Commission reviews completed murals, artist programs and plan to inventory city artwork

City staff told the commission on Sept. 8 that the Firston Virginia mural is complete and that community paint days are scheduled: sign‑up sessions Sept. 18 (evening slots) and a larger community paint day Sept. 20 for final handprints and touchups. A second mural, "Birth of the Valley," by an Indigenous artist, was also presented as completed; staff said the city is working with neighbors to manage real‑estate signage that obscures parts of the art. Staff described a previously discussed idea to place die‑cast bird sculptures around the city as a scavenger‑hunt placemaking element but said initial fabrication estimates ran about $20,000, so they pivoted to lower‑cost etched metal bird panels and stickers that retail for about $8 apiece and could be fabricated in‑house. Staff said they will test a small batch and scale up if successful. The commission approved issuing a call for artists for a Visitor Center mural on the stairs (riser treatment called "Flowers of the Valley") and a Night Sky mural on a snack shack at Big Rock; staff suggested calling for glow‑in‑the‑dark paint for star elements. Commissioners discussed using Rotary and other community partners for site beautification and seating projects tied to mural installations. Separately, staff said the commission is midway through a two‑year biennial arts plan and that next year’s work includes creating an inventory and a maintenance plan for the city’s public art. Staff proposed dividing the city into sections, assigning inventory tasks to commissioners and incorporating maintenance costs into the 2027–2028 budget cycle if the plan is completed in time. Camille Hansen of the Duval Foundation for the Arts offered the foundation’s help in providing art expertise, volunteers and letters of support for a creative‑district application and other projects. Staff said they will coordinate with community organizations for future projects and return with specifics.