Public Art Panel appointed in Hamilton

A public art panel made up of five local professionals with art, cultural, architecture and urban design expertise has been formed to help guide public art in Hamilton.

Dr Carole Shepheard, Darrin Haimona, Antanas Procuta, Margi Moore and Kate Vusoniwailala were appointed to the panel after a public nomination process.

Nominees were required to demonstrate passion and commitment to the development of Hamilton’s public art sector, proven relevant experience in public art activity, credibility and prominence in the community, and support for Hamilton’s Public Art Plan and Creativity and Identity Strategy.

Public Art Panel Chair Dr Carole Shepheard said the panel’s role will be to provide expert advice as well as conceive, test and support good ideas relating to public art in the city.

“A city without theatre, music, dance, performance and the visual arts has no pulse, no heart. It is merely a place where steel, glass, brick and wood, no matter how interesting and well designed, is lacking in a sense of pride and self. Unlike many other cities where public art is very ad hoc, this Council has seen the benefit of both listening to those with experience in the field and formed appropriate groups with relevant expertise.

“One of the roles of the Public Art Panel is to ensure that what is selected for the city is judged to be of high quality, will have an impact in and on the selected sites, and will make an historic and creative contribution to the cultural aspirations of this city,” said Dr Shepheard.

The panel will advise on the alignment of Council’s public art programme and public art projects with the overarching goals and quality expectations of the Art in Public Places Policy and the Public Art Plan. They will also provide advice on public art projects undertaken by others and act as ambassadors and advocates for quality public art in the city.