Smyrna Public Art Committee - HR Training Room — Minutes
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11:30 AM City of Smyrna Smyrna Public Art Committee Meeting 2800 King Street SE HR Training Room Page 6 of 8 Robert Harrison confirmed he would like to see some sort of entrance that welcomes people to the ARTery on both ends of the trail. Chairperson Oglesby said none of the proposed locations are his favorite, and he envisioned seeing more sculptures in the center of the city. Committee Member Robert Harrison said the ARTery was originally approved to be an artistic trail from Windy Hill Road to Brawner and therefore, today’s proposed sculpture locations remain within city- owned property and within the bounds of the ARTery corridor. Robert Harrison said the committee keeps diverting attention away from the trail. He metioned if there is a possibility to place sculptures on non-city owned property, that would provide opportunity for five or six more potential locations. Sculptures paid for with ARTery funds should be visible from the ARTery perspective. City Administrator Mike Jones said the mayor confirmed that the ARTery begins and ends in the areas Robert Harrison mentioned, but it also bubbles into the downtown. Committee Member Robert Harrison said if the ARTery is diluted to wherever art has been placed around the city then there is no cohesive trail. Chairperson Oglesby said when it comes to sculptures, he would like to see them integrated into the inner city with sidewalks being a primary focus for the ARTery at present. Committee Member Robert Harrison voiced concerns that there are not many opportunities for sidewalk murals based on his walk-through conversation with Carson Haynie and Paul Osburn. Interim Public Works Director Paul Osburn said at any given day Comcast, Verizon, AGL, or GA Power could come and dig up whatever they want whenever they want, and he said he has no control over these companies and their authority to dig up sidewalks for utility access. Chairperson Oglesby said he does not want that to be the reason the committee decides not to do murals on the sidewalk. If the sidewalk murals are compromised because of utility work, the committee will have them repainted. The committee needs to be focused on finding great locations for art. Anna Talarico reminded the committee that the public art plan does account for sculpture locations. Committee Member Robert Harrison asked if sculpture locations on the ARTery are still an option. Chairperson Oglesby asked Robert Harrison if he would like to see a sculpture at the Reed House. Mr. Harrison said yes, but he knows Richard Garland should be looped in. Special Projects Manager Carson Haynie said Richard Garland was hesitant about placing a sculpture at the Reed House as it is an historical site, but she will discuss the project further if the committee wants to pursue this specific location. Committee Member Meg Quigley asked where the garden behind the Reed House is located and if it is visible from Atlanta Road. Interim Public Works Director said it is in the back left corner and not visible from Atlanta Road. Chairperson Oglesby said a city was recently sued because of an accident that involved a fixed object. Anna Talarico said there are extremely strict structural requirements on sculptures because of this. Discussion pivoted back to the artistic bench at Taylor Brawner Park. Committee Member Meg Quigley said if she does not want her kids playing on the bench, she does not think it is the best idea to move forward with the bench. Committee Member Robert Harrison asked if the committee could consider installing just a sculpture rather than a bench. Committee Member Robert Harrison asked Meg Quigley if that is her main concern. Committee Member Meg Quigley said her concern is when functional art becomes dangerous. Chairperson Oglesby mentioned the plywood box mural project that was approved during the last meeting. Committee Member Robert Harrison said the plywood boxes cannot be spread along the ARTery because they would look out of place and would only be viewable for a few months whereas a sculpture would be viewable for multiple years. Chairperson Oglesby asked to see the picture of the fountain at Taylor Brawner Park again. He said there are plenty of locations in Taylor Brawner Park that would be great for a sculpture. The committee agreed. Special Projects Manager Carson Haynie said if the committee wants a sculpture at Taylor Brawner Park, she will speak with Paul Osburn and