Salem Public Art Commission Meeting Minutes
February 17, 2015
The Public Art Commission (PAC) was held on Tuesday, February 17, 2015 in Room 313, Third Floor, at 120 Washington Street, Salem, Massachusetts.
Chairperson Norene Gachignard called the meeting to order 6:06pm
Roll Call
Members Present: Norene Gachingard (chair), Ellen Hardy, Claudia Paraschiv, J., Juliette Fritsch, Lillian Hsu and Deborah Greel, Public Art Planner, was also present.
Approval of Minutes
Claudia Paraschiv made a motion to approve the minutes of January 20. Ellen Hardy seconded the motion.
Motion passes: 6-0
Discuss and Vote – Selection of Creative Entrepreneurs for Artists’ Row
At 6:10pm Ellen Hardy, applicant for one of the stalls on behalf of the SAA, was recused from the discussion and left the meeting room.
Juliette Fritsch presented the process by the Artists’ Selection Panel, reviewing the seventeen applications. The panel discussed the applications and used a score sheet with the criteria for the Call for Creative Entrepreneurs. Based on the score sheet seven applicants were short listed. This group of applicants was interviewed and the panel found them to be good candidates. All but one candidate was recommended to the commission.
Fritsch noted that each of the applicants will be working in their stalls and look forward to being a part of this creative community. More applicants were selected than there are stalls so artists will share space.
Sullivan asked if the applicants have business plans and noted that the Enterprise Center is a good place for small business support.
Greel said that she will work with the tenants on a regular basis to offer guidance and information such as recommending the Enterprise Center. Greel noted that four of the applicants are from Salem.
The Artists Selection Panel recommended the following applicants to the Public Art Commission:
Ceramics by Sibel – Sibel Alpaslan
Nikky Bergman – Nikky Bergman Editions – Handcrafted Jewelry
Bridget Alexander Designs – Graphic Designer/Artist
Witch City Wicks – Liz Frasier
Boston Woodturning - Tommy Gagnon
Diane Hoffman Designs – Diane Hoffman
Paraschiv motion to accept the Artist Selection Panel’s recommendation. Sullivan seconded the motion.
Motion Passes – 5-0
At 6:45pm, Ellen Hardy resumed her position at the meeting.
Updates:
Public Art Installation – Call for Artists and Designers Selection Panel
Hsu and Paraschiv, members of the panel presented the update.
Hsu stated that 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. 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. From this group four will be chosen for a full proposal. The Panel will meet in March to review the finalist.
An interview will be conducted with the finalists, and one artist will have until June to construct the piece.
Hsu and Paraschiv recommended that Greel look in the city files for photos of the area as well as suggest to the applicants to go on Google maps.
Request for Proposals (RFP) for Lease of Restaurant, Unit #3 in Artists’ Row
Greel informed the commission that according to a city ordinance, that no officer or board may make a contract on the behalf of the city longer than three years unless permission to do so has been given a vote by the city council. As the current tenant of Unit #3 is the restaurant the Lobster Shanty, and does not have a long term lease the City is required to issue an RFP for the space.
Community Preservation Act/Conservation and Restoration of Paintings
Greel informed the commission that she applied for Determination of Eligibility from the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) to restore and conserve three paintings in City Hall Council Chambers. She noted that she received notification that the paintings are eligible for Community Preservation Act (CPA) funding. A full application for funding is to be submitted to the by March 20th.
Sullivan noted that it would be helpful to know the history of the paintings and their value. Fritsch has a contact at Skinners that may be able to help with the valuation.
Artists’ Row Visioning Plan
Greel informed the commission that the City has hired the Cecil Group to work with a group of stakeholders for short and long term planning for Artists’ Row. There will be three visioning meetings with the working group as well as two public meetings. The first meeting is being held on February 24.
ArtBox
Greel informed the commission that the ArtBox application will be sent to the media through the Mayor’s office and also updated on the ArtBox website. Greel will also recommend names for an Artist Selection Panel to be voted on at the next Public Art Commission meeting.
Public Comments
There were no public comments
Adjournment:
Gachignard called for a motion to adjourn. Sullivan made a motion to adjourn. Fritsch seconded the motion. Motion passes 7-0. Meeting adjourned at 7:30pm.
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