by Monica Chamness
Staff Writer
With construction on the U.S. Courthouse across from Hemming Plaza substantially complete, it’s time for the interior decorating to begin.
Art in Architecture, a federal program devoting one-half of one percent of construction costs on any federal project for the commission of art, is providing the wall art for the new structure. A special panel was formed to deliberate on which artists to hire for the job.
“The panel contained GSA [General Services Administration] members, a U.S. Courts representative, members of the local Jacksonville art community, a national art peer and the design architect,” explained Gary M. Mote, public information officer for the U.S. General Services Administration in the Southeast Sunbelt Region. “The panel reviewed a database of artists maintained by GSA and selected the artists whose work they thought best suited the project. Any artist may submit their name to be included in the GSA’s artist database, which is used to select artists.”
The database contains roughly 5,000 names. Panel members were also allowed to submit names to the board for consideration.
Three East Coast artists, Valerie Jaudon and Susan Kaprov from New York City and Molly Mabe, formerly a Florida resident who lives in North Carolina, were selected to decorate the courthouse walls with their creations. Their commissions were $200,000, $130,000 and $20,000. Installation costs were included in the price. The women were given artistic license to produce the pieces — either traditional or modern — in any medium they chose. No set theme was required.
“The artists were free to propose any type of art they felt was best suited for the project,” said Mote.
Jaudon is creating two large murals, measuring 6 feet wide by 30 feet high, which will be hung inside the atrium at both entrance doors. Another mural, designed by Kaprov, will be placed in the jury assembly room on the first floor. Mabe is creating 18 translucent glass panels, which will be applied to the glass curtain wall system in each of the courtroom waiting areas.
“The program [Art in Architecture] has been in existence in its modern form since the 1970s,” said Jennifer Gibson, Art in Architecture project manager. “We’re looking for the best. The idea was we should have the best America has to offer without any preconceptions about style. The panel included art professionals from around the country as another voice to talk about art. Everybody [on the panel] has the opportunity to see the city, usually before construction has begun.”
To establish their ideas, each artist visited the building and consulted with the architect on where to situate each piece. Next, each artist submitted a concept to the board to review and approve. Participants are seeking to answer questions such as who comes in the building and how is the building used?
The protocol is a lengthy process, dealing with variables such as budget issues, long-term maintenance costs, methods of installation and other site-specific concerns.
It all begins with recommendations by the panel. Depending on the constraints and needs of the project, the funds may be divided between artists or given to one artist. The panel then narrows its list of potentials down to a manageable number of appropriate artists. (Often 50-100 persons are being considered.) Federal procurement then begins to secure the project. Next comes contract negotiation and preliminary proposals. Discussion abounds as minute details are resolved.
“If what the artist is doing is in line with the panel’s criteria, we can approve the proposal,” said Gibson. “The proposal is intended to let you know what the art will look like and if they can be done within the proper time line.”
Next, the panel evaluates the proposal and makes recommendations to the GSA’s regional administrator. Once approved, the project goes to Washington, D.C. for the final approval, normally relegated to the chief architect at the agency.
Jaudon and Kaprov will be on site the week of Dec. 9 to oversee the installation of their pieces. Mabe’s installation date has not been scheduled.