This past week, July 25 - 29, I worked with a team of helpers to scrape, brush, and prime the wall. Mostly adults helped me with this, which helped keep things more organized during this stage. It was hard work, but it went well. I feel so lucky to have such dedicated volunteers.
On Friday, July 29, I promoted my design and recruited volunteers at Cold Spring's Hometown Pride festival. Many people gave me their name and phone number with interest, and a few even signed up for specific volunteer time slots! The best part of the whole day was when I was leaving around 9pm to go trace the design from an overhead projection. I dropped a dime on the sidewalk, and it rolled over to a group of young people. We got talking about the mural project, and they said they would love to help! One young man even told me that he has done some murals in Mexico!
This new group and I had fun experimenting with the projector on Friday evening. After experimenting with different tracing methods, I decided against using the Gustavo Lira chalk method and just used long brushes with light blue paint. That way the sketch will be more permanent. After a few hours of work today, a good amount of the design is outlined on the wall. Tomorrow I have my first official painting session with volunteers! I am very excited. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know all the people that have helped me out so far.
This project is growing nicely, and I need to work on promoting it even more. I am going to send in an article to the Cold Spring Record for next week. Bruce had a good idea of making my mini fliers into bookmarks and giving them out around town and at St. Boniface Church.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Mural Tour!
On Monday, 7/11, Bruce took Elaine and I on a mural tour of Minneapolis/St. Paul.
The first mural that we looked at was the Berlin Wall Mural, made in 1978. It came as a response to a redevelopment project that closed off Nicollet by building a K-mart in the middle of its path. This construction essentially segregated the black and white communities. One of the provisions in the project stated that a mural could be painted on K-mart's back wall. Frustrated artists depicted a city official closing the door on Nicollet, which is in the end replaced by a battleship. This expresses their feelings that the redevelopment project only would lead to more violence.
I really appreciated the simplification of form that we saw in the Berlin Wall Mural. On such an enormous scale, detail is not as important, nor is it necessarily even desirable. The mural was organized in a storyboard format, cutting back and forth in rectangular views of Nicollet and the battleship.
The Mosaic of the Americas was the next stop on our list. Having worked on the mural himself, Bruce had much to say about this project. About seven artists worked on the project, four of which were from Mexico (Gustavo Lira, who I met a few posts ago, was one of them). The Mexican artists created the design, and 250 to 300 community volunteers helped cut and place tiles over a four-week period. People also signed up to bring food for the workers.
At this second look, I saw even more images and symbolism than I had noticed before. On the lower right hand corner, the horseman of the apocalypse chases chickens. According to Bruce, Mexicans often refer to immigrants as "chickens". This is making me think more about Gold'N'Plump in Cold Spring...
Next, we went to the Labor Mural, and met one of the artists, Keith. Keith has had a lot of experience as an artist activist, and was mentored by the famous Eva Cockcroft. This indoor mural used the river as a metaphor for the connections between people. This was very interesting to me because I am also planning on making the river central to my design for Cold Spring's mural.
My initial inspiration to use a river as symbol came from my chats with one of the priests at St. Boniface. I asked him what diversity would look like if it were an image. His response was a river... Where he comes from in Venezuela, there are two rivers that run parallel. The Caroni river is black, and the Orinoco river is the color of yellow earth. The two rivers eventually merge, but the colors remain distinct for a long time before eventually blending together.
Another mural that also focused on the river was painted by Joshua Sartitis on a long and short wall. I really enjoyed its exaggerated perspective and have since tried some sketches in this spirit.
We also got to see several more murals done in collaboration with youth. I would put all the photos on here if I could, but for some reason I'm having technical difficulties...
I had a blast on the mural tour and I want to thank my awesome professors for taking me on it!
The first mural that we looked at was the Berlin Wall Mural, made in 1978. It came as a response to a redevelopment project that closed off Nicollet by building a K-mart in the middle of its path. This construction essentially segregated the black and white communities. One of the provisions in the project stated that a mural could be painted on K-mart's back wall. Frustrated artists depicted a city official closing the door on Nicollet, which is in the end replaced by a battleship. This expresses their feelings that the redevelopment project only would lead to more violence.
