Public Art Commission

Salem Public Art Commission 98 Washington Street Salem, Massachusetts 01970 (978) 619-5685 DOMINICK PANGALLO MAYOR Public Art Commission August 27, 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 6:33 pm. ● Roll Call PAC: Norene Gachignard, Gwen Rosemond, Becky Fisher, James Bostick, and Hannah Gathman Arriving Late: Carly Dwyer-Naik Also Present: Julie Barry, Bryan Apito, Ethan Henshaw, Alexia Coleman, Meg Nichols, John Andrews, Sarah Kanouse, Elizabeth Peterson, Yuko Okabe, Yinette Guzman ● Meeting Minute Approvals ○ July 16, 2024 Meeting Minutes Motion to approve the July 16, 2024 meeting minutes is made by James Bostick, seconded by Becky Fisher and passes 5-0 with Hannah Gathman abstaining. ● Little Free Arts’ Supplies Library Proposal Review Julie Barry invites members of the audience present to speak on the Little Free Arts’ Supplies Library Proposal. Ethan Henshaw, intern with the mayor’s office, presents with Alexia Coleman, a student at Salem High School. Ethan proposes a small box in the style of a little free library to be installed on Artists’ Row. The box would provide supplies for creative projects to members of the community and be a place for residents to donate unused supplies for others. The project aims to be an accessible way to expand access to free art supplies for members of the community. Alexia Coleman goes into more detail regarding the design of the box, with separate bins and compartments for different types of supplies. James Bostick asks if there is a plan to establish an initial stockpile of supplies. Ethan Henshaw responds that the box will be supplied when installed and that there are plans in place to monitor the amount of supplies  in the box over time. Hannah Gathman asks about the guidelines for the type of supplies that could be donated, as well as the size of the box. Carly Dwyer asks if there is any plan to put in place safety guidelines for donations. A QR code or other link to a public site with this information is suggested. Ethan Henshaw gives the dimensions of the box as: 24” tall x 24” wide x 11” deep. Gwen Rosemond asks about security and maintenance of the box. Norene Gachignard asks about the timeline for the box’s installation. Ethan Henshaw notes that there is a security camera in close proximity to the box, as well as the nearby Artists’ Row booths. Julie Barry notes that she and members from the Planning Department can make note of the box’s status but are not responsible for its maintenance. Julie Barry also suggests a printed statement suggesting the restrictions on donations be placed in the box. Motion to approve the Free Little Arts’ Supply Library Proposal is made by Hannah Gathman, seconded by Gwen Rosemond and passes 6-0. ● Artists’ Row/Mural Slam Mural ‘Sign’ Proposal Review Discussion regarding the new signs on Artists’ Row made to advertise the Mural Slam and Artists’ Row. Local artist Meg Nichols presents her designs for the sign. Julie Barry explains the significance of the “Mammoth” painting currently framed on the upper portion of the wall where the new sign/mural will be installed. The “Mammoth” was painted by a local artist with special needs; the painting is still in good condition. Meg Nichols notes that she is happy to work around the existing piece / incorporate it into her work. James Bostick notes that he may know the creator of the “Mammoth” painting, who the committee expresses an interest in reaching out to. Meg Nichols presents two design options to the committee for each of the two walls under review. Reviewing the options for the Mural Slam wall, James Bostick notes that it may be problematic to abbreviate the Salem Arts Festival brand as “Arts Fest” as is done in the proposed sketches for one of the walls. The committee agrees to review that decision and reach out to the Arts Festival. Reviewing the options for the Artists’ Row wall, the committee discusses the significance of the paint tube graphic present in option 1 and the style/color of the text. Julie Barry suggests option 1 of the Mural Slam wall with the full title of the Salem Arts Festival; the Artists’ Row wall combining both options to use the colors and style of option 1 with the formatting and “welcome” lettering of the second option. Members of the committee express support for the inclusion of the paintbrush graphic in the Artists’ Row wall. John Andrews of the Salem Arts Festival joins the call from the public audience to confirm the need to use the organization’s entire name, as well as flexibility with design options for signage. Julie Barry summarizes the conclusions of the group’s discussion as follows: the Mural Slam wall will be designed in the layout of option 1, with the inclusion of the full Salem Arts Festival name and a label for the “Mammoth” painting and a more centered overall design. The Artists’ Row wall will abide more by the design of option 2, but with the colors of the Mural Slam option 1 sign and the blue background, stars, and paintbrush of Artists’ Row option 1.  