The new Painesville Arts and Culture Council is looking to promote public art in the city, and organizers from the Downtown Painesville Organization are inviting community members to offer support and learn more at an upcoming informational meeting.

Representatives will discuss the group and listen to feedback during the Jan. 17 meeting, which will begin at 6 p.m. at the Gage House, 47 S. State St. The group also held an informational meeting in December, said DPO Executive Director Renee Fitzgerald-Palacio.

Organizers intend to add its first public art installation this year.

“The PACC will be committed to fostering creativity, nurturing talent and enhancing the cultural fabric of our town,” stated a letter from DPO representatives. “It will work toward having a diverse array of public visual and performing art, programs, exhibitions, workshops and events.”

“The council will also work to make Painesville a vibrant hub for artistic expression, bringing people together and making our community a better place to live and work,” it added.

City officials began to discuss creating an arts council in 2022 and the DPO took over a year later, Fitzgerald-Palacio said. She added that similar organizations run arts councils in other cities in Ohio.

“It’s been a long time coming, at least from the city’s perspective, from local artists’ perspective, so we’d really love to see it happen and make it happen in 2024,” she said.

The group plans to hold its first board meeting in April, Fitzgerald-Palacio added. The board will decide on the group’s first project, which could be “everything from murals on buildings to freestanding art projects.”

Fitzgerald-Palacio said that PACC will also reach out to local artists, including students in local schools and at Lake Erie College, to provide “local perspectives in what’s driving the conversation, as well as future projects.” It will also look for opportunities to be involved in performing arts.

“We know that public art can be a catalyst for economic development, but it also usually brings a lot of cheer and feelings of positivity and inclusion to the city, and that’s what we’re aiming for,” she said.

“The goal is to continue to work to beautify and support and grow community involvement, and make sure that we are also providing an inclusive environment for public art,” Fitzgerald-Palacio added.

The PACC is currently raising funds to match art grants and support organizational costs. Donors can visit go.rallyup.com/painesvilleartscouncil to contribute to its target of $15,000 by the end of the month.

Fitzgerald-Palacio said that the group is also looking for residents from diverse backgrounds to apply to be board members by Feb. 2.

PACC organizers are open to partnerships with local organizations, she added.

People interested in learning more can contact Fitzgerald-Palacio at [email protected].