Public Art Commission

Salem Public Art Commission 98 Washington Street Salem, Massachusetts 01970 (978) 619-5685 KIMBERLEY DRISCOLL MAYOR Public Art Commission December 16, 2021, 6:30pm Meeting held via Remote Participation MEETING MINUTES 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 called to order at 6:35 pm. • Roll Call PAC: Norene Gachignard, John Andrews, Kurt Ankeny Beauchamp, Carly Dwyer-Nik, & Janine Liberty in attendance. Absent: Emily Larsen. • Meeting Minute Approvals - November 16th meeting minutes- Norene Entertained motion to approve minutes. Motion made by Janine, seconded by Carly. Voting was unanimous. Motion approved. ● Real Pirates Museum Mural Presentation & Voting - Why does PAC need to vote on this private business’ art? The PAC is charged with evaluating any public art that can be viewed in a public way, even private property. If it is being required by the city by a community giveback by a private facility. When the PAC was established by the creation of the public art ordinance they established a policy that this body is responsible for viewing any works in any private or public way. Which is why this private business needs to be voted on as it overlooks the new Forten park. - Why don’t we need to approve the artwork installed at La Punta? The museum at La Punta was created well before the commission was established, and they are unaware of the policies. If the PAC wants to get involved in this process, it would be within their jurisdiction. Which would keep equity and fairness for all constituents, and organizations. - Real Pirates Mural Bill is grateful to the commission for the topic of the weapons of the pirates in the mural. The artwork was resubmitted to the artist and he agreed that because of this current climate, and the city’s concerns, the removal of the weapons is justified and doesn’t take away from the final image. There are no longer any weapons featured in any of the final images. Bill and his team are still  interested in putting context, one or two sentences, next to the images for afterhours, or extra clarity as to why these faces are here. Norene entertained a motion to approve. John motioned to approve the weapon-less murals. Carly seconded. Motion approved unanimously. ● Remote meeting discussion; should we remain remote until April 2022? - General consensus for the remote meetings is that with current covid climate, as well as family life, meeting in person is not doable at this time. Carly mentioned that it is easier on her to make these meetings, and John added that he wouldn’t be able to make as many meetings as he does now if this were in person. - Julie has entertained a motion for remote meetings. Janine has made a motion to keep the meeting remote, Carly seconded. Motion carried unanimously. ● Other Business- Current Projects Statue of Charlotte Forten in CFP: Can we call upon Bill Golden to donate for a statue as he agreed last meeting? In the Spring of 2022, the PAC will call upon the community for funding for a figurative statue of Forten to incorporate in the space, as well as a structure to install in this park to make it usable in the summer. This is one big project of three for next year including the OTH restoration project, and the roof renovation of the stores in artist row. Forest River Pool Project: Come see the mural this weekend. Since the contractors got COVID, and now it is too late in the season to install concrete, the splash pad will be pushed back until the spring. Naumkeag portrait project: The new pioneer village project is still in the works, a quick rough draft was received and submitted, hopefully to have a finished piece by this summer. Memorial Tommy Gagnon: A small memorial plaque will be installed in Artist’s Row for longtime resident artist Tommy Gagnon, piece is being commissioned by the city. Seahorse sculpture: The Mayor is embarking on a mission to fund the seahorse sculpture. If you would like to donate as a community member, please do, as we are calling upon the community to fund. ● Upcoming projects slated for 2022 Community Learning Center Mural: New mural at the learning center. Julie is helping to facilitate. Church Street parking garage: Restoration of the mural on the parking garage in the spring. Mural Slam: Mural Slam will be coming up this spring. Upcoming potential projects: Repair the wall on the MBT underpass mural put on hold until 2023. Footprint project we will wait on for a year or two as well, however the money is still there and won’t be touched. Culture house pop ups: Culture House is a non-profit organization that does pop up activations of underutilized spaces. A test pilot program of OTH program ideas and timing ideas, how can we better utilize that space? All performances will be free of charge in the space, with additional opportunities for the community to use the space. Live activation will be mid March early April through June 2022. This was sponsored by a grant agreement with Culture House, which is not under the purview of PAC. - Janine asked Julie if there would be a list of all the upcoming projects that this body will be voting on in 2022. Julie affirmed that all of this information will be typed up on a budget list to be reviewed by this body. The website has listed all the completed projects, and we are working on an art inventory to be explored. - The fiscal year of this committee is split from July 1st-June 30th. Our 2022 fiscal year will not change over until July.  ● Public Comment- - No further discussion & no public comment. ● Norene motioned to adjourn. Moved by Kurt, seconded by John. Meeting Adjourned at 7:16pm. 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.