Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Ashland Police Reports, Dec. 12 ... Mt. Ashland Ski Area to open Sunday ... Gov. Brown declares state of emergency as Oregon storm damage mounts ... Ashland Police Reports, Dec. 12 ... Mt. Ashland Ski Area to open Sunday ... Gov. Brown declares state of emergency as Oregon storm damage mounts ... OUR VIEW Our View: Art process worked Comment DailyTidings.com Writer Posted Dec. 3, 2015 at 12:01 AM Posted Dec. 3, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News Next week, the City Council will meet to consider approving the "Gather" sculpture for the Gateway Island at the eastern entrance to downtown. Regardless of the outcome of that vote, the process that led to the selection was sound, calls for including the Historic Commission in that process are misplaced, and accusations of conflicts of interest are off base. Proposals from artists were solicited almost two years ago. No fewer than six public meetings were held to narrow the choices. Finalists were selected to visit Ashland last March, the public was invited to presentations by the finalists, and a selection panel chose "Gather" in September. Assertions that the Historic Commission should have had a formal role in the selection process are misplaced. The commission's purpose, clearly stated on the city's website, is to advise city leaders about historic buildings, and recommend standards for renovation, exterior decoration and the like. There is no reason why a work of contemporary public art cannot coexist with historic downtown buildings. The fact that a member of the Historic Commission was named to the selection committee that chose the sculpture could have been viewed as giving that commission a voice in the process. Instead, the individual was accused of having a conflict of interest when she later voted with the majority of the Historic Commission to support the selection. By its nature, public art is guaranteed to spark controversy. The Public Art Commission successfully provided a thorough, public selection process. It's time to move on. DailyTidings.com Writer Posted Dec. 3, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. DailyTidings.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501