PUBLIC ART MURAL COMMITTEE STAFF REPORT PUBLIC HEARING

Transcription

1 Department of Economic and Development Services 270 Montgomery Street, Woodburn, Oregon (503) PUBLIC ART MURAL COMMITTEE STAFF REPORT PUBLIC HEARING Application Type Background Public Art Mural Application Number MUR Applicant Project Description Project Location Zoning Woodburn Downtown Association Placement of a Public Art Mural on the South Facade of the Eagle Building 650 N. First Street Application Date February 23, 2016 Date of Public Hearing April 14, 2016 Downtown Development and Conservation (DDC) The City Council established the Public Art Mural Program in August, The program minimizes public funding while providing public oversight. Ordinance 2491 outlines procedures for the City to accept public art murals from donors. The Ordinance states that no person shall commence creation of any public mural without first obtaining approval from the Woodburn Public Art Mural Committee and agreeing to donate the mural to the City of Woodburn. The Committee holds a public hearing on the proposed mural and makes the City s final decision about whether to accept or reject the proposal. Murals that are created without approval from the Public Art Mural Committee are not public art murals and are subject to the regulations contained in the Woodburn Development Ordinance and other ordinances. The Woodburn Downtown Association (WDA) and Chemeketa Community College have partnered together to commission Hector Hernandez to complete the public art mural at 650 N. First Street. Partial funding for the project came from the Oregon Community Foundation, along with local contributions. The WDA is hoping to do other mural projects in future years. The proposed mural will be applied to the south face of the Eagle Press building facing towards Lincoln Street. The location is highly visible from Lincoln Street. The mural will be approximately 13 feet X 86 feet in size and will totally cover the entire wall. Art students at Chemeketa will participate in the project. Page 1 of 6

2 Public Art Mural Selection Criteria Section 7A of Ordinance 2491 lists ten selection criteria that the Committee must consider and apply in selecting and acquiring public art murals. The applicant submittal includes narrative addressing the selection criteria (Exhibit A) and background/overview information (Exhibit B). 1. Strength of artist's concept for, and originality of, the proposed public art mural The Applicant stated, The Mural concept focuses on the celebration of the legacy and diversity of Woodburn. The image at the center include a tulip that represents the agricultural activity of the region as well one of the tourist attraction. At the right of the mural the image of the Settlemier house, as a historical building, represents the foundation of the city. The image of the train is another important historical hallmark of the growth and development of the town, which also symbolizes progress. At the right side of the mural the image of loggers as well an outline of woods depicts the logging and clearing activity of the valley in the process of foundation of the city. Along with these historical elements the images of multicultural aspects such as the presence of the Old believers, represented by an Orthodox Church, are present in the multicultural life of the city. A mariachi dancing couple adds a celebratory tone which also represents the contribution of the Latino population to the diversity of the city of Woodburn. At the foreground a couple of balloons mimic the shapes of the blooming tulips and recede into a colorful horizon, where a sky with a radiating butterfly pattern like sun rays illuminates the piece. A galloping horse and cowboy represent the march of advancement and progress of the city of Woodburn. The strength of the concept resides on bringing symbolic and metaphorical elements to develop a narrative of the celebration of legacy and diversity of the city of Woodburn. The originality not only resides on a magical realism but also in an interconnection of elements, historical and cultural, in such a way that the narrative flows with the movement of the formal elements. The mural goes beyond a mere illustration of historical or cultural elements, and approaches these elements in a colorful and celebratory way. The submittal included renderings of the proposed mural (see Exhibit C). 2. Demonstrated craftsmanship of artist The Applicant stated, The experience of Mr. Hernandez creating murals internationally and around the region, has translated into a development of strategies to create murals in an innovative way, attracting the attention of European, and local publications. Mr. Hernandez holds two master degrees in Fine Arts and Art and Education from the University of Oregon and Oregon State University respectively. The artist not only will use an innovative technique for the execution of this mural, known as parachute cloth technique, but also the use of prime acrylic color, specially formulated for mural art works, will bring luminous colors with lasting effects. The approach to the subjects such as the Page 2 of 6

