Petoskey commission scores 24 submissions, selects top 20 Wheelway pieces; logistics and signage discussed

The Petoskey Public Art Commission on May 14 reviewed 24 mural submissions for the downtown Wheelway project, tallied scores from commissioners and eliminated four lowest-ranked proposals, leaving 20 artists to be invited to produce final 4x4 panels.

Staff member Sheila led an image-by-image walkthrough of the 24 proposals and read each artist's supporting description. "Some of them need a little more context so I can share the text without the names," Sheila said while explaining how the packet was presented to the commission. Commissioners used a 1–5 scoring scale focused on fit for the Wheelway; staff tallied the scores and identified proposals numbered 8, 10, 21 and 24 as the four lowest and therefore excluded from the initial set of 20.

The commission discussed logistics for transporting, prepping and painting the panels. Members agreed panels would be delivered to a public-works or staging site for sanding, sealing and priming before artists or volunteers completed painting. A pickup window was proposed for May 25–29 with a note about Memorial Day; staff also offered to arrange times and a signup sheet. "I could create like a signup sheet and share it with them like a Google sheet or something," Sarah said when describing how artists would reserve pickup slots.

Commissioners debated volunteer prep sessions, storage and who would verify pickup and return of panels. Staff noted donated primer and recommended a short prep period (sanding, sealing, primer coats) before painting. Several members suggested flexible pickup arrangements for out-of-town artists and a shared checklist to confirm panel distribution.

The meeting concluded with an extended discussion about signage and interpretive material for the Wheelway: commissioners weighed a single interpretive project sign versus individual plaques, the pros and cons of permanent QR codes for each piece, materials and legibility, and whether signage should follow an existing city interpretive standard. Staff and commissioners favored a consistent project-level sign and a web‑based map or evolving online content accessible by a single QR code rather than placing permanent QR codes on every installation.

Next steps: staff will notify the 20 selected artists, finalize pickup logistics and prepare signage recommendations for a future meeting.