Local sculptor proposes year-long Milford art walk to boost downtown visits

Keith Trexler, a sculptor who identified himself as “sculptor at Stonehaven,” proposed creating a rotating public-art or sculpture walk in Milford to draw visitors to the Oval and riverfront and to support local businesses. He presented examples from Meredith and other New Hampshire towns and described different implementation models, funding needs and site considerations.

The proposal matters because public art can act as a low-cost tourism and placemaking tool, organizers said, and Milford already holds annual events and has existing sculptures and a riverfront that could anchor a walk. Supporters at the Economic Development Advisory Council meeting said the project could be run by volunteers, staged with yearlong exhibits, and tied to schools, local businesses and existing town maps or QR-code tours.

Tr e xler described two common models: a juried loan model, in which artists install works on loan for a set period (often a year), and a symposium model, where artists are hosted to create work on-site. He said the juried loan approach — used in nearby Meredith — is less expensive and more feasible for Milford because it relies on artists transporting completed pieces rather than long, costly on-site residencies. Tr exler noted Meredith sometimes offers small transportation stipends (about $250) and that some towns buy favored works to create permanent pieces.

On costs and logistics, Tr exler described likely small recurring expenses for signage, a web presence and installation materials; some sites will require concrete pads and mechanical anchoring and heavier sculptures may need equipment such as a mini excavator to install. He suggested a modest launch target of about a dozen works in year one and described local funding sources as sponsorships, donations and grants (the New Hampshire Council on the Arts was listed as a potential funder, though Tr exler cautioned grant availability can vary).

Council members asked about vandalism, parking and site approvals. Tr exler said he had not encountered widespread tampering at other towns’ displays and that liability/insurance arrangements vary; in some venues the artist bears risk while others carry insurance. Planning-board representatives and the Board of Selectmen attendees said the town’s Department of Public Works and community-development staff would need to be consulted about specific municipal sites and mounting details, and that a volunteer committee should inventory existing public art and identify potential locations for review by town boards.

Camille (staff member) and other council participants suggested early next steps: convene a volunteer committee that includes arts and fundraising expertise, draft a map of proposed sites, coordinate with DPW on installation needs, and reach out to regional arts organizations and the high school for student involvement. Several council members said the initial work — mapping sites and recruiting committee members — could proceed without a large town appropriation.

If the council endorses the idea, organizers said they will gather more data from Meredith and other towns, prepare a budget estimate and return with a formal list of sites and a committee structure for board review.