Public Art Committee — Portland, ME
Date: 2026-01-21
Time: 16:00

Anna Berke, Chair
 Sharon Dennehy, Vice-Chair
 Kat Zagaria Buckley
 Phoebe Cole
 Alison Gibbs
 Kelly Hrenko, City manager appointee
 Justin Levesque
 Sarah Michniewicz, City Councilor
 Stephanie Motter
 John Whipple
 Ronnie Wilson, Creative Portland appointee

 Management & Administration
 Sean King, Urban Designer with Planning & Urban
 Development Department



 PORTLAND PUBLIC ART COMMITTEE
 Wednesday, January 21, 2026
 4:00 PM Hybrid Meeting (Planning Conference Room 4th Floor of City Hall or online via
 Zoom)

1. Zoom Meeting Information
 Due to the existence of an emergency or urgent issue the Portland Public Art Committee will
 conduct this meeting by remote methods/technology at the Zoom link provided below, in
 accordance with the requirements of 1 M.R.S. section 403-B and the City Council's Remote
 Participation Policy.

 Allow your computer to install the free zoom app to get the best meeting experience. For more
 information on how to use Zoom, please go
 to: https://content.civicplus.com/api/assets/18148b5d-f26e-472f-8d2c-
 245db97e5c27?cache=1800 Public. Public comment will be taken; written comments may be
 submitted to publicart@portlandmaine.gov.

 Please click the link to join the webinar: https://portlandmaine-
 gov.zoom.us/j/81634418875 Or One tap mobile : US: +19292056099,,81634418875# or
 +13017158592,,81634418875#
 Or Telephone: Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
 US: +1 929 205 6099 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 669 900 6833 or +1 253
 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799
 Webinar ID: 816 3441 8875
 International numbers available: https://portlandmaine-gov.zoom.us/u/kcytm2arCM
2. Call to Order
 * Roll Call
 * Minutes from November 19, 2025 meeting. (See Attachment)
3. Staff Communication (No public comment will be taken)
 A. Public Art Program
 Presenter: Sean King
 1. Public art fund - reduction of $3,505.60 for Jewel Box (see attachment).
 2. John Ford sculpture and granite post relocation.
 3. Conservation assessment FY26.
 4. Schedule of meeting in 2026 (see attachment).
 5. Committee member term expiration and renomination deadline.

 B. Encumbrances for new acquisitions of public art: no updates
 Presenter: Sean King

 C. Collection Updates
 Presenter: Sean King
 1. John Ford sculpture and granite post relocation.
 2. Conservation assessment FY26
4. Subcommittee Reports
 A. Governance/Board Development (Berke, Dennehy)
 1. Committee chair declaration.
 2. Preparation of FY26 Annual Plan & Proposed Budget FY27 (see attachment)

 B. Acquisitions (formerly "gifts") Subcommittee (Cole, Hrenko, Zagaria)
 1. Subcommittee members to share updates.

 C. Communications Subcommittee (Motter, Berke, Gibbs)
 1. Subcommittee members to share updates.

 D. Collection Management (Formerly "Site Selection") Subcommittee (Dennehy, Gibbs,
 Berke, Zagaria)
 1. Subcommittee member to share updates.
5. Project Reports
 A. Portland Harbor Common new acquisition subcommittee (Dennehy, Cole, Levesque &
 Zagaria)
 1. Subcommittee members to share updates.
6. Public Comment Prior on Non-Agenda Items
7. Other Business
8. Meeting Adjourns

Next Meeting - February 18, 2026

Anna Berke, Chair
 Sharon Dennehy, Vice-Chair
 Kat Zagaria Buckley
 Phoebe Cole
 Alison Gibbs
 Kelly Hrenko, City manager appointee
 Justin Levesque
 Sarah Michniewicz, City Councilor
 Stephanie Motter
 John Whipple
 Ronnie Wilson, Creative Portland appointee

 Management & Administration
 Sean King, Urban Designer with Planning & Urban
 Development Department



 PORTLAND PUBLIC ART COMMITTEE
 Wednesday, January 21, 2026
 4:00 PM Hybrid Meeting (Planning Conference Room 4th Floor of City Hall or online via
 Zoom)

1. Zoom Meeting Information
 Due to the existence of an emergency or urgent issue the Portland Public Art Committee will
 conduct this meeting by remote methods/technology at the Zoom link provided below, in
 accordance with the requirements of 1 M.R.S. section 403-B and the City Council's Remote
 Participation Policy.

 Allow your computer to install the free zoom app to get the best meeting experience. For more
 information on how to use Zoom, please go
 to: https://content.civicplus.com/api/assets/18148b5d-f26e-472f-8d2c-
 245db97e5c27?cache=1800 Public. Public comment will be taken; written comments may be
 submitted to publicart@portlandmaine.gov.

