Public Arts Committee Minutes – February 9, 2021

Town of Chestertown

PUBLIC ART COMMITTEE (PAC)

Tuesday, Feb 9, 2021

4:00PM via Zoom

Meeting Minutes

Participants:

• Fredy Granillo
• Ingrid Hansen
• Dave Hegland (Secretary)
• Kay MacIntosh (ex-officio: Manager of the Chestertown Arts & Entertainment District)
• Carla Massoni
• Sam Shoge
• Ben Tilghman (Chair)
• Gordon Wallace
• Pam White (Vice Chair)

1. Approval of 1-12-21 Minutes – minutes were approved without changes.
2. Sculpture Project
   1. Ben and Kay continue working on finalizing the gift agreements with the donors. Agreement was reached to spread the donation over 3 years with the first being 8 pieces.
   2. Ben announced that private donors have stepped forward with grant money to support installation to include artist travel and an initial grant to cover the hiring of a conservator to assess the value, physical state of the sculptures and installation planning.
   3. Ben asked for discussion of what specific sculptures should be selected for donation in 2021:
      1. At previous meetings the PAC had agreed on two sculptures: “Butterfly” and “Reading Dog”. Ben has contacted the artists and they have agreed to come in Fall 2021 to participate in the installations.
      2. Ben had a discussion with the Washington College Center for Environment and Society (CES) about a candidate sculpture for their new waterfront location on the proposed Heritage Walk (Riverwalk) Trail. The sculpture is called “Texas Spiral”.  CES has concurred with the recommendation.  The PAC agreed that “Texas Spiral” could be included in the 2021 donation with a likely location of the CES waterfront but with further issues to be worked out during the installation planning process.

• Ben had a discussion with John Schratwieser (PAC ex-officio member and Executive Director of the Kent Cultural Alliance) about placing a sculpture on a Town owned property next to the KCA building across from the Post Office. John expressed an interest in a pair of sculptures called “Torsos”.  The PAC agreed with placing sculptures at this location, but because there may be planning for a future rain garden, decided to defer acquisition for a later year.

1. The PAC discussed placing the sculpture called “The Ball and Red Arches” at Gateway park which has an active basketball court. The PAC agreed that “The Ball and Red Arches” could be included in the 2021 donation.
2. The PAC discussed placing the sculpture called “The Dance” in front of Sumner Hall. The PAC agreed that pending discussions with the Board of Sumner Hall, “The Dance” could be included in the 2021 donation.
3. There was discussion of a location for “The Throne”. Ben proposed a location on a small triangular park next to the old Dixon Valve building where the Rail Trail crosses High Street.  There was consensus that this would be a great gateway location and the design of the piece is reminiscent of the industrial legacy of this area.  However, due to the size and extensive planning required it was agreed to defer this acquisition to a following year.

• There is a second work in the collection by Adam Walls who created “The Ball with Red Arches”. This work is called “Taking the Hill”.  Since the group had decided on “The Ball and Red Arches” for 2021 it was agreed that including “Taking the Hill” would be wise as an artist visit could be made for both sculptures.   The PAC discussed potential locations but will need some feedback from the artist to finalize a location.
• There was a discussion of a location for the sculptures called “5 Wolves”. The consensus was that they needed to be in a prominent location and in an area with a natural setting of trees and bushes.  An area on the western side of Wilmer park next to the perimeter path on the way to the park pavilion would seem appropriate.  The PAC agreed to include “5 Wolves” in the 2021 donation.

1. There was a discussion on the piece called “Head”. Carla proposed the pocket park on Cross Street next to Welcome Home as a location.  The PAC agreed that pending discussion with the property owner, this would be a good location and could be included in the 2021 donation.
2. This brings to 8 the number of sculptures tentatively selected for the 2021 donation: “Reading Dog”, “Butterfly”, “Texas Spiral”, “Ball and Red Arches”, “The Dance”, “Taking the Hill”, “5 Wolves”, and “Head”.

3. Update on the Chestertown Slavery Memorial
   1. At the Town Council meeting Tuesday Jan 19, Ben and Kay asked for guidance on the role of the PAC in the Chestertown Slavery Memorial Project. The feedback received was that this project was expected to fall under the PAC.
   2. Subsequently, Ben approached the Mayor and got permission to form an Ad Hoc subcommittee under the PAC to act on the Slavery Memorial Project. Ben, and Gordon are now reaching out to the community for volunteers.
4. Meeting Adjourned – Next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday Mar 9, 4:00PM.