Call for Participation in the Artist Selection Panel: Port Townsend, WA

Port Townsend Arts Commission
Public Art Committee

Call for Participation in the Artist Selection Panel
For "Downtown Urban Streetscape and Waterfront Area" Project

The City of Port Townsend is currently engaged in a major capital construction project in the downtown Water Street area. The City has adopted a downtown urban streetscape plan that includes the enhancement of existing open spaces, the adaptive reuse of established architectural and design elements, the addition of new and the augmentation of existing community meeting places, and the use of landscaping that invites public engagement. This revitalized waterfront area, stretching from the Northwest Maritime Center at Point Hudson to Quincy Street, will celebrate the intersection of our historic and commercial cityscape with accessible seascape. Public art will be sited within this location, creating an area of public focus for activities which complement our maritime connection, public markets, special events, and community gatherings.

According to the Art in Public Places Policy and Procedure, each public art project requires the appointment of an Artist Selection Panel to develop the scope of work and call for artists. The Panel includes members of the Port Townsend Arts Commission Public Art Committee, one project architect or engineer, one project manager from the lead Department, representatives of other boards, commissions, committees, or public agencies (as appropriate), an at-large artist with specific relevant expertise, and two community members from the area in which the artwork will be located.

The Public Art Committee is seeking interested community members from the designated waterfront area (Point Hudson to Quincy Street) to serve on the Panel. Interested parties should submit to the Arts Commission a letter expressing interest, a description of his/her connection to the outlined site, and a bio or summary of experience.

The Public Art Committee is also seeking individuals to serve as the artist at-large. Interested parties should submit to the Arts Commission a letter expressing interest and a bio or summary of experience.

Postmark deadline for application is May 15--materials should be sent, or hand-delivered, to the attention of the Port Townsend Arts Commission (PTAC) at City Hall, 250 Madison Street, Port Townsend, WA 98368.

Seattle City Light

Just received word from a fellow calling from City of Seattle's Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs that Seattle City Light is going to purchase Bridge 7 for their portable art collection. Awesome!


Bridge 07
acrylic, ink, glitter
8 x 48"
2007

From Seattle.gov: The city's Portable Works Collection is a rotating collection of more than 2,600 artworks in all media, representing hundreds of artists collected by the city since 1973. The collection includes sculpture, painting, mixed media, prints, photography and textiles.

The artworks are exhibited primarily in public areas of municipal buildings. Using percent-for-art funds from city construction budgets, the portable collection includes the work of emerging and established artists.

The purpose of the Portable Works Collection is to increase public awareness of and support for the arts by displaying works in the working environment of public buildings. Here, the employees are able to experience a wide array of artistic and cultural expression.

PUBLIC ART IN PORT TOWNSEND

If you've got any claim to Port Townsend, be it past, present or future, please make your voice heard regarding public art in Port Townsend. There's potential for new Public Art in Port Townsend and this is the time to get in your say while the process is in its earliest stages.

Public Art impacts everybody.

Consider public spaces, how you use them, how they could serve you better; consider what you like and don't like about living in/visiting Port Townsend. I encourage you to let the City of Port Townsend know what is important to you about this town and how art could support that.

Please, help get the word out far and wide about this opportunity--pass this along to anyone who might have something to say!

Thank you so much for your time.

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Here's the PTAC blurb and link to the public blog where you may leave comments:

The Port Townsend Arts Commission is seeking public comment on the draft 2008/2009 Public Art Plan. We have created a monitored blog so that you might easily participate in the public discussion about the Plan. We will monitor and keep open the blog until November 15, 2008 at which time the Commission will review the public comments and make appropriate modifications to the Plan prior to submission to the City Council. Alternatively, hard copy comments, signed, dated and with contact information, can be submitted to the City Hall, care of the Port Townsend Arts Commission. The Public is welcome to comment on this draft Public Art Plan at the Commission’s November 3, 2008, 1:00 pm meeting.

http://porttownsendartscommission.blogspot.com/

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