I really appreciated the simplification of form that we saw in the Berlin Wall Mural. On such an enormous scale, detail is not as important, nor is it necessarily even desirable. The mural was organized in a storyboard format, cutting back and forth in rectangular views of Nicollet and the battleship.
The Mosaic of the Americas was the next stop on our list. Having worked on the mural himself, Bruce had much to say about this project. About seven artists worked on the project, four of which were from Mexico (Gustavo Lira, who I met a few posts ago, was one of them). The Mexican artists created the design, and 250 to 300 community volunteers helped cut and place tiles over a four-week period. People also signed up to bring food for the workers.
At this second look, I saw even more images and symbolism than I had noticed before. On the lower right hand corner, the horseman of the apocalypse chases chickens. According to Bruce, Mexicans often refer to immigrants as "chickens". This is making me think more about Gold'N'Plump in Cold Spring...
Next, we went to the Labor Mural, and met one of the artists, Keith. Keith has had a lot of experience as an artist activist, and was mentored by the famous Eva Cockcroft. This indoor mural used the river as a metaphor for the connections between people. This was very interesting to me because I am also planning on making the river central to my design for Cold Spring's mural.
My initial inspiration to use a river as symbol came from my chats with one of the priests at St. Boniface. I asked him what diversity would look like if it were an image. His response was a river... Where he comes from in Venezuela, there are two rivers that run parallel. The Caroni river is black, and the Orinoco river is the color of yellow earth. The two rivers eventually merge, but the colors remain distinct for a long time before eventually blending together.
Another mural that also focused on the river was painted by Joshua Sartitis on a long and short wall. I really enjoyed its exaggerated perspective and have since tried some sketches in this spirit.
We also got to see several more murals done in collaboration with youth. I would put all the photos on here if I could, but for some reason I'm having technical difficulties...
I had a blast on the mural tour and I want to thank my awesome professors for taking me on it!
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
June 27 Planning Commission Meeting
Last Monday, I presented my research on mural towns to the Cold Spring Planning Commission. I emailed a compilation of the information to administrator Paul Hetland so that he could review it in advance. The basic formula that most towns followed in their mural ordinance was that the mural could not advertise any business, company, or product. Stillwater was different in that it requires murals to have a historic theme. Here is a copy of my research in the towns' own words. I have highlighted the significant points:
So, now we have a wall and approval from the city. The next step is to present the design to the business owner and Planning Commission representative for final approval. This week I am sketching until I drop!
MINNEAPOLIS
The Zoning Code is Title 20 of the Code of Ordinance, which is located at http://library.municode.com/index.aspx?clientId=11490&stateId=23&stateName=Minnesota.
There are two sections that address this:
543.40. - Exempt signs.
The following signs shall be exempt from the regulations of this chapter.
(1)
Official public notices or signs required by local, state or federal regulations.
(2)
Governmental signs, including but not limited to traffic control and other regulatory purpose signs, street signs, informational signs, danger signs and railroad crossing signs.
(3)
Official government flags and emblems, provided such signs shall not be placed or maintained in the public right-of-way.
(4)
Home security signs, "no trespassing" and "no parking" signs, provided such total signage on a zoning lot shall not exceed two (2) square feet in area, and such signs shall not be placed or maintained in the public right-of-way and shall not be illuminated.
(5)
Historic plaques placed by recognized historical agencies, provided such signs shall not be placed or maintained in the public right-of-way, shall not be illuminated, and shall not exceed four (4) square feet in area.
(6)
Religious symbols attached to institutional and public buildings, provided such symbols shall not be placed or maintained in the public right-of-way and shall not be illuminated.
(7)
Temporary residential signs advertising garage sales, provided such total signage on a zoning lot shall not exceed eight (8) square feet in area, and such signs shall not be placed or maintained in the public right-of-way and shall not be illuminated.
