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Syracuse Public Art Commission discusses staff vacancy, chair transition and school partnerships; seeks DOT engagement on I-81 Business Loop
Summary
Commissioners reviewed internal administration — chair transition, vacant public-art coordinator post and a proposed commissioner welcome packet — and discussed partnerships with local schools and trades programs and inviting DOT to discuss I-81/Business Loop design opportunities.
Commission Chair Tina Zaquiva told the Syracuse Public Art Commission she will step down as chair effective Oct. 31 and that Vice Chair Benny Guzman is expected to be appointed by the mayor to the chair position. Commissioners discussed internal steps: electing a vice chair after the mayoral appointment, preparing a commissioner welcome packet and interim procedures while the city’s public-art coordinator position is vacant.
Commissioners said they lack a staff coordinator while the city works with human resources to post the position; staff contact said they will coordinate minutes and logistics in the interim. Zaquiva and other commissioners asked for a written welcome/roles packet that covers meeting procedures (motions, abstentions, sunshine-law basics) to be drafted and circulated to commissioners for review.
The commission also discussed outreach and partnership opportunities with local schools and vocational programs. Commissioners reported visits to high schools with welding, woodworking and STEAM programs that could supply fabrication, lighting and other production support for city public-art projects. A commissioner said Nottingham High School and a STEAM program already partner with artists and that existing classes produce work that could be used in parks or other sites; a welding instructor is reported willing to engage students on sculpture fabrication if materials and transportation are provided.
Separately, commissioners discussed the I-81 Business Loop redevelopment process and said they want more direct engagement with New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) staff about design options, public art and placement (midblock versus intersections). Commissioners asked staff to invite DOT project personnel (the project director and consultants such as Fisher Associates) to a future meeting so the commission can offer input on siting public art and preserving corridor widths for art opportunities.
No formal votes were recorded on staffing or DOT outreach during the meeting; the items were discussed and commissioners agreed to pursue the actions. Commissioners also asked for updates on the commission’s website, public art registry and master-plan elements (mission/vision, logo and registry map) and proposed using the website to recruit school partnerships and list volunteer opportunities.
