by Monica Chamness
Staff Writer
The Art in Public Places Commission is gaining momentum.
During its monthly meeting Thursday at the T-U Center, the group discussed some of its future goals, which fall into four broad categories: fire stations, libraries, recreational/community/senior centers and miscellaneous sites.
“We want to think about the impact art could have as it relates to the facility,” said commission member Jacqueline Holmes, who owns a fine art advising company. “Libraries have a high level of appropriateness [for public art] because it is a large and diverse constituency.”
Under a City ordinance enacted in 1997, the commission was born two years later. The ordinance calls for three-quarters of one percent of construction costs on City projects to be set aside to decorate the facility with art work.
Now, after much deliberation, ideas are slowly taking shape. Good thing, too, because the entourage is already behind thanks to bureaucratic red tape: the ordinance hasn’t received City Council approval yet.
“The question is who’s going to be there, who’s going to see it?” said Holmes.
Once a project generates $12,000, the commission must submit a call for artists. This means that they must hire an artist to create work for the project. Preconceived pieces are acceptable for smaller projects.
“The key is to reach out to every artist we can find, especially those locally,” said Holmes. “We want to find the best in the area.”
Only artists with the proper credentials will be considered. A registry of artists will be compiled to facilitate future searches. As soon as the ordinance is passed, the commission is poised to assign the work.
Vital to the program is equitable distribution. Seven districts have been identified, which closely resemble City Council districts. They are the urban core, Greater Arlington, Northside, Southeast, Southwest, Northwest and the beaches.
“It is important that the art is spread all around the City,” said Holmes.
Alton Yates, another commission member, suggested that the group make presentations to CPACs [Citizens Planning Advisory Committee] to foster community input and support.
As the commission is fond of outdoor art, erecting statutes or similar pieces is being considered.
“Jacksonville does not have enough external art,” said Yates. “It would lend itself well. Interior art gets too lost.”
Planning is the only activity the commission can engage in right now. Until City Council gives passes the ordinance, which Holmes hopes will happen in May, no action can be taken on any project.
The Art in Public Places Commission meets the first Thursday of each month at the T-U Center.