270. FW: Sculpture project for the river walk. From: William Eaker wbaker@westbrook.me us To: "hiltonc@emhs.org" Sent Date: Wed Feb 25 08:32:47 EST 2015 Processed Date: Wed Feb 25 08:32:48 EST 2015 Subject: FW: Sculpture project for the river walk. Here is whatl wanted to say Dear Michael - this is the dumbest-idea I ever heard! I know they say Art is in the of the beholder, but really, you want to dog up the riverwalk with bird houses that some little--will vandalize in the first ten minutes Collaboration is not possible Michael because Caren Michelle will be blaming the city for not maintaining those pieces of-five minutes after she says she supports them being there jimmy and Deb will be asking what public money paid for them and Mike Sanphy will help them file the freedom of information request to find out Donna from the Teen Center will argue that they need to be bigger and must have kitchens to feed the 137 kids a day she feeds - by they way you will need to build her stipend in to the cost of construction -- she is due 15% on the cost of material and labor for anything built within three blocks of the teen center Lastly you may not have heard not only does this administration hate kids - but we hate fish more Thanks to you Sappi will spend 7 million dollars helping 7 fish get over the falls that is one million a fish you idiot! Maybe get your head out of your -and pretend you give a -about important stuff in the world like the fact that the police are disarming some lunatic with a gun on Church Street right now - or ISIS will be chopping off your noggin on the riverwalk before too long Damn I guess I need a vacation From: Hilton, Colleen Sent: Wednesday, February 25,2015 8:23 AM To: William Baker: Michael Shaughnessy: jerre Bryant: Molly just Subject: RE: Sculpture project for the river walk. Michael, Sounds really promising and I'll give it more thought, but clearly, Bill has pointed you in all the right directions. Let me know if I can help in any way. Take care, Colleen From: William Baker Sent: Wednesday, February 25, 2015 7:54 AM To: Michael Shaughnessy: Hilton, Colleen: jerre Bryant: Mollyjust Subject: RE: Sculpture project for the river walk. Good morning Michael - hope all is well Idon't know if May of 2017 is too far away for this project, but personally I would love to see you and your students create something powerful to adorn the area around the new nature like fish passage system, public educational center dedicated to fish habitat and fish migration and the new Westbrook urban whitewater recreation park - all of which we hope become a reality If that lead is too long here are some thoughts for you. I worry a bit about public art on the river walk because we do have some ongoing challenges with parental supervision of a small percentage of kids and vandalism That said I admire your initiative and offer the following suggestions: You might want to work with WEIC and our Recreation and Conservation Commissions both involved in supporting FOPR and Sappi and the City in bringing the best result possible to Saccarappa Falls - these two groups are filled with dedicated local residents who care about the river, the environment and Westbrook's positive image. The chair people are Steve Noyes and Peter Burke respectively -- As you may know we brought the Westbrook Art and Culture Committee back to life. I think it would be a great idea to collaborate with them on a project of this kind. Caren Michel and Lynda Adams are facilitating the work of that group at the moment. -- You didn't mention how old your students are, but certainly some level of collaboration with Westbrook's own art program would be wonderful - Sarah Ritz Swain Sarah Swain and Deb Bickford would be great contacts Finally I think Abigail Cioffi and the leadership of the Downtown Westbrook Coalition would be great potential partners to see if you can loop in the downtown business community-- leaderShiP team indwes Lee Hews, Ed Symbol and Joe O'neil Molly Just our planner also plays an active role in river front planning and would be a great contact I hope that is a helpful start Respectfully Bill Baker From: Michael Shaughnessy Sent: Wednesday, February 25,2015 12:44 AM To: William Baker; Hilton, Colleen; Jerre Bryant Subject: Sculpture project for the river walk. Bill and Colleen, I am not sure who would be the most appropriate to ask about this so please take a read and point me in the best direction. The bigger the circle the better. lam teaching a class in community engaged art and another one in sculpture. together we are making some sculptural works to be sited along the Presumpscot. While I have some locations in mind up and down the river, the thought occurred to me to see about placing them along the river walk. They would make a very engaging bit of temporary public art (for someplace other than Portland). While it is still in formation here is a description. There would be a standard classic house shape as pictured below. [the cube is 20"x20") They would be like markers along the path. Each one will be made of wood finished and painted in outdoor latex with additional variations. They will be celebrating the theme of the River, its renewal, and human interactions (IE. fish and recreation) The house would be a metaphorfor the river as home for fish but also the built environment and by extension Westbrook itself. Much is still undetermined and would want to be done with community partners and others that you might suggest. I am thinking that the goal is 1.) to bring a very affordable innovative quality Public Art work to Westbrook, 2.) build awareness of the river its ecology and its relation to people and the city, 3.) engage the art students into Westbrook and 4.) have a quality learning experience in a public collaboration around creative place making. Since a number of my students are in Art Education they would really like to involve school aged children in one way or another and use their art or writings. As well, possibly, we there may be some story gathering about the river and Westbrook both looking back and looking forward. These sort of things are less defined and would be great to have your input on. They will be finished for the out doors and easily removable. At this point and by intent, there is still lots to develop, but the bones are there. There may be forged steal components it is as well. Is there a time we can talk. Possibly with a few students. Cheers, Michael Shaughnessy ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Thi s email message, including any associated files, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain information that is confidential, privileged, or subject to copyright, trade secret or other protection. This message also may contain information protected by state and federal privacy laws that are enforced through serious civil and criminal sanctions. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure, or distribution is prohibited. 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