Outdoor market, art displays planned for summer
By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
A new public market and the potential increase in outdoor art displays will be coming to the heart of Whitewater this summer as part of a series of recent plans that gained the backing of city leaders.
Local organization Downtown Whitewater Inc. is behind both efforts, which have been the planning stages for several months. The Common Council on July 7 gave its stamp of approval.
Downtown Whitewater’s planned City Market will kick off on a pilot basis beginning July 21 and will run from 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays through October.
Touted as a French-style market offering such products as bread, cheese, honey, artwork and jewelry from local vendors, the City Market is being eyed for a portion of Cravath Lakefront Park.
After this year’s pilot launch, Downtown Whitewater officials have indicated they will review what needs to be refined before delving into a full yearlong endeavor next year. Future possibilities include live events, including concerts.
Fifteen installments of the City Market are planned this year.
While meeting with the council last week, Downtown Whitewater representative Kristine Zaballos said the City Market is not intended to replace the existing farmers market that is held Saturday mornings within True Value Hardware’s parking lot at 1415 W. Main St.
Prior to laying out the details for the City Market, Zaballos said Downtown Whitewater embarked on an extensive planning process that included gathering input from more than 150 persons through such avenues as surveys and public meetings.
At last week’s meeting, the council also held a first reading of a so-called public art ordinance that was crafted with input from Downtown Whitewater leaders.
While not exclusive to Downtown Whitewater’s own efforts, the document address how the city can promote public art, which in the past has including three-dimensional installations and murals.
A second, final reading of the ordinance is planned for the next council meeting this coming Tuesday, July 21, as a few wordsmithing changes are incorporated.
While organizations such as Downtown Whitewater have been actively involved in bringing public art to prominent areas of the city, a formal document outlining the process has not been on the municipal books.
The council and other city officials have vocally backed public art efforts in prior years, but the formal approval of the ordinance is designed to ensure future projects by Downtown Whitewater and other groups will move forward seamlessly.
Language within the ordinance states public art installations may take place at a facility or amenity, so long as the piece does not contain any commercial messages.
A panel reviewing proposed public arts projects will review several pieces of criteria, including the potential of the submission enhancing the city’s arts and cultural efforts. Submissions designed to restore or preserve existing works of art also could be accepted.
The city has in place a Public Art Committee that reviews projects. In addition to a Downtown Whitewater board member, the appointed body includes representatives from the Whitewater Arts Alliance, at least one Common Council member and two residents with demonstrated knowledge and appreciation of art.
