Public Art Committee — Portland, ME
Date: 2026-06-12
Time: 12:00

PORTLAND PUBLIC ART COMMITTEE
 Friday, June 12, 2026
 12:00 PM Remote via Zoom

1. Zoom Meeting Information
 Due to the existence of an emergency or urgent issue, the Portland Temporary Art Review
 Panel 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
 http//www.portlandmaine.gov/remotePUD. Public comment will be taken and written
 comments may be submitted to publicart@portlandmaine.gov

 You are invited to a Zoom webinar!
 When: Jun 12, 2026 12:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
 Topic: Temporary Art Review Panel - Arise

 Join from PC, Mac, iPad, or Android:
 https://portlandmaine-
 gov.zoom.us/j/88056107934?pwd=sXCIucWbzWoMXgNQWjdL04K0v5Lu4q.1
 Passcode:551518

 Phone one-tap:
 +13017158592,,88056107934#,,,,*551518# US (Washington DC)
 +13052241968,,88056107934#,,,,*551518# US

 Join via audio:
 +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
 +1 305 224 1968 US
 +1 309 205 3325 US
 +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
 +1 646 931 3860 US
 +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
 +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
 +1 689 278 1000 US
 +1 719 359 4580 US
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 +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
 +1 360 209 5623 US
 +1 386 347 5053 US
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 +1 564 217 2000 US
 +1 669 444 9171 US
 Webinar ID: 880 5610 7934
 Passcode: 551518
 International numbers available: https://portlandmaine-gov.zoom.us/u/kctEFzkcqQ
2. Introduction
 Moderator - Taylor Colbeth, Planner with Planning & Urban Development at City of Portland
 Applicant - Arisa White and Pamela Chevez
 Description - An application for temporary public art 'Arise' - a painted mural to be installed on
 the brick sections at monument Square by Pamela Chevez which also features a thirteen word
 poem by Arisa White.
 Review Panel Participants

 1. Sean King - Urban Designer, Planning & Urban Development, City of Portland
 2. Matt Grooms - Deputy Director, Planning & Urban Development, City of Portland
 3. Alex Marshall - Parks Division Director, Parks, Recreation, & Facilities, City of Portland
 4. Cary Tyson - Executive Director, Portland Downtown
 5. Sharon Dennehy - Vice Chair, Portland Public Art Committee
 6. John Hall - Designated Local Artist
3. Artist Organization Presentation
4. Review Panel Deliberation
5. Review Panel Discussion

Next Meeting -

PORTLAND PUBLIC ART COMMITTEE
 Friday, June 12, 2026
 12:00 PM Remote via Zoom

1. Zoom Meeting Information
 Due to the existence of an emergency or urgent issue, the Portland Temporary Art Review
 Panel 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
 http//www.portlandmaine.gov/remotePUD. Public comment will be taken and written
 comments may be submitted to publicart@portlandmaine.gov

 You are invited to a Zoom webinar!
 When: Jun 12, 2026 12:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
 Topic: Temporary Art Review Panel - Arise

 Join from PC, Mac, iPad, or Android:
 https://portlandmaine-
 gov.zoom.us/j/88056107934?pwd=sXCIucWbzWoMXgNQWjdL04K0v5Lu4q.1
 Passcode:551518

 Phone one-tap:
 +13017158592,,88056107934#,,,,*551518# US (Washington DC)
 +13052241968,,88056107934#,,,,*551518# US

 Join via audio:
 +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
 +1 305 224 1968 US
 +1 309 205 3325 US
 +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
 +1 646 931 3860 US
 +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
 +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
 +1 689 278 1000 US
 +1 719 359 4580 US
 +1 253 205 0468 US
 +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
 +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
 +1 360 209 5623 US
 +1 386 347 5053 US
 +1 507 473 4847 US

 Page 1
 +1 564 217 2000 US
 +1 669 444 9171 US
 Webinar ID: 880 5610 7934
 Passcode: 551518
 International numbers available: https://portlandmaine-gov.zoom.us/u/kctEFzkcqQ
2. Introduction
 Moderator - Taylor Colbeth, Planner with Planning & Urban Development at City of Portland
 Applicant - Arisa White and Pamela Chevez
 Description - An application for temporary public art 'Arise' - a painted mural to be installed on
 the brick sections at monument Square by Pamela Chevez which also features a thirteen word
 poem by Arisa White.
 Review Panel Participants

 1. Sean King - Urban Designer, Planning & Urban Development, City of Portland
 2. Matt Grooms - Deputy Director, Planning & Urban Development, City of Portland
 3. Alex Marshall - Parks Division Director, Parks, Recreation, & Facilities, City of Portland
 4. Cary Tyson - Executive Director, Portland Downtown
 5. Sharon Dennehy - Vice Chair, Portland Public Art Committee
 6. John Hall - Designated Local Artist
3. Artist Organization Presentation
4. Review Panel Deliberation
5. Review Panel Discussion

Next Meeting -




 Page 2
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TEMPOart Public Art Commission
Arisa White

Project Title: Arise!
Site: Monument Square

The triangular area inlaid with brick, forming a sunburst with thirteen sections (like pie
slices),will be the focus of this installation. The idea is to create a poem, painted on the brick
in regular and glow-in-the dark paint, starting north, then east, going south, and west. Since
Monument Square is a public space that has hosted protests, gatherings, and markets over
the centuries, the poem is a call to action, a directive, an aphorism, and/or a spell.

