Keizer art commission approves artist payments and moves storm-drain art program toward council review

The Keizer Public Art Commission on Jan. 27 approved paying selected artists $200 each for storm-drain artwork and advanced a timeline that would let the city include the program in its master plan for city-council consideration in March.

Tammy Teldepar, who presented Public Works and Environmental Services’ updates on the program, said Public Works has identified four candidate drain locations and is proposing the commission prioritize two for installation this year. "Public works chooses the two locations for this year," Teldepar said while outlining a March-to-July timeline that would put selections and painting on a summer schedule.

Commissioners spent much of the meeting resolving how the program should solicit designs. Environmental Services proposed running a contest for outreach; several commissioners recommended instead that this year’s…