The Art Planning Process for Meals Hill
As the gateway to the entrance to the newly developed trails on Meals Hill, a new public art installation is planned to imbue the history, culture, and future of the city. In partnership with Valdez, the PVC gathered a search committee comprised of local leaders under the consultation of CODAworx, a global art agency that facilitates commissioned artwork. In the RFP process, PVC encouraged artists to submit project proposals and designs that would recognize the spirit of the partnership of Hazelet and Meals, which was instrumental in the founding of both Valdez and Cordova, Alaska. They also wanted the art commission to embody this collaborative spirit as it extended to many other Alaskan partnerships that ushered the Alaskan Territory into statehood. During the transfer of PVC’s Meals Hill property to the community of Valdez, PVC solidified its resolution to protect this property through a land conservation easement. Additionally, PVC committed to Valdez, Great Land Trust, EVOS, and the State of Alaska to commission an art installation that tied its community and history together.
Design Selection Process
To ensure this commitment was successful, the selection committee included:
Anna Bateman
The Valdez Tribal Administrator
Meredith Noble
Local business owner
Founder and CEO of SenecaWorks
Founder of the Global Grant Writing Collective
Maggie Nylund
Local business owner – Magpies and Far North Folies
Patty Relay
Executive Director of the Valdez Museum
Rhonda Wegner Taylor
Valdez Artist and Gallery owner, The Painted Moose
Executive Director of SWAN (Sound Wellness Alliance Network)
Nick Farline
Former Recreation & Cultural Services Director of the City of Valdez
John Clark
President of The Port Valdez Company
There were 78 applications submitted to CODAworx from our RFP process and included both teams and individual artists from all over the world. However, zero applicants were based in Alaska. When our team saw that our search did not include local artists, we contacted Andrea Noble, the Executive Director for the Alaska State Council on the Arts. She connected us with the Community Arts Program Director, Charlie Sears, to post our RFP to their network of artists. While our efforts did not result in contracting an Alaskan artist directly, we did find an experienced team of artists in Seattle at the Classic Foundry.
The selection committee collaborated with Valdez residents in August by hosting a community event with the art finalists. The residents of Valdez shared their stories and opinions over the installation. As a result of this open communication, a more holistic depiction of Valdez’s history was developed to what we propose today.
Any amount of donation is welcomed. $25, $50, $100, $250, $500 or other.
Your support is very much appreciated. This public art experience will be magical and one to come see!
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