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A Resolution of the City Commission accepting a proposal concept from artist Morel Doucet and approving the fabrication and installation of the sculpture “Secrets That the Wind Carries Away”, (unanimously recommended by the Arts Advisory Panel, approval/denial vote: 6 to 0, and the Cultural Development Board approval/denial vote: 5 to 0); authorizing the City Manager or his or her designee to negotiate an agreement with the artist; authorizing an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 amended budget to recognize as revenue a transfer of $110,000 from the Art in Public Places reserve, and appropriating such funds to put toward the infrastructure cost and related expenses regarding the artwork.
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The City Commission has consistently expressed interest in building the City’s permanent public art collection with artworks by prominent artists representing a diversity of backgrounds and disciplines.
On September 13, 2023, the City Commission passed Resolution 2023-244 approving artists to submit proposals for a commemorative public artwork aligned with the city’s centennial to honor Bahamian and Black residents. Resolution 2023-244 further approved $30,000 for the proposal process and $500,000 for the artwork design, fabrication, and installation, for a total of $530,000.
Ten pre-approved artists were invited to participate in a site visit and met with residents and decedents being commemorated. Artists were provided with additional research materials and historical documents, including responses to requested feedback about the project.
Eight of the ten artists submitted proposals, which were shared with the community and available for viewing on the city’s website.
Three of the ten artists were asked to further refine their proposals for a second submission and members of the Arts Advisory Panel and Cultural Development Board unanimously recommended artist Morel Doucet. Mr. Doucet met numerous times with community members and presented his proposal conc...
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