Salem Public Art Commission Meeting Minutes
April 21, 2015
Chairperson Norene Gachignard called the meeting to order at 6:10pm.
Roll Call:
Members present: Norene Gachignard, Lillian Hsu, Ellen Hardy, Claudia Paraschiv, J. Michael Sullivan, and Deborah Greel, Public Art Planner was present.
Approval of March Minutes:
Hsu made a motion to approve the minutes of March 17, 2015. Sullivan seconded the motion.
Motion passes; 5-0
Discuss and Vote on “Art Row” at Artists’ Row:
Documents and Exhibitions: “Art Row” at Artists Row Proposal
Discussion: The proposal calls for using the wall space on the opposite side of Artists’ Row facing the parking lot to invite local artists to hang artwork on weekends.
Hsu asked if the space would be curated and who would be responsible. Paraschiv said we should put it out there to artists and see what happens. Gachignard said that it might create a crowd, especially on Thursdays during the Farmer’s Market that takes place in Derby Square. Sullivan said it could be a mini-plaza but the space isn’t large enough for individual tents for the artists. Gachignard suggested taking two parking spaces so that the artists have a place to gather.
Hsu suggested that panels could be installed and used as graffiti walls, which has been used successfully in Cambridge. Hsu and Hardy noted that graffiti walls continue to change adding visual impact to that space.
Gachignard said that more information is required for the commission to make a decision and the discussion will be moved to next month. She asked Greel to research the Beverly Backstreets graffiti program and asking the city about using two parking spaces for the artists.
Discuss and Vote on Public Art Mural – Keisha DeLeon – Boys & Girls Club
Documents and Exhibitions: Torch Club Presents “The Welcome Home Mural”
Discussion: Keisha DeLeon, Boys and Girls Club Art Director, brought three fourth grade students from the Torch Club, a part of the after school program to present “The Welcome Home Mural”. The Torch Club is a leadership program for students who want to give the best of themselves and learn how to be responsible leaders. Each year the Torch Club does a project and this year they selected to do a mural at Splaine Park.
DeLeon explained the artwork for the mural will include paintings of houses representing ‘home’ as a core concept that resonates with memories we all have of our own homes. She noted that the Torch Club wishes to portray models of a healthy home that encompasses love and safety. Each house will have special symbols and each home to say this where love unity, communication, love, peace and creativity lives.
Splaine Park was chosen by the Torch Club as it is close to the Boys and Girls Club and the park was recently renovated. Greel mentioned the park will be rededicated on June 13.
Greel noted that DeLeon used the Criteria for Proposal for the proposal. James Fox, artist in residence at the club, will be overseeing this project and has done many murals in Salem.
Hsu asked about the measurements of the mural which DeLeon said will be 20ft. x 8ft.
Paraschiv made a motion to approve “The Welcome Home Mural” in Splaine Park by the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Salem. Hardy seconded the motion.
Motion passes: 5-0
Discuss Beauty Bins/Painted Trash Cans at Salem Willows
Documents and Exhibitions: “Beauty Bins” Proposal
Discussion: Lisa Creech and Stephanie Vaccaro, students from LEAP for Education presented their proposal for “Beauty Bins”, painted barrels for Salem Willows. Their project is a collaboration with Salem Sound Coast Watch to encourage people to put their trash in colorful containers.
Paraschiv asked how many barrels and Vaccaro noted that there would be 14 barrels. Sullivan asked about the call to the artists and Greel noted that she will work with the students to help craft the call.
Hsu suggested that the call note that only oil paint is allowed for the plastic barrels. She also asked if they can be re-painted in future years. Hsu also suggested that the subject matter for the art be open to include abstract design, geometric color and graphics. And that a possible narrative could be to ask the artist ‘what does the Willows mean to you?’
Gachignard inquired of the time frame, which the students noted was around the June 10th date. Paraschiv noted that the barrels will need to be cleaned and prepared and Creech and Vaccaro will work with Salem Sound Coast Watch and the City to accomplish this task.
Hsu suggested that the barrels, when finished, could be put on the City website, Greel said that they could be included the Salem Sound Coast Watch website too.
The commissioners noted that this was a good project and wished the students much success for “Beauty Bins”.
Updates:
Greel presented the following information to the Commission:
Artists’ Row –Tenants have signed their license agreements. Tom Gagnon and Diane Hoffman have met with Stacey Pappas (Artist selection panel) about the color of the interior of their spaces. Diane Hoffman has invited Sheila Billings to have wall space in her stall to exhibit her art and to invite others to show work.
Department of Public Services has been cleaning up the space, cleaning gutters, getting rid of the whiskey barrels.
Tenants would like a soft opening on the weekend of Memorial Day, get the kinks out and have a grand opening on June 4.
Hardy has asked to be part of the Artists’ Row Visioning Group. She also wished reflected in the minutes that the Salem Arts Association (SAA), of which she is president, has incubated many artists while at Artists’ Row and many that have received national recognition. Hardy noted that when considering applications for space at Artists’ Row for Creative Entrepreneurs that the SAA fits that criteria.
Public Art Installation -
Greel, Hardy and Kylie Sullivan of Salem Main Streets met with the artist Liz LaManche to discuss the exact area of where the installation will take place around Derby Square and into Artists’ Row.
Greel is preparing a contract for Ms. LaManche, which will be finished by the end of the week. Payment will be divided into three installments.
Ms. LaManche took photo of the space and is doing test spaces with different paint materials.
ArtBox 2015 - Nineteen applications were submitted. Greel will schedule the Artist Selection panel for the beginning of May.
Request for Proposals for Unit #3 at Artists’ Row.
The committee to select a tenant for the Unit #3 has not met to date. The panel will need to meet by the beginning of June to stay within the 60 day requirement.
Adjournment:
Sullivan made a motion to adjourn.
Hardy seconded; Motion passes 5-0
Meeting adjourned at 7:30pm
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