Public Arts Committee

Public Arts Committee - Jul 06 2026 Agenda Monday, July 6, 2026 at 5:00 PM 829 Sawyer St., Hauesser Conference Room, South Portland, ME 04106 Google Meet joining info Video call link: https://meet.google.com/osr-tovg-rar Or dial: (US) +1 513-536-8135 PIN: 239 233 561# More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/osr-tovg-rar? pin=3291035425555 Phone Numbers (US) +1 513-536-8135 PIN: 239 233 561# Members of the public will need to use the raise your hand feature in Google Meets to be called on and heard during the public comment portions of the agenda item. Page A. Attendance / Roll Call 1. Attendance / Roll Call Member Name Seat Name Allison R Dale Seat 1 Eric Wittman Seat 7 Marc Chillemi Seat 5 James LaPlante Seat 4 Liz Salamone Seat 2 Deidra Levasseur Seat 3 Willys DeVoll Seat 6 (Vacant) Youth Representati ve Marin Stephens Staff Liasion B. Administrative Items Page 1 of 17  1. Review and Approve Meeting Minutes 3 Committee to review and approve June 1, 2026 PAC Meeting Minutes Draft PAC Meeting Notes 6.1.26.pdf C. Member Update 1. Round Robin Discussion D. Old Business 1. Staff Updates 9  Maine Arts Commission Creative Communities Grant & Feedback on Submission Maine Cultural Arts Grant Feedback 6.15.26.docx  Public Art Map and Draft of Public Art Map Recommendation Form  Update on Directory - Econ. Dev. Dept. creating a directory for businesses, including artist spaces and galleries 2. Trailside Art Project Updates  James LaPlante will give updates to committee on trailside art project and next steps. E. New Business 1. Trailside Art Project Call for Artists 16  Committee to review Call for Artists Template Call for artists Greenbelt art trail_staffedits.pdf 2. Art in the Park Sign Up for Tabling  Committee will decide on groups of 2 to table during Art in the Park F. Public Comment Period G. Current and Future Projects 1. Future Agenda H. Adjournment 1. Adjourn Page 2 of 17 Public Arts Committee Meeting Notes, June 2026 June 1, 2026 5:00 – 6:30pm 829 Sawyer Street, Haeuser Room and Zoom Summary of This Meeting’s Passed Motions Motion Vote Section of meeting notes Approve minutes of May Unanimous B.1 2026 meeting Approve fabrication of the Unanimous E.1 2 mural structures for $3500 or less, use the remaining FY26 funds for protective coating of the mural surfaces, and allocate FY27 funds for artist stipends to paint the structures Elect Eric and Allison to a Unanimous E.1 new subcommittee to approve Josh’s final surfaces designs before fabrication A. Attendance/Roll Call Member Seat Present/Absent Page 3 of 17 James LaPlante Chair 4 Present Deidra Levasseur Co-Chair 3 Present Willys DeVoll Secretary 6 Present Allison Dale 1 Present Elizabeth Salamone 2 Present Eric Wittman 7 Present Marc Chillemi 5 Present Marin Stephens Staff Present B. Administrative Items 1. Review and Approve Meeting Minutes ●​ MOTION: Approve minutes of May 2026 meeting ○​ Passes unanimously C. Member Update 1. Round Robin Discussion ●​ No Round Robin items this month D. Old Business 1. Staff Updates ●​ FY 26/27 Committee Budget Approval ○​ Budget approved! ○​ FY 26_27 May 2026 Budget for approval Page 4 of 17  ●​ Chapter 2 Amendments to Public Art Committee ○​ Amendments should be completely finalized now ●​ Update on table cloth purchase ○​ The table cloth has arrived! ○​ We have spent now $144 of the $4400 for FY26 2. Creation of the Public Art Map ●​ Committee will discuss community mapping project to highlight sculpture gardens, murals, sculptures, pop up art in the community to go see. ○​ Eric and Marc are signed up to take this project as a subcommittee when the timing makes sense ○​ Marc suggests putting this on hold for now ○​ James: Why wait to launch? It’s a living document. We could launch the web version now and continue collecting public suggestions for additions ○​ Marin will create a draft blurb with Shara for an upcoming City newsletter to promote the map ○​ Liz: Could we reach out to school teachers to help kids locate currently unmapped public art around the city? ●​ Click here to see starting list to date E. New Business 1. Trailside Art Project Call for Artists ●​ Committee will vote on the following: 1.​ Is the committee open to constructing 2 mural surfaces (8 ft. wide by 4 ft. high) with the allotted $4k from FY26 as long as it comes under $3,500 threshold for finance department? 2.​ If so, is the committee ok designating remaining funds for coating? 3.​ How does the Committee want to use the $5,000 funds that will be dedicated for this project in FY27? ■​ Option 1: Could use it to pay a $1000 to $1200 stipends for mural artists (1 artist per each side of a mural surface) - remaining funds for seal coating? Page 5 of 17  ■​ Option 2: Do you want to do a call for artists for other types of art installations on the trail as well as pay artists to paint murals? ●​ MOTION: Approve fabrication of the 2 mural structures for $3500 or less, use the remaining FY26 funds for protective coating of the mural surfaces, and allocate FY27 funds for artist stipends to paint the structures. 1.​ Passes unanimously ●​ MOTION: Elect Eric and Allison to a new subcommittee to approve Josh’s final surfaces designs before fabrication. 1.