Public Art Committee — Portland, ME
Date: 2026-04-15
Time: 16:00

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

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


 PORTLAND PUBLIC ART COMMITTEE
 Wednesday, April 15, 2026
 4:00 PM City Hall, Room 209 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/81634418875Or 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 (4:00 pm)
 - Roll call
3. Approval of the March 18, 2026 Meeting Minutes, refer to Attachment A
 March 18, 2026 Meeting Minutes
4. Staff Communication (4:05 pm) No public comment will be taken
 A. Public Art Program
 Presenter: Sean King
 1. Public art fund, refer to Attachment B
 2. Collection updates
 a. Jewel Box Bus Shelter, refer to Attachment C. City staff has prepared a memo to
 outline an analysis, fiscal impact, and major findings for the Committee's consideration.
 b. Union Station Mural - The City will begin discussions regarding next steps to
 envision the future of Portland Expo during its Housing and Economic Development
 Committee meeting on April 21, 2026

 B. Encumbrances for new acquisitions of public art: No updates
 Presenter: Sean King
 Mayor Charles J. Loring Memorial Repair (4:10 pm), refer to Attachment D - Public
5.
 comment will be taken
 A. Action Item: The Committee will review and consider recommending that repairs proceed.
 Adoption of the FY26 Annual Report & FY27 Proposed Budget (4:20 pm), refer to
6.
 Attachment E - Public comment will be taken
 A. Action Item: The Portland Public Art Committee is responsible for developing and
 presenting an Annual Public Art Plan to the City Council, including recommendations for the
 use of allocated funding, program administration, conservation of the collection, and initiation
 of new projects. The Committee will review and consider adoption of the plan for forwarding
 to the City Council for acceptance.
7. Subcommittee Reports (4:30 pm) NO PUBLIC COMMENT WILL BE TAKEN
 A. Governance/Board Development (Zagaria, Buckley, Dennehy)
 1. Committee chair updates

 B. Acquisitions Subcommittee (Cole, Hrenko, Zagaria, Levesque)
 1. Subcommittee member updates

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

 D. Collection Management Subcommittee (Dennehy, Berke, Zagaria, Buckley)
 1. Subcommittee member updates
 2. Conservation assessment FY26
8. Project Reports
 A. Public art acquisition selection committee at Portland Harbor Common (Dennehy, Cole,
 Levesque and Zagaria)
 1. Selection subcommittee updates
9. Other Business
10. Meeting Adjourns

Next Meeting - April 20, 2026

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

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


 PORTLAND PUBLIC ART COMMITTEE
 Wednesday, April 15, 2026
 4:00 PM City Hall, Room 209 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/81634418875Or 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 (4:00 pm)
 - Roll call
3. Approval of the March 18, 2026 Meeting Minutes, refer to Attachment A
 March 18, 2026 Meeting Minutes
4. Staff Communication (4:05 pm) No public comment will be taken
 A. Public Art Program
 Presenter: Sean King
 1. Public art fund, refer to Attachment B
 2. Collection updates
 a. Jewel Box Bus Shelter, refer to Attachment C. City staff has prepared a memo to
 outline an analysis, fiscal impact, and major findings for the Committee's consideration.



 Page 1
 b. Union Station Mural - The City will begin discussions regarding next steps to
 envision the future of Portland Expo during its Housing and Economic Development
 Committee meeting on April 21, 2026

 B. Encumbrances for new acquisitions of public art: No updates
 Presenter: Sean King
 Mayor Charles J. Loring Memorial Repair (4:10 pm), refer to Attachment D - Public
5.
 comment will be taken
 A. Action Item: The Committee will review and consider recommending that repairs proceed.
 Adoption of the FY26 Annual Report & FY27 Proposed Budget (4:20 pm), refer to
6.
 Attachment E - Public comment will be taken
 A. Action Item: The Portland Public Art Committee is responsible for developing and
 presenting an Annual Public Art Plan to the City Council, including recommendations for the
 use of allocated funding, program administration, conservation of the collection, and initiation
 of new projects. The Committee will review and consider adoption of the plan for forwarding
 to the City Council for acceptance.
7. Subcommittee Reports (4:30 pm) NO PUBLIC COMMENT WILL BE TAKEN
 A. Governance/Board Development (Zagaria, Buckley, Dennehy)
 1. Committee chair updates

