NEW public artwork in Muirfield Village:

This is a state-funded project that is unique in the history of Dublin’s art in public places collection. It is an unprecedented opportunity to collaborate with the State of Ohio on adding to the permanent collection through state funds. The Muirfield Home Owners Association (HOA) has helped identify these locations and is willing to gift the land to the City as per the matching requirement of the State Capital Grant. The State Grant requires this public artwork to be located and visible from Muirfield Drive.

The 2023 public art commission will be funded through an Ohio Facilities Construction Commission grant through the State of Ohio Capital Budget and the City of Dublin’s hotel/motel tax.

Three proposed locations for the 2023 large-scale permanent commission will be presented to Dublin City Council at its meeting on August 14, at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Dublin City Hall 5555 Perimeter Drive.

ART IN PUBLIC PLACES 2023 POTENTIAL SITES

Background

Three proposed locations for the 2023 large-scale permanent commission will be presented to Dublin City Council at its meeting on August 14, at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Dublin City Hall 5555 Perimeter Drive. A recommendation will be submitted of a preferred site for the next large-scale permanent Art in Public Places project.

Selection Criteria

The minimum criteria for an Art in Public Places project site is that it be accessible to all, takes into consideration issues of public safety, and is feasible for the installation of artwork.

Understanding that some sites might satisfy some selection criterion, but not all, and that a variety of locale for projects is desirable, ideal locations for Art in Public Places projects should include but not be limited to the following:

1. VISIBILITY. Highly visible, highly trafficked and easily accessible areas such as City Parks, the interior and exterior of City-owned buildings, major roadways and thoroughfares.

2. EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY. Locations that are walkable to provide the viewer with 360-degree access to the eventual artwork and educational components of the collection, such as informative signage and the Dublin Art in Public Places cell phone tour signage. Sites that lend themselves to inclusion in national registries such as CultureNow should also be considered.

3. HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE. Locations with historic significance to Dublin and/or residents of the Dublin area.

4. DISCOVERY. Locations where public art might not be expected or can be discovered by the viewer such as trails, bike paths and unique areas of City Parks.

6. PROJECT SPECIFIC. Locations that lend themselves to a specific project, audience or desired form of public art.
7. SENSE OF PLACE. Locations that, when activated by art, create a strong sense of place.

III. Potential Sites

Based on the selection criteria, an understanding of best practices in the siting of public art and a day-to-day knowledge of Dublin’s parks and public spaces, City of Dublin and DAC staff recommend the following three potential sites for Art in Public Places consideration in 2023:

• Whittingham & Muirfield Drive
• Muirfield Drive Lake
• Muirfield Drive Median

Open green field with 360-degree access along Muirfield Drive just North of Whittingham Drive. Strength of location includes high visibility on Muirfield Drive with great sight lines, both north and south bound. The proposed knoll site is approximately 10-feet-high, which contributes to its visibility. Current landscaping includes pine and crabapple trees which can be removed to increase visibility of the artwork. Additional trees can be planted after the installation to create harmony and balance at the site. A canopy of trees over the walking/bike path contributes to a sense of discovery as one approaches the site. The site is accessible by several bike paths, as a drive by on Muirfield Dr., or as a tournament spectator entering or walking the course. The site is located adjacent to the 12^th hole and the 13^th gate for the Memorial Tournament which provides opportunities for broadcast visibility on a global stage. The site memorializes the historic significance of Jack Nicklaus and his vision to elevate the beauty of the natural landscape to create a world-renowned golf club and community.

Selection Criteria Satisfied: VISIBILITY, EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY, HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE, DISCOVERY, PROJECT SPECIFIC, SENSE OF PLACE.

The strength of the site is the high visibility at the entrance to the Muirfield Association, from Muirfield Drive, and the gazebo accessible from Muirfield’s 29-mile paved walking/bicycle paths. A public parking lot is available a few yards from the site. The lake feature lends itself to educational opportunities including water conservation and information about native flora & fauna. While visibility is strong from the street, there was a concern that the potential artwork may compete with the existing landscaping such as the trees, shrubs, pond, and gazebo and decking. The committee noted that the pond already serves as a destination to take photos or commemorate special occasions and that adding artwork may create a detraction or competition with the existing natural features of the site. This was the second choice of the sites reviewed. There was also a concern for maintenance and safety as the pond freezes in the winter months.

Selection Criteria Satisfied: VISIBILITY, EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY, HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE

The Muirfield Drive median site is located at the entrance to the Muirfield Association Clubhouse just north of Tarton Drive. The strength of the site is its high visibility from the road for drive-by traffic. Challenges include limited accessibility to view the artwork closely, as the site is not safely walkable on the highly trafficked road. The site does not offer a strong sense of place. Educational opportunities might be difficult to cultivate with the artwork and its signage not accessible to all. City staff noted there may be some engineering limitations with the site. The site selection committee also noted that the collection already includes the Jack Nicklaus Tribute sculpture sited in a Muirfield median. This was the third and lowest choice of the sites reviewed.

Selection Criteria Satisfied: VISIBILITY

NEXT STEPS: The Dublin Arts Council will work to request and receive proposals from artists. The artwork itself is yet to be determined. Artist finalists, selected by an artist selection committee, will visit Dublin to develop proposals for specific artworks, which will be presented in a community forum at a later date.