The meeting’s primary concern was the absence of established guidelines for artwork acceptance and display within the community’s arts and chambers. Opinions on his artwork varied, with some members viewing it as potentially violent, while others had differing interpretations. This lack of consensus highlighted the need for a structured policy to guide decisions on future art displays. The board agreed to review existing policies from other municipalities such as Sanford and Castleberry, which have well-established art programs, to create a procedural framework.

Additionally, the board discussed the procedure for contacting Richard Perez to inform him of their intention to develop guidelines and consider his request once policies are in place. The conversation emphasized the importance of creating clear and consistent criteria for artwork evaluation to prevent subjective disputes and ensure all submitted works undergo a fair review process.

The board also explored collaborative opportunities with local schools. Both Alito High School and Herty High School expressed interest in participating, with a tentative plan to display student work in March, coinciding with the end of the spring term. However, Hackard High School’s proposal to install sculptures was met with resistance due to liability issues associated with physical installations. The board preferred wall displays to mitigate potential hazards.

While discussing student art displays, members stressed the importance of including various art forms, such as ceramics and sculptures, in future exhibitions. It was suggested that teachers play a role in determining suitable student artwork for display. Nonetheless, the board recognized the need for a formal approval process to vet submissions once policies are developed. Due to the infrequency of board meetings, immediate approval processes may be challenging, prompting suggestions to invite teachers to present their students’ works to the board directly for an interactive dialogue on potential exhibits.

Another agenda item was the upcoming unveiling of a new exhibition on November 3rd during a city council meeting. The event was framed as a ceremonial occasion, with the artist scheduled to be present alongside board members and council staff. This collaborative atmosphere aimed to acknowledge the artist’s contributions and foster community engagement with local art.

The board also addressed publicity for ongoing and upcoming exhibitions. An exhibition featuring Wanda Granville’s artwork, set to conclude on October 23rd, was highlighted, with a focus on promoting community engagement and potential purchases of her work. The lack of a press release at the exhibition’s start was noted. Suggestions included leveraging county resources for broader outreach and ensuring future art events receive adequate publicity.

In addition, the meeting touched on a project known as the “Joey,” involving the installation of a base funded by the Parks and Recreation department. Although a date for the installation was pending, the project was intended to enhance public art visibility in Oviedo.

The board also discussed a beverage cup design, slated for presentation to the city council on October 20th. The ranking of artists who submitted designs was reviewed, with questions about whether the council would display all designs during the meeting. Clarification was provided that each local business would handle its own printing and costs for the design, with any merchandise creation requiring city approval due to the city retaining exclusive rights to the design.