 B. Acquisitions Subcommittee (Cole, Hrenko, Zagaria, Levesque)
 1. Subcommittee member updates

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

 D. Collection Management Subcommittee (Dennehy, Berke, Zagaria, Buckley)
 1. Subcommittee member updates
 2. Conservation assessment FY26
8. Project Reports
 A. Public art acquisition selection committee at Portland Harbor Common (Dennehy, Cole,
 Levesque and Zagaria)
 1. Selection subcommittee updates
9. Other Business
10. Meeting Adjourns

Next Meeting - April 20, 2026




 Page 2
 Kat Zagaria Buckley, Chair
 Sharon Dennehy, Vice-Chair
 Anna Berke
 Phoebe Cole
 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
 March 18, 2026 MINUTES
 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 (4:00pm)
 • Roll call
 o Committee members present – Zagaria Buckley, Cole, Dennehy, Hrenko, Levesque,
 Motter, Whipple; Committee members absent – Berke, Michniewicz, Wilson
 • Minutes from February 18, 2026 meeting. (See Attachment)
 o Motion to approve (Dennehy), Second (Cole), All approved by a show of hands

2. Staff Communication (4:05pm) - No public comment will be taken
 A. Public Art Program
 Presenter: Sean King
 1. Public art fund. (See Attachment)
 2. Collection updates
 • Major Charles J. Loring Memorial (Eastern Promenade)
 o Committee request that Staff file police report and coordinate with service
 providers for a quote to repair for a future meeting.

 Page 3
 B. Encumbrances for new acquisitions of public art: No updates
 Presenter: Sean King
3. Subcommittee Reports (4:08pm) - No public comment will be taken
 A. Governance/Board Development (Zagaria Buckley, Dennehy)
 1. Committee chair updates.
 2. FY26 Annual Plan & Proposed budget FY27. (See Attachment for Draft)
 o Committee was appreciative of PPAC chair and input from Staff to develop the
 upcoming Annual Plan & Budget. A final vote to recommend the Annual Plan is
 tentatively schedule for the April 15, 2026 meeting. Staff to prepare a City Council
 agenda request in advance of the start of the 2027 fiscal year on July 1, 2026.

 B. Acquisitions Subcommittee (Cole, Hrenko, Zagaria, Levesque)
 1. Subcommittee member updates.
 o A liaison from the Committee shared updates about the donor’s mapping request
 and reminder of the Committee’s precedent to purchase signage for new
 acquisitions or gifts.

 C. Communications Subcommittee (Motter, Berke, Whipple)
 1. Subcommittee members to share updates.
 o The Committee continue to create social media posts to attract attention to the
 Collection and future new acquisition at Portland Harbor Common.

 D. Collection Management Subcommittee (Dennehy, Berke, Zagaria Buckley)
 1. Subcommittee member updates
 2. Conservation assessment FY26
 o Tuckerbrook Conservation is under contract and has begun to assess the Collection
 in coordination with Staff.

 3. Collection items
 a. Jewel Box – Staff requested to gather information on past expenditures and
 coordinate with METRO for bus operations along Congress Street.
 o Committee requested more information about future plans from METRO
 and interest to engage with the artists.

4. Project Reports (4:20 pm) - Public comment will be taken
 A. Public art acquisition selection committee at Portland Harbor Common (Dennehy, Cole,
 Levesque & Zagaria)
 1. Round 1 artist submission. (See Attachment for Staff memo)
 o Subcommittee chair introduced the artist submissions and scoring methodology
 based on the Committee’s Guidelines.
 2. Selection committee artist recommendations for Committee discussion.
 o Five artists were evaluated and scored based on the Selection Panel’s
 recommendation. Finalist included Gabriel Frey, Isabel Catherin Kelley, and Celeste
 Roberge. Committee chair will follow up with finalist and coordinate with Staff for
 Round 2.
 3. Public comment
 o No public comment

5. Other Business (4:50 pm)

6. Meeting adjourns – 5:15pm

 Page 4
FY26 - Public Art Fund (July 2025-June 2026)
TOTAL PPAC Balance
 A Total Balance (includes FY26) $ 403,715.45
 B Total Encumbrances $ 202,172.00
 C Total Approved budget expenditures $ 166,000.00
 Remaining Balance $ 35,543.45

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 budget from FY25
 Activity Description Budget
 New Commission (Portland Harbor Commons Park)
 C Portland Harbor Common Park from FY25 Unspent Funds $ 140,000.00
 D Conservation assessment Funds approved for conservation assessment $ 12,000.00
 Total New Acquisitions $ 152,000.00

F26 - Proposed Budget Breakdown
 Activity Description Proposed FY26 Budget Current Budget Balance

