Public Art Committee

Public Art Committee MINUTES Wednesday, August 18, 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 Antonio Alanis Patricia Harris JP Trostle Marcella Camara, Chair Molly Matlock Allison Wilson Mya Castillo-Marte Laura Ritchie City/County Staff Present Summer Alston, City of Alexandra Benson, GSD Brenda Hayes-Bright, Durham General Services Rebecca Brown, GSD Durham County Public Art Department (GSD) Annette Smith, DPR Guests Present Aaron Averill Margaret DeMott Rob Emerson Coby Linton Darius Quarles Bridget Walz I. Call to Order and Guest Introductions a. The meeting was called to order at 9:04 a.m. by Marcella Camara. II. Approval of Minutes – July 2021 a. MOTION: The Durham Public Art Committee approves the June 2021 summary minutes (Camara, Matlock 2nd). b. ACTION: Approved. (8-0). III. Adjustments to the Agenda a. None. IV. Announcements a. None. 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. Maplewood Cemetery i. The public art handrails have been installed by artist Jose Periera at the newly renovated staircase at Maplewood Cemetery. Maplewood Cemetery will plan and host a sesquicentennial event in fall 2021. b. Southside Neighborhood: Celebration of Black Artistry Project i. The neighborhood engagement group has selected Dr. Eric Kelly to design and install a mural at the neighborhood community center owned by Self- Help. c. Bragtown Neighborhood: Celebration of Black Artistry Project i. The neighborhood engagement group has selected David Wilson to design and install a mural at a private corner store located in Dearborn. d. WD Hill Recreation Center Mural i. The neighborhood has commissioned Durham- based Wade Williams to design and install a mural featuring local historic figures at WD Hill Recreation Center; a community engagement survey received over 50 responses to determine which initial design would move forward. e. Rock Quarry Park i. Durham Parks and Recreation are working with the selected artist, Vandorn Hinnant, to draft sealed engineering drawings for the installation of the two sculptures that will be located at the entrance of the park. The project team is looking at several budget overages and exploring strategic financing to cover the unexpected increases. b. UDO Public Art Review: 109 N. Gregson Street i. In lieu of required street trees, Emerson Land Planning pllc are proposing a large octopus mural on the NE corner of the building. Emerson Land Planning are working with Darius Quarles to develop the mural. ii. (UDO Sec. 16.4.2E.3.b.(3)) b. Alternatives 1. Street tree alternatives specified below shall be used, individually or in combination, and shall comply with the associated standards. a. (1) Spacing and location requirements shall be consistent with those required for street trees. b. (2) Maintenance of alternatives shall be the responsibility of the property owner(s) of the development site. c. (3) Table of Alternatives i. Shall provide a minimum of 100 square feet of public art along the street frontage for each required street tree. Additionally: 1. 1. Public art shall be permanent and include a maintenance agreement. 2. 2. All-weather materials shall be used. 3. 3. Public art shall not include advertisements, but can include a placard indicating the name of the artwork, the name of the artist, and information about the artwork. 4. 4. Public artwork shall require a recommendation of approval from the Public Art Committee of the Cultural Advisory Board. 2. https://durham.municipal.codes/UDO/16.4.2 3. Public Art Committee Review, Suggestions, and Recommendations: a. Darius Quarles, a Durham-based artist, has been selected by Emerson Land Planning and Linton Architects to design and install a large-scale permanent mural of an octopus along the northeast corner of the building at 109 N Gregson Street. The concept of the octopus was originally developed by Linton Architects and has been further refined by Darius Quarles. The mural is estimated to be approximately 100 square feet or larger. b. PAC Suggestions: i. Find a way to incorporate or highlight the preservation of Fitzgerald bricks at the building if they are present ii. Refine details of facial features of the octopus to reflect a positive demeanor; potentially re- incorporate figures of balloons, etc. that were included in very first initial design  iii. Incorporate a more community-centered element into the mural design; i.e. Durham flag, etc. iv. Developers are encouraged to continue relationship with Darius Quarles and community members post-installation c. MOTION: The Public Art Committee recommends approval of the initial design under the stipulation that the developers will present the final design at a later meeting. (Castillo-Marte, Trostle 2nd) i. ACTION: Approved. (8-0) c. Mayor Statement on FUND/DEFUND i. The Public Art Committee will continue 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. 1. A subgroup of PAC has been developed to focus on creating a proposal for the City-led murals. 2. This item will be further discussed by the Committee at the September meeting. d. 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 following meetings. VII. Public Questions a. No questions were submitted by the public prior to the meeting. VIII. Adjournment a. The meeting was adjourned at 10:35 am by Marcella Camara.