Public Art Committee

Public Art Committee MINUTES Wednesday, July 21, 2021 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Zoom Meeting Public Meeting Zoom Link located: https://durhamnc.gov/453/Public-Art-Committee Committee Members Present Bhargavi Ammu Molly Matlock JP Trostle Marcella Camara, Chair Nicole Oxendine Caroline Dwyer Laura Ritchie City/County Staff Present Summer Alston, GSD Annette Smith, DPR Fallon Thompson, GSD Alexandra Benson, GSD Brenda Hayes-Bright, Rebecca Brown, GSD Durham County Public Art Guests Present Margaret DeMott Katie Seiz I. Call to Order and Guest Introductions a. The meeting was called to order at 9:025 a.m. by Marcella Camara. b. New Public Art Committee members include: JP Trostle, Allison Wilson, Bhargavi Ammu, and Molly Matlock II. Approval of Minutes – June 2021 a. MOTION: The Durham Public Art Committee approves the June 2021 summary minutes (Dwyer, Trostle 2nd). b. ACTION: Approved. (7-0). III. Adjustments to the Agenda a. None. IV. Announcements a. The Durham County public art survey is still open and committee members are encouraged to participate and share the survey with their networks. V. Update / Old Business a. None. VI. New Business and Presentations a. Public Art Updates i. City staff will provide updates on current and upcoming public art projects: https://durhamnc.gov/450/Cultural-Public-Art-Development a. Beechwood Cemetery Northstar Bench i. The public artwork, “The Northstar Bench” has been installed at Beechwood Cemetery with signage coming soon. A larger invitation to celebrate the new artwork will be sent out later in the fall. b. Solid Waste Management Department Mural designs i. The selected artist, Brandon Hampton, is currently making changes to the initial designs based on SWD employee feedback. c. South Ellerbe Creek Watershed Project’s RFQ review with Public Works i. The RFQ draft is currently being reviewed by the Public Works Department and will be shared with the Public Art Committee for feedback after the intial review period. d. Southside Neighborhood: Celebration of Black Artistry Project i. Residents of the neighborhood collaborated with Eric Kelley to create a mural along the Self-Help Community Center building in Southside neighborhood. e. Bragtown Neighborhood: Celebration of Black Artistry Project i. David Wilson is currently working with community members to design a mural at the store on the corner of Dearborn Drive in Bragtown neighborhood. f. Rock Quarry Park i. Vandorn Hinnant’s designs have been accepted by the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) department and moved forward into structural drawings for the two sculptures to be installed. g. WD Hill Recreation Center i. The selected artist, Wade Williams, has provided two options for initial designs for the mural and is currently gathering feedback from users of the center and residents. The designs will be available for public feedback after the initial review period through DPR.  h. Festivals and Special Events RFP i. The Festivals and Special Events RFP has opened for nonprofits (or organizations partnering with nonprofits) to apply for funding for events occurring between July 1, 2021 through December 31, 2022. Workshops and office hours are available for individuals to ask questions. The deadline is Monday, August 9th by 3:00 p.m. b. Mayor Statement on FUND/DEFUND i. City Council Member Pierce Freelon shared with the Durham Cultural Advisory Board during their June meeting the ask from the Mayor and City Council for the Public Art Committee to explore the potential of a public art mural, to recognize the uprising that occurred in solidarity for the movement of Black Lives after the death of George Floyd, in lieu of the “FUND/DEFUND” grassroots ground-plane murals from 2020 that were removed by the Public Works Department. ii. The Public Art Committee discussed the request during the July 2021 meeting. 1. The Public Art Committee recommend not connecting the new mural with the “FUND/DEFUND” grassroots murals as a replacement for the community-led effort out of respect to the original organizers. 2. The Public Art Committee recommends a community-led initiative, with minimal oversight from the City in terms of artist selection and installation. 3. The Public Art Committee recommends drafting a formal statement in response to Mayor Schewel’s statement about the murals to re-contextualize the project and decision for the mural. 4. The Public Art Committee would like to continue the conversation during the next monthly PAC meeting, on August 18, 2021. c. Final Thoughts and other reminders by Chair/Vice Chair. i. Capacity Building Survey. The Task Force, Capacity Building for Local Artists, will refine the survey and share updates with PAC during the August meeting. VII. Public Questions  a. No questions were submitted by the public prior to the meeting. VIII. Adjournment a. The meeting was adjourned early at 9:43 a.m. by Marcella Camara. Respectfully submitted, Alexandra Benson