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Appearance Commission approves 'Homewood Wishing Tree' public art installation with safety and liability caveats
Summary
The commission approved a temporary, interactive public art project proposed by the Homewood Creative Alliance at 18136 Dixie Highway after discussing vandalism, material choices, lighting, and property-owner permission; staff will coordinate follow-up on permits and owner liability.
The Appearance Commission voted to approve a temporary public art installation, the Homewood Wishing Tree, proposed by the Homewood Creative Alliance for installation at 18136 Dixie Highway.
Staff framed the approval within a new public-art review process adopted with the village’s 2025 sign-code update, emphasizing that the commission’s review must focus on physical safety, materials and location rather than content or messaging. “These can be challenging reviews to process because you have to be careful not to get at all into content and messaging,” staff said, adding that the standards focus on durability, health and safety.
Jessica Matushek, director of the Homewood Creative Alliance, told the commission the installation would be interactive: visitors would tie ribbons, tags or tokens to the existing structure as a public expression of hopes or remembrances. “We would like to propose a pop up art installation using the existing structure at 18136 Dixie Highway … and we’re calling that the Homewood Wishing Tree,” she said, describing plans for ribbons or tags and optional nighttime lighting.
Commissioners and the applicant discussed practical details and concerns, including vandalism, the use of breakaway materials to reduce hazards, how to secure supply boxes to deter theft, options for solar lighting to avoid exposed wiring and whether the installation would require drilling into the structure. Staff clarified the village does not own the structure: the property was conveyed to developers (identified in the record as Joaquin and Gianno) on 03/25/2025 for $1; the applicant said the property owner had received the proposal and granted permission.
Commissioners generally supported the project as a low-risk pilot for the new review process, while emphasizing that the applicant must maintain the installation and that staff and the property owner must understand any liability implications. A motion to approve case 26-43 was seconded and passed by roll call. Staff will coordinate next steps with the applicant and contact the property owner as needed.