 Please click the link to join the webinar: https://portlandmaine-
 gov.zoom.us/j/81634418875 Or One tap mobile : US: +19292056099,,81634418875# or
 +13017158592,,81634418875#
 Or Telephone: Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
 US: +1 929 205 6099 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 669 900 6833 or +1 253
 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799
 Webinar ID: 816 3441 8875
 International numbers available: https://portlandmaine-gov.zoom.us/u/kcytm2arCM
2. Call to Order
 * Roll Call
 * Minutes from November 19, 2025 meeting. (See Attachment)
3. Staff Communication (No public comment will be taken)


 Page 1
 A. Public Art Program
 Presenter: Sean King
 1. Public art fund - reduction of $3,505.60 for Jewel Box (see attachment).
 2. John Ford sculpture and granite post relocation.
 3. Conservation assessment FY26.
 4. Schedule of meeting in 2026 (see attachment).
 5. Committee member term expiration and renomination deadline.

 B. Encumbrances for new acquisitions of public art: no updates
 Presenter: Sean King

 C. Collection Updates
 Presenter: Sean King
 1. John Ford sculpture and granite post relocation.
 2. Conservation assessment FY26
4. Subcommittee Reports
 A. Governance/Board Development (Berke, Dennehy)
 1. Committee chair declaration.
 2. Preparation of FY26 Annual Plan & Proposed Budget FY27 (see attachment)

 B. Acquisitions (formerly "gifts") Subcommittee (Cole, Hrenko, Zagaria)
 1. Subcommittee members to share updates.

 C. Communications Subcommittee (Motter, Berke, Gibbs)
 1. Subcommittee members to share updates.

 D. Collection Management (Formerly "Site Selection") Subcommittee (Dennehy, Gibbs,
 Berke, Zagaria)
 1. Subcommittee member to share updates.
5. Project Reports
 A. Portland Harbor Common new acquisition subcommittee (Dennehy, Cole, Levesque &
 Zagaria)
 1. Subcommittee members to share updates.
6. Public Comment Prior on Non-Agenda Items
7. Other Business
8. Meeting Adjourns

Next Meeting - February 18, 2026




 Page 2
 Anna Berke, Chair
 Sharon Dennehy, Vice-Chair
 Kat Zagaria Buckley
 Phoebe Cole
 Alison Gibbs
 Kelly Hrenko, City Manager appointee
 Justin Levesque
 Sarah Michniewicz, City Councilor
 Stephanie Motter
 John Whipple
 Ronnie Wilson, Creative Portland appointee

 Management & Administration
 Sean King, Urban Designer with Planning & Urban Development Department

 PORTLAND PUBLIC ART COMMITTEE - Minutes
 November 19, 2025
 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. HYBRID (in person or online via Zoom link)
 City Hall – Room 209, 389 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101

 Due to the existence of an emergency or urgent issue the Portland Public Art Committee will conduct
 this meeting by remote methods/technology at the Zoom link provided below, in accordance with the
 requirements of 1 M.R.S. section 403-B and the City Council's Remote Participation Policy.

 Allow your computer to install the free zoom app to get the best meeting experience.

 For more information on how to use Zoom, please go to:
 https://content.civicplus.com/api/assets/18148b5d-f26e-472f-8d2c-245db97e5c27?cache=1800 Public

 Public comment will be taken; written comments may be submitted to publicart@portlandmaine.gov

 Please click the link below to join the webinar:
 https://portlandmaine-gov.zoom.us/j/81634418875
 Or One tap mobile : US: +19292056099,,81634418875# or +13017158592,,81634418875#
 Or Telephone: Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
 US: +1 929 205 6099 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 669 900 6833 or +1 253 215 8782
 or +1 346 248 7799
 Webinar ID: 816 3441 8875
  International numbers available: https://portlandmaine-gov.zoom.us/u/kcytm2arCM
 ------------
1. Call to Order
 • Roll call
 o  Committee members present – Berke, Dennehy, Hrenko, Levesque, Michniewicz,
 Motter, Whipple, Wilson); Committee members absent – Zagaria Buckley, Cole, Gibbs
 • Review and approve minutes from October 15, 2025 meeting.
 o Motion to approve (Whipple), Second (Motter), All approved by a show of hands

2. Staff Updates
 A. Public art fund balance: No reductions.
 Presenter: Sean King
 No public comment will be taken.
 o No Committee discussion




 Page 3
 B. Encumbrances for new acquisitions of public art: No updates
 Presenter: Sean King
 No public comment will be taken.
 o No Committee discussion

 C. Collection updates
 Presenter: Sean King
 1. Gorham Corner: The Committee recommended a relocation of the granite posts arranged
 around the perimeter of the John Ford statue during the October 15, 2025 meeting. Staff
 shared a diagram that is under review by the Public Works and Parks Department to
 consider winter maintenance associated with the preferred relocation of granite posts at the
 intersection of York St & Pleasant St.
 o No Committee discussion

3. New Business
 A. Portland Harbor Common: A request for proposal (RFP) has been developed by the new
 acquisition subcommittee to commission artwork for a new waterfront park on the Eastern
 Waterfront. The Committee reviewed a draft of the RFP during its October 15, 2025 meeting.
 Staff recommends that the Committee make a motion to approve the draft RFP and authorize
 staff to proceed with the advertising process.
 Public comment will be taken
 o Committee member motion to approve Open call for artist at Portland Harbor Common
 park as written (Levesque), Second (Whipple), All approved by roll call vote.

 B. Jewel Box bus shelter: Review and discussion of a request to use PPAC funds to replace glass
 damaged by corrosive graffiti, and a broader discussion regarding the future maintenance and
 upkeep of the shelter. Staff recommends that the Committee approve the use of existing PPAC
 funds to cover the cost of glass replacement.
 Public comment will be taken
 o Committee requested more information for comparable quotes, Staff shared previous
 amounts from prior glass replacements for Committee consideration. Staff
 recommendation for the Committee to authorize use of public art funds not to exceed
 $5,000 to request comparable quotes and select a vendor for immediate replacement
 for four glass panels. Committee member motion to authorize use of public art funds
 towards the replacement of four glass panels at the Jewel Box (Dennehy), Second
 (Berke), All approved by roll call vote.

4. Subcommittee Reports (No public comment will be taken)
 A. Governance/Board Development (Berke, Dennehy)
 1. Committee chairs to share updates.
 2. Consideration to cancel December meeting.
 o Committee members all in favor.

 B. Acquisitions (Formerly “Gifts”) Subcommittee (Cole, Hrenko, Zagaria)
 1. Subcommittee members to share updates.
 o Subcommittee provided updates on the fundraising effort for the new public art gift
 located on India Street. The Committee would provide a Collection plaque upon
 installation of the public art gift and request the donor share more information on
 the engraved monument once known prior to public art gift fabrication.

 C. Communications Subcommittee (Motter, Berke, Gibbs)

 Page 4
 1. Subcommittee members to share updates.
 o  Subcommittee suggest promoting the open call for artists onto social media
 accounts and outreach to other arts organization.

 D. Collection Management (Formerly “Site Selection”) Subcommittee (Dennehy, Gibbs, Berke,
 Zagaria)
 1. Subcommittee members to share updates.
 o  No Subcommittee updates

5. Project Reports (No public comment will be taken)
 A. Conservation Projects
 1. Conservation assessment by Tuckerbrook Conservation LLC: Staff will provide an
 update on the schedule for performing the service.
 o No Staff updates

 B. Maintenance Projects: No updates
 C. Portland Harbor Common new acquisition subcommittee (Dennehy, Cole, Levesque & Zagaria)
 1. Subcommittee members to share updates.
 o  Subcommittee will convene following the February 11, 2026 submission deadline

6. Public Comment Period On Non-Agenda Items
 o No public comment

7. Other Business
 o No Committee updates
8. Meeting adjourns
 o Meeting adjourns at 4:58 pm




 Page 5
FY26 - Public Art Fund (July 2025-June 2026)
TOTAL PPAC Balance
 A Total Balance (includes FY26) $ 381,155.45
 B Total Encumbrances $ 202,172.00
 C Total New Acquisitions $ 154,000.00
 Remaining Balance $ 24,983.45

Remaining Encumbrances from approved budget plans
 Activity Description Budget
 A Congress Square Public Art New Commission - Sarah Sze artist $ 176,000.00
 B Bramhall Square Artwork New Commission - Chris Miller artist $ 26,172.00
 Total Encumbered $ 202,172.00

Approved new public art acquisitions
 Activity Description Budget
 New Commission (Portland Harbor Commons Park)
 C Portland Harbor Common Park from FY25 Unspent Funds $ 130,000.00
 Total New Acquisitions $ 130,000.00

F26 - Proposed Budget Breakdown
 Activity Description Proposed FY26 Budget Current Budget Balance
 To cover the five-year Collection conservation
 assessment, lighting assessment and complete
 D Conservation and Maintenance conservation projects identified as highest priority $ 10,000 $ 10,000.00
 To cover repairs, theft, relocation, Community Art
 E Contingency Fund grant, plaque purchase, etc. $ 5,000 $ (2,065.60)
 F Community Artwork grants To contribute to a community artwork project(s) $ 5,000 $ 5,000.00
 New public artwork acquisitions (Portland Harbor
 G New Artwork Commons Park + Artists Stipend) $ 30,000 $ 6,000.00
 Total FY26 Budget $ 50,000 $ 18,934.40




 FY26 Expenses Funding Source Total (PAID) Project Notes
 CBE Contingency $ 3,560.00 Lights and conduit installation at Rustle Dyptich
 Port City Glass Contingency $ 3,505.60 Emergency replacement of Jewel Box glass (qt 4)




 Subtotal Expenses $ 7,065.60




 Page 6
Portland Public Art Committee
2026 Meeting Dates
Please refer to the City’s website for updates on time, location, and format for upcoming Committee
meetings: https://portlandme.portal.civicclerk.com/

 Agenda Request Deadline, 12:00pm PPAC Meeting Date, 4:00pm
 January 9, 2026 January 21, 2026
 February 6, 2026 February 18, 2026
 March 6, 2026 March 18, 2026
 April 3, 2026 April 15, 2026
 May 8, 2026 May 20, 2026
 June 5, 2026 June 17, 2026
 July 3, 2026 July 15, 2026
 August 7, 2026 August 19, 2026
 September 4, 2026 September 16, 2026
 October 9, 2026 October 21, 2026
 November 6, 2026 November 18, 2026
 December 4, 2026 December 16, 2026

In order for an application to be scheduled as an agenda item for an upcoming Portland Public Art
Committee meeting, please email publicart@portlandmaine.gov prior to the corresponding agenda
request deadline. Requests received after the deadline will be considered at a subsequent meeting.

An agenda request for a public art related item does not guarantee review at the corresponding
meeting. If you have questions or need assistance with a request please contact the Planning and
Urban Development Department Administrative Staff:

 Sean King, Urban Designer
 sking@portlandmaine.gov | 207-874-8901




 Page 7
 Order 59-25/26
 Passage: 7-0 on 10/6/2025 (Councilor Fournier & Sykes absent)
 Effective: 10/16/2025


MARK DION (MAYOR)
PIOUS ALI (A/L) CITY OF PORTLAND SARAH MICHNIEWICZ (1)
 WESLEY PELLETIER (2)
APRIL D. FOURNIER (A/L) IN THE CITY COUNCIL REGINA L. PHILLIPS (3)
BENJAMIN GRANT (A/L) ANNA BULLETT (4)
 KATE SYKES (5)




 ORDER ACCEPTING THE PORTLAND PUBLIC ART COMMITTEE FISCAL YEAR
 2025 ANNUAL REPORT AND FISCAL YEAR 2026 BUDGET PLAN


 ORDERED, that the Fiscal Year 2025 Annual Report and Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Plan of the
 Portland Public Art Committee, attached hereto, is hereby accepted.




 Page 8
Planning and Urban Development
Portland Public Art Committee
FY25 Annual Report & FY26 Budget Plan




FY25 Public Art Committee Annual Report & FY26 Budget Plan

I. Overview
II. Administrative Updates
 A. Committee Members
 B. Administration & Policy
 C. Subcommittees:
 1. Governance Subcommittee
 2. Acquisitions Subcommittee
 3. Communication Subcommittee
 4. Collection Management Subcommittee
III. Conservation & Maintenance
 A. Conservation Projects
 B. Maintenance Projects
IV. Acquisitions
V. Accomplishments in FY25
VI. Goals for FY26
VII. Proposed Budget FY26




 389 Congress Street, Portland, Maine 04101 | ph: 207.756.8258 | planning@portlandmaine.gov



 Page 9
I. Overview
In April 2000, the City Council established the Portland Public Art Program to preserve, restore, and
enhance the City’s public art collection. The Portland Public Art Committee (PPAC) is tasked to
commission art that engages the surrounding environment to facilitate a sense of place by expressing
the spirit, values, and visions of Portland through public art.

The public art collection currently contains sixty permanent pieces installed throughout Portland and
one long‐term loan. Details on the collection can be viewed on the Public Art website
(https://www.publicartportland.org/). The collection comprises works of both historical significance,
dating from the nineteenth century, and contemporary pieces reflecting Portland’s diversity and spirit.

The PPAC administers the Portland Public Art Program; the Committee’s responsibilities are outlined in
the City’s Land Use Code, Chapter 14, Article 20 Public Art Program. The Committee refers to the
Guidelines for the Public Art Ordinance (Volume 2, Number 1 – revised 2021) for direction in
administering their responsibilities.

The Portland Public Art Committee is responsible for the following:
 • Develop and present an Annual Public Art Plan to the City Council, which includes
 recommendations for the use of allocated CIP funding, program administration, conservation of
 the collection, and initiation of new projects.
 • Provide recommendations to the City Council regarding proposed gifts to the collection.
 • Seek donations to fulfill Committee responsibilities in the case that CIP funding is insufficient.
 • Recommend appropriate locations for the installation of public art;
 • Promote public awareness and engagement between the public and the collection.

II. Administrative Updates
 A. Committee members during fiscal year 2025 (FY25) between July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025:
 • Anna Berke, Chair.
 • Sharon Dennehy, Vice-Chair.
 • Kat Zagaria Buckley
 • Phoebe Cole
 • Alison Gibbs
 • Kelly Hrenko, City Manager’s Appointee
 • Stephanie Motter
 • Sarah Michniewicz, City Council Representative
 • Saa Rosenblatt
 • John Whipple
 • Ronnie Wilson, Creative Portland Appointee

 Management & Administration:
 • Sean King, Urban Designer, Planning and Urban Development Department




 389 Congress Street, Portland, Maine 04101 | ph: 207.874.8719 | planning@portlandmaine.gov



 Page 10
B. Administration and Policy
 In FY25 the Committee developed an inquiry and informational form to better help artists,
 individuals, and organizations navigate the application process for proposed gifts of public art
 and community artworks. The form is available for download here and on the Portland Public
 Art Committee website.

C. Subcommittees
 1. Governance Subcommittee:
 The Governance Subcommittee includes committee members Anna Berke (Chair) and Sharon
 Dennehy (Vice-Chair).

 The Public Art Committee welcomed the appointments of Ronnie Wilson (Creative Portland) and
 Sarah Michniewicz (District 1, City Councilor). The Committee also welcomed the nomination of
 Saa Rosenblatt and the reappointments of Anna Berke, Alison Gibbs, and Kat Buckley Zagaria to
 new three-year terms.

 Recommended Addition to the Rules of the Portland Public Art Committee – Pro Tempore
 Officers
 To ensure a clear process for assigning roles and responsibilities when the Chair, Vice Chair, or
 both are absent, the Governance Subcommittee is recommending an amendment to the Rules
 of the Portland Public Art Committee to include a procedure for electing pro tempore officers.
 The proposed revision is outlined below, with a full redlined draft of the amendments included
 as Attachment A.

 ARTICLE II. OFFICERS AND DUTIES
 Section 4. In the absence of both the chair and the vice chair, the committee shall elect a
 chair pro tempore from among its number, and the chair pro tempore shall have all the powers
 of the chair during the chair’s and the vice chair’s absence. In the absence of the vice chair, or
 when the vice chair is serving as the chair, the board shall elect a vice chair pro tempore from
 among its number, and the vice chair pro tempore shall have all the powers of the vice chair
 during the vice chair’s absence or service as chair. The committee shall conduct votes by roll call
 of members present.

 Additionally, to ensure that the Rules of the Portland Public Art Committee align with the latest
 Land Use Code references, the amendment below is recommended to update the section
 reference to the current Land Use Code.

 ARTICLE I. GENERAL PROVISION.
 Section 1. These rules are supplementary to the provisions of Chapter 14 of the Municipal
 Code as it relates to the procedures of the Portland Public Art Committee and are adopted
 pursuant to the authority granted in Section 20.5.2.D.14-854 (b) (4).of said Code.



 389 Congress Street, Portland, Maine 04101 | ph: 207.874.8719 | planning@portlandmaine.gov



 Page 11
ARTICLE VI. AMENDMENT OF RULES.
Section 3. Any proposed amendment shall be communicated to the City Council and shall
not be in effect until due process has been observed as pursuant to Section 20.5.2.D. 14-
854(b)(4).

In accordance with the Rules of the Portland Public Art Committee, Article VI, Section 3, any
proposed amendment to the rules shall be communicated to the City Council and shall not be in
effect until due process has been observed as pursuant to Section 14-854 (b)(4), which states
that any and all rules or changes to rules shall be placed on a City Council agenda as a
communication. The rule or rules shall take effect 45 days after the date of placement on the
council agenda, unless the City Council takes official action disapproving the rules, in whole or in
part, prior to the expiration of the 45-day period.

2. Acquisitions Subcommittee:
The Acquisitions Subcommittee includes committee members Kat Zagaria Buckley, Phoebe Cole,
and Kelly Hrenko.

In FY25, the Acquisitions Subcommittee developed an information and inquiry form and
received three completed submissions from individuals and community groups interested in
exploring the acquisitions process. The Subcommittee also implemented a rotating liaison role
to assist applicants with project details and address questions prior to review by the Portland
Public Art Committee.

The Acquisitions Subcommittee received and processed the following application for
consideration as a potential gift of public art:
 • A proposed gift of public art, to be located in the India Street neighborhood (District 1),
 for a new sculpture by Giuliano Cecchinelli from donors Judith Kendrick and Jim DiBiase.
 The Public Art Committee assisted the applicants in developing a detailed proposal
 schedule and provided guidance on complying with the Public Art Committee Guidelines
 for the consideration of gifts of public art.

Additionally, the Public Art Committee received two applications for consideration as potential
community artworks, including:
 • An inquiry form submission by Zack Barowitz, on behalf of the Libbytown Neighborhood
 Association, was introduced to the Committee on February 26, 2025 for a new sculpture
 by Vivian Beer located at Thomas Park. This submission is still under consideration by
 the Committee, which has requested additional information from the applicant before a
 future review.




389 Congress Street, Portland, Maine 04101 | ph: 207.874.8719 | planning@portlandmaine.gov



 Page 12
 • An inquiry form submission, entitled Astragal, by artist Stephen Oliver and Peace Action
 Maine to commission a new sculpture at Amethyst Park along the Eastern Promenade
 Trail. The proposed sculpture included etched architectural resin of various colors to
 resemble lighthouse lens. The Portland Public Art Committee reviewed the community
 artwork application in accordance with the public art guidelines on December 18, 2024
 and voted to reject (7-0, committee members Michniewicz, Motter, Rosenblatt absent)
 on February 26, 2025.

 3. Communications Subcommittee:
 The Communications Subcommittee includes committee members Stephanie Motter, Kelly
 Hrenko, and Anna Berke.

 In FY25, the Communications Subcommittee expanded engagement through social media to
 promote the City’s public art collection.
 • The Public Art Committee’s Instagram account saw:
 o 159 content interactions (a 100% increase from FY24)
 o 88 new followers, bringing the total to 382 (up from 294 in FY24)
 o A reach of 947 individuals (a 682.6% increase in FY24)
 • The Public Art Committee’s Facebook account saw:
 o 27 content interactions (a 350% increase from FY24)
 o 18 new followers, bringing the total to 536 (up from 518 in FY24)
 o A reach of 294 individuals (a 169.7% increase from FY24)

 4. Collection Management Subcommittee:
 The Collection Management Subcommittee includes committee members Sharon Dennehy,
 Kat Zagaria Buckley, Alison Gibbs, and Anna Berke.

 In FY25, the Collection Management Subcommittee refined the list of priority site locations
 identified in the FY23 Annual Report as lacking public art. The following sites have been
 identified for potential artwork installations and will be prioritized for future projects in
 FY26.

 • North Deering neighborhood - specifically the trails behind Lyseth Elementary
 School and Lyman Moore Middle School.
 • Riverton Neighborhood - Riverton Trolley Park

 Additionally, in FY25, the Collection Management Subcommittee developed a conservation
 assessment request for proposal to hire a conservator to evaluate, identify, and prioritize
 the maintenance needs of the entire public art collection over the next two to five years.


III. Conservation & Maintenance


 389 Congress Street, Portland, Maine 04101 | ph: 207.874.8719 | planning@portlandmaine.gov



 Page 13
The purpose of the Public Art Program is to care for and maintain artworks in the public art collection. It
is essential to the longevity and safety of the works in the collection to engage a conservator for
conservation and repair of our public art collection. Conservation and maintenance completed in FY25
included the following:

 A. Conservation Projects:
 1. Repair to the Pullen fountain (District 1):
 A protective hot-wax coating was applied to the existing plaque; mortar patches were toned
 to match the granite; missing mortar between the granite blocks was replaced; and the
 fountain was cleaned with a low-pressure power wash.




 Figure 1: After treatment photo of Pullen fountain

 B. Maintenance Projects:
 1. Major Charles J. Loring Memorial Park (District 1):
 Installation of two in-ground light fixtures to replace the light fixtures that were damaged
 during a previous car incident with the granite sentinel post.




 389 Congress Street, Portland, Maine 04101 | ph: 207.874.8719 | planning@portlandmaine.gov



 Page 14
 Figure 2: New in-ground lights at the granite sentinel post

2. Passing the Torch at Deering roundabout (District 3):
 The existing artwork features lighting integrated within the sculptures and the perimeter
 planted area of the Deering Avenue roundabout. One sculpture light was replaced to
 correct color temperature issues, and two stem-mounted lights were replaced to resolve
 outages.




 Figure 3: Passing the Torch sculpture light replacement

3. Glass replacements at Jewel Box bus shelter (District 1):
 Several glass panels at the Jewell Box bus shelter, located along Congress Street near
 Monument Square, have continued to be damaged by corrosive graffiti. As a result, the
 panels have been replaced. The frequency of graffiti and damage continues to impact this



389 Congress Street, Portland, Maine 04101 | ph: 207.874.8719 | planning@portlandmaine.gov



 Page 15
 public resource. City staff are working with the artist, Metro, contractors, and other city
 departments to identify alternative solutions for more sustainable maintenance and
 improved usability for public transit riders.




 Figure 4: Jewel box bus shelter
IV. Acquisitions
There was one gift of public artwork accepted into the collection: a new sculpture by Giuliano
Cecchinelli, donated by Judith Kendrick and Jim DiBiase, as described in Section V. Accomplishments of
this document. There were no additional acquisitions of public artwork during FY25.


V. Accomplishments in FY25
 A. Signage implementation:
 1. Acrobatic Dogs at Portland Jetport (District 3)
 The standard Portland Public Art plaque was installed for Acrobatic Dogs at the Portland
 Jetport to replace the paper sign that had deteriorated.




 389 Congress Street, Portland, Maine 04101 | ph: 207.874.8719 | planning@portlandmaine.gov



 Page 16
 Figure 5: Public art plaque replacement

B. Gifts of Public Art:
 1. The Public Art Committee recommended to accept (9-0, Wilson absent) a proposed gift
 of public art on April 30, 2025. The donors, Judith Kendrick and Jim DiBiase, propose to
 commission a new sculpture by Giuliano Cecchinelli and launch a private fundraising
 campaign to cover the costs of fabrication, transportation, and installation. The
 sculpture would depict an immigrant family, carved in granite, as a commemoration to
 the India Street neighborhood. The artwork will be installed at 176 India Street on
 property owned by the Portland Water District with a public access agreement to the
 City.




 389 Congress Street, Portland, Maine 04101 | ph: 207.874.8719 | planning@portlandmaine.gov



 Page 17
 Figure 6: Proposed gift of public art by artist Giuliano Cecchinelli

VI. Goals for FY26
 A. Five-year vision
 The Portland Public Art Committee reviews and sets priorities for the public art program to
 guide decision-making over the next five years. The Committee’s five-year vision includes:
 • Finalize the acquisition and completion of all encumbered artworks, including Shattered
 Sphere by Sarah Sze in Congress Square Park and Keeper of the Picnic by Christopher Miller
 in Bramhall Square. Both of these artworks are contingent on the park refurbishments being
 completed.
 • Evaluate the Guidelines for Public Art Ordinance and revise (if necessary);
 • Further public education, interest, and enjoyment of public art by providing public art walks
 or public art guides in Portland; and to publicize and archive the collection. This includes
 revising the website to provide additional functions and increase traffic, to increase social
 media presence, and to meet with City stakeholders to reinforce the Committee’s mission.




