Representatives of the Ohio Arts & Crafts Foundation and Salt Fork Arts & Crafts Festival met with Guernsey County commissioners Monday to discuss a potential community art project.
The project would be funded through a grant by the Ohio Arts Council.
Foundation President Brenda Taylor and Carol Wilcox-Jones inquired if the county would be interested in such a project with all of the funding provided by the Ohio Arts Council’s Community Project Award.
If chosen, the grant would provide $10,000 to $15,000 for the design of an art project by a professional artist and the completion of the work by local artists.
“I think it’s a great idea,” said Commissioner Jack Marlin.
Taylor and Wilcox-Jones asked if commissioners would be amenable to having a mural or banner painted in the Guernsey County Administration Building or the courthouse on Wheeling Avenue in downtown Cambridge.
“I believe there would be more foot traffic in the administration building and the lighting would be better here,” said Commissioner Skip Gardner prior to the group touring the ground floor for a potential mural location.
A letter of interest is required by the Ohio Arts Council on or before Nov. 1 to begin the application process.
“They will respond with more information if we are one of the finalists selected and the project must be completed between Jan. 1 and June 30 of next year,” explained Wilcox-Jones.
The group has contacted local school districts exploring the opportunity for a collaborative project with students.
“Three of the schools have responded to our request,” said Wilcox-Jones.
Commissioners were assured a mural or banner would not be a commercial advertisement and a historical theme is being considered. The group also discussed a project to recognize local military veterans.
The Ohio Arts Council was created in 1965 to foster and encourage the development of the arts and assist the preservation of Ohio’s cultural heritage.
Taylor and Wilcox-Jones also updated commissioners regarding the 2021 Salt Fork Arts & Crafts Festival at Cambridge City Park, calling it a “real hit.”
“We didn’t know what to expect this year, but we were very pleased and people were buying things, which made the vendors happy,” said Wilcox-Jones.
The group received approximately 60% of the participant surveys back, most with positive comments. Some included suggestions for future festivals, and only a few contained negative comments or complaints.
In other business:
Commissioners approved a Title XX Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) transfer and Title XX base subsidy funding memorandum of understanding between Guernsey County Department of Job and Family Services and Children Services Board for Oct. 1 through Sept. 30, 2022, in the amount of $400,000.
They also approved a road use maintenance agreement between the county and Ohio Gathering Company LLC.
Finally, commissioners attended the grand opening for the Brunch Box on Glenn Highway west of Cambridge.
Guernsey County commissioners meet each Monday and Wednesday in the County Administration Building on Wheeling Avenue in downtown Cambridge. Call the office, 740-432-9200, for more information.
https://www.daily-jeff.com/story/news/local/2021/10/26/arts-foundation-discusses-community-project-commissioners/6174291001/
