Public Art

Those of us who love Owosso, love it because it is unique (perhaps knowing and embracing the specialness of something is the definition of love). We share things in common with other small towns, but the particular mix of buildings, public spaces, and trees clustered around a north-flowing River make our community a unique place. And, according to planners and economists, it is place that will be the marketable resource that brings prosperity back to Michigan. That being so, the question then is, "What makes a place?"

You can go anywhere in Michigan--anywhere in North America for that matter--and you will find urban spaces (let's not call them places) that look and feel all the same. They have the standard mix of chain restaurants and big box retailers, they are served by--and serve--the automobile and parking lots abound. They are rarely memorable. In contrast, Downtown Owosso has a unique collection of businesses and storefronts, several areas for public gatherings, and wide sidewalks that make it pleasant to be a pedestrian. Thankfully, street trees and colorful plantings are also returning to our community. Increasingly, Owosso also has some unique artistic statements in visible spots (like the Ed Louch sculpture in front of the Chamber of Commerce; above), and this public art gives the final touch of uniqueness; it gives us character; it makes Owosso a true place.

Increasingly, sociologists and marketing experts find that consumers want something special when they shop, or make a choice about a home, or even invest in a business. In a complex, busy world of instant access and ubiquitous information, we want to find something that we can identify as our own; we want to be grounded. A true place like Owosso gives us that connection and help us to define our community and ourselves. To quote the great writer Wallace Stegner, "if you don't know where you are, you don't know who you are."

We are fortunate that our collection of historic, architecturally significant buildings in Owosso helps us know where we are. However, besides preserving and restoring our historic buildings, we can take several other steps to create a sense of place:

1. Public Art like sculpture and murals are a contemporary statement of uniqueness;
2. Streetscapes that provide energy, color, and pattern with decorations and flowers;
3. Lively Arts with street musicians, and performances in public venues like the Mitchell Amphitheater, and the rebuilding Shiawassee Performing Arts Center;
4. Galleries like the Shiawassee Arts Center and Mootzies;
5. Unique stores and lively shop windows, which are many and on the increase.

Public art in Owosso, at this time, needs some special attention because of the difficulties in completing a planned fountain in the new park at the corner of Ball and Exchange Streets. Of course, a dynamic water feature can also be a uniqueness to a place, but only if care and attention is given to ensure that it is truly different from other fountains. This presents two challenges. First, a fountain and a sculpture are not the same thing, and combining the two into a public artpiece takes a talented hand (or two). Second, fountains can be expensive both to install and operate. The City of Owosso and its Main Street Program have solved the first problem with a unique design by local artist and metalworker Arthur Johns; the second problem is proving to be more challenging.

While some despair at the cost realities, or believe that funds should never be spent on anything so frivolous as a fountain, I believe the answer is to proceed carefully and seek out cost-effective solutions. For the reasons stated above, we need public art like fountains to help keep Owosso's sense of place alive. We want to be neither a museum of historic structures nor a sterile shopping strip defined by cars and concrete. We need to find an economical way to provide for public art; if not the fountain in question, then some other unique statement.

Who should pay for public art like fountains, sculptures, and murals? Frequently such amenities have been provided by private businesses, individual donors, or arts organizations, but I believe it is appropriate for (some) public funds to be spent on the enhancement of our community. In Owosso, municipal government has long paid for street trees, flagpoles, holiday lighting, and attractive public buildings like City Hall. They all help create that special sense of place which is important to our community pride and identity and also the health of our local economy.

The proposed funding for a fountain/sculpture in downtown Owosso is to come from the property taxes paid by downtown property owners who are part of the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) which is now part of the Owosso Main Street program. This special tax increment finance authority was set up several decades ago using a provision in state law. The revenues generated to the DDA are legally required to be spent in the downtown area and must benefit the property owners in that area. Enhancements in the form of public art that help make the downtown unique are a perfectly rational, economically desirable, expenditure of these funds. If a cost-effective engineering solution can be achieved, then a new fountain will help keep Owosso the unique place that we love.

The Wallace Stegner quote comes from an excellent piece in one of my favorite blogs (click here) put out by the Orton Family Foundation that supports true community building.