(8)
Interior signs.
(9)
Murals.
(10)
Address signs less than one (1) square foot in area, not to exceed two (2) such signs per zoning lot.
And, within section 520.160, Definition of Mural: Mural. A work of graphic art painted on a building wall, which contains no commercial advertising or logos, and which does not serve to advertise or promote any business, product, activity, service, interest or entertainment.
Mary Altman
Public Arts Administrator
NOTE NEW ADDRESS
City of Minneapolis
City of Minneapolis
Room 110 Public Service Center
250 So. 4th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55415-1385
(Phone) 612.673.3006
(Fax) 612.673-2728
LONG PRAIRIE
Housing, Building, and Structures
15.206 Minimum Standards. Unless otherwise specifically provided by Federal, State or local laws and ordinances, no person shall occupy or permit another person to occupy, any common interest, rental, or single occupancy facility, or any part thereof, which does not comply with the following requirements:
(1) Foundations, Exterior Walls, Roofs. The foundation, exterior walls, and exterior roof shall be substantially water tight and shall be kept in sound condition and repair. The foundation shall adequately support the building at all points. Every exterior wall shall be free of deterioration, holes, breaks, loose or rotting boards or timbers, and any other condition that might admit rain or dampness to the interior portion of the walls or to the exterior spaces of the building. Exterior walls must be free of graffiti and advertising except as allowed by the Chapter 16.510 – 16.519, Sign Regulations, of this Code. All exterior wood surfaces, other than decay resistant materials, shall be protected from the elements and decay by paint or other protective covering or treatment. If the exterior surface is unpainted or the paint is blistered or peeling over 25 percent of the surface area, the affected surface shall be painted with a color which matches the unaffected surface or the entire surface shall be painted a consistent color. If the exterior surface of the pointing of any brick, block, or stone wall is loose or has fallen out, the surface shall be repaired.
SIGNS
16.510 General Sign Provisions. The following general provisions are applicable to all signs. It shall be unlawful for any person to erect, alter, replace, or relocate any sign or other advertising structure without first obtaining a permit and paying the required fees, except as herein otherwise provided.
16.511 Exempted Signs.
(1) Informational signs not exceeding two (2) sq. ft. in area such as rest rooms, waste receptacles, addresses, doorbells, mailboxes, or building entrances.
(2) Memorial plaques, corner stones and historical tablets.
(3) Public signs, street signs, warning signs, railroad crossing signs and signs of public service companies for the purpose of safety.
(4) Temporary political campaign signs.
(5) Temporary real estate signs pertaining only to the sale, rental, or development of the premises upon which it is displayed.
(6) Temporary construction signs designating the architects, lending institutions, engineers, or contractors when placed on a site where a building is to be constructed.
(7) Temporary window signs such as sale items, going out of business, moving, etc.
(8) Temporary garage sale, rummage sale and auction sale signs.
(9) Signs displaying the name of the owner or occupant of residential housing units.
(10) Temporary signs indicating an industrial park or subdivision development not exceeding 32 sq. ft. in surface area and 15 feet in height, as measured above ground level. A minimum setback of 25 feet from all property lines of the property on which the sign is located shall be maintained.
16.513 Sign Height and Width.
(1) Ground signs shall not exceed the following height above street grade:
Square Footage of Sign______Maximum Height Permitted.
40 square feet or less 15 feet
41 through 80 square feet 20 feet
Over 80 square feet 25 feet
(2) Any ground sign within 25 feet of any intersection of a street right of way line and a driveway entrance shall have a minimum vertical clearance of ten (10) feet above the center line of the street pavement.
(3) Wall signs shall not extend more than nine (9) feet from the building. However, in no event may a sign extend within one (1) foot of the curb line. Wall signs must be at least eight (8) feet above the sidewalk or ground level. Wall signs shall not extend more than two (2) feet above the wall to which attached. If no other sign arrangement is practical, the Planning and Zoning Commission by way of a variance may approve wall signs exceeding these limitations.
