Smyrna Public Art Committee - HR Training Room - A. Max Bacon City Hall — Minutes
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August 22, 2025 11:30 AM City of Smyrna Smyrna Public Art Committee Meeting 2800 King Street SE Huma Resources Training Room Page 2 of 5 B. 2025-283 Ideas for Brick Pavers in Smyrna Market Village Anna said she consulted with one of her firm’s licensed landscape architects who encouraged her to consider stain intervention on the pavers. Anna said stain intervention is the only semi-permanent option unless the committee would like to consider rain activated stain that reveals artwork. Anna shared examples of rain-activated stains such as poetry, designs, and images. Richard Garland asked Anna if her resource recommended stain over acid treatment. Anna said she would have a follow-up conversation with him and get his thoughts. Richard Garland said that acid treatment may be a better option in terms of longevity for the pavers. Anna asked Richard who requested this specific location for public art. Richard said it is probable that the homeowners encouraged this location for public art as the pavers are near the residential area. Anna asked if there is opportunity for business collaborations near that area. Richard proposed the Downtown Business District and Homeowners Association as possible contenders. Anna asked the committee how they felt about temporary options. The committee considered rain-activated stains, planter boxes and topiaries. Anna said that planters are a great idea but the committee may not use the public art fund to buy planters unless the artist designed said planters. Richard Garland said he has four planters that are not being used that are either rot-iron or metal and are all around 36 inches wide. Anna asked about the goals for this conversation regarding timeline, homework, and overall project aspirations. Richard said to wait for Evie Ramsey to return before moving forward. C. 2025-285 Selecting Wrapped Traffic Box Submissions Anna thanked the committee for completing their evaluation forms prior to the meeting. Anna said she is excited to hear the committee’s feedback regarding the artist proposal evaluations sometime soon, but to save time, this meeting will be primarily focused on making selections. Anna shared RFP reminders in terms of what is and is not allowed to include on the utility boxes. She said artwork may not contain text, branding, or traffic signal colors or symbols (such as stop signs or yield signs). Anna also shared that if the committee is fond of any design that breeches the regulations, there is opportunity to go back to the artist and request changes. Anna Talarico shared the results of artist evaluations beginning with Hayley Vaughn’s design which received the highest rating from the committee (5’s across the board). Chairperson Oglesby confirmed with the committee that Hayley’s design will be the first selection as it received the highest rating from each member. Anna Talarico asked the committee about Kristin Ramsey’s artwork, the second highest selection, and if it did not have the text, would it change their decision. Each member said yes, and Chairperson Oglesby asked if the RFP regulation of excluding text is a new rule that must be enforced. Anna Talarico said excluding text is best practice and the RFP was reviewed internally as well as by legal professionals. Anna said if the committee would like to re-consider, then there should be careful navigation for this process moving forward. Committee member Robert Harrison said he is fond of Kristin’s unique style as it stands out from the other abstract designs. Robert said considering Kristin’s design is important for the project’s versatility. Chairperson Oglesby said Kristin’s design relays a very positive message. Richard Garland asked if the design could create safety issues such as distracted driving. The committee did not believe that text on the utility box design would create a traffic safety hazard. Chairperson Oglesby confirmed Kristin Ramsey’s design as the committee’s second selection.