 To cover the five-year Collection conservation
 assessment, lighting assessment and complete
 Conservation and Maintenance conservation projects identified as highest priority $ 10,000 $ 10,000.00
 To cover repairs, theft, relocation, Community Art
 Contingency Fund grant, plaque purchase, etc. $ 5,000 $ (3,505.60)

 Community Artwork grants To contribute to a community artwork project(s) $ 5,000 $ 5,000.00
 New public artwork acquisitions (Portland Harbor
 New Artwork Commons Park + Artists Stipend) $ 30,000 $ 16,000.00
 Total FY26 Budget $ 50,000 $ 27,494.40




 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)
 Portland Glass Contingency $ 1,440.00 Broken glass at Jewel Box, qt1




 Subtotal Expenses $ 8,505.60

 FY25 Encumbrances Funding Source Total (UNPAID) Action
 Contract finalized, prioritize conservation of
 Tuckerbrook Conservation LLC Conservation assessment for Collection $ 12,000.00 Collection




 Page 5
City of Portland | Planning & Urban Development Dept.
Sean King, Urban Designer



To: Portland Public Art Committee
 Kat Zagaria Buckley, Chair



MEETING DATE
April 10, 2026

AGENDA ITEM
Agenda Item #3.A.2.a - Jewel Box bus shelter

PURPOSE
To evaluate options for the Jewel Box bus shelter located at Congress Street and Center Street,
including the relocation, repair, or deaccessioning and removal of the shelter from the Public Art
collection

COMMITTEE WORK PLAN/GOAL ALIGNMENT
This evaluation aligns with the Collection Management Subcommittee’s specific goals in FY26, as
outlined in the FY25 Annual plan - to conduct a conservation assessment of the public art
collection to evaluate and prioritize future conservation projects that ensure high-quality
maintenance with cost-effective solutions.

BACKGROUND/ANALYSIS
The Portland Public Art Committee commissioned artists Laura Haddad and Tom Drugan in 2003
to design, fabricate and install a new artwork entitled Jewel Box. The artwork was installed in
2004 and is constructed of cast iron panels, steel supports, tempered glass panels, wooden
seating and aluminum roofing on an elevated concrete fitting. There are several design elements,
such as a solid roof, perimeter base without ventilation, four-wall structure and continuous bench
seating, that may contribute to a lack of visibility, leading to issues of vandalism and loitering,
that the City continues to address daily.

The Portland Public Art Committee has provided public art funds to conserve and remediate
issues of vandalism since 2005, with a summary of such expenditures listed below:


 Maintenance description Year Funds used (Public art,
 others)

 Graffiti (Acid) 2005 $465.66 (Police dept replaced
 with insurance)

 Graffiti (Acid) 2006 $931.32 (Police dept replaced)




 1

 Page 6
 Conservation treatment (Protective film, painting, 2016 $4,576 (Public art fund)
 corrosion repair)

 Conservation priority, Part 1 (Corrosion, structural 2019 $17,000 (Public art fund)
 repair, wax coating, glass replacement)

 Conservation priority, Part 2 (Bench, Cast iron 2020 $5,269.88 (Public art fund)
 repair)

 Graffiti (Acid) 2023 - glass replacement, quantity 1 2023 $1,796.29

 Graffiti (Acid) 2024 - glass replacement, quantity 2 2024 $2,023.90

 Graffiti (Acid) 2026 - glass replacement, quantity 4 2026 $3,505.60

 Broken glass 2026 - glass replacement, quantity 1 2026 $1,440.00

 Total expenditures for maintenance and damages $35,611.67
 *Total expenditures spent in FY2026 *($4,945.6)


This particular bus shelter location receives the second-highest ridership within the METRO
system and is under consideration as a future Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) stop.

City staff are presenting the following options for initial discussion and consideration by the
Public Art Committee:

 1.​ Relocate the Jewel Box, in coordination with the artists Laura Haddad and Tom Drugan, to
 an appropriate public location elsewhere in the City, to be determined. The cost of
 relocation would need to be established to assess feasibility. This option would require
 review and approval by the Committee and the City Council. METRO would provide a
 replacement bus shelter.

 2.​ Repair the Jewel Box based on priorities outlined in the latest conservation assessment.

 3.​ Deaccessioning of the Jewel Box to remove the artwork from the City’s Collection. METRO
 would provide a replacement bus shelter.