(4) Roof mounted signs shall not project any higher than 2' above the roof. If no other sign arrangement is practical, the Planning and Zoning Commission by way of a variance may approve roof mounted signs exceeding the 2' limitation.
(5) Murals painted or applied to a building require a sign permit and an artist’s conception of the painting.
NEW ULM
David Schnobrich [David.Schnobrich@ci.new-ulm.mn.us]
Actions
To: McEvoy, Shannon H
Cc: Dave Christian [Dave.Christian@ci.new-ulm.mn.us]
Inbox
Tuesday, June 21, 2011 1:40 PM
Shannon:
The City of New Ulm has a number of sites and structures associated with its German heritage. This includes “public art” consisting of sculptures, statutes and display panels. There are, however, a very limited number of exterior murals.
The closest thing to a mural in our downtown area is a building window space that had previously been bricked in and then painted with a restaurant scene. We also have a graffiti wall in a more secluded part of the community for use by younger artists that is subject to periodic change.
There are no city wide design standards or guidelines. Within our downtown area, there is a historic district. We have a Heritage Preservation Commission that does review proposed building and sign improvements within that area. We also have adopted design guidelines for the district and the Commission uses them to evaluate any requests. The guidelines, though, only address building and signage issues. Otherwise, the City deals with projects on a case by case basis.
David Schnobrich
Community Development Director
STILLWATER:
Taken from Stillwater’s Downtown Design Manual found on http://www.ci.stillwater.mn.us/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={F2AD254A-0340-428B-8179-F8AADD0A2412}&DE
Signs and Graphics
e. PAINTED WALL SIGNS & MURALS
Background
Painted wall signs occasionally appeared on the side of buildings at comer locations, or where a low adjacent roofline exposed an expanse of plain brick wall above. As these signs were high on the building, the message was simple and the lettering was large and bold. In the time period of the 1920’s – 1950’s, there were occasions of painted advertising in these areas. More recently, there have been murals created on walls of "non- contributing" buildings, or on the bac of “non-contributing" buildings, or on the back walls of “contributing” buildings. These have been addressed on a case-by-case basis.
Guidelines
· Where existing painted wall signs can still he found, leave them exposed, or restore them to their original colors.
· No new wall signs or murals should he introduced on historic "contributing" buildings.
· Murals on "non-contributing" buildings have been allowed with individual review, provided they have a historic theme, and do not advertise an existing business or company.
DESIGN MANUAL, COMMERCIAL HISTORIC DISTRICT, STILLWATER, MINNESOTA
31
RED WING
Kohn, Steve [steve.kohn@ci.red-wing.mn.us]
Inbox
Tuesday, June 21, 2011 8:38 AM
Below is a section from our Sign Regulations (Zoning Ordinance)
regarding murals (artwork).
Division 45 of our Zoning Ordinance doesn't really address mural, but
has a section with the following language. "Community Amenities.
Community amenities such as patio/seating areas, water features, art
work or sculpture, clock towers, pedestrian plazas with park benches or
other features located adjacent to the primary entrance to the
building(s) are highly encouraged".
Please also keep in mind that our Heritage Preservation Ordinance
(Chapter 16 of City Code) does not allow for unpainted brick or stone
regarding murals (artwork).
Division 45 of our Zoning Ordinance doesn't really address mural, but
has a section with the following language. "Community Amenities.
Community amenities such as patio/seating areas, water features, art
work or sculpture, clock towers, pedestrian plazas with park benches or
other features located adjacent to the primary entrance to the
building(s) are highly encouraged".
Please also keep in mind that our Heritage Preservation Ordinance
(Chapter 16 of City Code) does not allow for unpainted brick or stone
walls to be painted. This limits any potential mural to a location that
is already painted or that is not brick or stone. "The Commission will
not approve the removal of cornices, painting of unpainted masonry,
alterations to existing historic or original openings for windows and
doorways and changes to other significant architectural detail".