 389 Congress Street, Portland, Maine 04101 | ph: 207.874.8719 | planning@portlandmaine.gov



 Page 18
 • Increase donation solicitation for projects supported by the Public Art Committee,
 particularly for projects that enhance community engagement and identity. To solicit grant
 and private money for current and upcoming projects;
 • Prioritize site selections based on the Public Art Committee’s commitment to locate public
 art more equitability throughout Portland, with a particular focus on neighborhoods with no
 or limited public art.
 • Expand the public art collection in outer Portland through initiatives such as community
 artwork projects.
 • Launch and complete the acquisition process for a new public artwork associated with the
 Portland Harbor Commons project, which is scheduled to begin construction in 2025.
 • Continue to provide forums for public input, including offering committee meetings in a
 hybrid format for both in-person and virtual participation.
 • Monitor the Reimagine Franklin Street process and identify opportunities for major new
 artwork installations.

 Ultimately, these goals aim to contribute to Portland’s identity as a cultural destination. The
 Committee recognizes that the prevalence and quality of Public Art will greatly contribute to
 Portland’s overall image and increase both national and international recognition.

B. Specific goals by subcommittees in FY26
 1. Communications
 • Increase community collaboration between various City departments and local
 neighborhood organizations
 • Increase social media followers by 3% and interactions by 50%
 • Create a formal process for university collaborations
 • Find new content to promote when the public art collection is not growing rapidly
 • Find areas to promote information outside of digital formats

 2. Collection Management
 • Conduct an conservation assessment of the public art collection to evaluate and
 prioritize future conservation projects that ensure high-quality maintenance with cost-
 effective solutions. Manage the conservation assessment once a conservator is selected.
 • Maintain the digital collection management resource files for the collection,
 conservation priorities and maintenance projects.
 • Conduct a lighting assessment for the public art collection to inventory the condition
 and priorities for future maintenance.
 • Review individual public art plaques to evaluate potential replacements based on the
 Committee’s signage detail standards established in 2023.

 3. Acquisitions
 • Continue to focus on FY25 goals to improve clarity, inclusivity and transparency within
 the acquisitions processes.




 389 Congress Street, Portland, Maine 04101 | ph: 207.874.8719 | planning@portlandmaine.gov



 Page 19
 • Identify opportunities for new artwork installations related to the Reimagine Franklin
 Street project for inclusion in future Annual Plans.
 • Expand opportunities to commission new artwork for the Collection using remaining
 public art funds from previous years, aligned with projects funded through the City’s
 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). The Committee will draft a Request for Proposals (RFP)
 for new artwork at one or all of the following sites in the upcoming fiscal year:
 o Portland Harbor Commons
 o Riverton Trolley Park
 o North Deering neighborhood – Lyseth Moore area trails
 • Anticipate potential gifts of public art and site them in the priority locations.




389 Congress Street, Portland, Maine 04101 | ph: 207.874.8719 | planning@portlandmaine.gov



 Page 20
VII. Proposed Budget FY26
Article 20, Section 20.4.1 Establishment of Public Art Fund of the Land Use Code details the
establishment of a special revenue fund designated as the Public Art Fund in the City treasury from
which expenditures may be made in accordance with the Public Art Ordinance. Section 20.4.2 City-
funded projects of the Land Use Code, specifies that A percentage of the City’s Capital Improvement
Program (CIP) shall be calculated and appropriated annually to the Portland Public Art Fund. The annual
appropriation shall be .5% of the total annual CIP.

Remaining Encumbrances from previously approved Public Art Committee budget plans

 Table 1 – Summary of Encumbered Funds
 Activity Description Budget
 A Congress Square Public Art New commission – Sarah Sze artist $176,000
 B Bramhall Square Artwork New commission $26,560
 Total Encumbered $202,560

Remaining Balance
In FY25, the PPAC and City Council discussed the need for a plan to allocate funds that have rolled over
from previous budgets. The PPAC Art Fund currently has $362,609 in unspent funds from prior years. Of
this amount, $202,560 (Table 1) is already encumbered for two previously committed acquisitions:
Sarah Sze’s project at Congress Square Park and a new artwork commission at Bramhall Square. This
leaves $160,049 remaining.

City staff recommend retaining $30,049 for the conservation and maintenance of the public art
collection, to cover the collection assessment and identified conservation projects, leaving $130,000
available. Based on the PPAC’s outlined goals and objectives, staff recommend using the remaining
funds allocated for commissioning new artwork to support new acquisitions at Portland Harbor
Commons, Riverton Trolley Park, and North Deering neighborhood. The proposed breakdown of the
recommended budget for using the unspent public art funds is shown below in Table 2:1 – Summary of
Encumbered Funds
 Table 2 – Recommended budget for unspent public art funds
 Total Carried Over Art Funds Description $362,609
 Encumbered Sarah Sze & Bramhall Square Acquisitions $202,560
 Available Public Art Funds Unspent funds $160,049
 Activity Description Budget
 New Artwork Commissions New Commissions for Portland Harbor $130,000
 Commons, Riverton Trolley Park, and North
 Deering neighborhood.
 Conservation and Maintenance To cover conservation and maintenance $30,049
 efforts for the public art collection.
 Total Budget $160,049


Proposed Budget FY26 (July 1, 2025 - June 31, 2026)




 389 Congress Street, Portland, Maine 04101 | ph: 207.874.8719 | planning@portlandmaine.gov



 Page 21
In addition to the proposed plan to utilize unspent funds rolled over from prior fiscal years, described
above, the PPAC has developed the following budget for FY26. For FY26, $50,000 is allocated to the
Public Art Fund. The proposed use of these funds is outlined below in Table 3. As recommended to the
City Council during the FY24 & FY25 Budget Plan we added a new activity line to account for Community
Artworks Grants.

