GAAC CALLS OUT MAYOR!
At the September 5, 2023 City Council meeting, Gahanna Area Arts Council President Christian Peck and 3 others directly questioned the incumbent mayor as to why the GAAC is still waiting for the community arts policy it was promised in May. Mr. Peck reminded the mayor that the Bright Blocks project created a series of mini, mobile arts murals during the Creekside Blues and Jazz Festival. These local artists expended their time and talent with the understanding that their art would be displayed in the City's parks. Sadly, the installation of the Bright Blocks art has been stalled due to the lack of a public arts policy. Mr. Peck asserted this delay was avoidable and unacceptable! Importantly, he shared that the GAAC has the necessary experience in crafting public arts policies and stands ready to help quickly resolve the issue, but the mayor refuses to collaboratively address the stalemate.
Both Mr. Peck and Rose Hawk stressed that the lack of policy impacts the livelihoods of the local artists who participated in Bright Blocks. Both shared their successes on similar projects in other Central Ohio communities and expressed frustration that Gahanna's administration fails to embrace its own arts community. Ms. Hawk listed several Bright Blocks artists, including some who live in Gahanna, that demand answers regarding the status of their murals. She adds that these professionals spend their time mindfully and deserve to have their murals displayed. The GAAC indicated that since May they have been asking one simple question: "What's the process for creating a public arts policy?" without response.
The incumbent fell back to familiar, tired excuses (i.e., fear of lawsuits and consultation with outside legal counsel) to justify not keeping her word. Then, to add insult to injury, the mayor closed with the suggestion that GAAC was "welcome" to display the art on private property - so long as they secured the "necessary permissions." Well, that certainly doesn't sound like "promises kept" to me!
