Public Art Commission

Salem Public Art Commission 98 Washington Street Salem, Massachusetts 01970 (978) 619-5685 Dominick Pangallo Public Art Commission June 25, 2024, 6:30pm Meeting held remotely via Zoom 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 6:31 pm. ● Roll Call PAC: Norene Gachingard, Hannah Gathman, Becky Fisher, James Bostick, Gwen Rosemond Absent: Carly Dwyer-Naik Arriving Late: John Andrews Also Present: Julie Barry, Lizzy and Kira (Salem High School Students) ● Meeting Minute Approvals ○ May 2024 Minutes Motion to approve the May 21 2024 meeting minutes is made by James Bostick, seconded by *unclear* and passes 5-0. ● Salem High School Honors Society ArtBox Proposal Review Norene Gachingard is feeling unwell and recuses herself temporarily from the meeting. Julie Barry provides an overview of the Salem High School Honors Society ArtBox Proposal. Two Salem High School Arts Honors Society students, Lizzy and Kira, wish to complete an ArtBox on Wilson and Highland left unfinished by former students. The new students wish to implement their own new design. Lizzy presents a sketch of the new ArtBox proposal to the commission. Plans include a jellyfish motif. James Bostick asked if the design plans to incorporate any mention of the Arts Honors Society. Gwen Rosemond and Becky Fisher also express interest in this suggestion. Lizzy tells the commission that the group will explore the suggestion in more detail. Motion to approve the Salem High School Honors Society ArtBox Proposal is made by James Bostick, seconded by Becky Fisher and passes 4-0. John Andrews joins the meeting over the phone. ● ChagallPAC New Artist Review The ChagallPAC has three new artists which they’ve put forward for the commission’s consideration. Occupying Artist’s Row, the collaborative is able to bring in new artists with the city commission’s approval.  The first artist to review is Lawrence Gullo, a participant in a previous mural slam. The second artist to review is Osmar K. De Leon (Oz_Artworks), a portrait artist who works in charcoal and ink. The final artist to review is Sarina Nuñez of Sirena’s Seavenirs, a self-care product creator. The commission briefly discusses the submissions and their work before moving to approve. Motion to approve Three New ChagallPAC Artist is made by Hannah Gathman, seconded by Gwen Rosemond and passes 4-0. ● FY25 Budget Planning Discussion Hannah Gathman inquires about alternate budget options. Julie Barry clarifies that she has one budget option to present but the commission can choose to create alternatives. Becky Fisher requests a discussion among the commission about shared values and goals regarding the budget. At the request of James Bostick, Julie Barry clarifies that the total FY25 budget for the PAC will remain the same from FY24; and that the Public Art Inventory Hosting Fee in the Public Art Budget Projections is set aside for the city’s Artwork Archive subscription. Julie Barry identifies key expenses as Public Art Signage Fabrication & Installation and ArtBox Sealing & General Collection Conservation. Hannah Gathman asks how much of the budget will need to be allocated to ArtBox signage. Julie Barry estimates the price point to be under $500 per year. Julie Barry outlines her proposed budget: An increase in ArtBox budgets from $500 to $650 per box to better compensate artists. $1,500 is included for a mural on Artist’s Row to block and hopefully reduce some persistent graffiti in the area. The city’s next big public art project, the Underpass Art Project, is identified. This project has its own budget but the PAC is welcome to allocate its own resources. A budget increase is proposed for the Rotating Sculpture Garden, for potential to increase its size or move the garden. Mural Slam financing is moved to the Downtown Programming Funds, with the option to shift it back to Public Art for financing. Becky Fisher requests the commission consider reviewing the financing plan for the Rotating Sculpture Garden. The commission discusses changing the sculpture count from 8 to 10, putting out a direct call for artists instead of using a consultant, and increasing the budget for the garden. James Bostick proposes moving the garden from its current location at Leslie’s Retreat. Julie Barry offers to explore alternative locations, including Derby Street. James Bostick asks about the public posting boards available downtown and for further discussion regarding the murals on Artist’s Row. Julie Barry identifies the wall on Artist’s Row with graffiti the commission is budgeting to address. The commission discusses creating a sign advertising the Mural Slam and Artist’s Row in place of a new mural. Julie Barry suggests that $2,500 be budgeted for the Artist’s Row wall. These funds would be used to improve the Artist’s Row sign and to create a callout display for Mural Slam participants. Budget agreed to by commission on the condition that the improvements be made to last. Hannah Gathman leaves the meeting, breaking quorum. At the suggestion of John Andrews, the commission agrees to increase awards for individual Mural Slam recipients to $600. PAC Mini Grants to continue, being announced in August/July, reviewed in September/October, with artist completing by end of June. Overall budget for the Mini Grant program will be adjusted to $7,500, with the option for one project to be awarded up to $5,000, at the suggestion of Julie Barry and Becky Fisher. ● Meeting is called to Adjourn at 8:06 pm Motion to adjourn is made by James Bostick, seconded by Gwen Rosemond and passed 3-0. 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.