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Artists present ideas for Medford sign By MELISSA MARTIN Mail Tribune A clock tower that keeps the correct time, concrete lettering spelling out "Medford" with water flowing over the top and a cornucopia with the motto, "Heart of the Valley." Seven artists presented these ideas and others during a Medford Arts Commission meeting Monday night. Commissioners are collecting opinions about a gateway sign planned for Highway 62 near the Rogue Valley Mall. "I'd like something that doesn't look too wild or too juvenile but has a certain class to it," said Connie VanSlack, a designer with Signature Homes in Medford. "I'd like the sign to be more earthy in color, not primary colors, and made of natural products that will last," VanSlack said. "We have a beautiful valley with lots of colors so we don't want the sign to clash." Phoenix sculptor Alan Collins suggested symbols - a cornucopia, a shield or wildlife. He showed examples of his work, carved birds above a civic center in Sussex, England, and lions in King Charles II's coat of arms at All Saints Church in Northampton, England. He also liked the idea of a clock easily visible for drivers on the four highways that converge in that area. "The idea of a clock and time is interesting," Collins said. "I'd like to see large wings attached because we all sense the shortness of time." Gold Hill artist Deitz Vilks echoed the idea of a water theme and suggested a simple sign so motorists don't crane their necks for a longer look. "You don't want to make it so busy or so ornate," Vilks said. "They need a quick, nice immediate impact that doesn't require sitting and pondering too long to try to figure it out." Dale Anderson of Gold Hill favored a big city-type sculpture that would give Medford personality. "I think we should have the element of surprise - something that's never been done before," Anderson said. Medford will soon send out requests for proposals to artists interested in designing a gateway sign, said Lesley Klecan, chair of the Medford Arts Commission. The city budgeted $25,000 for the project. The sign will be lighted and have landscaping and will be placed near a berm on Highway 62 across from Target. The arts commission held Monday's public hearing after an earlier gateway design received a lukewarm response. Medford Parks and Recreation paid Applegate artists Marvin and Lilli Ann Rosenberg $1,000 to develop a design, which showed orange and blue block letters spelling "Welcome To Medford," with Mount McLoughlin and the Table Rocks in the background. "I didn't like what they had, and that's why I came out tonight," said Frank Maesen, who owns Dimensional Design, a Jacksonville sign business. "I didn't think they need a replica of Mount McLoughlin or Table Rock. All you have to do is turn around and look at the real thing." Several people liked the idea of a clock tower. Others praised the concrete fish and osprey art along the Grants Pass Parkway. They also admired the "It's the Climate" sign over Sixth Street in Grants Pass. "One of the things that caused Medford to be here is the water," said Bill Moore, a city councilman for the past 10 years. "We have Big Butte Springs and the Rogue River, our lifeblood." Medford Arts Commissioner Stephen McCandless, who manages the Craterian Theater in downtown Medford, agreed about using water, but cautioned that it might require more work for maintenance crews. "I'm not an artist - I'm not a designer," McCandless said, "but I'll know what I like when I see it." Reach reporter Melissa Martin at 776-4497, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.