Salem Public Art Commission Meeting Minutes
March 17, 2015
The Public Art Commission (PAC) was held on Tuesday, March 17, 2015, in Room 313, Third Floor, at 120 Washington Street, Salem, Massachusetts.
Chairperson Norene Gachignard called the meeting to order at 6:10pm.
Roll Call:
Members Present: Norene Gachignard (chair), Lillian Hsu, Claudia Paraschiv, Juliette Fritsch, J. Michael Sullivan, Victor Miguel Cruz, and Deborah Greel, Public Art Planner was present.
Approval of Minutes:
Juliette Fritsch made a motion to approve the minutes of February. Lillian Hsu seconded the motion.
Discussion: Hsu suggested the following changes to the minutes: First sentence: “There was not a large enough pool who had responded with sufficient information so therefore the panel had to expand the pool of applicants to add additional artists.” Second sentence: “The panel extended the deadline for the Request for Qualifications to the first week in March and will invite artists who have done public art projects to send in their qualifications.” Fourth sentence: “An interview will be conducted with the finalists, and one artist will have until June to construct the piece.”
Claudia Paraschiv made a motion to approve the minutes as amended. Juliette Fritsch seconded the motion.
Motion passes: 6-0
Discuss and Vote on Public Art Installation Project Finalist
Documents and Exhibitions: “Salem’s Connected World” Installation Proposal for Salem Arts Festival 2015 by Liz LaManche.
Discussion: Hsu said four proposals were considered and discussed by the Artist Selection Panel. The panel chose Liz LaManche’s proposal “Salem’s Connected World”. Hsu discussed Ms. LaManche’s signature tattoo piece on the waterfront in Boston. She mentioned that the panel agreed this proposal did the best in taking in the whole space from Derby Square to Artists’ Row. The use of the motif suggested by the artist is indicative of Salem. Ms. LaManche is familiar with the materials and has confidence in knowing how to use them. The process will take place over a month and people will be able to see view the process. The material for the installation has not been decided on and Paraschiv suggested glow in the dark paint.
Fritsch commented on the Native American design themes in the artist’s work and suggested that Ms. LaManche work with the curator of Native American art at the Peabody Essex Museum to make sure there is no sensitivity with the use of the totems images.
J. Michael Sullivan suggested signage for the project that will show the whole installation. He also suggested using a drone to capture the images.
Sullivan made a motion to approve the Public Art Installation by Liz LaManche as recommended by the Artist Selection Panel. Cruz seconded the motion.
Motion passes: 6-0
Discuss and Vote on Artist Selection Panel for ArtBox
Documents and Exhibitions: Artist Selection Panel Recommendations for ArtBox 2015
Discussion: Greel noted in previous years the ArtBox selections were done by a jury recommended by the ArtBox volunteer committee. With ArtBox being a part of the Public Art Commission work plan the commission can appoint an Artist Selection Panel.
The panel recommendations include: Kate Luchini, Director of Studio XL at Montserrat College of Art; Miguel Cruz, Public Art Commission and Artist; Charlie Allen, Fine Artist and former art teacher; John Andrews, Creative Salem/Photographer; Kate Leavey, owner of Roost.
Hsu made a motion to approve the Artist Selection Panel for ArtBox 2015. Paraschiv seconded the motion.
Motion passes: 6-0
Updates
Request for Proposal (RFP) of Lease of Restaurant, Unit #3 in Artists’ Row
Greel noted that the deadline for the RFP for the Lease of Restaurant, Unit #3 in Artists’ Row has been extended to April 3, 2015. The City has decided to make the lease for the building to begin in January of 2016. Greel said that if a new tenant were selected this year they may not have time to do renovations or secure a liquor license in time to get the full benefit out of the summer season. Therefore the present tenant, the Lobster Shanty, will enter into a lease agreement with the City beginning April 1 through November 1.
Artists’ Row Visioning Plan
Fritsch, a member of the Artist Row Visioning Plan working group, noted that the group raised issues such as increased visibility of Artists’ Row. How do visitors know it is there? Some ideas discussed were adding new plantings, more seating, and increased signage. The group is looking at creative models from other cities that include pop up stalls for more tenancy and public art. The working group is scheduled to meet again in April.
ArtBox 2015
Greel said that the ArtBox 2015 applications are due on April 6th. Only four applications to date had been submitted.
Public Comments
The Public Art Commission members were presented with a letter from Salem resident, Sheila Billings, expressing her disappointment that the Salem Arts Association (SAA) was not granted a stall at Artists’ Row this year. Billings is a member of the SAA and has had her work on exhibit at Artists’ Row.
Paraschiv noted that Artists’ Row is an incubator for creative entrepreneurs and Sullivan concurred that the Salem Arts Association had seven years to incubate. Fritsch commented that to keep the space engaged with new work and ideas is a benefit to the community. She also noted that there are so few spaces to assign to artists on Artists’ Row and that SAA may want to work with local landlords to look for year round space that would better serve their membership.
Greel suggested that she will reach out to Sheila Billings to discuss ways that local artists can be involved in events that would showcase their work.
Adjournment:
Gachignard called for a motion to adjourn. Paraschiv made the motion to adjourn. Hsu seconded the motion.
Motion passes: 6-0
Meeting adjourned at 7:07pm
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