At this week's City Commission meeting, Commissioners considered an action requesting the acceptance of Artists' proposed mural designs for downtown trash corrals.
BACKGROUND:
Salina Downtown Inc. has initiated a mural project to incorporate new artwork on downtown trash corral panels in collaboration with the City of Salina, and the Salina Arts & Humanities. As old degrading wooden slats need to be replaced on trash corrals the project will identify up to three projects a year until all identified corrals have been completed. One of the project goals is to add color and help to beautify these functional and necessary structures along the backside of downtown businesses. In addition to beautification, this project is meant to support the local creative economy-by providing opportunities to artists.
Salina Arts and Humanities has agreed to act as a resource partner to Salina Downtown Inc. Through the partnership, SA&H assists in the development of the artist application, preliminary review of proposal submissions, and the administration of The Community Art and Design (CAD) Committee, an advisory body established in July 2000. CAD reviews work and makes suggestions regarding public art, and acts as the approving committee for mural proposals. When the CAD committee considers the specific art and/or design, the site or location, access for viewing, security, installation requirements, and community appropriateness is taken into account. When placement on City property or within a City right-of-way is involved, the recommendation for placement is brought to the City Commission as outlined in Section XIV of the Public Art Policy regarding private projects on public property.
The CAD committee reviewed both visual and written elements of the artist's proposals, including their artist portfolio (item#01) and resume. Brady Scott proposed his "Robin's in Bloom" design aligns with his style depicting Kansas flora and fauna (item#02), his design has been recommended by CAD for approval from the City Commission. If approved, the panels for this mural will be installed and painted on-site at the Smoky Hill River Festival as a live art installation over the weekend of June 8-11. Following the event, The City of Salina Building Maintenance staff will install the panels at the pre-selected location in the parking lot west of Strand Plaza in the 100 block of S. Santa Fe Ave.
John Waterman's mural was also recommended for approval, and has been paired with the trash corral east of Phillips Plaza, behind the KU Medical School. On this project, John will be working with New Horizon Services staff to support participation of their clients with intellectual or developmental disabilities to participate in the creation of this mural. John will paint the background colors for each panel and then work with individuals to add handprints over the top, and then seal for longevity. (item#03) A specific timeline or event date has not been set but will take place on-site at New Horizon Services and installation will be coordinated with the City of Salina.
Salina Downtown Inc. has an art and design budget of up to $3000 for each individual corral project with a maximum of three projects per year. The City of Salina Parks and Recreation Department has agreed to match this timeline by providing materials, including panels, primer, and hardware up to $3000 for each corral, with a maximum of three projects a year for a yearly budget of $9000, and the costs directly associated with regularly scheduled city maintenance for the corral panels.
The City of Salina Parks and Recreation Building Services Division is responsible for the installation of completed mural panels in coordination with Salina Downtown Inc. and Salina Arts and Humanities. Artists' proposals are accepted on a rolling basis. Timeline for completion and payment agreements are made between the artist(s) and SDI and coordinated with Arts & Humanities and Parks and Recreation staff.
Fiscal Note
Salina Downtown Inc. has budgeted up to $3000 for a single trash corral project. This budget is to cover time/labor and materials for the artwork. The City of Salina has agreed to support the project by supplying panels, primer and hardware up to $3000. Limiting three corral projects per year as funding and staff time are available. This request for approval would require $6000 to cover the first two corral mural projects and would be paid through existing care and maintenance budgets.
The motion to approve the recommended designs by Brady Scott and John Waterman mural proposals for installation in the Salina downtown at the proposed locations was approved 5-0.