Explanation
BACKGROUND: The Harrison West Society has completed five public art projects, including four in Harrison Park designed by CCAD students. Park development plans always called for a fifth sculpture and the Society wished to have a professional visual artist complete that artwork, drawing on monies set aside for improvements to the park. Columbus Public Art Program staff was approached about City participation in this artwork. The Development Department agreed to administer the project and contribute public art funding to the effort at a 2:1 ratio, pending City Council approval.
Staff worked with neighborhood representatives to draft a statewide Artist Call/Request for Qualifications (RFQ), which was reviewed by the Columbus Art Commission (CAC) in September 2014. A web-based survey was conducted shortly thereafter to solicit community input to add to the artist call and it was released in December of last year and open through mid-January 2015.
An Artist Advisory Panel with community, art and design professional representation was approved by the CAC and met on January 26 to review the qualifications of the 20 submissions received. The Panel selected three artist finalists to complete site specific public art proposals for the project: Jon Barlow Hudson, (Yellow Springs); Xan Palay (Columbus); and Todd Kime (Ottawa Hills). The artist finalists were approved by the CAC on January 27, following which, legislation was approved allowing the Department to enter into design proposal contracts with the artists.
On July 25 the Harrison West Society hosted an event for the artists to present their proposals. Community members in attendance voted for their preferred artwork and the voting process carried over to the City’s website for a two week period. A combined 608 votes were cast and Todd Kime’s proposal, Through, was selected, having garnered 77% of the votes.
The Columbus Art Commission unanimously gave Kime’s proposal the requested conditional app...
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