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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Rogue Valley residents at U.S. Capitol inspired by Francis' speech ... Former Medford police chief dies at 91 ... Two charged in July stun-gun robbery ... Rogue Valley residents at U.S. Capitol inspired by Francis' speech ... Former Medford police chief dies at 91 ... Two charged in July stun-gun robbery ... ASHLAND Criticism prompts arts group to put 'Gather' on hold Comment By Alec Dickinson for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Alec Dickinson for the Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 22, 2015 at 5:16 PM By Alec Dickinson for the Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 22, 2015 at 5:16 PM » Social News Following widespread public criticism, the Ashland Public Art Commission’s recommendation for a large-scale piece of contemporary art downtown has been put on hold and removed from the City Council’s Oct. 6 agenda. The council was set to vote on final approval of the $100,000 project to procure art for the Gateway Island, the small, parklike section of median at the intersection of Siskiyou Boulevard and East Main Street, at its next regular meeting. Public reaction to the selection of “Gather,” an airy, 20-foot-tall piece by Seattle-based artist Susan Zoccola, has been mixed at best, with many negative comments posted on social media and other venues. So, instead of forwarding a recommendation to approve Zoccola's piece, the Public Art Commission has requested a study session with the council to discuss the Gateway Island project. The Public Art Commission has invited members of the Ashland Historic Commission to the meeting to provide input. Members of the historical preservation community have been among the most vociferous critics of the decision, with local historian George Kramer writing in an opinion piece published in the Daily Tidings on Saturday that the "project is misconceived, poorly executed and suffering from a failed process that should be revisited ... ." The Gateway Island project has been in the works for more than a decade since the site was selected by the city as a placeholder for a piece of public art. The Public Arts Commission receives 3 percent of the transient occupancy tax funds collected by the city from local hotel room rentals to fund public art. The commission has been saving for seven years for this particular project and took over a year to select three finalists from nearly 70 artists nationwide. Three finalists presented their proposals at public meetings this month and fielded questions from Public Arts Commission members, members of the selection panel and the public. Zoccola’s piece was chosen by a seven-member panel on Sept. 11. The decision then passed to the Public Arts Commission, which initially forwarded the recommendation to the City Council. The project is now effectively on hold until the study session, which will occur either Nov. 16 or Nov. 30. Alec Dickinson is an Ashland freelance writer. Reach him at [email protected]. By Alec Dickinson for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Alec Dickinson for the Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 22, 2015 at 5:16 PM » 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 MailTribune.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 Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked 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. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501