3 architectural and flora and fauna as well as the figures in general will be treated in a way that representational images are combining metaphorical elements and the colorful approach. The submittal included samples of the artist s work (see Exhibit D). 3. Appropriateness of scale of the public art mural to the wall on which the proposed public art mural will be painted/attached The Applicant stated, The mural will fill the whole south wall of the Independent newspaper building. In this way the mural will create a flow of images along the wall without section it or altering the horizontal composition of the building. This effect will create an open landscape into the intersection of 1 st Street and Lincoln and increase the sense of space of a busy intersection. 4. Appropriateness of the scale of the public art mural to the surrounding neighborhood The Applicant stated, The mural located in this busy intersection at 1 st Street and Lincoln, and the mural will create a fresh spacious feeling in which business as well part of the residential area will have a transition point by creating a landscape and opening the sense of space. 5. Architectural, geographical, socio-cultural and/or historical relevance of the public art mural to the site The Applicant stated, The mural subject celebrates the history and diversity of Woodburn, and the historical references of its images will fit into the historical district of the city of Woodburn. The historical elements and images of the mural will be references to the other sections of the city like the Settlemier house as well as the locomotive. In addition the regional landscape will be represented as a way to link the city of Woodburn with its beautiful and surrounding natural landscape by depicting the tulip field, the balloons and Douglas fir forests. 6. General support/advocacy for the public art mural from the building owner/user, the surrounding neighborhood, adjacent businesses, and arts community The Applicant stated: The mural is also situated in close proximity to the Chemeketa Woodburn Campus and to the Pacific University Woodburn Campus. The Woodburn Downtown Association, local businesses, and Chemeketa Community College faculty have expressed support for this art initiative. Not only is the artistic component widely supported, but the academic and educational component of the mural creation is also provided for. For many years, there has been talk about locating a large-scale mural in the historic downtown district, and Page 3 of 6

4 proponents are excited to create a partnership that will create a sense of pride and create a positive influence in our emerging urban renewal district. We are pleased to have the support of our local community college, as well as the newspaper, with the blessing of both building owner Eagle Newspapers, Inc., and the newspaper s owner, Pamplin Media Group. In addition, the Rotary Club of Woodburn is supporting this effort and is pleased to be part of this art initiative. 7. Ability to complete the proposed public art mural The Applicant stated, Mr. Hernandez has been working collaboratively with community organizations, educational institutions, and other organizations at the local and regional level to implement mural projects and reflect the spirit and identity of the community through the mural imagery. Mr. Hernandez has published his works locally and internationally (see publications). Mr. Hernandez has been accomplished mural project on time and on schedule, working with organizations, educational institutions, architectural firms, construction contractors involved on the building and designing of housing developments, health and educational institutions. For the mural proposal we are projecting to work during the spring with the Chemeketa Community College students who will be learning in a similar model of pupil/master relationship the creation of a mural. After the three month period is over, the artist will work in his studio to finish the mural to professional quality. The mural is expected to be installed during the summer 2016 or at the beginning of the fall. 8. The proposed public art mural will not be located on a single-family dwelling, duplex, or multi-family dwelling The Applicant stated, The mural will not be located in any of the structures depicted on the selection criteria no The proposed public art mural will not contain electrical components, three-dimensional structural elements, employ electrical lights as part of the image, use moving structural elements, flashing or sequential lighting, interior lighting elements or any automated method that causes movement, or any method that causes periodic changes in the appearance of the public mural or changes the mural image or message. The Applicant stated, None of these elements will be incorporated: Electrical components, three dimensional structures, electrical lights as part of the images, moving structural elements, flashing or sequential lighting, interior lighting elements, any automated method that cause movement, any method that causes periodic changes in the appearance of the mural or changes the mural image of message. Page 4 of 6

5 10. The proposed public art mural will be located in a manner that is visible to the public. The Applicant stated, The mural will be placed in a prime location in which people and traffic from Lincoln and 1 st street will be able to appreciate it. The mural located in this busy intersection of business will create a fresh spacious feeling. Easement Agreement The Public Art Mural Ordinance requires donation of the mural to the City in the form of a public easement. The easement is for a period of seven years and automatically renews for successive seven-year terms, unless it is terminated by either party within 30 days after the expiration of any term. The easement may also be terminated by the building owner under certain conditions, with the City s consent. The City has the discretion to terminate the easement, provided that 30 days notice is provided to the property owner. If the Committee approves the application, execution of the mural easement (Exhibit E) will be a condition of approval. Notice and Public Hearing The Public Art Mural Committee is required to hold a public hearing on the proposed mural. Written notice of the public hearing must be published once in a newspaper of general circulation and must be posted on the building where the mural will be placed, no later than thirty days before the hearing. The property was posted and newspaper notice provided 30 days in advance of the public hearing, as required by ordinance. Application materials have been available online and at City Hall for public inspection. Final Decision After the conclusion of the public hearing, the Committee deliberates and makes a final decision on the proposed public art mural. The final decision by the Committee must be in written form and must contain findings and conclusions explaining how the selection criteria were applied to the proposed mural. Notice of the Committee s decision must be provided to the applicant and all persons who presented testimony, or submitted written evidence at the public hearing. Conclusions and Recommendation The City has received a complete application for a public art mural. In accordance with Ordinance 2491 (Exhibit F), the Public Art Mural Committee must conduct the required public hearing, consider and deliberate in making a final decision on the application. The Committee should direct staff to provide draft findings carrying out its decision. Page 5 of 6

6 List of Exhibits Exhibit A Applicant s Narrative Exhibit B Background/Overview Information Exhibit C Mural Renderings of March 12, 2014 Exhibit D Resume and Examples of Completed Murals Exhibit E Mural Easement Exhibit F Ordinance 2491 Page 6 of 6