Williamsburg Public Art Council

City of Williamsburg Agenda Williamsburg Public Art Council Meeting Monday, February 23, 2026 @ 3:30 PM Stryker Center (Room 127), 412 N Boundary St, Williamsburg, VA 23185 Page I. CALL TO ORDER II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. February 2, 2026 2-4 WPAC Minutes - February 2 2026 - Draft III. CHAIR REPORT a. The Artist Garden Grand Slam IV. STAFF REPORT a. 2026 Vote Sticker Design Contest b. Financial Report V. 2026 PLANNING a. Installations Discussion VI. NEW BUSINESS a. Consideration and Approval to Fund an Event for the Musical Swings 5-7 Agenda Item Summary Swing By Proposal b. Consideration and Approval to Fund Public Art Plaques 8 Agenda Item Summary VII. NEXT MEETING The next meeting is Monday, March 23, 2026, at 3:30 pm in Room 127 at the Stryker Center. VIII. ADJOURNMENT Page 1 of 8 The Williamsburg Public Art Council met at 2:00 pm, Monday, February 23, 2026, in the Large Conference Room at the Municipal Building, 401 Lafayette Street, Williamsburg, Virginia. WPAC members present: Vice Chair Rachel Trichler, Cash Arehart, Pat Dent, Bill Hamilton, Anne Hunt, Elaine McBeth, Barbara Ramsey, and Barbara Vollmer. WPAC members absent: Chair Robert Currie Staff members present: Joanna Skrabala (Tourism Division Manager) and Sarah Seward (Economic Development Specialist), Tina Reitzel (Director of Elections, Voter Registrar’s Office) I. Call to Order Ms. Trichler called the meeting to order at 2:06 PM. II. Approval of Minutes a. November 17, 2025, WPAC Minutes Ms. Vollmer motioned to approve the November minutes as presented. Seconded by Mr. Arehart. Approved by Mr. Arehart, Mr. Dent, Mr. Hamilton, Ms. Hunt, Ms. McBeth, Ms. Ramsey, Ms. Trichler, and Ms. Vollmer. III. NEW BUSINESS a. Consideration and Approval to Conduct a Vote Sticker Design Contest in Partnership with the City of Williamsburg Voter Registrar’s Office Ms. Skrabala shared that the Voter Registrar’s Office has approached the WPAC to partner in holding a 2026 Vote Sticker Design Contest. The WPAC discussed the proposed collaboration and agreed that, in its inaugural year, the contest would be limited to students within Williamsburg-James City County Schools. The WPAC will review entries and select a group of finalists. Those final designs will be made available to the public for voting, during which two sticker designs will be selected for use in the 2026 election cycle. The winners will be announced and formally presented at the July City Council meeting. The Voter Registrar’s Office will pay for the stickers, and the WPAC will contribute plaques for the winners. Page 2 of 8  Ms. Ramsey moved that the Williamsburg Public Art Council approve the 2026 Vote Sticker Design Contest Proposal, in partnership with the City of Williamsburg Voter Registrar’s Office, including an amount of $250 from the FY26 WPAC budget for award plaques and certificates. Seconded by Mr. Dent. Approved by Mr. Arehart, Mr. Dent, Mr. Hamilton, Ms. Hunt, Ms. McBeth, Ms. Ramsey, Ms. Trichler, and Ms. Vollmer. IV. Chair Report a. The Artist Garden Grand Slam Ms. Skrabala reported that The Artist Garden Grand Slam is scheduled for February 7, 2026, at the Hennage Auditorium. V. STAFF REPORT a. Financial Report Ms. Skrabala reviewed the financial report provided in the meeting packet. b. Community Appreciation Day Ms. Skrabala noted that the City will not be holding Community Appreciation Day in 2026. In lieu of Community Appreciation Day, Ms. Skrabala proposed that the WPAC host an event for the Musical Swings installation. Members encouraged this proposal. c. Musical Swings Update Ms. Skrabala reported that all paperwork for the Musical Swings has been completed. She also shared that a meeting was held to finalize storage details. Ms. Trichler inquired about promotional efforts, and Ms. Skrabala shared that there will be a press release, a time-lapse video of the swings being installed, and inclusion on Visit Williamsburg’s calendar. Flyers will be distributed to downtown businesses, and a Facebook event will be created to maintain a complete timeline and keep the event visible. d. WATA Bus Wrap Contest The WATA Bus Wrap Contest will be conducted in partnership with WATA and CultureFix. The selected theme is “Spirit of 1776,” with submissions accepted from January 23 through March 4, 2026. Three winning designs will be chosen by a panel of judges, and representatives from WPAC and WAAC will be invited to serve on the panel. Ms. Hunt volunteered to represent WPAC. VI. 2026 PLANNING a. Planned Installations Discussion Ms. Skrabala presented the estimated costs for the Living Lanterns installation as $83,038- $97,878 and discussed site preparation and electricity costs. Page 3 of 8  The WPAC had a brief discussion on future funding and whether funds will be allocated for FY7. Ms. Skrabala continued the discussion by addressing the installation of a custom window display in Merchants Square that would project images of Colonial Williamsburg from its early years onto storefronts. The WPAC expressed support and agreed to focus its efforts on this project moving forward. VII. Next Meeting The next meeting is Monday, February 23, 2026, at 3:30 PM in Room 127 at the Stryker Center. VIII. Adjournment Ms. Ramsey moved to adjourn the meeting at 3:14 PM. Seconded by Mr. Hamilton. Approved by Mr. Arehart, Mr. Dent, Mr. Hamilton, Ms. Hunt, Ms. McBeth, Ms. Ramsey, Ms. Trichler, and