HomeMy WebLinkAbout032124 Public Art Committee Packet
Port Townsend Public Art Committee Meeting Agenda
March 21, 2024, | 3:00 p.m. | In-person and Remote Meeting
The meeting will be held in Council Chambers on the 2 nd floor of the Historic City Hall.
The entrance is the first door on Madison Street, which opens to the elevator.
Join virtually via computer or tablet at http://joinwebinar.com enter the 9-digit Webinar ID
360-657-571
Join by phone in listen-only mode: (360) 390-5064 ext. 6 access code: 496-365-513#
Submit public comment emails to be included in the meeting record to:
https://publiccomment.fillout.com/cityofpt
A. Call to Order
B. Roll Call
C. Approval of Agenda
D. Approval of Minutes January 18, 2024, and February 15, 2024
E. Public Comment (3 minutes per person)
F. Committee Business
A. Chair Update
B. Comparable City Art programs
C. 1% for the Arts code
D. Letter to the Port Townsend Art commission about public comment
E. Website Task Force
F. Yearly schedule for the Public Art Committee
G. Correspondence
H. Set Agenda for Next Meeting
I. Next Scheduled Meeting April 18, 2024
J. Adjourn
Otter Water Project
Submitted by: Laurie Riley 360-840-5264 laurie@laurieriley.con
What it is: A bronze sculptural water feature consisting of one or more life-size otters on a rock,
with water trickling from the top into a very small basin. A bronze plaque will describe otters and
their habitat. (Images of design types will be provided at the meeting)
Purpose: Public art depicting a subject that is relevant to Port Townsend, which educates visitors
and residents about our beloved otters, promoting respect for our local wildlife. Most importantly, it
uptown.
Location: On the water side of Water Street; perhaps in Marine Park or another nearby location
accessible to otters close to their natural habitat.
Dimensions: a 3’ to 5’ bronze sculpture on a 3’ to 4’ rock or rock-like base. Smaller or larger is
possible.
Rationale: Although we know otters will always roam as they please, much of their activity away
from the shoreline is for denning and searching for fresh water. This causes them to risk heavy
Sea otters have been known to drink sea water, but river otters, which we mostly have in Port
Townsend and which spend most of their time in our coastal sea water for their food sources, do
not drink sea water. For lack of freshwater sources, they have been seen drinking from toxic
puddles in the street. They cross Water Street to drink from the fountain on Taylor Street, so we
know they do appreciate such a freshwater source. This proposed water feature may not entirely
without disturbing their natural behaviors. (Photos of local otters crossing Water Street and
drinking from puddles will be provided at the meeting.)
The sculpture will have a base high enough so dogs cannot reach the water, thereby protecting both
dogs and otters from danger of communicable disease. Since otters easily climb any height, they
will have access to the small catch-basin on the sculpture.
recirculate. Thus, there will be minimal evaporation and therefore minimal waste of our local
freshwater resource.
Projected Cost: When we have approval and location for the sculpture, an
estimate of costs for plumbing, estimates from the sculptor and foundry, and an idea of how much
funding can be made available through the Public Arts Committee and/or Arts Commission, we can
proceed to create a budget for the project. We have a patron who is willing to cover part of the cost.
Otter Water Committee: Thus far, a core group of will be working on this project,
backed by numerous Port Townsend area residents. The core group includes an organizer and
artist/designer, a publicist, a professional sculptor, and a patron willing to provide partial funding.
Relevant Research:
https://seaotterfoundationtrust.org/sea-otter-facts/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw7-
SvBhB6EiwAwYdCAUJdhfsA85uD58mB2gYpFRCl7aKr1IyE-
O9W3W8N9Ep14nB5gyZXbRoCf9gQAvD_BwE
https://www.americanrivers.org/biodiversity-wildlife-depends-on-
rivers/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw7-
SvBhB6EiwAwYdCAT0FXvbYBcZy7WO5dA_guXIGyLrJ3ScEXptn4I6QOuAqndQjiEhQ_xoCzV0QAvD_
BwE
https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/north-american-river-
otter#:~:text=Their%20aquatic%20habitats%20can%20be,elevations%20and%20lowland%20coas
tal%20waters.
https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Mammals/north-american-river-otter
https://www.worldanimalprotection.us/latest/blogs/where-do-otters-live/
https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/species/mammals/sea_otter/natural_history.html