Final text for poem:
Let your hearts canary
No one stands solitary
We are each other’s sanctuary




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TIMELINE, INSTALLATION,
MAINTENANCE:
 June 19: Washing of Monument Square
 June 22-July 13: Muralist Pamela Chevez paints the Square
 Community Paint opportunities: Saturday mornings (10 am to noon)
 July 6-13: MECA students help with finishing details
 July 13: Installation completed

The timeline is subject to weather. With the painting happening in the Square, the artists are
aware of potential event impacts during the installation. Chévez would be primarily painting in
the morning hours (7 am to noon).

Washing of Monument Square: TEMPOart will coordinate volunteers to assist with washing
the Square for site preparation. The City has indicated that power washing would not be
suitable for the site. We will use mops, water, and vinegar to prepare the surface.

Installation: Chévez plans to paint section by section. Each brick “slice” will be roped off
while she is working, with construction cones and signage “Artist at Work” with additional
information about the installation. Drop cloths and kraft paper will be used to ensure that the
paint does not interact with the stone work that separates the brick slices.

Paint: It is our understanding that the City of Portland that removal of the paint is a priority.
Exterior acrylic latex paint will be the best option that would be easiest to remove. Since
power washing is not an option at the Square, TEMPOart has researched alternative methods
of zero impact removal. Dry ice blasting is a preferred method for brick surfaces.

Community painting opportunities: TEMPOart and Chévez will work together on Saturday
mornings (or another day that suits City schedule) to offer an opportunity for community
volunteers to help paint the large areas of color.

The artists have coordinated with four MECAD students to help with finishing the mural. They
will be paid for their time.

Maintenance: It is understood that the mural will be walked on and danced on and protested
on. There will be wear and tear. This is expected and accepted. It is TEMPOart’s
recommendation that the artwork be assessed in early spring, after winter maintenance of the
Square concludes, to understand if repair or removal is a better option depending on
condition. This will be coordinated in partnership with the City. Should the mural be
vandalized, TEMPOart will clean and coordinate with the artists for repair.


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Signage: TEMPOart and the artists will work together on signage, on a 11 x 17 stainless
steel sign, which would feature the poem and additional process details. Location for the sign
is flexible, but a site along the perimeter (as seen below) would be preferred.




Option to stake into the ground, if possible. Can
coordinate with City on appropriate placement.




Example TEMPOart signage:




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 Arisa White work samples




look after your heart, 2025
Coastal Maine Botanic Garden, Boothbay, ME

Informed by the parabolic shape of the Reiser Woodland Garden path, look after your heart
consists of the mirror poem "revolution is ritual,” inlaid into the ground on 45 cedar planks,
and speaks to the themes of belonging, safety, rootedness, compassion, and love.
Symbolically
referencing the plants located in the woodland beds, the poem also serves as a ground that
you can stand on and affirms one’s “hereness.” It serves, too, as a spell for opening,
encouraging, and healing the heart. Guests are invited to walk the poem, sit on the bench,
and
play “grand revolve,” a song created to tend to the light in your chest. Composed by cellist
Robin Lane, vocals by Jazmin DeRice, and lyrics were sourced from the Latin and common
names of the botanicals found in the Woodland Garden.

I’ve chosen the mirror poem because it embodies self-reflection and offers a different
perspective on the same thing. The mirror form is magical when you notice how it works to
create alternative meanings—the poem can sometimes answer itself, contradict itself, or be
a wish come true.



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Who’s Your Daddy: At the Planetarium, 2021
Maynard F. Jordan Planetarium, Orono, ME

The poetic memoir is a lyrical, genre-bending coming-of-age tale featuring a queer, Black,
Guyanese American woman who, while seeking to define her own place in the world,
negotiates an estranged relationship with her father. Incorporating poetry and prose, Who’s
Your Daddy employs the motif of stars and constellations to navigate and populate the
distance that characterizes the father-daughter dynamic. For this immersive, animated
starlight and sound show, Colby’s assistant professor of music, Jose G. Martinez, created
original music, and students Roshauna Follett ’22 and Becky Antoine ’23 provided back-up
vocals. Audience members commented that the dramatic reading was “amazing,” “beautiful,”
and “mesmerizing.”




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 Pamela Chévez work samples




You Belong Here, 2025
Reiche School, Portland, ME

Reiche School, nestled in the heart of Portland, ME, is home to a vibrant and diverse student
community. To add a splash of joy to their daily routine, the school decided to create a
welcoming mural. This colorful project was brought to life with the enthusiastic participation of
students and staff, who contributed their ideas and aspirations.




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SPACE Gallery, Portland, ME, 2022




La Bodega Latina, Portland, ME, 2020




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Packaging design: Allagash Upward Movement, 2024

The name "Upward Movement" is a nod to the Allagash River in Maine, which flows
northeast. More symbolically, the name represents women making upward strides in the
brewing industry, an industry heavily dominated by men.

The Allagash Pink Boots+ Team created this Czech-style amber lager, inspired by a brewer’s
love for her Czech grandparents. Its flavor is a big hug of grain, caramel, and brown sugar
notes with a subtly floral finish. In the end, the brief was to create a label that represents the
idea of empowerment and community.




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