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--> --> Aug. 30: Let's go public with art in Ashland By Amy Richard Last week outside the Chamber of Commerce, an out-spoken young man gave the bronze sculpture that hangs on the Starbucks building a rap with a stick and declared to his friends, "I love this *$#!ing sculpture." I, too, share a fondness for the piece, and I've noticed that the young man and I aren't the only ones that share a fascination with "Street Scene." Almost every time I pass by, I see gifts placed in a figure's outstretched hand-coins, flowers, clothing, even a whole loaf of bread. I'm sorry that I didn't stop to talk with that young man about our mutual affection for the sculpture. He was off with his friends, and I was on my way to work, but I'm certain I missed an opportunity for an engaging conversation. The brief encounter did remind me of the subtle ways that art can provide opportunities for engagement with those we know and those we don't. When I was a kid, my dad would crank up the stereo, and we'd lie on our backs on the living room floor and let Beethoven, Handel or The Ames Brothers wash over us. Sometimes he'd point out what he loved about a particular piece, but most times we'd simply listen, and let the music work its magic. Because he loved music and sang in a choir, eventually, I did too. I loved the time I spent in the chorus in middle school and high school, and I learned it wasn't simply about the singing and music, it was about working with different kids to create harmonies and melodies. Eventually, we even got a musical together to share with the rest of the school and the community. 100 percent solution A similar thing happens in Ashland all the time. There's theatre, dance, music, poetry readings - countless opportunities to engage with others in the arts. That's one of the unique things about Ashland - a craving to share experiences that center on the arts. Why not add public art to that list? A program to install public art would not only enhance the visual landscape, but also create conversations about art and the type of art we might like in our town. Is there an identifying characteristic for Ashland? What are the stories, myths, history and culture that we might like to reflect? Undoubtedly, there are numerous ways to integrate a public art program into a community. One way might be to model a provision after the State of Oregon's Percent for Art legislation that was passed in 1975. Percent for Art provides that not less than 1% of the direct construction funds of new or remodeled state buildings be set aside for the acquisition of art work that is either an integral part of the building or capable of display in other State buildings. Viva Redding Ashland is looking at a new library, fire station, and remodeled Hillah Temple. At present there are no requirements that these buildings integrate art into their sites. What better time to discuss the possibility? To facilitate these discussions an Arts Commission could be established (I'm sure the current city commissions have full schedules already). Or, alternatively, an Arts Commission might place public art through a program like Viva Downtown Redding's "Art About Town." The non-profit organization in Redding, California, works with selected artists that agree to loan their artwork for one year. Downtown businesses and property owners contract to host the artworks, and an appointed committee reviews the art applications and makes selections based on quality and what works best with the sites available. Thus far the program has been successful because the community enjoys seeing quality art downtown and because the selection of public art has been collaborative. Discussions have included businesses, civic organizations, city officials and citizens. What looks good is often the subject of debate, but the conversations have apparently been productive. Talk art With the construction of a number of public buildings at hand, now seems the perfect time to begin some lively discussions of our own about public art. Amy Richard has lived in Ashland since 1990, was Revels editor at The Tidings for three years, and since June of 1998 has been media relations director for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing