DPAC, Monument Maintenance and a Norshor Theater Call for Art

Leif Erickson

Attending a Duluth Public Arts Commission meeting last month opened my eyes to the monumental task that this all-volunteer team is committed to. One of their many responsibilities is to maintain the the many statues that are distributed throughout the city.

One of the first things tourists notice in Canal Park, for example, are the manifold seagulls that are active on the waterfront. When you look at the statues, you often see birds standing majestically atop these emblems of the city. And what you may not notice is how clean these statues are, considering how many times they have been pooped on over the years. The reason they are clean is because there is a maintenance regimen. Maintaining the statues is a responsibility most everyone takes for granted.

No, the volunteers who serve on the DPAC are not out there scrubbing statues. Rather, they maintain the spreadsheets indicating which statues next need attention.

These thoughts came to mind when ten days ago the News Tribune broke a story that the current status of the city's Viking ship replica was again in jeopardy. The ship used to sit outside in the elements in Leif Erikson Park, a gift from Norway during the 1920's that the city promised to cherish, as in "take care of." The weather eventually got the better of her and instead of being something beautiful to adorn the park it became an eyesore, especially for those who loved her.

A few years ago the ship was moved in order to be repaired, restored, rejuvenated. I don't know all the details but the story is that the storage space will soon no longer be available. The restoration project was not a DPAC project per se, but was being managed by an ad hoc Save Our Ship committee.

What IS on the docket for DPAC, however, is the matter of addressing an issue that came up as a result of all these new discussions. Someone noticed that the base of the statue reads, "LEIF ERIKSON, DISCOVERER OF AMERICA."

Now it makes sense that Northlanders would attempt to draw attention to Leif Erikson, since all our history books have taught us that ol' Chris Columbus was the great hero who first set foot in the New World. The problem with both these designations is that they imply that the people who were already living here were not people. The Native residents arrived from somewhere, yes? And it most definitely preceded either of these European explorers.

Bottom line for DPAC, then, is what to do with that inscription on the base of the statue. Do they need to put an asterisk there and chisel in some fine print on the very bottom? Cover it all with a new bronze plate with alternative language?

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For what it'w worth, the cast bronze Leif Erikson statue was created by John Karl Daniels (1874-1978), a Norwegian immigrant who grew up in St. Paul. He trained in two different art schools before setting up his own studio. The Leif Erikson statue was dedicated in 1956, and relocated to Leif Erikson Park in 1990.

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ATTN: ARTISTS
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

The city, via the Duluth Public Arts Commission, is seeking to have an installation inside the Skywalk in the area adjacent to the NorShor Theater. It's an unusual space and you will want to check it out. It will require imagination, but I can see why the city would like to dress it up.

Part of the RFQ reads as follows:
The Project can span the approximate 68 feet of the Western wall. This art project will cover a large brick wall that is approximately 68' in length and varies between 7' - 9' in height (see attached drawing) in the skywalk section that is just inside the NorShor entrance from the skywalk that comes from the Greysolon Plaza. The project must incorporate and acknowledge the history of theatre and cultural phenomena in what is now known as Duluth and the selection committee is open to multiple interpretations of what that means.

BUDGET
The overall budget for this project may not exceed $9,000. Furthermore, finalists will be granted $200 stipends to cover costs and transportation in order to present, if selected for RFP process.
Deadline for submissions is in September 18, so read through the information and throw your hat in the ring if there is interest.

Here is the announcement at KBJR. 

Here is the three-page RFQ: 

http://www.duluthmn.gov/media/543863/rfq-norshordoc.pdf

And here is a drawing along with photos of the space
or the URL if link doesn't work.
http://www.duluthmn.gov/media/543862/rfq-attachement-norshors-brick-wall-measurements-photos.pdf

Related Links
Viking Ship Charting New Coordinates After Many Storms
The Clayton-Jackson-McGhie Memorial

Meantime, art goes on all around you. Engage it

Twin Ports Arts Scene: DPAC's Creative Watershed Plus Love Your Local Artist and the DAI Membership Meeting

With the holidays behind us, Twin Ports arts scene is wriggling free and on the run. At the top of the list is this announcement from the Duluth Public Arts Commission. On January 19 there's an event scheduled in the Mayor's Reception Room the DPAC is rolling out the Creative Watershed: Duluth Arts + Culture Plan. The event will run from 5 - 7 p.m. with a short program at 6:00 p.m.

The Mayor’s Reception Room is Room 405 at the City Hall, 411 W 1st St., Duluth. Yes, the public is invited, which means you.

If you join us, there will be textile art by Kirsten Aune, music by The Sound of Strings Trio, and refreshments by Zenith Bread Project. The aim is a celebration of the release of Creative Watershed: Duluth Arts + Culture Plan.

