301 E. Huron St.

Ann Arbor, MI 48104

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City of Ann Arbor

Meeting Minutes - Draft

Ann Arbor Public Art Commission

Wednesday, April 1, 2026

7:00 PM

Larcom City Hall, 301 E Huron St, Second

floor, City Council Chambers

This meeting will air live on CTN Channel 16, ATT Channel 99, and online at

a2gov.org/watchCTN. To speak at public comment, call 888-788-0099 or 877-853-5247

(Toll Free), enter Meeting ID: 932 8112 0347 and Passcode: 199831

I.) CALL TO ORDER (Mary Thiefels) (1 Minute)

Chair Mary Thiefels called the electronic meeting of the Ann Arbor Public

Art Commission to order at 7:03 PM.

II.) ROLL CALL (Christopher Cespedes) (2 Minutes)

Present city staff, speakers, and/or guests:

• Christopher Cespedes (City Staff)

• Diana Marsh (Thistle & Bess)

• Avery Williamson (Artist)

• Krista Skytta (Artist)

9 -

Present:

Allison Neal, Peggy Wier-Leonard, Marianetta Porter,

Jamall Bufford, Mary Thiefels, Sarah Fuller, John Kotarski,

Jenna Carter, and John Jourden

1 - Cynthia Harrison

Absent:

III.) CONSENT AGENDA (Mary Thiefels)(2 Minutes)

III.A.) Approval of Agenda

III.B.) Approval of Minutes

Ann Arbor Public Art Commission Meeting Minutes of March 4, 2026

Public_Art_Commission_03-04-26_Meeting_Minutes.pdf

26-0551

Attachments:

A motion was made by Commissioner Kotarski, seconded by

Commissioner Wier-Leonard, to approve the meeting agenda and

the March 4, 2026 meeting minutes as presented. The Chair declared

the consent agenda approved.

IV.) PUBLIC COMMENT - 3 MINUTES PER SPEAKER (Christopher Cespedes)

Public comment was opened. No members of the public spoke during

public comment.

V.) BUSINESS

V.A.) No Business Iteams

VI.) INFORMATION OR DISCUSSION

VI.A.) Overview of Existing Public Art Funding Agreements (Christopher Cespedes) (30 minutes)

Overview of Existing Public Art Funding Agreements

Attachments: Art - Pass-Thru Fund Agreement.1.pdf, Jewett Chair

26-0552

Project MOU - fully executed.1.pdf, Art - Endowment Fund

Agreement.1.pdf

Discussion Highlights:

• Staff provided an overview of three funding mechanisms connected to

the Ann Arbor Community Foundation.

• Endowment fund, limited to maintenance and preservation of existing

public art.

• Commissioners stated that the endowment language had been updated

in more recent years to allow broader uses, including maintenance,

preservation, purchase, and installation.

• Discussion addressed whether the Jewett Chair fund and pass-through

fund still exist as separate mechanisms or have since been folded into a

larger fund structure.

• Staff described the pass-through fund as more flexible than the

endowment fund, but subject to Foundation approval and nonprofit

distribution requirements.

• Staff described the Jewett Chair project fund as a project-specific

fundraising model and noted the contribution and administrative fee

structure associated with that model.

• Commissioners discussed the historical development of these funds,

the relationship with the Community Foundation, and the importance of

clarifying maintenance responsibility for public art.

VI.B.) Community-Initiated Proposal: Sculpture Plaza Enhancements (Allison Neal) (20 Minutes)

Proposal for Sculpture Plaza

26-0646

Attachments:

A2 Public Art Commission Proposal for Sculpture Plaza -

4_1_2026 - Avery and Krista.pdf

Discussion Highlights:

• Diana Marsh introduced a concept for activating Sculpture Plaza

through landscaping, additional public art, and community programming.

• Marsh described coordination with nearby stakeholders, including the

People’s Food Co-op and Gutman Gallery, and noted interest in hosting

events such as Gallery Nights programming in the space.

• Artists Avery Williamson and Krista Skytta presented a concept

involving colorful flower sculptures inspired by native Michigan plants,

along with temporary sidewalk paint elements intended to create a more

interactive and playful public space.

• Discussion emphasized the value of short-term activation as a way to

build public interest and momentum for longer-term improvements to the

plaza.

• Commissioners discussed possible coordination with the DDA, Parks,

Sustainability, and other City partners, as well as potential private funding

opportunities.

• Commissioners expressed support for the concept and encouraged the

presenters to continue developing the idea and return for support as

needed.

VII.) COMMUNICATIONS

VII.A.) Staff Report and Updates (Christopher Cespedes) (10 Minutes)

Discussion Highlights:

• No additional staff updates.

VII.B.) Commission Member Communications (Mary Thiefels) (10 minutes)

Discussion Highlights:

• Commissioners shared information about upcoming arts-related

events, including the Creative Washtenaw Art Party and the Ann Arbor

Women Artists Guild Business of Art conference.

• Chair Thiefels acknowledged the passing of artist and early Public Art

Commission leader and former chair Margaret Lee Parker, recognizing

her contributions to public art in Ann Arbor.

VII.C.) Reports from Working Groups (Mary Thiefels) (30 minutes)

Discussion Highlights:

• The CIP working group reported no new recommendations for the year.

• The Communications and Outreach group discussed strategies for

improving the commission’s social media presence, including Instagram

collaboration, broader public engagement, and collecting community

feedback on project ideas.

• Commissioners discussed the possibility of promoting Golden

Paintbrush Award recipients through social media and linking to the City’s

press release.

• Commissioners also discussed building a stronger network of partner

organizations and possible future tabling or outreach opportunities,

including at the farmers market.

• Under Special Projects, updates were shared on the Golden Paintbrush

Awards, including press outreach, recognition planning, and production of

award impressions.

VIII. Next Agenda Items (Mary Thiefels) (3 minutes)

• The Chair invited suggestions for future agenda items.

IX. Adjournment (Mary Thiefels) – 2 minutes

A motion to adjourn was made by Commissioner Kotarski and

supported by Commissioner Jourden. The meeting was adjourned

at 8:21 PM.

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301 E. Huron St.

Ann Arbor, MI 48104

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