Public Arts Board Meeting

Public Arts Board * August 9, 2021 * 4:00 pm, City Hall Building – Study Session Room In Attendance: Liz Barfield, Taylor Wagner, Douglas Shaw Elder, Amy Johnson, Ron Collett, James Briggs and Erinn Gavaghan 1) Call to Order Lockstone called the meeting to order at 4:05. 2) Welcome Guests: N/A 3) Approval of Minutes Motion to approve July meeting minutes was provided by Collett; seconded by Johnson. All in favor; approved unanimously. 4-5) Finances The finance report as of August 9 reflected the following:  Current balance of $72,080.22 (Art in Public Places)  Available funds of $79,044.22 (includes June and July utility donations as well as $7,500 provided by OG&E for Nathan Pratt’s Firefly project)  Committed funds of $31,850.00 ($4,000 for ongoing maintenance; $8,750 for Firefly project; $500 for SAMO ducky expenses and $18,600 for bike racks)  Recent expenses include: ½ sponsorship ($8,750) to Pratt for Firefly project and Eric Fisher ($450)  Net available funds total $37,994.22  Note: $500 was budgeted for Samo duck expenses but only $450 was needed (see Eric Fisher); so actually “net available funds” total Motion to approve finances was provided by Collett; seconded by Elder. All in favor; approved unanimously. 6) Job Descriptions Barfield is currently working on drafting and updating these; she will send out a draft for the board’s approval before the upcoming NAC board retreat. 7) Firefly Project Update Elder reported that Pratt is currently waiting on some materials (due to pandemic-related delays in the supply chain—worldwide). The artist, OG&E and PAB are currently working to collaborate further to create and install signage for the project (considerations include: potential installation locations, ADA compliancy, budget, when/where/who for fabrication and manufacturing, etc). Gavaghan asked if the timeline for installing and unveiling the project would be pushed back (from August, originally) due to shipping-related and/or other issues. Briggs suggested that the ribbon cutting for the project take place in collaboration with (or piggy-back off) the upcoming ribbon cutting that will be held at the new soccer fields in the same location. The PAB plans to track the progress of BOTH projects to determine if it is possible to host the celebrations back-to-back. 8) Mosaic Project Update Barfield explained that she has been in touch with Laura Robbins (the artist who originally helped with the project) who will continue to help oversee the repairs (remotely). More to come next month. 9) Bike Rack Project Briggs reported that there are still a few racks left to be installed. He expects they will be by the end of August. Barfield stated that she and Johnson met with Jonathan Fowler regarding the Toyota grant funding availability for more bike racks. He is offering another $10,000 this year to be used for bike racks OR other public arts-related projects (such as the Haiku project and/or even signage). The PAB plans to keep Fowler informed of any/all decisions regarding potential use of the funds. The PAB will also continue to be mindful of Larry Walker and his legacy (as expressed by Fowler). 10) Haiku Project Gavaghan reported that the NAC has launched a poetry contest among Norman Public Schools. The “top 25” submissions will be chosen and displayed throughout the Walker Arts District on laser-cut aluminum pieces that reflect the theme and subject matter of the poems that accompany them. This project can be “ongoing” much like the bike racks and duckies if/when other areas in Norman are identified for installation (such as near schools, parks, etc.). Barfield asked about the longevity of the materials and overall upkeep regarding potential maintenance and associated costs. Gavaghan explained that she thinks the project is affordable enough to be able to handle any such issues if/when they arise. The projected budget for this project is $3,750—which is the amount requested of the PAB by the NAC (the NAC will handle any other costs). Collett provided the motion to approve this amount and move forward with the project. Johnson seconded; all in favor. Barfield and Gavaghan will work with Fowler to secure funding for this (thanks to the $10,000 grant recently promised). 11) 1% for Public Art – Erinn Gavaghan a. Young Family Athletic Center – The groundbreaking for the facility took place two weeks ago. The selection committee [for the public art component] will start meeting soon. Thanks to the public/private partnership of this effort overall (between Norman Forward and the Trae Young Family Foundation), there will ultimately be two pieces of public art installed at this location.  b. Senior Wellness Center – While not originally included in the NF % for Art package, it was determined that there was enough funding to include a public art project here too. And, thanks to the support of the Norman Regional Health Foundation, there may be opportunities for multiple pieces of public art at this location also. c. Andrews Park – The stencils are currently being fabricated. d. James Garner Extension – The City has expressed that they would like to continue to enhance this effort with more public art. (Briggs added that there is currently a committee forming to add another niche/vignette along Legacy Trail at/near the James Garner extension that would feature the history of public works in Norman). e. Norman Regional Hospital – The NAC has been contracted by them to oversee their parking garage project. 12) New Business a. Indian Grass – Someone recently drove through the roundabout where this is piece is installed. The sculpture itself is not damaged, but the landscaping and a light fixture were; those are in the process of being fixed. b. Mayoral Appointee – Gavaghan noticed that Johnson’s name was included on the City Council’s agenda (presumably mistakenly) as the mayoral appointee to the PAB (but she is currently serving the second year of a 3-year term). At this time, the position is still open. c. Public/Private Mural Project Idea – Barfield explained that she was approached by Dr. Gabriel Byrd about a mural project on his building along a public walkway (the sidewalk between the east side of his building and the fence that separates it from Recess). Dr. Byrd has an artist already in mind with whom he would like work, but he asked about PAB involvement (sponsorship, oversight, etc.). i. Because the building is private, it was recommended by Gavaghan that the PAB provide support by focusing on community outreach. ii. The board was additionally encouraged to brainstorm about similar projects that could be purely public. d. Norman Pride’s Street Project – Pride is working with the Traffic Dept. to see about the plausibility of installing a rainbow-themed crosswalk in downtown Norman. Briggs noted that a lot of cities do not like to do this because of safety issues. e. Ducks – The newest round has been installed; Elder inquired if the PAB was ready to pursue another round. More ducks in need of repairs (like the one at Castle Rock) will be identified, stripped, and used as “blank canvases” for the next call-for-artists (past artists will also be contacted to sign off on the project). Elder will update the call with new dates and timeline (once determined) for potential installation in January 2022. f. Board terms – Both Wagner and Elder’s terms are finished; Wagner will talk to Dan Schemm at VisitNorman (and Elder to Roundtable) regarding extensions. 13) Adjourn