Department: Public Works, Planning Division
Staff Contact: Emily Carrillo, Senior Planner
Subject: Downtown Street Mural Project Installation
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Item Description:
Informational update on the final design and artist selection for the City’s Downtown Street Mural Project at the intersection of Park and Cherry streets.
Body
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Summary:
With implementation of the Envision Olathe Downtown Plan underway, the City recently launched a new street mural program to enhance the experience and interest in Downtown Olathe.
This project adds a new, unique layer to the public art experience in Downtown Olathe, creating another positive step towards redevelopment efforts associated with the implementation of the City’s Envision Olathe Downtown Plan, and the Public Art Master Plan.
In March 2019, a call for artists was issued seeking artists to design and paint a mural on the concrete pavement at the designated intersection. Five (5) artists answered the call, submitting qualifications and portfolios for consideration. Based on the submittals received, three (3) artists were selected to develop a design concept in return for a stipend of $150.
A Selection Committee comprised of Olathe Public Art Committee members and relevant City staff, reviewed all portfolio submittals and selected a final design for implementation. By a unanimous vote, the committee selected and secured the services of artist Shogo Yamazaki, also known as Jay Shogo.
Jay’s unique and bright linear design will be an exciting attraction to downtown enhancing the visual interest of the area. His art is inviting and simple, yet colorful and impactful, complimentary to the space and its surroundings.
Art is always open to interpretation. However, this design is described by the artist as flowing lines expressing space-time, time flow (lineage of past, present and future), history, life, and good connections with people and community. In addition, it creates a beautiful cityscape and positive energy that will be a wonderful addition to downtown.
This location was chosen for the art installation because it serves as the focal point for active community space during downtown events such as Fourth Fridays, Johnson County Old Settlers, and Food Truck Frenzies.
With the normal wear and weathering of the pavement, we realized that items such as maintenance could be a concern. To address this, the artwork will be semi-permanent in nature in that a new mural design will be selected and installed each Spring. Doing so not only serves to address this issue of maintenance but it also creates a greater sense of connections with people, the neighborhood, and public art.
Mural installation is scheduled to commence on Friday, May 24 in conjunction with Fourth Friday events and activities in Downtown Olathe. The artist anticipates work to be complete within 2 days, weather pending. Attached is additional information on the program, the artist Jay Shogo, and his artwork.
City staff and the Olathe Public Arts Commission are excited to move forward with such a creative opportunity to infuse public art into this recent street rehabilitation project in our downtown district.
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Financial Impact:
No funds are being requested at this time. This project will be funded as part of the Envision Downtown implementation, previously allocated.
Stipend amount for design work from (2) finalists $150 each.
Stipend amount for selected artist for design work and implementation $3000.
TOTAL $3300
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Action Needed:
Informational update only, no action requested at this time.
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Attachment(s):
A. 2019 Call for Entries
B. Artist Resume & Artist Statement
C. Artist’s Design Concept & Description