Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Art topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Marquette Public Art Commission reviews installations, grants and conservation plans
Summary
The Marquette Public Art Commission presented its annual report on July 14, detailing recently installed works including Phase 1 of the 7 Grandfathers monument, temporary and seasonal installations, artist workshops, and grants including a Forecast Public Art Midwest Memory Grant supported by the Mellon Foundation.
Brianna Hobbins, chair of the Marquette Public Art Commission, presented the commission’s annual report at the July 14 Marquette City Commission meeting, outlining completed installations, outreach and capacity-building activities, and planned projects including a fully funded monument to honor the Three Fires Confederacy.
Hobbins said the commission, now in its eighth year, completed Phase 1 of Jason Quigno’s 7 Grandfather Teachings monument and installed the interactive temporary piece "Oscillation," which participated in the Winter Light Festival. Phase 1 of the 7 Grandfathers was installed Sept. 6, 2024; a temporary informational sign was placed June 19, 2025, and a permanent sign will replace it in the future. Hobbins also recounted an artist professional-development workshop held Sept. 21, 2024, at Northern Michigan University’s School of Art and Design and said the commission distributed its second Classroom Connections education newsletter to local schools.
Hobbins described grant and partnership support for recent work: Oscillation received support from Bridal Marquette, the Marquette Downtown Development Authority and grant funding from the Michigan Arts and Culture Council. Hobbins said the commission secured a Forecast Public Art Midwest Memory Grant — supported by the Mellon Foundation — to fully fund an Ishco Day monument honoring the Three Fires Confederacy and to obtain technical assistance, including help developing a city monument and memorial policy and project planning toolkits.
Sculptor Jason Quigno, who spoke at the meeting, described the cultural and artistic significance of the 7 Grandfathers pieces. "The 7 grandfathers, they're teachings from the Anishinaabe," Quigno said. "First, there's love, respect, honesty, bravery, truth, humility, and wisdom." He said the stones are intended to convey peace and harmony and to represent Anishinaabe values and presence in the region.
The commission is preparing a maintenance schedule for the public art collection and has renewed membership in the Midwest Art Conservation Center to support preservation work. Hobbins said Leon Langmark’s seascape painting will be delivered in August, and a planned center stone for the 7 Grandfathers installation will replace an existing round bench in 2026. The commission also approved digital and print works by Sherry Loonsfoot Aldred and Ayanna Aldred for the cultural trail’s rotating gallery sites; the first rotating exhibits will remain in place for three years.
Commissioners praised the commission’s work during the meeting. Commissioner Larson said the projects "put back into perspective what we're all here for," and Mayor Pro Tem Schlegel urged residents to experience the cultural trail. The commission noted two open commissioner seats and asked the public to help recruit art professionals for the body.
