Public Art Commission

Salem Public Art Commission 98 Washington Street | Salem, Massachusetts 01970 (978) 619-5685 MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, February 16, 2021 Call to Order A public meeting of the Salem Public Art Commission was held at 6:40 pm via remote participation on Zoom web conference. Members Present: Janine Liberty, Norene Gachignard -Chair, Kurt Ankeny-Beauchamp, Carly Dywer Naik, John Andrews Staff Present: Julie Barry Recording Clerk: Kate Kennedy Julie Barry outlined format for the meeting and indicated members of the public may provide comments during the period of the meeting designated for public comments as well as raised hand teleconference options. While reading protocol, Julie notes to remember to update the agenda link to reflect present year: salem.com/node/3751/agenda/2020 Note: All proposals, presentations, and/or documentation to be reviewed and discussed at this meeting can be viewed online at the following link: https://bit.ly/SalemPACProposals Meeting Minute Approvals Chair Gachignard- Motion to approve December 2020 meeting minutes. Kurt Ankeny-Beauchamp approves motion. Carly Dywer seconds. No discussion. Motion passes unanimously. 2021 Public Art Plan & Budget Review o Plan to finish inventory database of artwork owned by the city, including historical monuments, murals, and artworks at city hall. Eventually the inventory will become a searchable database for the public embedded within website, complemented with a map of the artwork location in the city, information about the work and the artist, and a maintenance reminder for staff on the back end. o Development, installation, & completion of Forest River Outdoor Recreation and Nature Center; two pieces of public art marking the City of Salem’s first ever City-commissioned permanent work of Public Art. This will be culminated in July or August. o Commission Naumkeag Portrait on the 22nd of the month, with non-public body to review applications and select prior to next Public Art Commission meeting. Portrait will be installed at City Hall in celebration of Indigenous Peoples Day 2021 – possible artist/talk presentation opportunity o Commission Black Lives Matter Mural at Collins Cove o Conduct brainstorming and community input session for the Spatial Justice grant for Charolotte Forten Park and possibly the adjacent South River Canal and Peabody Street Park. This grant does not culminate in a formal public art piece. o Partner with Arts Fest on Mural Slam 2021, even if virtual o Host Creative Blocks to conduct spring/summer Public Art Intervention Project in Derby Square and along Artists’ Row, money saved over from contract  Meeting Minutes February 16, 2021 o Engage with new Public Artist in Residence for Artists’ Row o Rotate works displayed in the Harbor Walk Sculpture Garden – possibly open this up for local submissions in addition to the professionally curated display o Design and launch program that supports performing arts/artists, have money set aside, form a subcommittee to lead this initiative o Light Orb Installation – need a public way to install these o Oversight of repair work to Higginson Square Lighting Installation to get display fully operational and programmable from the ground. o Start future planning for Footprint funding allotment of $120,000 available to launch RFQ against in Oct. 2021, per their agreement to support and create a public art piece. Conversations with MAPC and received a tech assistance grant through them. o Monitor ability/timing to pursue Underpass Art Project. o Continue to advocate for Public Art in City Capital and Private Development Projects, seeking for additional public art maintenance in new FY budget. Julie Barry shares budget spreadsheet on screen and reads proposed draft by line item. o Discussion of Mural Slam budget and potentially reallocating money o Discussion of $400 and $400 for materials as well as $400 stipend to the artist o Discussion of any flexible money and keeping performing arts in mind Chair Gachignard- Motion to approve this art plan and budget for FY21/FY22 – Janine Liberty approves motion. John Andrews seconds. No discussion. Motion passes unanimously. Extending Artists’ Row Leases as Allowed by Contracts o Julie Barry has been asked by more than one tenant to allow for an extra year, which they do have the right to per original contract. o This would be renewing their contracts which expire December 2022 o Discussion of outside vending, which spaces may be activated for upcoming season, and challenges from sales management and economic development perspective. Chair Gachignard- Motion to extend all three Artist Row leases as allowed. Approved and second. No discussion. Motion passes unanimously. Collins Cove Black Lives Matter Mural Mock-Up Review Kiesha De Leon joins the meeting. o Keisha shares screen with commission of mural mock-up and presents that she hopes to change the conversation and see black lives matter statement from a different standpoint. That it is not a message to impose itself over anyone else. And to convey that everyone is someone’s precious one. o Julie Barry reads blurb “Everybody is Somebody’s Baby” provided by Keisha. o Discussion of location and utilizing/repurposing mural boards on Artists’ Row and the Common. o Discussion of importance of message and more permanent vs temporary medium o Discussion of printing it – weather tight, perhaps on high quality vinyl. o Discussion of clarifying the font to accentuate message. o Discussion of photo permissions and Keisha to send Julie the direct consent communications.  Meeting Minutes February 16, 2021 Chair Gachignard- Motion to approve the Black Lives Matter Mural- Carly Dwyer approves. Janine Liberty seconds. No discussion. Motion passes unanimously. Public Artist in Residence Update o The original selected Public Artist in Residence applicant declined. Sending out a new call on Feb22. Light Orb Possible Installation Locations o Discussion of where to install light orbs (has to be on public property) o Kurt Ankeny-Beauchamp proposes possibly to string from end of south canal to the bridge, or straight down the center of canal for reflection of water. o Carly Dwyer proposes possibly – Forest River or park by new power plant, that it is dark and there are dog walkers. o John Andrews proposes possibly at the halfshell on Winter Island. o There are 40 Orbs of varying sizes. Length of cables is 6 feet, with 3’ on other side of Orb. o Kurt Ankeny-Beauchamp suggests the driveway next to bridge, where there are a couple parking spaces and an underutilized space. There is a park there, Remond Park, named after abolitionist Charles Remond. o Discussion of how bright is it during the day but sunsets under bridge are lovely. o John Andrew proposes the Orbs could be ambiance lighting for an audience if perhaps there was a band or performance (with own stage lighting). Scout Volunteer to Mural Priming o Seeking Volunteer from Public Art Commission for mural priming services in exchange for certified volunteer hours from the National Honor Society, Scouts, and whatever other organizations may require volunteering. o Janine Liberty volunteers. Other Business Public Comments Meeting is open to public comment. No public comment. Chair Gachignard- Motion to adjourn. Kurt approves. Carly Dwyer seconds. No discussion. Motion passes unanimously. Persons requiring auxiliary aids and services for effective communication such as sign language interpreter, an assistive listening device, or print material in digital format or a reasonable modification in programs, services, policies, or activities, may contact the City of Salem ADA Coordinator, as soon as possible and no less than 2 business days before the meeting, program, or event. Know your rights under the Open Meeting Law M.G.L. c. 30A § 18-25 and City Ordinance § 2-2028 through § 2- 2033.