Commission approves two artists for Daugherty Station Community Arts Center stairwell murals

The Parks & Community Services Commission approved Jan. 8 the Arts Advisory Committeerecommendation to hire two artists to create murals in the Daugherty Station Community Arts Center stairwells. The commission voted to approve the recommended artists, and staff will execute contracts and return with conceptual designs for commission review.

Staff presented the selection process. Adam Chao, Recreation Supervisor, said the city issued a request for qualifications for the stairwell murals and received seven applications. "We sent it to a ton of different artists lists," Chao said, and staff advanced four qualified applicants to an Arts Advisory Committee interview panel. The panel could not single out a best-qualified applicant on technical grounds because "they were all very well qualified," Chao said; style became the decisive factor.

The Arts Advisory Committee recommended selecting two artists so the facility would feature contrasting styles. The committee voted 5-2 to recommend Joshua Powell and Deborah Kaufman. The minutes record the dissenting committee members preferred an alternative artist, Dave Titus, for his three-dimensional style and higher vibrancy.

Committee and staff described the project's parameters. The two primary walls both measure about 150 square feet. Staff said the project budget is $10,000 per stairwell (the RFQ specified two $10,000 allotments that must cover artist fees, supplies, insurance and installation costs). Chao said the mural timeline is expected to take about six to nine months after contract and design approval.

Commissioners asked about community input on final designs. Chao said the artists will develop conceptual designs in coordination with staff, the Arts Advisory Committee and community stakeholders; the Arts Advisory Committee will review the designs and the Parks Commission will vote on the conceptual designs before fabrication or installation. The public will have additional opportunities for comment during the design-review phase.

The commission's approval authorizes staff to prepare contracts with Joshua Powell and Deborah Kaufman. The Arts Advisory Committee indicated it will continue to provide design review; staff said larger public-art projects are routed through the Capital Improvement Program and may require additional council action, but this stairwell project is within the commissionapproval threshold.

Next steps: staff will finalize artist contracts, coordinate community design input, return to the Arts Advisory Committee with conceptual designs and bring approved designs to the Parks Commission for final approval and scheduling of installation.