FISCAL IMPACT
All options would require the use of public art funds, whether to remove the Jewel Box, relocate it,
or continue annual maintenance and repair due to vandalism. Based on Committee deliberations
at the April 15 meeting, staff will work to develop cost estimates for the various options under
consideration.

CONCLUSION(S)




 2

 Page 7
The Public Art Committee is tasked with overseeing the maintenance, care and repair of the
public art collection and the Public Art Guidelines outline a maintenance policy designed to
ensure that public artwork lasts 20 years or more.

This item is for discussion only.

PRIOR COMMITTEE REVIEW
 ●​ No prior committee review of this item.

PREPARED BY

Sean King Matt Grooms, AICP
Urban Designer Deputy-Director
Planning & Urban Development Planning & Urban Development


ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A -Artwork construction drawings and documents, 2004
​




 3

 Page 8
City of Portland | Planning & Urban Development Dept.
Sean King, Urban Designer



To: Portland Public Art Committee
 Kat Zagaria Buckley, Chair



MEETING DATE
April 10, 2026

AGENDA ITEM
Agenda Item #4 - Major Charles J. Loring Memorial Park

PURPOSE
To evaluate the use of public art funds to repair one of the etched granite sentinel columns in the
Major Charles J. Loring Memorial Park, located at Eastern Prom roadway at North Street.

COMMITTEE WORK PLAN/GOAL ALIGNMENT
The Public Art Committee is tasked with overseeing the maintenance, care and repair of the
public art collection as outlined under the City’s Land Use Code, Chapter 14, Article 20 Public Art
Program.

BACKGROUND/ANALYSIS
City staff were made aware on March 10, 2026, of an incident involving one of the etched granite
sentinel columns and a protective boulder located within the circular landscape areas of Major
Charles J. Loring Memorial Park. It appears that a vehicle displaced the protective boulder by
approximately 20 feet and struck the granite column off-axis. No responsible party was identified
at the scene, and the granite elements remain out of alignment. Staff have filed a police report
regarding the incident.

City Staff requested an estimate and scope of work from Maine Stone Scapes to evaluate the
damage. An estimated cost of $3,000 includes the scope of work to excavate, straighten, and
reposition the affected granite elements.

Staff from Planning & Urban Development, Parks, Recreation & Facilities, and the Department of
Public Works are working collaboratively to explore additional traffic calming measures due to
the frequency of vehicle incidents at this location.

FISCAL IMPACT
A total cost of $3,000.

CONCLUSION(S)
Staff recommends that the Committee use public art funds to proceed with repairs.

PRIOR COMMITTEE REVIEW


 1

 Page 9
None

PREPARED BY

Sean King
Urban Designer
Planning & Urban Development


ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Photographs
Attachment B - Estimate from Maine Stonescapes​




 2

 Page 10
I. Letter from the Committee Chair
Saturday, February 21, 2026

To the City Council of Portland:

Fiscal Year 2026 was a year of goal-setting, gratitude, and movement for the Portland Public
Art Committee. As we look toward FY27, we consider how the Committee can enhance
communication about its mission, identify new opportunities for public and artistic
engagement, and practice care for both our community and our collection.

The Committee is proud to celebrate several successes from the past fiscal year, all of which
were made possible through our successful collaboration with the public and with our partners
in local government. With the help of the Parks Department, we replaced the lighting at Rustle
Diptych II, allowing our City to resume enjoying this striking piece at night. We were thrilled at
the City Council’s adoption of the Committee’s recommendation to accept the proposed Italian
Legacy Project from Portland’s Italian American Community. We are grateful to our liaisons in
the Planning Department, especially Kevin Kraft, who assisted the committee in project
prioritiz­ation based on our internally articulated goals, and Sean King, whose indefatigable,
ongoing support enhances our records, communication, and efficiency.

As the Committee closes out FY26, we are excited to commission a new work for Portland
Harbor Common. The response to the Committee’s RFQ exceeded all expectations, with 97
eligible submissions. We look forward to selecting and working with an artist as the new piece
and park take shape together, informing one another.

We are mindful of our ongoing responsibility to curate. In contemporary connotation, to curate
is often synonymous with selecting, purposefully placing, and acquiring. And while those are
indeed some of our functions, I see the committee’s charge as far more reflective of the verb’s
Latin root, curare, which means “to care for.” In our outreach and maintenance, we embody
what it means to care for our City’s collection. We will implement this mandate in FY27
through concrete actions, such as undertaking a comprehensive conservation assessment of
the collection, which will guide our future maintenance priorities and help set our FY28
budget.

