Members of the Havre de Grace City Council unanimously adopted a public art plan for the city earlier this month, a plan that sets out methods of funding, commissioning and maintaining a variety of artistic projects that all residents and visitors to Havre de Grace can experience.
"Public art of outstanding quality can buttress efforts to improve comprehensive design standards and expectations as Havre de Grace transforms itself into a more beautiful and sustainable cultural and heritage destination in the coming years," according to the executive summary of the 288-page Havre de Grace Public Art Plan.
The Public Art Committee, which is under the umbrella of the nonprofit Community Projects of Havre de Grace, will implement the plan.
"Any public art, in most cases, is going to occur on public land, and therefore we need the cooperation of various city departments," Bill Watson, chairman of the Public Art Committee, said. "It was essential to get their support via the resolution [Monday] night before we move forward on anything."
The public art plan was created with the support of the city, the Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway and Havre de Grace Main Street Inc. The committee, which has about 13 members, includes representatives of those organizations.
"Rather than have a lot of haphazard art development, this is going to bring some structure to it, and I think, more importantly, I think it's going to professionalize the art that's going to be in the public sphere," Watson said. "It's going to provide a process that artists are selected and how artwork is displayed and maintained, according to national best practices."
Havre de Grace City Council members gave high praise to the plan during their discussion of the public art plan resolution during the Dec. 15 council session.
"I'd like to commend the whole team that worked on this public art plan," Councilman Randy Craig said.
Craig said he thinks "this is a great project, a long-term benefit."
"I can't wait to see the first public art start popping up around the city," Council President Bill Martin said.
Martin said that, while he does not know much about art, he has traveled to almost every state in the U.S. and several foreign countries, and he has seen how residents of various communities embrace their public art.
"The towns that do have art are great cities that embrace the art, and being that Have de Grace is a great city, I think this is a great idea," he said.
Councilman Dave Glenn said he is "impressed" with the plan also.
"It really was well thought out, well put together," he said.
Watson said last week that no public art projects have been finalized yet for Havre de Grace, but a number of projects are being considered, including some that could be ready in about six months.
He said public art "can take a number of different forms."
He gave examples such as decorative lighting on a bridge, poetry inscribed in sidewalk panels, even floating artwork in the river.
"It's not always just sculpture," Watson explained.
Watson, who said "the arts have always been a passion," is the past chairman of the Havre de Grace Arts and Entertainment Committee, and he is a graphic designer and fine artist. He is a member of the Arts by the Bay Gallery on Warren Street.
"More than anything [we want] to show the citizens of Have de Grace we do have a plan, we have an accomplishment and this is the start of something that's going to be great for the city," he said.