Title
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO HAVE A PRIVATE ART STUDIO INSTALL ON THE CITY GREENS A BIRDSONG ART INSTALLATION IN 2023; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
Brief Description: A discussion about a 1-year long art installation that features approximately 100 artist created plastic 12”x 6” birds that would be hung in trees on the downtown Greens for a year-long art walk to help generate foot traffic to the downtown.
Body
Legislative History
None
Purpose & Explanation
Door2 Studio in Hudson discussed with Hudson staff a request to have local Hudson artists create plastic birds that would be hung throughout the Gazebo, Clocktower, Park Lane, Boy Scout Cabin and Ravenna Street Greens. This year-long art project is intended to help bring the public and pedestrian foot traffic to the downtown area businesses.
Door2 Studio is currently working with Step 2 Corporation to have a mold cast for the birds. The Western Reserve Academy would reproduce the birds in the Wang Innovation Center. Birds would be distributed to local artists to put on their individual design and paint the birds.
Door2 Studio met with the Hudson arborist to discuss placement in the trees. The arborist has approved the technique that was demonstrated in the meeting. The technique, combined with the lightweight bird and the one-year growing season of the art installation, is not expected to cause any harm to the City trees. The arborist would designate any trees that would not be suitable for inclusion in the art installation, including designated memorial trees.
Door2 Studio also intends to have a large bird of the same design that would stand approximately six-foot tall. This bird would be covered with small ceramic tiles that would be created by community members. The bird would be placed in the downtown as part of the year-long art installation. The location of this display has not been determined.
Door2 Studio would cover the cost of the entire project. Ms. Adriana Caso from Door2 Studio will attend the Council Workshop and will be available to speak about the project.
Door2 Studio would partner and consult with City. City staff recommends that installation be completed by volunteers with the use of ladders as the installation is intended to be hung low in the trees for ease of viewing.
The Birdsong art installation would be permitted through the Special Events permitting process and would include the Certificate of Insurance requirements dictated in the special events regulations. These would be the same requirements as the Chamber of Commerce followed for the 2020 Snowman art installation throughout downtown. Each artist would also sign a city-approved waiver.
The Community Relations Manager has discussed the potential project with the Shop Local/Shop Hudson group. Support by the group was unanimous in favor of this project.
Statements from the Shop Local/Shop Hudson group included:
‘We need more public art downtown. It softens the downtown.’
‘Adds personality.’
‘Towns all around us are doing exciting things with public art.’
Timing Considerations
The installation would be expected to be installed in Spring 2023 and remain in place for one year. The work on the molds needs to begin in the summer of 2022 and this is the reason for the emergency clause.
Fiscal Impact
Currently Budgeted (Account #, $)
Supplemental Appropriation Required (Account #, $)
X Appropriation Not Required. (No cost to the City of Hudson)
Recommendation
Suggested Action
Staff recommends that City Council approve a resolution authorizing the City Manager to have a private art studio install on the City Greens a Birdsong Art Installation in 2023 and declaring an emergency.
Submitted by,
Thomas J. Sheridan, Interim City Manager
Greg Hannan, Community Development Director
Rhonda Kadish, Community Relations Manager