Staff Report

MEMORANDUM

TO: City Council

FROM: David J. Deutsch, City Manager

SUBJECT: Public Art

DATE: January 28, 2010

In December 2008 as plans were moving forward for the construction of the new City Hall building, the City Arts Committee was asked to assist in the selection of public art for this structure. The budget for the project was $185,000.

The Arts Committee met with the Grimm + Parker architect team to discuss potential public art types and locations. The Committee considered a number of projects, but decided to focus on two – a mobile to be located in the rear of the lobby and a large sundial to be located in front of the new building.

The Committee then established a Public Art Selection Panel which was approved by Council in August 2009. The Committee consists of: Margaret Suddeth, co-chair of the Arts Committee; Abba Polangin, local architect; Karen Swezy, art teacher in Bowie schools; Lauren Glover, the Executive Director of Prince George’s County Arts in Public Places Program; Jackie Thompson, owner of Overdue Recognition Art Gallery; and Perry Price, photographer and board member of the Greater Bowie Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Robert Kellogg from the North American Sundial Society joined the group as a technical expert for guidance in choosing the sundial project. Over 100 different artists responded to The Call for Artists and submittedresumes and photographs of past work.

From these submissions, the Panel selected three finalists for each project. The finalists were invited to the City for a luncheon meeting with the architects, a bus tour and a Community Meeting.

Early last week the six finalists returned to Bowie and presented his/her design for a public art piece. The Panel chose a mobile designed by Kate Kaman and Joel Erland from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and a monumental sundial designed by Gino and Judith Schiavone of Taos, New Mexico.

Staff is submitting the recommendation of the Public Art Selection Panel for Council approval.

DJD/AE