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Commission names recommended artist for St. John redevelopment pocket-park public art
Summary
The AIPP commission approved a recommended artist and alternates for the St. John Redevelopment pocket-park public-art opportunity, a $250,000 project intended to honor neighborhood history and integrate with planned affordable housing and park improvements.
The Art in Public Places Commission on June 16 approved a panel recommendation to commission Maxwell MK for a publicly sited artwork at the St. John Redevelopment pocket park, a public-art opportunity tied to a broader mixed-use redevelopment in Council District 4.
Staff said the St. John site work is part of an FSD-sponsored development with a project budget of $250,000. The AIPP selection process sought a permanent, vandal-resistant work with an expected lifespan of at least 20 years and a concept that honors the neighborhood’s history and legacy.
Jaime Castillo, AIPP program manager, told commissioners the team released a request for qualifications to Texas-based artists and held community advising meetings; 29 eligible applicants were narrowed to three finalists who were interviewed in May. The voting panel included local artists Ariel Austin, Damon Mosley and Naila Sankofa; community advising members included St. John neighborhood residents and project representatives. The panel recommended Maxwell MK and named Jessica Bell and a second alternate (identified in the staff packet) as alternates.
A motion to approve the panel recommendation passed by voice vote. Commissioners asked about how the new public art would integrate with the broader redevelopment, and staff said the design process will include stakeholder engagement and coordination with the development team to site and relocate any existing work as part of the redevelopment.
Ending: Staff will finalize contract details with the recommended artist and proceed with community engagement and design development in coordination with the redevelopment’s planning and construction schedule.
