Williamsburg Public Art Council

City of Williamsburg Agenda Williamsburg Public Art Council Meeting Monday, October 27, 2025 @ 3:30 PM Stryker Center (Room 127), 412 N Boundary St, Williamsburg, VA 23185 Page I. CALL TO ORDER II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. September 29, 2025 2-3 WPAC Minutes - September 2025 - draft III. CHAIR REPORT IV. STAFF REPORT a. 2026 Planning Updates V. NEW BUSINESS a. Consideration and Approval of the Location and Budget for a Temporary Public 4-6 Art Installation Agenda Item Summary WPAC - Project Overview VI. NEXT MEETING The next meeting is Monday, November 17, 2025, at 3:30 pm in Room 127 at the Stryker Center. VII. ADJOURNMENT Page 1 of 6 The Williamsburg Public Art Council met at 3:30 pm, Monday, September 29, 2025, in room 127 at the Stryker Center, 412 N Boundary Street, Williamsburg, Virginia. WPAC members present: Cash Arehart, Pat Dent, Bill Hamilton, Anne Hunt, Elaine McBeth, Barbara Ramsey, Rachel Trichler, and Barbara Vollmer. WPAC members absent: Robert Currie Staff members present: Joanna Skrabala (Tourism Division Manager) and Sarah Seward (Economic Development Administrative Coordinator) I. Call to Order Ms. Trichler called the meeting to order at 3:31 PM. II. Approval of Minutes a. August 25, 2025, WPAC Minutes Ms. McBeth motioned to approve the August minutes as presented. Seconded by Ms. Ramsey. Approved by Mr. Arehart, Mr. Dent, Mr. Hamilton, Ms. Hunt, Ms. McBeth, Ms. Ramsey, Ms. Trichler, and Ms. Vollmer. III. Chair’s Report IV. Staff Report a. CODASummit 2025 Ms. Skrabala provided a brief overview of CODASummit 2025, highlighting the Living Lantern installation. She shared that this artwork is under consideration as a potential temporary installation for 2026. b. Midtown Row Fall Festival 2025 Ms. Skrabala announced that the Midtown Row Fall Festival is scheduled for November 1, 2025. Due to limited staff availability and a lack of current projects, she asked the WPAC if they would like to participate and have WPAC representation at the festival. The WPAC agreed that it would be best to skip participation this year. c. 2026 Planning Updates Staff will obtain official quotes and timelines for proposed projects, and a meeting with City departments is scheduled for September 30 to discuss logistics. High Street is no longer considered a priority location. Page 2 of 6  In preparation for grant programming, staff will develop a detailed plan and messaging strategy. WPAC funding approval is expected in October or November, with City Council funding consideration to follow in November or December. V. New Business a. Williamsburg Poet Laureate Report & Program Funding Request Mr. Lacroy Nixon shared information about a new youth arts program he is developing, The Artist Garden. This program goes beyond teaching performance poetry—it also includes guidance on how to organize and execute creative events. The purpose of The Artist Garden is to teach young artists to be effective both on and off the stage. The program aims to equip participants with tools for success, prepare them for college and life beyond, and build a supportive, creative community within the city. The goal is to have both the performers and the event team prepared for a slam competition or showcase by February 2026. The event is planned to take place in the Hennage Auditorium. Mr. Nixon requested funding for awards and shirts to give to participants. Ms. McBeth moved that the Williamsburg Public Art Council allocate no more than $1,400 of its FY26 budget for the Williamsburg Poet Laureate program initiatives, the details of which are included in Lacroy Nixon’s proposal. Seconded Mr. Hamilton. Approved by Mr. Arehart, Mr. Dent, Mr. Hamilton, Ms. Hunt, Ms. McBeth, Ms. Ramsey, Ms. Trichler, and Ms. Vollmer. VI. Next Meeting The next meeting is Monday, October 27, 2025, at 3:30 PM in Room 127 at the Stryker Center. VII. Adjournment Mr. Hamilton made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 4:40 PM. Seconded by Ms. Trichler. Approved by Mr. Arehart, Mr. Dent, Mr. Hamilton, Ms. Hunt, Ms. McBeth, Ms. Ramsey, Ms. Trichler, and Ms. Vollmer. _______________________________________________ Bill Hamilton, Secretary Page 3 of 6 Meeting Date: 10/27/25 Staff Contact: Joanna Skrabala, Tourism Division Manager Consideration and Approval of the Location and Budget for a Temporary Public Art Agenda Item Wording: Installation Background Information: In 2026, the Williamsburg Public Art Council (WPAC) plans to activate a series of art installations throughout the City of Williamsburg. The plan is designed to: ▪ Celebrate the city’s evolving identity through artistic expression; ▪ Activate