Submitted By
Bill McKenna, Village Engineer/Assistant Public Works Director
Reviewed By
Erin E. Baynes, Assistant to the Village Manager
Agenda Item Title
Title
A Motion to Concur with the Recommendation of the Oak Park Area Arts Council to Enter an Independent Contractor Agreement with Graham Carraway for a Viaduct Art Installation Under the Viaduct Between North Boulevard and South Boulevard and Direct Staff to Prepare the Necessary Agreement
End
Overview
Overview
The Village issued a call for artists for art installations as part of the proposed Oak Park Avenue Streetscape project including art installations under the viaduct and an art installation at the southeast corner of South Boulevard and Oak Park Avenue. The Oak Park Area Arts Council interviewed the finalists for both art installations and recommends approving an agreement with Graham Carraway for the fabrication, installation, and purchasing of an art installation under the viaduct on Oak Park Avenue. The art consists of a panel system with a painted mural and illuminated recessed archways and cutouts in the panels to interact with the mural. Pending Village Board concurrence, staff will prepare an agreement for Village Board approval at an upcoming meeting in an amount of approximately $200,000.
End
Recommendation
Recommendation
Adopt the Motion.
Background
The Engineering Division issued a call for artists for art installations as part of the proposed Oak Park Avenue Streetscape project for an art installation under the viaduct and an art installation at the southeast corner of Oak Park Avenue and South Boulevard. This agenda item is for the art installation on both sides of the walls in the viaduct on Oak Park Avenue.
The conceptual design of the Oak Park Avenue Streetscape project that was approved by the Village Board in 2023 included a new art installation under the viaduct on Oak Park Avenue to improve the pedestrian experience, bring visitors to the area, create a strong visual entryway into the Village, and improve the business district.
The Village received 39 responses to the call for artists for the viaduct installation. An internal review team comprised of Village staff, staff from the landscape architecture and engineering firms designing the project, and a representative from the Oak Park Art League reviewed the initial responses. Four artists were selected from the initial 39 applicants to develop conceptual designs for the proposed art installation. Alongside Camille Wilson White, Executive Director of the Oak Park Area Arts Council, the internal selection team reviewed these submittals and interviewed two artists. Both artists were asked to present their designs to the Oak Park Area Arts Council (OPAAC) for final recommendation to the Village Board. At their May 29, 2024 meeting, the Oak Park Area Arts Council concurred with the internal selection team’s recommendation and recommended the Village Board enter into a contract with Graham Carraway for the fabrication, installation, and purchasing of an art installation under the viaduct on Oak Park Avenue.
Originally from Jackson, Mississippi, Graham Carraway, is now rooted in Denver, Colorado. He is a versatile artist whose work encompasses sign painting, fine art printmaking, and sculpture fabrication. Carraway’s production company, J. Graham Studios, focuses on creating large-scale public art blending different mediums. Examples of public art and other works by Carraway can be found here: https://jgrahamstudios.com/portfolio
Carraway’s concept for the art installation under the viaduct goes beyond traditional sculpture; it is designed to be an interactive and immersive experience for the audience. Combining both fabricated elements and a mural component, his vision aims to invite individuals to actively participate in the artwork, thus transforming the installation into a dynamic and engaging space. By incorporating elements that allow individuals to insert themselves into the artwork, we hope to foster a sense of ownership and connection among residents and visitors alike. The concept includes aluminum panels along the viaduct walls with illuminated archways fabricated into the panels. The archways would be lit by multiple colored LEDs programmed to allow for changing colors. The metal panels would also incorporate cutouts that allow decorative lighting to come through the panel and interact with the mural which will be painted on the aluminum panels. The design of the mural would be similar to the mural shown on page 5 of the artist's proposal but incorporate local elements from the community. The final design of the mural will be reviewed by the internal selection team including representatives from the OPAAC and Oak Park Art League. Other examples of Carraway’s large murals are shown on his website and in his initial response to the call for artists.
The cost for the fabrication, installation, and purchase of the art installation on both sides of Oak Park Avenue under the viaduct is approximately $200,000. he Village’s streetscape contractor will prepare the area and install the underground electrical infrastructure to the location as part of the streetscape project. The $14.7 million project budget approved by the Village Board at the December 4, 2023 meeting includes funds for the art installations for both the sculpture and viaduct installation. The installation will be fabricated and installed in 2025. The proposed FY25 Budget will include the approximately $200,000 needed for the viaduct art installation.
Fiscal Impact
The proposed FY25 Budget will include the $200,000 needed for this art installation as part of the Oak Park Avenue Streetscape Project’s cost in the Capital Improvement Fund, Public Works - Engineering, Capital Improvements, Streetscaping account no. 3095-43780-101-570959.
DEI Impact
N/A
Alternatives
The Board can delay action to gain additional information.
Previous Board Action
At the Village Board meeting on December 4, 2023, the Village Board approved the conceptual design, scope, and a $14.7 million budget of the Oak Park Avenue Streetscape and Utility Projects.
At the Village Board meeting on December 4, 2023, the Village Board approved a Professional Services Agreement with Terra Engineering, Ltd. for the Design of the Oak Park Avenue Streetscape and Utility Projects, in an amount not to exceed $998,577.
At the Village Board meeting on October 23, 2023, the Village Board had a presentation and discussion of the Oak Park Avenue Streetscape Project and the Oak Park Avenue Streetscape Steering Committee’s Recommended Conceptual Design and Alternatives.
At the Village Board meeting on September 5, 2023, the Village Board approved a Second Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Terra Engineering, Ltd. for the Design of the Oak Park Avenue Resurfacing, Utility, and Streetscape Projects to change the not to exceed amount from $1,010,958 to $1,214,548.
At the Village Board meeting on March 6, 2023, the Village Board approved a Resolution Creating a Steering Committee for the Oak Park Avenue Streetscape Project and a Motion to Approve the Appointment of Members to the Steering Committee.
At the Village Board meeting on November 21, 2022, the Village Board approved an Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Terra Engineering, Ltd. for the Design of the Oak Park Avenue Resurfacing, Utility, and Streetscape Projects to change the not to exceed amount from $775,037 to $1,010,958.
At the Village Board meeting on September 16, 2019, the Village Board approved a Professional Services Agreement with Terra Engineering, Ltd. for the design of the Oak Park Avenue Resurfacing, Utility, and Streetscape Projects, in an amount not to exceed $775,037.
At the September 9, 2019, special meeting, the Village Board had a presentation and discussion on the design and construction of the Oak Park Avenue Resurfacing, Utility, and Streetscaping Projects.
Citizen Advisory Commission Action
N/A
Anticipated Future Actions/Commitments
Staff will present an agreement with Graham Carraway at an upcoming Village Board meeting for approval.
Staff will present future construction contracts and engineering service agreements for the construction and construction management of the streetscape and utility projects.
Intergovernmental Cooperation Opportunities
N/A