Motion to approve the committee’s concept for the Artists’ Row/Mural Slam Mural ‘Sign’ with a later follow-up email approval is made by Hannah Gathman, seconded by Norene Gachignard and passes 6-0. ● Native Spaces Project Review Julie Barry introduces the project’s collaborators: project artist, Sarah Kanouse; the project’s city representative, Elizabeth Peterson; the Tribal Council representative, Elizabeth Solomon. Sarah Kanouse presents a powerpoint on the project to the commission, providing a history of the Salem Deed and the goals of the project. Native Spaces is intended to be an audio augmented reality platform project focused on indigenous and decolonial perspectives around sites with significance to the Massachusett people. The project is built on Roundware, an open-source platform built by local tech developer Halsey Burgund and used for other art and public history projects. The virtual medium would also be paired with physical signage. Sarah Kanouse proposes foil sidewalk decals as an affordable, temporary, safe, and recyclable option. A QR code would be integrated in the center of the foil medallion to give users easy access to the project’s mobile site. The project has been in development for two years with support from NEFA and faculty grants. Final UI and debugging work is currently underway. Plans are projected for print tests and a trial installation of decals in September, with a full launch of the virtual project on October 11th alongside events at City Hall and the return of the Salem Deed. Elizabeth Peterson introduces herself and voices her support for the project. James Bostick asks about potential collaboration between the Native Spaces Project and the Salem History Trail. Elizabeth Peterson states that the histories of the different locations in the Native Spaces Project have been thoroughly researched with the intent of weaving together the different stories present. Gwen Rosemond asks about the longevity and maintenance of the sidewalk decals. Sarah Kanouse notes that the decals are rated to last one year but may last longer in less trafficked areas. Plans are in place to review the decals’ status at the end of the program year, with replacements projected to cost $75-100 per decal. Motion to approve the Native Spaces Project is made by Norene Gachignard, seconded by Carly Dwyer-Naik and passes 6-0. ● Faceless Dolls Project Review Julie Barry introduces the project’s collaborators: Yinette Guzman and Yuko Okabe from the North Shore Community Development Coalition. Yuko Okabe introduces the project and provides background for the Faceless Doll project. Since 2021 PUAM has provided workshops for community members in Salem to create faceless dolls in the style of Dominican artist Liliana Mera Lime. The project plans to work with artist Luis Rivas and others to create larger, 12’ sculptures in this style. These sculptures will be accompanied by signage informing viewers of the history of the artwork. The project plans to have the footing of 4 sculptures installed in Palmer Cove Park before the close of 2024, with the remainder of installation taking place in the Spring of 2025. There will be a total of 7 fiberglass sculptures installed, each designed by a different artist.  Sculpture designs are shown to the commission with accompanying art (small-scale models) and descriptions by the artists. Yuko Okabe asks the commission for feedback and approval on the designs. James Bostick asks Julie Barry if he needs to recuse himself from voting due to his role in the call for artists review group for the project. Julie Barry notes that recusal is not necessary. Hannah Gathman asks if funding for the fabrication of the sculptures and payment of the artists has already been secured. Yinette Guzman confirms that funding has been secured. Motion to approve the Faceless Dolls Project is made by Jim Bostick, seconded by Gwen Rosemond and passes 6-0. ● Charlotte Forten Memorial Final Review Julie Barry provides updates on the Charlotte Forten Memorial Project. Multiple components of the project are brought up in series for approval. An image of the nearly complete bronze statue is shown to the committee. A diagram of the statue’s accompanying signage is shown. Julie Barry explains the accessibility features of the sign, as well as its location in the park relative to the sculpture. James Bostick