Public Art Commission

Salem Public Art Commission Meeting October 20, 2015 The Public Art Commission (PAC) was held on Tuesday, October 20, 2015, in Room 313, Third Floor, at 120 Washington Street, Salem, MA Norene Gachingard, Chairperson, called the meeting to order at 6:15pm Roll Call: Members Present: Norene Gachingard, Lillian Hsu, J. Michael Sullivan, Ellen Hardy, Juliette Fritsch and Deborah Greel, the Public Art Planner was present. Absent: Victor Miguel Cruz, Claudia Paraschiv Site Visit to Artists’ Row, 6:15-7:00pm. The commissioners visited all of the stalls at Artists’ Row in preparation for their work plan and the Final Report of Artists’ Row from the Cecil Group. Juliette Fritsch left the meeting at 7pm. Approval of September Minutes: Hsu made a motion to approve the minutes. Gachingnard seconded the motion. Discussion: Hsu suggested the following changes to the minutes: First sentence: “Cruz said that the request by Ms. Schaedle is trying to edit public art after the public process.” Second sentence: “She also noted that there had been a history of funding the program before the PAC was created and with a $10,000 budget for one year do we want to continue to spend more than a ¼ of the budget on this program with 23 completed boxes.” Third sentence: “Hsu also referred to the Public Art Masterplan which addresses potential and possible locations and budgets for public art with most of the projects far exceeding the current $10,000 budget.” Sullivan made a motion to approve the minutes as amended. Gachingard seconded the motion. Motion passes: 4-0 Discussion and Vote on Artbox application from the Peabody Essex Museum. Documents and Exhibitions: Artbox Application from the Peabody Essex Museum Discussion: Sullivan and Gachingnard expressed that they liked the design. Greel noted that the Peabody Essex Museum will sponsor the painting of the box. Hardy made a motion to approve the Artbox application. Sullivan seconded the motion Motion passes: 4-0 Discussion on developing a Public Art Work Plan for FY 2016 Documents and Exhibitions: Work plan 2015 Discussion: Sullivan suggested that we try to increase the public art budget. Hardy referenced the public art masterplan and the effort that went into the plan “like opening a school and not buying books.” To take Salem to another level she said that the plan needs to be funded. Hsu noted that if the recommendations for public art in the plan were carried out those projects would add up to one million dollars. She suggested that PAC agree on a project a year and lay out the vision using the masterplan suggestions. Sullivan suggested PAC have a five year plan to prioritize three to five projects and outlining the scope of the projects to make a case for increasing the public art budget. Hsu mentioned Derby Square as a space that could be a cultural hub for the downtown with art and programs. Hardy noted the popular Salem Jazz & Soul Fest has a concert once a month in the square that draws crowds. Hardy also said that we should ask artists what they would like to see in that space. Greel said that when Derby Square is engaged then more people visit Artists’ Row. Greel mentioned being approached by the Beautification Committee who would like to have a mural of the original train station at Mill Hill. The wall, owned by Massachusetts Department of Transportation, has been in disrepair for years and creates an unsightly vista. Greel will work with the committee to help them with the scope of the project by researching the potential cost of a mural. With only four members present, Gachingard suggested that the discussion of the work plan be continued to the November meeting. Public Comments: No public comments Adjourn: Hsu made a motion to adjourn. J. Michael Sullivan seconded the motion. Motion passes: 4-0 Adjournment: 7:50pm