Title
Morningside Nature Center Pavilion Public Art (B)
This item involves a request by the Art in Public Places Trust to designate an artist to create public art for the Morningside Nature Center Pavilion.
Explanation
In 1989, the City of Gainesville adopted a per cent for art ordinance (per Chapter 5.5 of the Gainesville Code of Ordinances) that states, "each appropriation for the original construction or major renovation of a city building where public employees work on a regular basis or that the general public uses shall include an amount of at least one percent of the total construction budget for the art in public places trust."
The mission of the Art in Public Places Trust is to enhance the quality of the visual environment in the Gainesville community, both natural and built; and doing so, add to the quality of life and raise the level of citizen awareness of the importance of aesthetic experiences in their everyday lives. The Art in Public Places Trust Advisory Board, including the Morningside Nature Center's Program Coordinator and Habitat Naturalist, issued a Call for Artists to select the public artist for the Morningside Nature Center Pavilion that would reflect the mission of the site. Suggested areas of artwork included a weather vane, two panels on the south wall, or a work installed over brushed concrete flooring.
The Pavilion/Open Air Classroom is a central feature of the educational opportunities of the Nature Operations Division. Ultimately, the design will result in an artistic outdoor area that is accessible and increases the aesthetic value of the site.
On July 7, 2010, the City of Gainesville Morningside Nature Center Pavilion Art in Public Places Trust, interviewed and listened to presentations by the three artists who submitted proposals: Barbara Maness, Pete Davidson and Erin Curry. The Trust selected artist Pete Davidson for the commission for his design of an old farm weather vane and bird sculpture that would be m...
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