Simultaneously, we are attentive to the ways that care manifests in unexpected acts, such as
the aforementioned commission of a new work for Portland Harbor Common. The



 Portland Public Art Committee Fiscal Year 2026 Annual Report & Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Plan

 Page 11
 2


acquisition’s placement in the new park, informed by the India Street Sustainable
Neighborhood Plan, will strengthen the community and articulate an aspect of our City’s
identity that this particular location embodies. The achievement of these goals through this
commission, in turn, will reverberate throughout the collection.

For the Committee, care work is done through objects as our primary medium, but the
beneficiary of our labor is the average Portland citizen. As stewards of public art, we
demonstrate our care for our community through outreach around the collection,
commissions, and acquisitions that celebrate Portland’s past, present, and future, as well as
through conservation efforts. Our ongoing prioritization of the collection’s stewardship
through these avenues will expand in FY27 to include examining how the Committee can be
more effective in its outreach. We hope to foster the public’s curiosity not only about what we
do but also about the art that surrounds us, contributing to Portland’s identity as a cultural
destination and embodying the aspects of our City worth witnessing, preserving, and
celebrating.

The Portland Public Art Committee is thrilled to enact our care for the City through our service
through 2027 and beyond. We look forward to any questions regarding the detailed annual plan
and report, and to continuing to work together to strengthen our City’s collection of artwork.

We are humbled by the opportunity to care for the collection and, by proxy, our community.


With gratitude for your time and attention to this report and plan,




Kat Zagaria Buckley
Chair
Portland Public Art Committee




 Portland Public Art Committee Fiscal Year 2026 Annual Report & Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Plan

 Page 12
 3




II. 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 with commissioning art that engages the surrounding environment to
 foster a sense of place by expressing the spirit, values, and visions of Portland through
 public art.

 The public art collection currently contains 60 permanent pieces installed throughout
 Portland and 1 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 with the collection.




 Portland Public Art Committee Fiscal Year 2026 Annual Report & Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Plan

 Page 13
 4




III. Administrative Updates
 A. Committee members during fiscal year 2026 (FY26) between July 1, 2025 – June 30,
 2026:
 ● Anna Berke, Chair until January 21, 2026.
 ● Kat Zagaria Buckley, Chair as of January 21, 2026.
 ● Sharon Dennehy, Vice-Chair.
 ● Phoebe Cole
 ● Alison Gibbs, Seat 1 until February 18, 2026
 ● Kelly Hrenko, City Manager’s Appointee
 ● Justin Levesque
 ● Stephanie Motter
 ● Sarah Michniewicz, City Council Representative
 ● John Whipple
 ● Ronnie Wilson, Creative Portland Appointee

 City Staff Administration:
 ● Sean King, Urban Designer, Planning and Urban Development Department



IV. Subcommittees
 A. Governance Subcommittee:
 The Governance Subcommittee included Anna Berke (Chair) from July 1, 2025
 – January 21, 2026. Upon Anna’s stepping down from the Chair role, the
 Committee confirmed Kat Zagaria Buckley as the new Chair (on January 21,
 2026). Since then, Kat has served as Committee Chair and as Chair of the
 Governance subcommittee. Sharon Dennehy has served as Vice Chair of the
 Committee and Governance subcommittee since July 1, 2024, and continues in
 this role.

 The Committee welcomed Justin Levesque’s appointment. The Committee also
 welcomed the reappointment of members Phoebe Cole, Anna Berke, and Kat
 Zagaria Buckley to new three-year terms.

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

 The Acquisitions Subcommittee received no inquiries regarding potential new
 works of public art during FY26.




 Portland Public Art Committee Fiscal Year 2026 Annual Report & Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Plan

 Page 14
 5


 City Council voted to accept the proposed public art gift on July 14, 2025, Council
 order 3/25-26. On July 28, 2025, the Portland Water District approved the public
 easement and maintenance agreement during a Board of Trustees hearing for
 the proposed public art gift from Judith Kendrick and Jim DiBiase,
 representatives of the Italian American Community.

 The Portland Public Art Committee was pleased to recommend this community-
 initiated sculpture, a cohesive and practical work of enduring material. Bridging
 historical, locational, and pictorial resonances, The Italian Legacy Project will
 enable generations of Portlanders, past and present, to understand the
 significance of its site at India & Fore Streets. The monument reflects on how
 the movement of elements and people contributes to the creation of place, and
 how paths carved in the past create the support upon which we stand today.
 Above all, the Project honors the Italian community’s intertwinement with the
 physical and cultural foundations of our City. In FY26, the Subcommittee
 remained focused on stewarding the Council-approved acquisition from the
 Italian American Community.