The mural that was in the photo I sent you is located on a stucco wall
that faces a public parking lot. The wall at one point in time was an
interior wall, made of a lower quality brick; the building next door was
demolished many years ago and the wall was covered in stucco.
In summary, murals are not directly reviewed per our design standards in
the Preservation Ordinance or Zoning Ordinance; however, they are
indirectly limited in our historic districts by the regulation that
unpainted brick and stone cannot be painted.
Steve Kohn
Assistant Planning Director
City of Red Wing
(651)385-3622
steve.kohn@ci.red-wing.mn.us
is already painted or that is not brick or stone. "The Commission will
not approve the removal of cornices, painting of unpainted masonry,
alterations to existing historic or original openings for windows and
doorways and changes to other significant architectural detail".
The mural that was in the photo I sent you is located on a stucco wall
that faces a public parking lot. The wall at one point in time was an
interior wall, made of a lower quality brick; the building next door was
demolished many years ago and the wall was covered in stucco.
In summary, murals are not directly reviewed per our design standards in
the Preservation Ordinance or Zoning Ordinance; however, they are
indirectly limited in our historic districts by the regulation that
unpainted brick and stone cannot be painted.
Steve Kohn
Assistant Planning Director
City of Red Wing
(651)385-3622
steve.kohn@ci.red-wing.mn.us
DIVISION 65: SIGN REGULATIONS
65-110 Signs And Visual Displays Exempt from Regulation in All
Zoning Districts. These signs shall be exempt from regulation in all
zoning districts in this Ordinance.
A) Any sign inside a building, not attached to a window or door.
B) Works of art that do not include a commercial message.
********************************************
C) Holiday lights and decorations on residential zoned lots with no
commercial message.
D) Vending machines and the advertising on such machines.
E) Official notices or signs by local, State, or federal
regulations.
F) Government signs, including but not limited to traffic control
and regulatory purpose signs, street signs, information signs and
railroad crossing signs.
G) Official government flags and emblems, provided such signs shall
not be placed in the public right-of-way.
H) Home security signs, "no trespassing" signs "no parking" signs,
provided such signage on a zoned lot shall not exceed two (2) square
feet in area, and such signs shall not be placed or maintained in the
public right-of-way and shall not be illuminated.
I) Historic plaques placed by recognized historical agencies,
provided such signs shall not be placed or maintained in the public
right-of-way without permission from the City Council.
J) Religious symbols attached to institutional and public
buildings, provided such symbols shall not be placed or maintained in
the public right-of-way.
K) Murals.
L) Address Signs.
M) Outdoor advertising signs and temporary banners located on the
grounds of publicly-owned athletic facilities at the Red Wing Athletic
Field, A. P. Anderson Park, the Red Wing High School, and Twin Bluff
Middle School, and that meet the following criteria:
a. The signs are intended to be seen specifically by users of the
facility and are not directed for off-site viewing.
b. The signs are attached to a building, fence, scoreboard, or
other existing structure; no freestanding signs are allowed.
c. Scoreboard advertising signage shall be limited to 30% of the
actual scoreboard's square footage and shall not extend above the height
of the actual scoreboard.
d. Temporary banners shall not exceed 24 square feet in size and
shall be limited to two (2) per playing field, court, or rink being used
for an event.
e. Temporary banners shall be installed and removed the day of the
event.
f. Signs on fences or freestanding walls shall fact home plate or
the center of the playing field, court, or rink and shall not extend
higher than the fence or wall for which it is attached and shall be
removed during the normal off-season.
g. No individual sign shall exceed 48 square feet in size.
h. No sign, with the exception of scoreboard signs, shall be
installed at a height exceeding 12 feet, measured from the grade
immediately in front of the sign.
i. The sign is approved by the property's governing body and meets
any applicable policies of such body.
65-110 Signs And Visual Displays Exempt from Regulation in All
Zoning Districts. These signs shall be exempt from regulation in all
zoning districts in this Ordinance.
A) Any sign inside a building, not attached to a window or door.
B) Works of art that do not include a commercial message.
