Smyrna Public Art Committee - A. Max Bacon City Hall - HR Training Room — Minutes
Open official source ↗ · Source page 3
September 19, 2025 11:30 AM City of Smyrna Smyrna Public Art Committee Meeting 2800 King Street SE HR Training Room Page 3 of 5 G. 2025-333 Review Five New Fire Hydrant Locations Anna Talarico shared the five new locations for more painted fire hydrant projects. Each committee member agreed the five locations are great spots for art. Ms. Talarico confirmed the locations: Belmont Boulevard, Smyrna Library, Smyrna Museum, Taylor Brawner Park, and the Reed House. She asked the committee if they would like the artwork to represent each hydrant location. Committee member Robert Harrison said that it would be difficult to do, considering some locations are not necessarily landmarks. Chairperson Oglesby agreed. Richard Garland agreed that in the future, specific representative art could become difficult. Mr. Garland asked Ms. Talarico if artists who sent previous designs should be contacted, or if the City should put out another RFP. Ms. Talarico recommended releasing another call for artists. Chairperson Oglesby said the word for public art is out in magazines, newspapers, and on social channels so many people are aware of the painted fire hydrants. Chairperson Oglesby said he hopes more local artists will submit designs as he was sad to not see many new submissions during the last call. Chairperson Oglesby agreed that a new submission is the way to go. Ms. Talarico confirmed the new locations and ensured a new call will be released. Committee member Imani Thomas asked the committee about the museum location, and if they would want the art on that specific hydrant to represent the area considering the statue standing nearby. Richard Garland restated his first comment about specific representative art becoming difficult in the long run. Chairperson Oglesby said he does not want to limit the artist. Anna Talarico said the call language can welcome both ideas such as: “these hydrants are in these specific locations, and although you are not required to come up with a design that represents the location, you are welcome to do so.” The entire committee agreed on Ms. Talarico’s suggestion to include this language in the call. She asked if there is anyone in Smyrna that needs to be informed or included regarding the new hydrant locations. Richard Garland suggested reaching out to Library Director Mary Moore. Richard Garland recommended taking some public art survey coasters to the Smyrna Library, and Ms. Talarico said she would get bookmarks printed. The committee agreed that bookmarks are a great idea. H. 2025-335 Discuss Project Evaluation Process Anna Talarico said since the committee has participated in several evaluations regarding artist design selections, she would like to hear the committee’s feedback to improve the process. She asked the committee to give her as much feedback as possible. Committee member Imani Thomas said the first set of questions (3-4) seemed too advanced and she did not feel knowledgeable enough to answer them well. Committee member Imani Thomas said she did not have enough information from the artists portfolio to answer certain questions. Committee member Vanya Foote said the committee should be able to see the artists’ portfolio. Chairperson Oglesby asked about seeing the artists’ entire portfolio within these evaluations. Committee member Vanya Foote said we only see the portfolio that includes the projects artists have already submitted to the City. Ms. Talarico asked if the evaluation process is information overload and would like to know what attributes the committee would like to evaluate. She addressed Committee member Imani Thomas’s comment about one of the questions that asks about an artist’s past performance and ability to meet deadlines. Richard Garland asked if there could be a slot that says there is not enough information present to provide an accurate answer. Ms. Talarico said they can look at that option. She also said if something is not present in the artist’s portfolio, it is because the artist did not send that information, or they were not requested to send that information.