 C. Communications Subcommittee:
 The Communications Subcommittee includes committee members Stephanie
 Motter, Anna Berke, Alison Gibbs (Jul ‘25 – Jan ‘26) and John Whipple (Feb ‘26
 - current).

 In FY26 Accomplishments, the Subcommittee assisted with promoting the open
 call for artists for the Harbor Commons Park art commission. Promotions
 included social media posts and an insert in the Creative Portland February
 newsletter.

 Additionally, the Subcommittee’s efforts resulted in notably positive results for
 the Committee’s Instagram posts:

 ● Views: 8,213
 ● Reach: 504
 ● Content Interactions: 332
 ● Profile Visits: 262
 ● 95 follows

 D. Collections Management
 The Collection Management Subcommittee includes committee members
 Sharon Dennehy, Kat Zagaria Buckley, Alison Gibbs (Jul ‘25 – Jan ‘26), and Anna
 Berke.

 In FY26, the Collection Management Subcommittee researched conservation
 firms in Maine/New England/New York for the purpose of receiving bids for an
 assessment of the City of Portland’s 60 works of public art. The


Portland Public Art Committee Fiscal Year 2026 Annual Report & Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Plan


 Page 15
 6


 Subcommittee narrowed the choices to firms specializing in this type of
 assessment of artworks made from varied materials and created an RFP with
 requirements for the assessments.

 Additionally, the Subcommittee updated the list of works spreadsheet with all
 completed repairs and maintenance.

 RFPs were sent to three firms, and two responded.

 The winning bid was from Ron Harvey of Tuckerbrook Conservation LLC, whose
 company offers conservation consulting, treatment, teaching, management,
 and assessment of collection care, with forty-eight years of experience. Ron
 Harvey performed restoration on the City’s Collection by artist Bernard Langlais
 in 2024. He will create a plan for future maintenance for the Committee’s
 consideration. His current proposal outlines 9-10 days to complete at
 $1,200/day, for an estimate of $10,800, with a maximum of $12,000.

 The wider Committee voted to award the bid to Tuckerbrook Conservation and
 approved the expenditure not to exceed $12,000.

 E. Special project: Portland Harbor Common
 The Portland Harbor Common Subcommittee includes members Sharon
 Dennehy, Kat Zagaria Buckley, Justin Levesque, and Phoebe Cole.

 This subcommittee was charged with creating an RFQ for a new work of public
 art to be placed at the terminus of India and Fore Streets within the context of a
 new City Park. After coordinating with the City, the Subcommittee reviewed the
 India Street Neighborhood plan, identified conceptual and authorial gaps in our
 collection, and brainstormed which types of artwork might make sense for such
 a site. It then crafted an RFQ that focused on the intersection of history, present,
 and future, as well as the City’s ties to water.

 The RFQ’s project brief, timeliness, and project budget were reviewed and
 approved by the wider Public Art Committee at its October 15,2025 meeting.

 The RFQ was widely shared on social media and attracted 97 submissions.
 Artists not only from Maine and across the US submitted their qualifications,
 including those from states quite far from the Greater Acadia Ecoregion, such as
 Florida and Hawaii. Furthermore, submissions were also received from
 countries such as Japan and France. The enthusiastic response is a testament to
 the well-crafted RFQ and appropriate stipends that accompany this project,
 allowing the Committee to solicit bids for a truly world-class piece of public
 artwork. An initial review of the RFQs was completed in February 2026, 2026.
 The Subcommittee met again in March, when it narrowed the entries to three
 finalists. Those finalists will present to the Subcommittee on May 20, 2026,
 with the final artist selected for the project via Committee vote on June 17, 2026,
 at the close of FY26.


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V. Conservation & Maintenance
 The Public Art Program is charged with the care and maintenance of the City’s
 collection. Conservation and maintenance completed in FY26 included:

 A. Maintenance Projects:

 1. Gorham Corner: The Committee reviewed
 a City plan to reposition the granite posts around
 the perimeter of the John Ford statue during the
 October 15, 2025, meeting. The meeting’s
 outcome was a recommendation to relocate the
 posts’ initially proposed sites. Staff shared the
 Committee’s recommendations with the Public
 Works and Parks Departments for consideration
 George Kelly, John Ford
 of winter maintenance associated with the
 preferred relocation of granite posts at the Statue, 1998. Located at
 intersection of York St and Pleasant St. Public Gorham corner.
 works responded with approval and acceptance
 of the Committee’s recommendations.

