Leonardtown posts draft public art master plan; consultants seek public input

Consultants working on Leonardtown's Public Art Master Plan gave the council a status update Jan. 12 and said a draft plan has been posted to the town website for public review.

Todd and Joe Davis, who are serving as the town's public-art consultants, summarized a fall engagement process that included about 100 survey responses, three open-house meetings, pop-up outreach at an art walk, and one-on-one interviews with arts and business leaders. They said feedback from internal stakeholders and an arts committee was incorporated into the posted draft.

The consultants described the plan's components: a case for public art in Leonardtown, a set of themed priority projects and locations, guidance on governance and administration, and a how-to section for accepting proposals and working with private property owners and developers. They said the draft also outlines two project types: larger projects tied to town capital work and smaller place-making projects initiated by community members or private partners.

Consultants said the posted draft is the technical guide and operating manual; the team plans to produce a more visual, map-based version and short guidebook pamphlets to help communicate priorities to the public and property owners. The consultants asked the council to encourage public review and said a public-comment window of "maybe a couple of weeks" would be open before the consultants and staff revise the plan for a final draft to present to council in February.

No formal action was taken. The council and staff indicated they will solicit comments and expect the consultants to return next month for additional discussion and a more detailed presentation.