Placement: New Business
Action Requested: Motion / Vote
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Mural at Minsky Gym Public Art Project
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Submitted By: Stephen Mayer, Planner III
Strategic Plan Link: The City’s Vision to have great neighborhoods.
Executive Summary (General Business): The purpose of the project is to create a mural on the wall of the 8,000-square foot Robert E. Minsky Gym to celebrate the City’s diversity and provide an opportunity for the community to experience art. The mural will be placed on the exterior wall that faces Southwest Darwin Boulevard. The project site itself is centrally located in the community, adjacent to Windmill Park Elementary School, Whispering Pines Park and Treasure Coast High School. A Call to Artist was made public and 18 artists submitted submission packets. As part of the review of submission packets, a project review team was assembled. Representatives included a staff member from the City of Port St. Lucie Parks and Recreation Department, two staff members from the Planning and Zoning Department, staff member from the City Manager’s Office, and the Executive Director for the St. Lucie Cultural Alliance.
Presentation Information: Staff will provide a presentation.
Staff Recommendation: Move that the City Council select an artist from the top 4 ranking as recommended by the Public Art Board.
Alternate Recommendations:
1. Move that the City Council amend the ranking and select an artist from the list.
2. Move to deny the selection of an artist and provide direction to staff.
Background: The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) serves as an Independent Federal Agency that offers funding and support for projects exhibiting artistic excellence. The Challenge America Grant is one grant offered to municipalities intended to offer support primarily for projects that extend the reach of the arts to underserved populations - those whose opportunities to experience the arts are limited by geography, ethnicity, economics, or disability. The City of Port St. Lucie has been approved for a $10,000 Challenge America grant to support the creation of a mural outside Minsky Gym depicting PSL’s vision to be a City for All People.
Issues/Analysis: On April 1, 2021, a Call to Artist was made public requesting interested artists submit an application and submission packet for a “City for All People” themed mural. The Call to Artist was closed on May 2, 2021 and a total of 18 artists answered the call. All 18 submission packets are attached. On July 19, 2021, the Public Art Advisory Board voted to recommend the top 4 ranked artist and submission packets.
The order of the top 4 as recommended by the board is as follows:
1. Eddie Mendieta
2. Brian Taylor/Shaun Logan
3. Craig McInnis
4. Kenny Maguire
Financial Information: $10,000 NEA Challenge America Grant awarded and a local match of $10,000 required. Total Project Cost is $20,000.
Location of Project: Exterior wall of Minsky Gym that faces Southwest Darwin Boulevard. Minsky Gym is located at 750 SW Darwin Blvd.
Attachments:
1. Staff Report
2. Staff Presentation
3. Call to Artist - Submission Packets
NOTE: All of the listed items in the “Attachment” section above are in the custody of the City Clerk. Any item(s) not provided in packets are available upon request from the City Clerk.
Internal Reference Number: N/A