 2. Jewel Box bus shelter: As of Q4 FY26, the
 Committee has spent $4,945, or approximately
 10% of its overall budget on the maintenance of
 this single work.

 The Committee reviewed and discussed a request
 to use PPAC funds to replace several glass panels
 damaged by corrosive graffiti. Staff
 recommended that the Committee approve the
 use of existing PPAC funds of $,3,505.60 to cover
 the cost of glass panel replacement. The
 Committee approved the expenditure. Another
 incident occurred at the Jewel Box in January
 2026, necessitating another immediate
 replacement of a panel at a cost of $1,440.
 Image of damage at Jewel
 The Committee is concerned about the outsized Box on January 25, 2026.
 cost of maintaining this one work on its budget,
 affecting our ability to care for other works,
 respond nimbly to other incidents, and plan for
 the future.




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 3. Rustle Diptych II – The Committee
 approved funds during the September 17, 2025
 meeting to replace two in-ground light fixtures at
 the base of the stone pedestal and coordinate with
 the Park and Public Works department to replace
 the underground conduit, electrical switch and
 sensor at the traffic pole.



 Image of replaced fixtures
 at Rustle Diptych.


 4. Portland Brick Project – Some sidewalk
 replacements have resulted in the removal of
 bricks from this work. The Committee has
 increased its communication with City
 departments to inform adjacent property owners
 of future sidewalk replacements to ensure
 adequate precautions to preserve artwork bricks Ayumi Horie and Elise
 in the public sidewalk. For artwork bricks lost or
 Pepple, Portland Brick, 2015.
 removed due to sidewalk replacement project,
 the Committee is working with artist Ayumi Brick and digital
 Horie and is awaiting their recommendations for technology, India Street.
 proceeding as a possible future expenditure.




VI. Acquisitions
 There were no new acquisitions in FY26.

 However, $3,000 was spent on three finalists ($1,000 ea.) for their work on a final
 presentation for the Portland Harbor Common RFQ.




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VII. Accomplishments in FY26
 A. Projects Presented:

 1. Libbytown Neighborhood – There was a formal inquiry from the Libbytown
 Neighborhood Association, which the Acquisitions committee is stewarding.

 B. USM Media Student – A University of Southern Maine Media Student presented a video
 project on the City of Portland Art Collection.

 C. Projects approved by City Council:

 1. Italian Legacy Project — see additional information in Acquisitions Subcommittee,
 section IV.B

 D. New commissions:

 1. Portland Harbor Common - see additional information in Special project, section
 IV.E

 E. Conservation completed:

 1. Jewel Box bus shelter — see additional information in Conservation & Maintenance,
 section V.A.2

 2. Rustle Diptych II – see additional information in Conservation & Maintenance,
 section V.A.3



VIII. Goals for FY27
 A. Five-year vision

 The Committee reviews and sets priorities for the public art program to guide decision-
 making over the next five years. The five-year vision through 2031 includes:

 ● Finalize the acquisition and completion of all encumbered artworks, including
 Shattered Sphere by Sarah Sze in Congress Square Park, Keeper of the Picnic by
 Christopher Miller in Bramhall Square, The Italian Legacy Project by Giuliano
 Cecchinelli in collaboration with the Italian American community, and the as-
 of-yet-to-be-awarded RFQ for Portland Harbor Common. The first two 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, increasing social media presence, and meeting with City
 stakeholders to reinforce the Committee’s mission.




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 ● 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 equitably throughout Portland, with a particular focus on
 neighborhoods with no or limited public art.
 o To that end: continue discussions and advancement of artwork identified
 in the FY25 Annual Plan/FY26 Budget Plan:
 ▪ Riverton Trolley Park
 ▪ Lyseth Moore area trails
 ● Expand the public art collection in outer Portland through community art
 projects.
 ● Continue to provide forums for public input, including hybrid committee
 meetings for both in-person and virtual participation.
 ● Monitor the Reimagine Franklin Street process and identify opportunities for
 major new artwork installations.

 These goals aim to cultivate a sense of identity for Portland’s citizens, one that is
 outward-facing, embraced by locals, and experienced by our visitors. The caliber of
 artwork the Committee stewards will increase the City’s visibility as a cultural
 destination both nationally and internationally.

B. Specific goals by subcommittees in FY27
 a. Communications
 ● Increase awareness of the Committee’s goals and how we support and
 expand public art in the City.
 ● Increase public awareness of Community Artwork Grants.
 ● Research ways to expand beyond digital promotion to ensure we are
 accessible to all City of Portland residents and visitors.