Here's additional info from the memo announcing this event:

The Duluth Public Arts Commission (DPAC) contracted consultants Forecast Public Art and Creative Community Builders of St. Paul and Minneapolis to facilitate the project. which included gathering feedback and direction from approximately 80 regional stakeholders over an 18-month process.

One of the plan’s early recommendations was to relocate DPAC within the corporate City’s organizational structure. DPAC is happy to report that the Commission's new home is with the Business and Economic Development Department. Jason Hale is the staff point person, and Gary Anderson is DPAC’s City Council representative.

Surrounded by local art, music and artisan food, the short program will highlight some of the major features and recommendations of Creative Watershed, a document that has been endorsed by the Duluth City Council and that is intended to guide the future vision and collaborative efforts of DPAC its public and private partners.

The plan identifies 5 major goals, along with detailed recommendations for each:
1. Cultivate Our Talents: Arts Development and a Creative ‘Maker’ Economy
2. Activate and Connect Our Neighborhoods and Downtown: Creative Placemaking and Public Art
3. Amplify Our Message: Audience Development and Tourism
4. Capitalize Our Strengths: Infrastructure for the Creative Sector
5. Make It Happen: The Role of City Government -- Expand scope, partnerships, and resources for the City’s Arts Commission to implement goals in this plan.

Creative Watershed: Duluth Arts + Culture Plan can be accessed at:
www.duluthmn.gov/boards-commissions/duluth-public-arts-commission/

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Love Your Local Artist

The Superior Public Library is again hosting a Valentine-themed fund raising event. The call to artists has gone out and can be shouted far and wide. Here's the word:

A big Heart by Anne Labovitz

Greetings from Superior Public Library! Superior Public Library's 7TH ANNUAL LOVE YOUR LOCAL ARTIST fundraising event hosted by the Friends of the Library will be held FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2017 from 5:30 P.M. TO 8 P.M. We are once again inviting local artists to sign up to offer their work for sale at the event. As in previous years, we will be having our silent auction and Adopt-a-Book sale. All proceeds from the registration fees and silent auction will be used for library materials and services. Last year we welcomed more than 400 attendees--our highest attendance to date--and we anticipate even better attendance this year. Here are the details of Love Your Local Artist 2017:

REGISTRATION FEE: This year, the cost for a table will be $25. We will also offer the smaller study centers (the three-sided cubicles) for $20. We have a limited number of tables and sign-up will be first-come, first-serve, so make sure to reserve yours soon. DUE TO LIMITED SPACE, WE ARE UNABLE TO OFFER MORE THAN ONE TABLE PER ARTIST. In order to accommodate as many artists as possible, we use every single table we have in the library for this event. Table sizes vary, but none are shorter than 6 feet in length. If you would prefer a larger table (we have a limited number of 8 foot tables), please let me know when you register and we will do our best to make it happen.

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DAI Membership Meeting

Last year the DAI combined its business meeting with the Member Show artist reception. There were a few logistical issues I think, so this year the DAI annual membership meeting will take place a week before the annual membership show, 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, January 18, at the DAI Lincoln Center (2229 W 2nd Street). Will it be "business as usual" or something more. If you're a member, come find out.

Here are some additional details from the DAI crew:

Minneapolis-based artist and writer Andy Sturdevant will be the featured speaker. Sturdevant’s artwork has been exhibited at the Minneapolis Institute of Art and the Flaten Art Museum at St. Olaf College, as well as in museums, galleries and spaces in New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Seattle and elsewhere. Sturdevant has also written about art, history and culture for a variety of publications and websites, including a weekly column on the Twin Cities’ neighborhoods, art, history and architecture for MinnPost. His first book, Potluck Supper with Meeting to Follow, was published by Coffee House Press in 2013. In honor of his book the DAI welcomes attendees to bring their own hot dish to pass. The DAI staff and Board of Directors will also present the FY16 annual report, as well as sketch out the year ahead.

The following week will be the much anticipated opening reception for the membership exhibition. The annual membership show at the Duluth Art Institute celebrates the artists and artwork being made in this region. Widely recognized as the biggest ‘show & tell’ event of the Duluth visual arts calendar, the 2017 Annual Membership Exhibition will open with a reception on Thursday, January 26 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Great Hall of the Union Depot (506 West Michigan St). The large display typically boasts anywhere between 150 to 200 artworks. During the reception, everyone in attendance is invited to cast a vote on a write-in ballot for a favorite work, with ballots counted that evening. The People’s Choice award is announced at the end of the night, and works remain on view through February 24. (I'd encourage you to vote for my painting of a youth, but there are so many really great artists in this town you may as well do what you typically do; follow your own heart.)

Both of these events are sponsored by US Bank, another strong supporter of the arts locally. Thank you.

Meantime, art goes on all around you. Get into it.