 Table 3 – Proposed Budget FY26 (July 1, 2025 – June 31, 2026)
 Activity Description Budget
 A Conservation and Maintenance To cover the five-year Collection $10,000
 conservation assessment, lighting
 assessment and complete conservation
 projects identified as highest priorities.
 B Contingency Fund To cover unplanned minor repairs, theft, $5,000
 replacement, and plaque purchases.
 C Community Artwork Grants To contribute to a community artwork $5,000
 project(s).
 D New Artwork Commissions New Commissions for Portland Harbor $30,000
 Commons, Riverton Trolley Park, and North
 Deering neighborhood.
 Total FY26 Budget $50,000


Attachments
Attachment A – Rules of the PPAC_Redlined
Attachment B – Fiscal year 2025 Temporary art program, prepared by the Planning & Urban
Development




 389 Congress Street, Portland, Maine 04101 | ph: 207.874.8719 | planning@portlandmaine.gov



 Page 22
Draft September 2025


 RULES OF THE PORTLAND PUBLIC ART COMMITTEE
ARTICLE I. GENERAL PROVISION.

 Section 1. These rules are supplementary to the provisions of Chapter 14 of
 the Municipal Code as it relates to the procedures of the Portland Public Art
 Committee and are adopted pursuant to the authority granted in Section
 20.5.2.D.14-854 (b) (4).of said Code.

 Section 2. Roberts Rules of Order shall supplement these rules and shall
 control procedures not covered by these rules.


ARTICLE II. OFFICERS AND DUTIES.

 Section 1. The officers of the Committee shall be the Chair and Vice Chair.
 The Chair shall preside at all meetings and fulfill the customary functions of that
 office. In the absence of the Chair, the Vice Chair shall act as Chair and shall
 have all of the powers of the Chair.

 Section 2. The Chair and Vice Chair shall be elected annually by the
 regular members at the regular meeting in June.

 Section 3. Officers shall be eligible for re-election. No person shall serve
 as Chair for more than two consecutive years.

 Section 3. The Chair may establish sub-committees to accomplish specific
 tasks, and shall appoint chairs and members for those sub-committees as may be
 appropriate.

 Section 4. In the absence of both the chair and the vice chair, the
 committee shall elect a chair pro tempore from among its number, and the chair
 pro tempore shall have all the powers of the chair during the chair’s and the vice
 chair’s absence. In the absence of the vice chair, or when the vice chair is
 serving as the chair, the board shall elect a vice chair pro tempore from among
 its number, and the vice chair pro tempore shall have all the powers of the vice
 chair during the vice chair’s absence or service as chair. The committee shall
 conduct votes by roll call of members present.


ARTICLE III. MEETINGS.

 Section 1. Regular meetings shall be held monthly. At the December
 meeting the Committee shall establish a regular schedule of meeting times and
 dates for the following year, and such meetings shall be scheduled in City Hall or
 at such other public and accessible location. Notice of meetings shall be given
 through listing with the City Manager’s Public Meeting Calendar and the City of
 Portland web page.




 Page 23
Draft September 2025



 Section 2. The Chair, in consultation with the Urban Designer or the
 designated City staff person, shall set the agenda for meetings.

ARTICLE IV. ORDER OF BUSINESS.

 Section 1. All regular meetings of the Committee shall proceed as follows:

 a. Roll call and declaration of quorum.
 b. Reading and approval of minutes of the previous meeting.
 c. Communications.
 d. Unfinished Business.
 e. New Business.
 f. Adjournment.


ARTICLE V. VOTING & DECISION.

 Section 1. The presence of a majority of the members of the Committee
 shall constitute a quorum.

 Section 2. As to any matters not requiring a binding vote of the Committee,
 the Committee may meet and deliberate at any properly called meeting,
 regardless of the presence of a quorum, or may continue consideration of such
 matter to any later meeting. However, no final action shall be taken on such a
 matter without a quorum being present.

 Section 3. Recommendations to the City Council shall include findings of
 fact and the reason or reasons for such recommendations, and shall contain a
 separate statement setting forth the recommendation of the Committee.

 Section 4. Any one or more members of the Committee may file minority
 or dissenting reports in support of any position on any recommendation made to
 the City Council.

 Section 5. In the event of a tie vote, the matter shall be tabled to the next
 meeting, where it shall be considered as unfinished business.

ARTICLE VI. AMENDMENT OF RULES.

 Section 1. These rules may be amended by an affirmative majority vote of
 the members of the Committee.

 Section 2. The proposed amendment must be presented in writing at a
 regular or special Committee meeting preceding the meeting at which the vote is
 taken.

 Section 3. Any proposed amendment shall be communicated to the City
 Council and shall not be in effect until due process has been observed as pursuant
 to Section 20.5.2.D.14-854 (b) (4).




 Page 24