public spaces with accessible, engaging art; ▪ Introduce interactive works that invite participation across all ages and backgrounds; and ▪ Pilot temporary public art as a model for future creative placemaking. Based on a combination of staff research and meeting discussions, the proposed first installation is Daily Tous les Jours’ Touring Musical Swings in spring 2026 at the Williamsburg Community Building lawn. Based in Montreal, Daily Tous les Jours is an internationally acclaimed art and design studio specializing in interactive, community-driven public art. The Musical Swings have toured all over the world, including New York, Detroit, West Palm Beach, Dhahran, Singapore, Denver, Houston, and more. Proposed timeline: ▪ March 23 – 29, 2026: Delivery & Installation ▪ March 30 – May 17, 2026: Swings Open ▪ May 18 – 20, 2026: Disassembly Staff worked with the public art agency and City departments (Public Works, Planning, IT, and Parks & Recreation) to determine timing, logistics, and overall costs associated with the proposed installation. A project overview is included in the agenda packet. Previous Action: N/A Staff Recommendation: Approve the budget and location for the first 2026 temporary public art installation. Sample Motion: I move that the Williamsburg Public Art Council approve funding not to exceed $_________ of its FY26 budget for the installation of the Touring Musical Swings at the Williamsburg Community Building Lawn, subject to approval by Williamsburg City Council. Page 4 of 6  WILLIAMSBURG PUBLIC ART COUNCIL 2026 Temporary Public Art Installation -Proposed Project Overview- Project Description Touring Musical Swings Daily Tous les Jours Website Based in Montreal, Daily Tous les Jours is an internationally acclaimed art and design studio specializing in interactive, community-driven public art. Following the success of its 21 Swings installation, a touring version of the artwork was created. The Musical Swings have since visited New York City, Detroit, West Palm Beach, Dhahran, Singapore, Houston, Denver, and more, and have received numerous international awards and recognitions. “The Musical Swings take over public spaces with smiles and laughter. People revel at the therapeutic effect when swinging motion and collaborative music making are combined. Participants report feeling like they are making music with their entire bodies; surrendering themselves unexpectedly to a collective performance, almost as if by magic.” – Daily Tous les Jours How it works: 1. Each swing triggers notes from classical instruments: piano, guitar, harp, and vibraphone. A color code indicates which instrument is played and invites the public to try different seats. 2. The pendulum inspires the interactive soundtrack. The higher the swing, the higher the note. 3. When the swings move together in unison, they create a musical composition through which unique melodies can emerge if participants cooperate. 4. The gentle, kinetic quality of the acoustic sounds blends seamlessly into the urban environment. For the Musical Swings 2016 U.S. tour (West Palm Beach, Florida; Detroit, Michigan; San José, California), Daily Tous les Jours commissioned an independent study to analyze the economic and social impact of the temporary installation. Over 19 weeks, the study showed a 56% increase in foot traffic and a total economic impact of $4.5 million. The complete study is available online. Timeline The timeline below is based on WPAC discussions and availability at the Williamsburg Community Building. During this time, there are events booked at the WCB, but none that require the lawn. Staff will coordinate to communicate with the appropriate parties to ensure the event coordinators are aware of the installation. If desired, adjustments can be made to the installation’s noise level to avoid disturbing the events. ▪ March 23 – 29, 2026: Delivery & Installation ▪ March 30 – May 17, 2026: Swings Open ▪ May 18 – 20, 2026: Dismantling 1 Page 5 of 6 Budget Staff worked with the public art agency, Daily Tous les Jours, and associated City departments (Public Works, Planning, IT, and Parks & Recreation) to determine logistics and overall costs associated with the proposed installation. Below are budget estimations for the totality of the project: $74,000 Rental Fee (7 weeks) $20,000 Shipping & Travel $50,000 Site Costs (site preparation, equipment rental, local labor, site remediation) $6,000 Contingency $150,000 TOTAL BUDGET ESTIMATION Williamsburg City Council approval is required, as the proposed project budget exceeds the allowable threshold for WPAC spending. If approved, funding would be paid out of the FY26 WPAC budget. 2 Page 6 of 6