Considering Public Art Opportunities

This topic of Public Art is intended to gauge Council's interest in pursuing more opportunities for informed Public Art in, and for the community.  There are three items for discussion during the work session, that staff seeks consensus direction on at this time:

1) Public Art Plan and Policy

2) Whimsical Sculptural Carving of Two Oaks at Sunfish Lake Park

3) Women Veterans Memorial  

Public Art Plan
On the first item above, staff feels it may be useful for the city to have a Public Art Plan to guide decisions and priorities when it comes to matters of Public Art. Indeed, the community is operating in the realm of Public Art already—examples include designing the architectural treatments on bridges and intersections with the Hwy 10 project, to elements with landscape and park and city building projects, to recreation programing like the Summer concert performances, Movie Night, annual photo contest or Art in the Park classes. The annual Art Fair at Elmcrest Park is another aspect of Public Art, and one that like Ramsey's other festival Happy Days, also includes demonstrable economic benefits to small businesses and the larger community. 

Why Public Art, why now?  Some have observed that Ramsey may be a bit lacking in a sense of unique community identity.  Public Art can build a sense of place and connect the community through shared experiences and aesthetic. Public Art can represent that a city has 'arrived' and is maturing, has history and is special and memorable—beautiful perhaps. "Public Art matters because our communities gain cultural, social and economic value through Public Art."  For two decades Public Art has been envisioned for Ramsey's downtown, and most notably as way-finding elements in terms of significant monuments, or sculptural elements across from City Hall at Municipal Plaza and also at The Waterfront. Significant investments like these should be well-thought-out, and reflect the community's values, while inspiring visitors and welcoming regulars.  Achieving community buy-in and ownership on subjects like these can be best performed through a deliberate public engagement process in developing a Public Art Plan and Policy.  The Ramsey Foundation's membership agrees, and they have pledged $8,000 to the city to fund a Public Art Plan, and if City Council accepts this offer, a terrific place to begin the public engagement would be at the sixth annual Art Fair this coming June 24th.

Sculptural Carving of Two Oaks at Sunfish Lake
Three years ago two prominent trees in the center of Sunfish Lake Park died at the same time.  The Park and Recreation Commission has recommended to City Council that these trees be sculpted by a professional chainsaw artist into two large pieces of thematic art in the park as fun discovery subjects.  That is to say, rather than incurring a cost to remove the trees, for a few thousand more, the trees can become a feature of Public Art that will surprise park and trail visitors the first time they see it, and returning patrons can enjoy the unique visual presence of the whimsical wooden sculptures. 

Women Veterans Memorial
Early in 2022, City Council authorized the application to the MN Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund for a Women Veteran Memorial and was successful in receiving an award of $5,000 which was subsequently matched by a donation by the Otsego VFW. The metal sculptures are in production now, and half-sized mock-ups will be available at the work session. This subject is included within this work session case as a status update on the project—and as both an example of Public Art and an instance of how Public Art may be funded.  Additionally, the sculptures were described within the grant application as intended to 'travel' around the Ramsey area intentionally, for maximum exposure and public benefit for the first year before a more permanent location may be developed.  This may also be a useful tool to garner public input on a Public Art Plan, with resident engagement being an important and valuable aspect of the proposed plan and policy.  The text below is intended to be on a plaque mounted on the faux stone bases of the sculptural silhouettes: 

 "This Women Veteran Memorial, recognizes the brave and selfless Minnesota women who have served our armed forces with dignity and honor.
 Funding and advocacy for this tribute is from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, Otsego VFW Post 5518, Mid-State Metal Works, Rumriver Art Center, the City of Ramsey, and by artist SSG M.J. Horgan, USA, RET."


 

Staff anticipates a brief overview of the Public Art opportunity for the city (5 minutes), then a broad discussion by City Council on the Foundation's offer of funding (approximately 30 minutes), followed by a 5-10 minute consensus direction on the tree sculpture and Veterans Memorial. 

Funding for the subjects of this work session case are discussed above.

Parks & Asst. Public Works Director Riverblood will introduce the three related topics and other staff will be available to respond to the value and practical applications for Public Art in the community.

Provide consensus direction on:

~ Council's desire to further explore a Public Art Plan and Policy

~ Proceeding with the Park and Recreation Commission's recommendation to create two whimsical chainsaw sculptures at Sunfish Lake Park