Public Art Commission
Regular MeetingSalem, MA · September 17, 2024
Minutes
Salem Public Art Commission
98 Washington Street
Salem, Massachusetts 01970
(978) 619-5685
DOMINICK PANGALLO
MAYOR
Public Art Commission
September 17, 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
● Before achieving quorum the commission allowed presenters to provide information on
proposals listed on the agenda beginning at 6:30pm.
● Meeting called to order at 7:08pm.
● Roll Call PAC: Norene Gachignard, James Bostick, Bryan Apito, Hannah Gathman.
Absent: Carly Dwyer Naik, Gwendolyn Rosemond, Becky Fisher.
Also Present: Staff: Julie Barry, Senior Planner; Aubrey Clark, Clerk.
● Meeting Minute Approvals – August 27, 2024 Meeting Minutes
Motion to approve the August 27, 2024 meeting minutes is made by Hannah Gathman,
seconded by James Bostick and passes 4-0.
• Artists’ Row/Mural Slam Mural ‘Sign’ Final Design
Julie Barry presents the final designs for the murals of Artists’ Row and Mural Slam designed
by Meg Nichols for the walls on Artists’ Row.
Bryan Apito notes that the Artists’ Row mural needs an apostrophe. Julie Barry opens a
discussion about the murals’ color palettes and how they relate to one another. Bryan Apito
suggests that the “Salem Arts Festival” and “Welcome” text share a font between the two
murals. James Bostick notes the artist credit listed next to the “Mammoth” piece above the
Mural Slam mural. It’s suggested that adjustments be made to clarify the “Mammoth”
credit and apply a separate credit to the larger murals by artist Meg Nichols.
• Mitch Ahern’s Charlotte Forten Poetry Banner Project Review (discussed before quorum)
Local artist and Director of Operations at the Museum of Printing in Haverhill, Mitch Ahern
discusses his planned banner project for the Charlotte Forten dedication. The banner is
horizontal fabric, ~230ft long containing two quotes of Charlotte Forten’s poetry). The
banner will wrap around a series of poles in Armory Park. Mitch Ahern has already made
the banner. He shows images of the complete banner and his other work to the
commission. A mockup of the piece is also shown at its expected location in Armory Park
and its alternate site options in Charlotte Forten Park by the Harbor Walk fence.
• Gifts of Art
Policy Discussion
Julie Barry explains that the City currently lacks a clear policy for accepting gifts. There are
also two gifts to the city present for review in tonight’s meeting.
o Gift of Art from Karn Stanley: Has left artwork on load with the city for multiple years
and wishes to donate. She contributed a sculpture as part of the second round of the
rotating sculpture garden. This donation is considered more time sensitive.
o Gift of Art from Trust of Jacqueline Rousseau: Has left 12 paintings and a pencil/charcoal
drawing created by a former teacher from a Salem public school. This project is less time
sensitive. Consideration should be given to storage of the work.
Julie Barry presents a policy drafted at the suggestion of the City’s legal department. It’s
agreed by the commission to deliberate on the policy at next month’s meeting after
members have had time to review.
Motion to approve the Gift of Art from Karin Stanley and to review the Gift of Art from Trust
of Jacqueline Rousseau at next month’s meeting is made by Hannah Gathman, seconded by
Norene Gachignard and passes 4-0.
● Project Updates & Other Business
o Charlotte Forten Dedication Update (discussed before quorum)
Due to delays with the casting process, the statue should be back to the artist’s studio
by the end of next week and ready for installation by the week after. This will result in a
delay of the dedication ceremony to the second week of November. The artist will likely
not be available to participate at this newly scheduled event.
o Norene Gachignard notes that the commission is lacking a vice chair and requests that
all members consider taking on the position.
o Request from Mayor’s Office
A taskforce is being formed to reassess and deliberate on the potential redesign of the
City Seal. The Mayor has asked that a member of the PAC consider joining the taskforce.
Hannah Gathman expresses interest in the position.
o Native Spaces Project
The medallion has been updated with a label beside the QR code that reads “scan to
listen”. The project has been approved by all relevant departments.