********************************************
C) Holiday lights and decorations on residential zoned lots with no
commercial message.
D) Vending machines and the advertising on such machines.
E) Official notices or signs by local, State, or federal
regulations.
F) Government signs, including but not limited to traffic control
and regulatory purpose signs, street signs, information signs and
railroad crossing signs.
G) Official government flags and emblems, provided such signs shall
not be placed in the public right-of-way.
H) Home security signs, "no trespassing" signs "no parking" signs,
provided such signage on a zoned lot shall not exceed two (2) square
feet in area, and such signs shall not be placed or maintained in the
public right-of-way and shall not be illuminated.
I) Historic plaques placed by recognized historical agencies,
provided such signs shall not be placed or maintained in the public
right-of-way without permission from the City Council.
J) Religious symbols attached to institutional and public
buildings, provided such symbols shall not be placed or maintained in
the public right-of-way.
K) Murals.
L) Address Signs.
M) Outdoor advertising signs and temporary banners located on the
grounds of publicly-owned athletic facilities at the Red Wing Athletic
Field, A. P. Anderson Park, the Red Wing High School, and Twin Bluff
Middle School, and that meet the following criteria:
a. The signs are intended to be seen specifically by users of the
facility and are not directed for off-site viewing.
b. The signs are attached to a building, fence, scoreboard, or
other existing structure; no freestanding signs are allowed.
c. Scoreboard advertising signage shall be limited to 30% of the
actual scoreboard's square footage and shall not extend above the height
of the actual scoreboard.
d. Temporary banners shall not exceed 24 square feet in size and
shall be limited to two (2) per playing field, court, or rink being used
for an event.
e. Temporary banners shall be installed and removed the day of the
event.
f. Signs on fences or freestanding walls shall fact home plate or
the center of the playing field, court, or rink and shall not extend
higher than the fence or wall for which it is attached and shall be
removed during the normal off-season.
g. No individual sign shall exceed 48 square feet in size.
h. No sign, with the exception of scoreboard signs, shall be
installed at a height exceeding 12 feet, measured from the grade
immediately in front of the sign.
i. The sign is approved by the property's governing body and meets
any applicable policies of such body.
Kohn, Steve [steve.kohn@ci.red-wing.mn.us]
Inbox
Monday, June 20, 2011 4:37 PM
Hi Shannon,
Red Wing has one large mural that was completed in 2007 for the City's
Sesquicentennial celebration (see attached). The mural is located in
our Downtown Historic District, which has preservation design standards
(Heritage Preservation Commission Design Review); however, murals are
considered artwork and are exempt from design reviews. We also have new
commercial design standards that address the non-historic areas of Red
Wing; murals again are not addressed with these design standards.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Steve Kohn
Assistant Planning Director
City of Red Wing
Red Wing has one large mural that was completed in 2007 for the City's
Sesquicentennial celebration (see attached). The mural is located in
our Downtown Historic District, which has preservation design standards
(Heritage Preservation Commission Design Review); however, murals are
considered artwork and are exempt from design reviews. We also have new
commercial design standards that address the non-historic areas of Red
Wing; murals again are not addressed with these design standards.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Steve Kohn
Assistant Planning Director
City of Red Wing
*Cities with murals that do not mention murals in their zoning code:
St. Paul, Menahga, Little Falls, Avon, Elk River, Rochester, New Ulm…
**************
And so, after I presented this research to the Planning Commission, the city administrator asked us to pause because he had an important announcement. My research on other towns' mural ordinances had inspired him to do some further research of Cold Spring's code, he said, pulling out a thick blue book. He then opened it up, pointed to the small print, and said, "We actually do allow murals!"
Oh my goodness. That makes me laugh. Even though my research appeared unnecessary in the end, it was still a wonderful learning exercise. And to think that when I first proposed the idea I was told that a mural in Cold Spring would be nearly impossible! :)
So, now we have a wall and approval from the city. The next step is to present the design to the business owner and Planning Commission representative for final approval. This week I am sketching until I drop!
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