encompassed between 15-20 broken tiles. Chair Longshore recommended that the Commission should contact the original artist, Sue Springer, for a recommendation on someone to contact within the Rogue Valley who could repair the mosaic. Commissioner Joel Frank stated that he would also reach out local contractors who could conduct repairs.

• Commissioner Stanley Smith informed the Commission that muralist John Pugh had approached the Elks Lodge about a potential project on the west wall of their building. This was met with support by the Elks Lodge members, who Commissioner Smith believes will participate in fundraising for the project. Mr. Pugh is also considering throwing a public event to discuss the mural with the community and exhibit his past work. Mr. Anderson reminded the Commission that the Historic Commission would need to be involved as well, and asked if Mr. Pugh had any concept art or if it is too early in the process. Commissioner Smith responded that Mr. Pugh has some sketches for the project, and that he has also already approached the Historic Commission who will discuss his proposal at their next meeting.
  
  Commissioner Lewis voiced support for the project, but commented that approval would likely be difficult due to existing Ashland codes. Chair Longshore stated that it will be important to understand what type of mural the community wants, and stressed the importance of there being a public dialogue before moving forward. Mr. Finkle was recognized by Chair Longshore and commented that Mr. Pugh is aware of the process necessary for approval, and hopes to present early concepts to both the Public Arts and Historic Commissions and base further concepts on those meetings before going before Historic Commission meeting on April 6, 2022.

7. PAC WORKPLAN
   • Golden Connections by Jennifer Corrio and David Frei
     • Status of sculpture – Mr. Anderson detailed the logistics necessary for assembling the sculpture on site and coordinating that with the electrical work needed. Chair Longshore stated that the Ashland Parks and Recreation department would be clearing the site of vegetation in early March to prepare the site. The concrete will be poured in mid-March and allowed to sit for an extended period of time to allow it to fully cure before the installation takes place in early April. Chair Longshore shared a document with the rest of the Commission of potential groups, organizations, and individuals to invite to the unveiling ceremony. Also discussed was how to distribute the invitations, as well as advertising and a potential press release through local media outlets and Jefferson Public Radio. Chair Longshore also informed the Commission that Meiwen Richards, an Ashland resident and businessperson, is slated to speak at the ceremony and introduce the artists.
       
       Commissioner Smith spoke in favor of using mailed invitations and volunteered to produce and distribute them pro bono. It was noted that the Rogue Valley Symphony is performing on April 23 at 3:00 p.m., so the Commission decided to hold the ceremony at 12:00 p.m. to not overlap. Commissioner Engelund volunteered to reach out personally to the invited individuals. Commissioner Smith stated that the Mayor has spoken at previous unveilings, and there was general agreement that the Mayor should be invited to speak.
       
       Chair Longshore briefly mentioned to the Commission that they had discussed the possibility requestion additional funding in order to provide increased compensation for the sculptor involved. Mr. Anderson reminded the Commission that the plaque would require an ask to the City Council, and therefore suggested that the Commission bring any potential request for additional funds along with the initial ask.

• Plaque –
  1. Design – Design, content and suggested location was presented to the Ashland Parks and Recreation Commission (APRC) on February 9^th at 6:00pm – The APRC moved to approve the monument style marker for the art piece provided that the height and font size mean that it’s legible for somebody of average height and average vision. Chair Longshore assured the APRC that they would be sent plans of the completed product for the plaque before going to the City Council.
  2. Commissioner Smith offered to create a prototype of the plaque in order to ascertain the optimal size and font for the final product. Commissioner Frank agreed that a prototype of the plaque would be useful in determining the necessary size and design. Commissioner Engelund suggested that the font and letter size be finalized before addressing the map placement and finalizing the plaque’s dimensions. There was general agreement that the wording on the plaque was perfect, but accepted that the phrasing may need to adjusted if the font size necessitated change.

8. PROJECT UPDATES                       
   • Masterworks Medallions – Mr. Anderson informed the Commission that some of the sites chosen for the medallions could trigger ADA compliance laws that have the potential to add tens of thousands of dollars to the project’s budget. As such he recommended that the Commission consider alternative sites until he has more information.

9. GOALS AND ACTION ITEMS
   • Internship – Mr. Anderson stated that due to a recent lawsuit the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industry prohibited the Public Arts Commission from hiring an intern. A student volunteer could potentially be considered but Mr. Anderson cautioned that he would need to follow up on any legal complications before moving forward.
   • Partnerships with Community Arts Organizations – Commissioners Engelund and Smith shared a draft of a Regional Art Survey created to garner information, feedback, and collaboration with both public and private arts organizations.  
   • Community Engagement – Chair Longshore and Commissioner Preskenis shared a draft of public outreach announcements concentrated on artwork events featured on First Friday. The goal would be to encourage all citizens to observe, discuss and participate in Ashland’s art scene, and to begin these announcements in May, 2022. Chair Longshore expressed a desire to focus on three artworks in May, termed the Pioneer Trio:
                     1.) Nourishing our Community - Lonnie Feather
                     2.) Street Scene – Marion Young
                     3.) Velocity – Gordon Huether
     Chair Longshore and Commissioners Bloom, Smith, and Engelund all volunteered to be present at the event to engage with the public and answer any questions. There was a discussion over stationing an information table and giving the participating Commissioners clear designations to indicate their willingness to engage the public about the various artworks. Commissioner Preskenis suggested that they use the upcoming sculpture unveiling to announce the Public Arts Commission’s intention to hold events on First Fridays in the coming months.

10. ADJOURNMENT   - 10:28 AM
    Next Meeting:  March 18, 2022

11. ATTACHMENTS

Minutes from January 21, 2022 meeting