notes some design issues with the signage: a lack of contrast in the text in an area of the sign around the image of Charlotte Forten; a higher density in the QR code than may be necessary. Motion to approve Charlotte Forten Memorial Final Design is made by Hannah Gathman, seconded by Norene Gachignard and passes 6-0. ● Artists’ Row Selection Recommendations Review Julie Barry introduces the Artists’ Row Selection Recommendations that the commission will be reviewing. The recommendations come from a 7-member committee composed of the Creative Collective, Salem Main Streets, North Shore CDC’s Small Business Development Department, two members of the PAC, and two members of the public. There are four recommendations for consideration in each of two categories: with two selections to be made for the Public Artist in Residence and three to be made for the Maker Spaces/Storefronts. Julie Barry presents the applicants to the commission, vetted and sorted by the score of their application. The four applicants for review by the commission included: Sarah Madeleine Tierney Guerin, Ken Reker, Erin Survilas, and SJL/Sew Salem. The Public Artist in Residence applicants are presented to the commission first. Narratives for the four highest scoring applicants are shown, with the intent of narrowing that field down to two finalists – one for 2025 and one for 2026. After reviewing narratives, Julie Barry displays visuals for the four applicants. Sarah with the boots for 2025 and Erin with the paintings for 2026 Motion to approve Sarah Madeleine Tierney Guerin for the 2025 Public Artist in Residence and Erin Survilas for the 2026 Public Artist in Residence is made by Hannah Gathman, seconded by Carly Dwyer-Naik and passes 6-0. The commission moves on to discuss the applicants for the Maker Spaces/Storefronts. The commission has to select three finalists from a list of four vetted applicants, presented by Julie Barry. Becky Fisher asks which unit has access to running water. Julie Barry notes that Space #2 has access to running water, which is currently occupied by Melon Rose and Robber’s Daughter.  Julie Barry presents a list of applicants vetted and displayed by score and sorted by the space they are each applying for. The four applicants for review by the commission include: MiraMar Printmaking (Space #4), North Shore Glass School (Space #2), French Press Candle Co. (Space #2), and Ali Lipman of MOON (Space #1). James Bostick notes that applicant Ali Lipman and the MOON organization are a non-profit group. Carly Dwyer-Naik asks about applicant Eowyn Evans (not one of the four finalists) and why their score failed to meet the criteria for final review. Julie Barry notes that applicant Ali Lipman of MOON offers to collaborate and could work with Eowyn Evans and other artists. Julie Barry shows art samples from the applicants. John Andrews notes from the public audience that applicant French Press Candle Co. does not have a storefront presence in downtown Salem. James Bostick Notes that the North Shore Glass School’s current location in Salem is not a business storefront. Motion to approve MiraMar Printmaking (Space #4), North Shore Glass School (Space #2), and Ali Lipman of MOON (Space #1) is made by Norene Gachignard, seconded by James Bostick and passes 5-1, with Carly Dwyer-Naik voting against. ● Project Updates & Other Business Old Town Hall Restoration Project: $750,000 raised with another $750,000 currently pending review. The Massachusetts Architectural Access Board deferred the project to committee upon review without a date currently set. The shade structure for Charlotte Forten Park is set for installation in November, with work beginning in September and briefly pausing in October. The dedication event for the memorial is currently set for 1:30pm September 15th. A temporary project has been proposed as part of the memorial dedication ceremony at Charlotte Forten Park. Mitch Hern, a Lynn-based print artist, will be making a banner of Charlotte Forten’s poetry to hang around the harbor walk. History Alive will also be present at the Charlotte Forten memorial dedication for a performance. Hannah Gathman requests that the banner be discussed with the artists working on the main Charlotte Forten Memorial project. James Bostick asks if Mitch Hern is seeking funding for his banner project. Julie Barry clarifies that no funding is needed for the banner project. Motion to approve Mitch Hern’s Charlotte Forten Memorial Banner is made by Hannah Gathman, seconded by Norene Gachignard and passes 6-0. ● Adjourn Motion to adjourn is made by Gwen Rosemond, seconded by Norene Gachignard, and passes 6-0. 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.