Ms. Vollmer. _______________________________________________ Bill Hamilton, Secretary Page 4 of 8 Meeting Date: 1/23/26 Staff Contact: Joanna Skrabala, Tourism Division Manager Agenda Item Wording: Consideration and Approval to Fund an Event for the Musical Swings Background Information: The temporary public art installation, the Musical Swings, is scheduled to open to the public on Monday, March 30, 2026. In celebration of the installation, the Williamsburg Public Art Council previously agreed to host an inaugural event, inviting the community to “Swing By” to encourage participation and enjoyment of the interactive art piece. For this event, staff propose providing free ice cream for attendees/participants, a live painting demonstration, and potential collaborations. Details and cost estimates for these activities are outlined in the proposal included in the meeting agenda packet. Previous Action: October 27, 2025 – WPAC approved the plan and budget for the temporary art installation, the Musical Swings. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommend WPAC approve funding from its FY26 budget in the amount of $3,000 to be used for an inaugural event for the Musical Swings temporary art installation. Sample Motion: I move that the Williamsburg Public Art Council approve funding from its FY26 budget in the amount of $3,000 to be used for an inaugural event for the Musical Swings temporary art installation, as outlined in the proposal. Page 5 of 8  WILLIAMSBURG PUBLIC ART COUNCIL “Swing By” Event Proposal for a Musical Swings Inauguration Event What The Musical Swings are scheduled to open to the public on Monday, March 30, 2026. In celebration of the installation, the Williamsburg Public Art Council proposes an inaugural event, inviting the community to “Swing By” to encourage participation and enjoyment of the interactive art piece. This also fosters community spirit and interest, while also informing and educating the public on the City’s art initiatives. Staff proposes a two-hour event, beginning with a brief program, which includes a “ribbon cutting” and brief remarks by City leadership. Additional activity recommendations are outlined below: • Free ice cream by either Sno-to-go or Baskin-Robbins (for up to 250 people). • Live painting demonstration by Hüseyin Uysal, a Visiting Scholar at William & Mary (since May 2025). Uysal is an Associate Professor at Kastamonu University (Turkey) and is both a musician and visual artist. His paintings are often interpreted through his own violin music. For this event, Uysal would conduct a live painting demonstration, using the sounds generated by the Musical Swings. • The Williamsburg Poet Laureate presents an original piece with a theme/concept suggested by WPAC. • Suggested collaborations: o Williamsburg Regional Library, as similarly done with Community Appreciation Day, and may include lawn games and/or a small craft activity. o Williamsburg Downtown, details to be determined. When WPAC needs to determine a date and time for the event. Staff recommend selecting a weekday during the first two weeks of the Swings being open. A general timeline for the Swings is outlined below: • Delivery: March 23, 2026 • Installation: March 24 – 29, 2026 • Swings Open: March 30 – May 17, 2026 • Dismantlement: May 18 – 20, 2026 The following dates and times are suggested for an event, with the first week being preferred: • Thursday, April 2, 5:00 - 7:00 PM • Friday, April 3, 4:00 - 6:00 PM or 5:00 - 7:00 PM • Wednesday, April 8, 5:00 – 7:00 PM • Friday, April 10, 4:00 - 6:00 PM or 5:00 - 7:00 PM Updated: February 20, 2026 Page 6 of 8  WILLIAMSBURG PUBLIC ART COUNCIL Budget Below are cost estimates for direct expenses related to the proposed event. • Ice Cream/Water (for 250 people) - Quote from Sno-to-go: $1,500 - Quote from Baskin-Robbins: $1,500 (or $6/person for 250 ppl) - Water: $100 • Live Painting Demonstration - Supplies (canvas, brushes, etc): $500 The final budget recommendation for the event is $3,000. This total includes a contingency buffer to be used for unknown outlier expenses (i.e. décor or signage). Updated: February 20, 2026 Page 7 of 8 Meeting Date: 1/23/26 Staff Contact: Joanna Skrabala, Tourism Division Manager Agenda Item Wording: Consideration and Approval to Fund Public Art Plaques Background Information: Previously, staff and the WPAC worked to identify a design and fabrication company for public art plaques in the City. The first round of plaques used local company Flemings to produce four (4) plaques for Bicentennial Park, which have been installed; however, additional plaques are needed in other areas of the City. The following phases are recommended for the installation of plaques for City-owned public art in the City: Phase 2: Stryker Center • Commitment (sculpture) • Dawn (sculpture) • Up, Up and Away (sculpture) Phase 3: Midtown Row • Papilio Glaucus (mural) • Fl(our)ish (mural) • Tulips and Lanterns (mural) The estimated budget of $3,000 is based on the previous quote, plus a cost of goods increase. Previous Action: None Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends WPAC approve funding for six (6) public art plaques for the Stryker Center and Midtown Row, costing approximately $3,000. Sample Motion: I move that the Williamsburg Public Art Council approve funding from its FY26 budget for six (6) public art plaques for installation at the Stryker Center and Midtown Row not to exceed a budget of $3,000. Page 8 of 8