Franklin City arts commission advances public‑art plans, walking‑tour app kickoff set for April

The Franklin City Arts Commission met and approved minutes from its Feb. 12 meeting, then moved into updates on several public‑art initiatives tied to the city’s upcoming 250th anniversary.

“Here. Christie Locke,” said Christie Locke as the meeting opened, and Nick Chrisafulli confirmed, “Here. All right, we have a quorum.” After a brief roll call the commission approved the minutes on a voice vote; the chair called the question and recorded no opposition.

Chair Christie Locke summarized the community art committee’s work and described a proposed Veterans Alley design that will incorporate a flag tribute spanning 250 years and mark the year Franklin was incorporated. Locke said Dana is pursuing funding and that the group has applied for a hometown grant discussed in the meeting as one offered by T‑Mobile.

“We’ve got a couple ideas,” Locke said, adding that the commission has submitted at least one grant application and will pursue other options through city channels if necessary.

Commissioner Danny reported on plans to replace the Iozzo mural. “We’re supposed to meet this week or so to start working on maybe a design for a replacement on that,” Danny said, adding that the group has discussed moving the Ben Franklin portion to another location and expects to present a design update at the next meeting.

Locke announced that the walking‑tour app contract “was signed by the Board of Works on Monday.” Staff are coordinating kickoff backend training, targeted for the week of April 22 or the following week; the commission’s goal is to have initial tours live by the city’s strawberries event and to add roughly one new tour each month after that.

The commission reviewed draft RFPs for two electrical‑box projects: the plan is to wrap one box (to serve as a long‑lasting 250th tribute featuring historical photos) and paint the other. Josh said the wrap is intended to remain in place longer than the seasonal banners planned for Jefferson Street.

Festival Country reported approval of 16 large, freestanding metal butterflies to be painted or otherwise adorned by artists and installed in Old Town Greenwood as photo‑op pieces intended to draw visitors. Locke said artists may be chosen from local, regional or national applicants.

On grant pursuits, Locke said a prior walking‑tour grant application was unsuccessful; she will submit a second application to REMC’s community grants, which are due this month. Separately, Locke said the water‑tower grant application (referred to in the meeting as the Lilly application) is ready except for two outstanding letters of support, which the applicant expects to add before submission.

The commission also announced a June First Friday Downtown Art Walk, plans for a ribbon cutting at the Downtown Fun Plaza coordinated with the mayor’s office, and that the commission will staff a booth at the farmers market in early June (dates to be confirmed with Jen). The full commission set its next meeting for June 11.

A motion to adjourn was moved by Danny, seconded by Dave, and the meeting was adjourned.