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City Council concerned about risks to public art By JESSICA SMITH It's called public art, but Medford city leaders hope residents take a "look, don't touch" attitude toward the paintings and statues that will one day grace municipal buildings. At a council study session Thursday, a parks subcommittee pitched its ideas for a program that would put art in public places, including City Hall and parks. Concerns about vandalism quickly surfaced. "I wouldn't want to invite trouble," said Councilman John Michaels. "We're spending taxpayers' money here. Let's do this smart." Lesley Klecan, chairwoman for the city's new Arts Committee, told the council that the group would take steps to safeguard artwork in public spaces. She said the city needs to realize, however, "any time you put art in public places, there's the possibility that it's going to be vandalized." Fears over damage to public art shouldn't stop the city from pursuing the program, Councilman Bob Strosser and others said. "If it happens, it happens, though we'd rather not see it," Strosser added. The Arts Committee already has identified two pieces - a painting and a statue made of welded smudge pots - that it hopes to install once the council approves a proposed master plan that identifies funding for the program, among other things. The council is expected to decide whether to move ahead with the program, which was initiated in the city's "vision" process in 1999, at a later meeting. Under the proposal, the city would dedicate 1.5 percent of the total cost for any municipal construction or improvement project to public art. The funds would cover purchases and maintenance. Thursday, some council members encouraged the committee to identify a more stable source of funding, such as tapping into the tax collected by local hotels and motels. The city already has dedicated $50,000 toward the program from funds earmarked for implementation of the city's vision plan. Also in the art master plan, five sites are identified as priorities for installation: Santo Community Center, Vogel Park, Fichtner-Mainwaring Park, Hawthorne Park and the corner of Main Street and Columbus Avenue. A selection committee would choose art, whether commissioned, donated or purchased, and determine its location. A public hearing would be held before the works could be installed. Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.