Document text
Medford 'welcome' art to get more input By MARK FREEMAN Mail Tribune City leaders are seeking more ideas on plans to turn a dirt berm at Medford's new Big X interchange into an elaborate welcome sign. The Medford Arts Commission on Monday formed its own "aesthetic subcommittee" to work up alternatives to 5-foot block letters spelling "Welcome to Medford" with an 8-foot version of Mount McLoughlin and two miniature Table Rocks behind it. The commission opted for more review after public artists Marvin and Lilli Ann Rosenberg showed the commission a molded clay model of a possible "landscape art" design for a newly revamped Highway 238 intersection near the Rogue Valley Mall. Some arts commission members objected to the Mount McLoughlin and Table Rocks elements, saying those are more reflective of the Rogue Valley than its hub. "Pears, grapes and mosaic warehouses - that's Medford," said commission member Corinne Stubson. Commission members wanted a more artistic flair, such as the mosaics which the Rosenbergs have created for public art everywhere from the Boston subway to the Medford skate park. "This is worthy of being classic - even if it's signage for the city of Medford," Stubson said. Marvin Rosenberg said the focus on aesthetics would definitely delay the plans. City officials had hoped to have the sign in place before July. "It's important to get all this input," Lilli Ann Rosenberg said. The city has $20,000 budgeted this year for a new welcome sign at the Big X, and paid the Rosenbergs $1,000 to help develop the design. The couple, nationally known artists who live in the Applegate Valley, crafted a clay "sketch" that contained orange and blue letters, a pointy Mount McLoughlin and a Hot Wheels car for scale. A photograph of the mock-up in Monday's Mail Tribune drew some complaints to City Hall and winces from the Rosenbergs, who said they never intended the clay model for mass consumption. "People in Medford have a lot of pride, and it's reflected in their concerns," said Pete Young, a city Parks and Recreation Department planner heading the project. Arts Commission Chair Lesley Klecan said the new aesthetics subcommittee can "kick around ideas" about what elements, lettering and colors would put Medford's best foot forward. Members would then meet with the Rosenbergs to rework the design, she said. Reach reporter Mark Freeman at 776-4470, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.