​ Passes unanimously 2. Art in the Park Preparation Discussion ●​ Committee will discuss the following: ○​ Materials needed for tabling and reimbursement procedure ■​ Allison will bring materials and submit receipts to Marin for reimbursement ■​ Marin will send Allison the reimbursement form for line-iteming expenses ○​ Contacting Parks Dept. for table & tent ■​ The table in the hallway of this building already likes belongs to this Committee ■​ Still need to borrow a tent ○​ Volunteer opportunities for the event ■​ We’ll do a sign-up sheet for volunteering at next month’s meeting ●​ Allison: Let’s provide a way for people to suggest new additions to the map, either near the homes or even in their yards ○​ Deidra: Would be great to have a QR for public additions ○​ Deidra: Would be great to have a physical map next year if we continue developing the map between now and then 3. Brass Roots Festival ●​ Committee will discuss the following: ○​ Update on festival by Marc Chillemi ■​ New date is September 13, 2026 ■​ This year will be a proof of concept for future years’ versions Page 6 of 17  ○​ Distribution of approved FY 26/27 Funds in July for the festival ■​ City will write a check to Brass Roots Productions for its sponsorship of the festival ○​ Tabling and volunteer opportunities for the event ■​ Marc is requesting a table and area for kids ■​ Needs a volunteer lead for the festival ■​ Could be an opportunity to spread word of the Committee and our work ■​ Lighthouse theme would be great for a kids’ activity since the venue is Bug Light F. Public Comment Period ●​ No public comment G. Current and Future Projects 1. Future Agenda ●​ Eric: Do we have a list of working artists in South Portland? ○​ Could this be a part of the map? Could be a similar approach of having members of the public submit themselves to the directory if they’d like to be listed ●​ Art in Public Spaces project was funded for FY27, too! $500 allocated H. Adjournment ●​ Meeting adjourned without objection Page 7 of 17 Appendix: Attendance Record Any members at risk of not fulfilling the City’s minimum attendance requirements are highlighted in the table. Member Seat Total Absences, Active Absence Last 12 Months Streak James LaPlante 4 3 0 Chair Deidra Levasseur 3 0 0 Co-Chair Willys DeVoll 6 1 0 Secretary Allison Dale 1 1 0 Elizabeth Salamone 2 0 0 Eric Wittman 7 0 0 Marc Chillemi 5 2 0 Vacant Youth Rep. n/a n/a Page 8 of 17 Maine Cultural Access Portal shared feedback with you. 06/15/2026 1. The proposed project is clearly defined with specific, achievable goals. Reviewer 1 Agree Reviewer 2 Agree Reviewer 3 Neither agree or disagree 2. The collaborators, artists and/or culture bearers are meaningfully integrated into the project. Reviewer 1 Neither agree or disagree Reviewer 2 Agree Reviewer 3 Agree Please explain your ratings for PROJECT SUMMARY. Reference the clarity of the project, the strength of the goals, and the role of artists and/or culture bearers in the proposed work. Reviewer 1 The vision here is compelling — a 5.6-mile public art trail along the Greenbelt Pathway, accessible to everyone who lives, works, or moves through South Portland. Public art that lives outside gallery walls, that meets people where they already are, is exactly the kind of investment that builds lasting community identity. The idea of reserving one mural surface annually for the South Portland High School graduating class is particularly strong — that's how traditions get built. Where this application loses ground is in artist integration. Josh Reiman is named as the prototype fabricator, but the artists who will actually create the work along the trail are entirely unnamed and unconfirmed. For a project that centers public art, we know very little about the art or the artists who will make it. Constructive feedback for applicant: The project vision is strong, but the artistic core needs to be more developed. Future applications will be significantly stronger when they can name committed artists, describe their practices, and show how diverse community voices — including South Portland's growing immigrant communities — will be authentically reflected in the work selected Page 9 of 17 Reviewer 2 There is a clear plan to commission and facilitate more public art and involve community members and artists. The proposal would be stronger if it was more clear how community members are involved in decision making around what mural designs or installations are selected over time. Reviewer 3 The overall goal is installing public art along the Greenbelt Pathway. Still in its formative stage, this project has a vision, as well as necessary infrastructure and seed funding behind it. Additional goal clarity would aid with evaluating the request; for example, the strategy for vetting artist contributors and making selections could be mentioned here. 3. This project demonstrates genuine understanding of community needs. Reviewer 1 Agree Reviewer 2 Agree Reviewer 3 Neither agree or disagree 4. This project will meaningfully increase access to arts and cultural activities. Reviewer 1 Strongly Agree Reviewer 2 Strongly Agree Reviewer 3 Agree 5. Underserved populations are authentically included and engaged (not just mentioned) in this project. Reviewer 1 Neither agree or disagree Reviewer 2 Agree Reviewer 3 Page 10 of 17 Agree 6. The project minimizes barriers to participation, including cost, location, language, and accessibility. Reviewer 1 Agree Reviewer 2 Agree Reviewer 3 Strongly Agree 7. The project has the potential to strengthen the community’s sense of place and vibrancy. Reviewer 1 Strongly Agree Reviewer 2 Agree Reviewer 3 Agree Please explain your ratings for COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & ACCESS. Reference the clarity of the project, the strength of the goals, and the role of artists and/or culture bearers in the proposed work. Reviewer 1 A public art trail along a shared pathway is one of the most genuinely accessible formats for community arts engagement — no ticket price, no building to enter, no hours of operation. The fact that this idea emerged directly from a community survey of over 170 people gives it credibility as a response to real expressed need, not just an institutional priority. I believe strongly in the potential of this project to transform how South Portland residents experience their city. My hesitation around underserved populations is honest — the application names South Portland's growing immigrant communities and the goal of reaching all five city districts, but doesn't tell us how those communities will be actively engaged in shaping the work, not just viewing it. There's a meaningful difference between public art placed in a diverse neighborhood and public art created with and by the people who live there. I'd want to see the latter. Constructive feedback for applicant: South Portland's immigrant communities are mentioned as a goal but not as active participants in this project's design or artistic direction. A future application that shows how these communities will be Page 11 of 17 engaged as co-creators — not just as an audience — would significantly strengthen the equity argument and the artistic integrity of the trail. Reviewer 2 The project is clearly informed by community feedback and needs. The proposal would be stronger if trail accessibility/mobility and language was addressed. Clarity on how community members would be involved in final decisions would also be helpful. Diverse voices and mediums are noted in potential programming, though some of the language otherwise assumes the public art supported will be fixed installed objects. Reviewer 3 Public art, by definition, is available to everyone, so this project is a clear example of that ideal. Since public art is lacking in South Portland, this project would address that void. To evaluate the merits of the proposal, it would be helpful to know more detail. There is mention of putting out a call for art proposals, but no mention of criteria, how these will be vetted, or how funds will be distributed. 8. The applicant demonstrates the capacity to complete the project successfully. Reviewer 1 Agree Reviewer 2 Agree Reviewer 3 Neither agree or disagree 9. The project budget is clear, reasonable, and appropriate for the proposed activities. Reviewer 1 Neither agree or disagree Reviewer 2 Agree Reviewer 3 Neither agree or disagree 10. The timeline is realistic and aligned with the scope of work. Reviewer 1 Agree Page 12 of 17 Reviewer 2 Agree Reviewer 3 Agree 11. The application presents a strong and workable plan for implementation and evaluation. Reviewer 1 Neither agree or disagree Reviewer 2 Agree Reviewer 3 Agree Please explain your score for PROJECT CAPACITY. Reference the applicant’s readiness to carry out the project, the strength of the implementation plan, and whether the budget and timeline are realistic. Reviewer 1 The city infrastructure behind this project is a genuine asset — Parks and Recreation handling installation and maintenance, a Capital Improvement budget already committed, and a committee with demonstrated follow-through from last year's building mural. That's real organizational capacity. The timeline is phased appropriately — prototype by summer 2026, additional pieces by end of FY2027. Where I have questions is the budget. At $10,000 total for up to four public art installations — including fabrication, artist fees, materials, and installation — the numbers feel tight. The budget details are also harder to follow than they need to be, mixing the prototype costs with the grant-funded expansion in ways that require careful reading to untangle. The evaluation plan relies heavily on future surveys and event attendance, but doesn't articulate how success will be measured for the art itself — its quality, its community resonance, its longevity. Constructive feedback for applicant: The budget would benefit from cleaner separation between what the city's Capital Improvement funds cover and what the Creative Communities grant will specifically enable. Additionally, consider developing evaluation criteria that speak to artistic quality and community response — not just attendance numbers and survey reach Reviewer 2 Although funding contingent, it would be helpful to understand how this committee plans to commission, install, and engage the community well with 3-4 planned new works over a relatively short period of time, with one project needing a prototyping and iteration period. Page 13 of 17 Reviewer 3 The project is still in a formative phase. Ideas are developing. This is wonderful. Additional clarity is needed on implementation steps to assess capacity: Releasing an RFP, handling responses, scoring applications, making decisions and disbursing funds all require time-on-task, leadership, and administrative capacity. More specificity would be really helpful. 