Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Art Community Engagement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sandpoint commission advances planning for two "Big Belly" trash-can art wraps and children’s contest
Summary
Commissioners discussed a plan to wrap two downtown Big Belly trash compactors with artist-created 'big-bellied monsters,' funded by SGCU, and agreed to staff-led next steps for a community-wide coloring contest and procurement process.
Commission staff presented Jan. 14 a plan to wrap two downtown Big Belly trash compactors with vinyl art and to run a community coloring contest for children as part of a public-art and sponsorship program backed by STCU (SGCU in materials presented).
Heather Upton described the project and sponsorship: STCU agreed to wrap two visible downtown compactors with monster-themed vinyl wraps and to provide two artist stipends of $150 each. “We have been so lucky to have SGCU as a wrap sponsor,” Upton said, adding that the wraps will be vinyl with an anti-graffiti laminate and produced by local printers after a procurement process.
Staff proposed a child-friendly outreach approach: a coloring contest aimed roughly at ages 4 to 12, with artwork submitted on a printed template available at city pickup points and in school newsletters. Upton said the city would run an ARC-style call (an RFP/artist call) for the final graphic interpretation of winning entries and would form a selection panel that might include STCU representatives and commission members.
Commissioners discussed logistics, selection and eligibility. The plan identifies two specific downtown locations for the cans: in front of the Abbott Block on First Avenue and near the Canada building (a block away), to concentrate visibility. Upton said the city owns two Big Belly compactors and that procurement quotes favored local printers; she noted the wraps can be moved and are not permanent.
Members raised open questions the commission asked staff to resolve: whether entries should be limited to Sandpoint residents or open to Bonner County; how many submissions will be allowed per child; and who will serve on the selection panel. Cammy (staff) said she can distribute the flyer electronically to schools and city newsletters. Commissioner discussion favored broad outreach to maximize participation, with the commission asking staff to return with final submission rules and a procurement timeline.
Upton said the project will be treated as a pilot and staff will test countywide outreach; the program will be released in spring pending final procurement and sponsorship details. The commission did not take a formal vote at the meeting; staff will finalize rules, run the procurement and return with a final proposal for approval if required.