 With regard to the latter point, the Subcommittee is actively exploring other
 avenues for communicative outreach based on what we hear would be useful
 from citizens and artists alike. It is a Committee-wide focus in FY27.

 b. Collection Management
 ● Review and prioritize the conservation assessment, and make
 recommendations for repair and maintenance. Priorities will be
 incorporated into our FY28 budget plan. The conservation assessment
 supports the Subcommittee’s efforts to gather bids for the aforementioned
 repairs.

 c. Acquisitions
 ● The Subcommittee is stewarding an ongoing, informal inquiry from
 community member Alice Spencer for a proposed project with artist
 Daniel Minter. Committee Member Kelly Hrenko is stewarding this
 project, on which we hope to gain more details in FY27.


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 ● The Subcommittee will continue to steward the aforementioned gift
 from Judith Kendrick and Jim DiBiase, representatives of the Italian
 American Community.
 o Subcommittee allocates $600 for FY27’s creation of a Public Art
 Collection plaque related to the above sculpture, but does not foresee
 additional expenditures.
 ● The Subcommittee continues to monitor progress related to the Portland
 Harbor Commons, which has its own special project subcommittee.




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IX. Proposed Budget FY27
 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.


Table 1 – Summary of Encumbered Funds from previously approved Public Art
Committee budget plans
 Activity Description Budget

A Congress Square Public Art Funds approved in FY15 $176,000

B Bramhall Square Artwork Funds approved in FY20 $26,172

C Portland Harbor Common Funds approved in FY26 $154,000
 (park renaming pending)

D Conservation assessment Funds approved in FY26 $12,000

 Total Encumbered Funds $368,172


 Remaining Balance
 FY26 has seen the Portland Public Art Committee allocate its funds in accordance with
 its Committee goals. The PPAC Art Fund currently has $403,715 in unspent funds from
 prior years. Of this amount, $368,172 (Table 1) is already encumbered across four
 previously committed acquisitions: Sarah Sze’s project at Congress Square Park, Chris
 Miller’s Bramhall Square commission, the new commission for Portland Harbor
 Common, and the Committee’s conservation assessment which is currently underway.

 These latter two activities are new as of FY26. Mindful of the importance of
 commissioning new artwork for the City’s collection, the Committee decided to allocate
 a significant portion of its combined unspent funds and budget towards this important,
 identity-articulating project at Portland Harbor Common. Finally, its conservation
 assessment is based on the total amount quoted from the Conservation firm selected,
 as outlined in Section II.B.4.

 Given the Committee’s significant, already-encumbered acquisition plans for FY26, its
 proposed budget focuses on completing the aforementioned projects and reserving
 funds for the conservation and maintenance associated with the conservation
 assessment.


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Table 2 – Recommended budget for unspent public art funds
Total Carried Over Public Art Description Budget
Funds
Encumbered funds See above $368,172

Available public art funds Unspent funds $35,543

Activity Description Budget
New artwork commissions Anticipated signage costs: $600
 Italian Legacy Project
Conservation and Maintenance For FY28 conservation $34,943
 priorities of the Collection

 Proposed Budget FY27 (July 1, 2026 – June 31, 2027)
 In addition to the proposed plan to utilize unspent funds rolled over from prior fiscal
 years, described above, the Committee has developed the following budget for FY27.
 For FY27, $50,000 is allocated to the Public Art Fund. The proposed use of these funds
 is outlined in Table 3 below. Note that the FY27 proposed budget allocates $0 to
 conservation and maintenance. This is because the Committee has elected to use
 $34,943 in unspent funds (Table 2) for conservation and maintenance, allowing the
 FY27 allocation of $50,000 to be directed to other line items.


Table 3 – Proposed budget FY27 (July 1, 2026 – June 31, 2027)

 Activity Description Budget

A Conservation and maintenance To support conservation and $0
 maintenance priorities of the
 Collection.
B Contingency fund To cover unplanned minor repairs, $5,000
 theft, replacement, and plaque
 purchases.
C Community Artwork Grants To contribute to a community $5,000
 artwork project(s).

D New Artwork Commissions To advance new artwork $40,000
 commissions at Riverton Trolley
 Park and Lyseth Moore area trails as
 outlined in the FY25 Annual
 Plan/FY26 Budget Plan.
 Total FY27 Budget $50,000


Attachments
Attachment A – Portland Harbor Common RFQ


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