12. The project demonstrates a committed effort to providing quality arts and cultural experiences. Reviewer 1 Agree Reviewer 2 Agree Reviewer 3 Strongly Agree 13. Considering the entire application, including work samples, the project shows strong potential to contribute to community identity, connection, and vibrancy through arts and culture. Reviewer 1 Agree Reviewer 2 Agree Reviewer 3 Neither agree or disagree Please explain your score for ARTISTIC EXCELLENCE AND ARTISTIC MERIT. Reference the quality of the proposed arts and cultural experience, the project’s potential community value, and the strength of the overall application, including work samples. Reviewer 1 The existing building mural — described as widely received and celebrated — is evidence that South Portland knows how to commission public art that resonates. The prototype mockups submitted show thoughtful structural design that will give artists a real surface to work with. I want to fund this project's future, even as I acknowledge that this application is still more blueprint than building. The trail has genuine potential to become a defining asset for South Portland — something that grows in meaning and richness as new artists add to it year after year. What's missing at this stage is a curatorial vision. Who decides what goes on the trail? Page 14 of 17 What artistic standards guide selection? How will the work reflect the full diversity of South Portland rather than defaulting to familiar voices? Those questions don't disqualify this application — but they are the questions that will determine whether this becomes a truly great public art program or just a series of murals on a pathway. Constructive feedback for applicant: Consider developing and sharing a curatorial framework for how artists will be selected and how the trail will reflect South Portland's full community over time. A clear artistic vision will strengthen both future applications and the long-term integrity of the trail itself. OVERALL RECOMMENDATION: Fund with Encouragement to Develop This is a promising early-stage infrastructure project from a city committee that is building something real and sustainable. The $5,000 request is modest, the match is solid, and the long-term vision is exactly what public arts investment should look like. The gaps in this application — unnamed artists, underdeveloped equity strategy, thin evaluation plan — are the natural growing pains of a new committee finding its footing. Funding this project at the requested level, with encouragement to deepen the artistic and community engagement dimensions in future cycles, is the right call. Reviewer 2 Overall a clear plan to bring more public art into the community and respond to community desires and imagination. Reviewer 3 This wonderful concept requires a little more incubation so the applicant can clarify implementation steps and how grant dollars would be disbursed. Perhaps when the prototype is completed, a subsequent application can draw on this experience and provide more detail. Page 15 of 17  Call for Artists – Greenbelt Art Trail Murals The South Portland Public Arts Committee is seeking artists to paint murals as part of a city-wide Greenbelt public art trail. Paintable wooden 4’x8’ surfaces will be installed along the greenbelt trail in South Portland at locations yet to be determined. Each location will have two surfaces to paint on each side of the installation. Each artist will be awarded one surface. We are seeking art that enhances and engages the public along the Greenbelt trail system. Artists must submit a brief description of the proposed mural art concept and samples of past work in order to be considered for this project. Requirements • Artists must live in or have permanent studio space in Maine. • Artists must be 18 years or older • Selections shall be made by members of the South Portland Public Arts committee and must be approved by City Council before awarded. • Proposals must be received or post marked for delivery on or before the [deadline date] Awardee Description and Requirements • An artist stipend of $1,200 will be provided to awardees which can cover artist time and materials. Artists must use exterior primer and exterior grade paint for the mural. Artwork must be sealed using anti-graffiti coating. • Awardees will need to sign a contract with the City before funds can be awarded. A sample contract is provided in Exhibit X. • Artists must be able to show proof of insurance to satisfy the contract terms. Page 16 of 17 Art Content Restrictions Due to the public nature of the art some content is restricted and includes: • Hate speech • Profanity • Extreme or gratuitous violence • Commercial messaging • Pornography • Or any other content, which would be • Illicit drug references prohibited from public display due to • Gang references its graphic or obscene nature. The City of South Portland reserve the right to restrict or remove any artwork they deem inappropriate. Application Requirements Applications must be submitted electronically in accessible PDF format as outlined below: The application deadline is: [XX Month XX date]. Applications must be sent to: [Contact information here] [Contact information here] Submissions must include a cover letter and accompanying exhibits with the following information: • Artist / organization name • Mailing Address • Phone • Email • Website / social media (optional) • Artist statement of intent. A brief paragraph description of what you propose to create for a mural including concepts and approach • Examples of past projects and works of art representative of the type of work you might paint for the art trail • Curriculum vitae, resume or list of experiences (optional) Page 17 of 17