Public Art Committee

Public Art Committee Meeting Summary Minutes Tuesday, April 9, 2024, 5:45 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. Location: Zoom For more information on how to join, visit: https://durhamnc.gov/453/Public-Art-Committee Committee Members Present Mya Castillo-Marte, Chair Laura Ritchie Jaime Chaves Tony Santiago Alexis King Ann King Student Member Samantha Gonzalez Committee Members Absent Lana Dennis, excused Myra Weise Eliza Redmann Student Members Michelle Smith Oliver Hess JP Trostle, Vice-Chair Bren Vienrich-Felling City, County and Guests Present Annette Smith, City of Durham E’Vonne Coleman, Durham Cultural Advisory Board Stephanie Minor, City of Durham Margaret DeMott, Durham Arts Council Sarah Martin, Durham County Love Anderson, founder of Breastfeed Durham Mary Unterreiner, Durham Parks & Recreation I. Call to Order and Guest Introductions a. The meeting was called to order at 5:50 p.m. by Chair Mya Castillo-Marte. II. Approval of Minutes a. The Public Art Committee (PAC) did not reach quorum and postponed the vote to approve the March 2024 meeting minutes to the May 2024 meeting. III. Adjustments to the Agenda a. David Ojo and Jalen McGee have resigned from the Public Art Committee. b. MOTION: The Public Art Committee (PAC) will review applications to fill current vacancies and will discuss recommending the list of applicants in ranking order to submit to the Durham Cultural Advisory Board (DCAB) during their May meeting and adjourn the meeting at 7:00 p.m. to allow members and guests the opportunity to watch the livestream of Mayor Leonardo Williams’ 2024 State of the City Address on the City’s YouTube Channel. (Ritchie, Castillo-Marte 2nd.) Approved (7-0). IV. Announcements a. City of Durham i. The Cultural Roadmap Phase One report will be available in the next couple of weeks. As the Cultural Roadmap's Phase I has been completed, the City and County have initiated the conclusion of the contract with AMS Planning & Research based on the Terminated for Convenience section of the contract. The City is preparing a new Request for Proposals (RFP) for cultural consultants to complete the next phases of the Cultural Roadmap. ii. The celebration for the newly installed sculpture at Merrick-Moore Park will take place on Thursday, April 25, from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. More information can be found on the City’s website, here: https://www.durhamnc.gov/4393/Merrick-Moore-Park-Public-Art iii. Artist Dare Coulter is hosting a free engagement event for the Public Art at Wheels Roller Skating Rink project under the pavilion at Durham Central Park on Friday, April 26th, from 4:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. More information can be found on the City’s website, here: https://www.durhamnc.gov/5132/Public-Art-at-Wheels- Roller-Skating-Rink iv. Dare Coulter’s initial artwork designs are also available on the project webpage linked above. Public Art Committee members and the public are encouraged to provide feedback on these designs. b. Durham County i. Durham County is seeking artists to design a vehicle wrap for their DCo on the Go vehicle. More info can be found here: https://www.dconc.gov/county- departments/departments-a-e/county-manager/special-projects/dco-on-the-go Submissions are due April 12, 2024. ii. The County is moving forward with twelve different public art projects scheduled to take place beginning in May and throughout the summer. Ninety percent of the artists selected for these projects, all selected through an RFQ process that closed in February 2024, are from North Carolina and seventy-eight percent of the artists selected are minorities and/or women. V. Old Business a. None. VI. New Business a. Public Art Review – Request for a Recommendation of Approval i. DPR signage in parks in partnership with Breastfeed Durham, represented by Love Anderson. Anderson presents some background on the project and images of the artwork by local artist L Jámal Walton. Durham Parks & Recreation (DPR) is requesting feedback and a recommendation of approval on artistic signage for City-owned parks. The signs are intended to promote and advocate for first food equity. The organization’s mission is “to support a more breastfeeding and family friendly Durham by advocating for policies and practices that support breastfeeding, chestfeeding, and human milk feeding, as outlined by the World Health Organization (WHO).” DPR provides final approval for all signage located in City-parks. ii. Mary Unterreiner shares that Durham Parks & Recreation (DPR) is excited about this opportunity to help move Breastfeed Durham’s mission forward, as it aligns DPR’s mission to foster a culture of inclusivity, to make sure that everyone feels  welcome. DPR is considering installing the artwork as stand-alone signs in places that people often breast and chest-feed, like near playgrounds and on benches, or as additions to the park welcome signs that DPR will be replacing in the near future. iii. The Public Art Commitee (PAC) makes comments and asks questions. 1. Ann King asks if the artwork signage will be individual at the parks or coupled together. Anderson replies that the current concept is only one in each park but is open to grouping the images together if PAC makes this recommendation. Ann King also prefers the signage with the smiling parent. 2. Castillo-Marte recommends using the artwork as a marketing tool through selling merchandise as a way to support the further the project. Love shares that there is already a shop online through their website. 3. Alexis King also prefers the softer facial expression of the parent with the smile and makes a comment about inclusivity, suggesting representation of a parent wearing a hijab. Anderson said this was a consideration, but based on the funding, support, and recommendation of the Black Breastfeeding Coalition. 4. Ritchie recommends a QR code to share more information on the signs. Anderson said the QR code was considered, but instead will only include the Breastfeed Durham logo. The Breastfeed Durham website lists many resources for breast and chest-feeding. 5. Smith commends Unterreiner and DPR for moving this project forward and reminds everyone that the size and placement of these signs is ultimately up to DPR based on the needs and accommodations of the public. Unterreiner responds that DPR tries to limit signage and visual clutter. 6. Ann King asks if any rules or regulations exist around showing the areola or parts of the chest or breast in public art. Anderson states that it is required by state and federal law that people are allowed to show the areola and nipple while feeding their infants, and their initiative wants to go beyond the law to be more welcoming. b. All seven PAC members present for this meeting and presentation were polled and are in favor of the artwork. The Public Art Committee (PAC) did not reach quorum and postponed the official vote to submit a letter of recommendation to DPR. VII. Public Questions a. No questions were submitted by the public. VIII. Adjournment a. Final Thoughts and other reminders by Chair. b. Task Force 3 has encouraged PAC members are encouraged to consider a building in Durham, think about how many ways you can imagine getting into the building, and what is your experience getting into this building. This discussion topic is centered around what everyday life might be like dealing with a disability. c. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, 5:45 PM - 7:30 p.m. on Zoom. d. The meeting was adjourned by Castillo-Marte at 7:00 p.m. County Durham Public Art Program: https://www.dconc.gov/county-departments/departments-a-e/engineering-and- environmental-services/durham-county-public-art-program City of Durham Cultural & Public Art Program: https://www.durhamnc.gov/450/Cultural-Public-Art-Development Durham Cultural Advisory Board Agenda Center: https://www.durhamnc.gov/AgendaCenter/Cultural-Advisory-Board-6 Submitted respectively, Stephanie Minor