Public Art Commission debates final three artists for Oxford mural project
Oxford's public art commission decided to give three finalists an extra month to adjust their proposals for a 40-foot mural near Peffer Park.
The Public Art Commission of Oxford (PACO) discussed which of the three finalists chosen out of 16 submissions would paint a mural under the US 27 S bridge along the Oxford Area Trail, adjacent to Peffer Park, at its July 8 meeting.
The graffiti filled wall will be the spot for one of the three finalists — Hannah Webb, Girls Who Paint Murals and Bright Wall Collective — to paint a 468 square foot mural representing Oxford.
All proposals will be reviewed by (PACO), who will then recommend to City Council which project to advance for City Council will make the final decision, according to the 2024 Request for Artist submission form.
Amber Franklin, PACO chair and Oxford city councilor, said the three artists gets paid $200 for a final colored rendition of their proposal and the winner gets $11,700. That money goes toward materials, any prework that needs done and compensation for the artist.
"This is the beginning of many murals in Oxford," Franklin said during the meeting.
The project is funded by PACO and Enjoy Oxford, Franklin said, but there isn't a set date yet for when it's going to be completed. The goal is by October, but it could go into 2025 due to the weather.
The meeting July 8 was to decide a winner, however, when the commissioners discussed each design they opted to move the final vote back a month for the artists to make revisions and resubmit by Aug. 8.
PACO votes for the finalist at their next meeting at 4:15 p.m. Aug. 12 in Richard and Carole Cocks Art Museum, 801 S Patterson Ave.