● Adjourn – The meeting adjourns at 7:34pm
Motion to adjourn is made by James Bostick, seconded by Norene Gachignard, and passes
4-0.
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.
Agenda
Salem Public Art Commission
98 Washington Street
Salem, Massachusetts 01970
(978) 619-5685
Dominick Pangallo
Mayor
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING
Public Art Commission
Tuesday, September 17, 2024, 6:30 pm
Meeting will be held via Remote Participation
Important Announcement
Notice is hereby given that a meeting of the Salem Public Art Commission will be held via remote participation in
accordance with Chapter 2 of the Act of 2023. Specific information and the general guidelines for remote
participation by members of the public and/or parties with a right and/or requirement to attend this meeting can be
found below.
No in-person attendance of members of the public will be permitted, but every effort will be made to ensure that the
public can adequately access the proceedings in real time, via technological means. In the event that we are unable to
do so, despite best efforts, we will post on the city’s website an audio or video recording, transcript, or other
comprehensive record of proceedings as soon as possible after the meeting.
Recordings and presentation materials, if any, can be accessed using the Salem Public Art Commission website using
the following link and clicking on the date for the meeting you wish to view:
https://www.salemma.gov/node/3751/agenda.
Remote Participation Instructions:
Public participation for the Salem Public Art Commission meeting on the date and time listed above will be
conducted via a free remote participation platform called Zoom.
The City of Salem strongly encourages any parties who wish to participate in this meeting to download and familiarize
themselves with Zoom prior to the meeting.
For this meeting, members of the public who wish to watch, listen or provide comment during the meeting may do so
using one of the following methods:
▪ Video & Audio Option 1: Follow this link or enter it into your web browser to join the meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89471946935?pwd=MHQ1TjNVa3djRGNISUJ1MWdKYzBlZz09
▪ Video & Audio Option 2: Follow this link or enter it into your web browser to open the Zoom
website at https://zoom.us/join or open your Zoom Ap on your smart device. Then enter the
Meeting ID# 894 7194 6935 as directed on the webpage and click “Join”. Follow the on-screen
instructions to join the meeting. Meeting Password is SalemArts.
▪ Audio ONLY – Dial 888-475-4499 (or 877-853-5257 if trouble connecting, both are Toll Free) to join the
meeting using your phone. When prompted, enter Meeting ID# 894 7194 6935 and follow the
instructions to join the meeting. Meeting Password is SalemArts.
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Public Comment Protocol:
During portions of the meeting in which public comment is permitted, members of the public who have “raised their
hand” in Zoom will be called on to offer comment. Members of the public who wish to address the
Commission or make a comment may do so only when called upon during the open public comment portion of the
meeting. When the time comes, the Commission Chair will announce that the floor is now open for public comment.
In order to raise a hand, members of the public using the Zoom computer or phone applications may click the “Raise
Hand” feature that can be found next to your name on the participants screen to ‘raise your hand’ then wait to be called
upon for comment. Please make sure to remember to turn your microphone on and unmute yourself before raising your
hand. Those participating by dialing in from their phones my also utilize the “Raise Hand’ feature of this platform by
pressing “ *9 ” on your key pad. Wait to be called on to speak, then press “*6” to unmute and provide comment.
Alternatively, members of the public can email their comments/questions to jbarry@salem.com a minimum of 2
hours before the start of the meeting to have them read into record during the meeting by City Staff.
MEETING AGENDA
Tuesday, September 17, 2024, 6:30pm
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
• Call to Order & Roll Call
• Meeting Minutes Approval
o August 27, 2024 Meeting Minutes
• Artists’ Row/Mural Slam Mural ‘Sign’ Final Design
• Mitch Ahern’s Charlotte Forten Poetry Banner Project Review
• Gifts of Art
o Policy Discussion
o Gift of Art from Trust of Jacqueline Rousseau
o Gift of Art from Karin Stanley
• Project Updates & Other Business
• Adjourn
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.
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