Kalico Traffic Signal Art Wraps Public Comment from John HincheyNovember 7, 2020
Dear Mayer Johnson:
My name is John Hinchey, and I live at 534 4th Ave. East, (Ward 3) in Kalispell.
I am commenting about the proposal by KALICO Art Center to wrap the traffic signal
boxes with "art" in the city. I am also aware that KALICO is proposing to paint the
tunnel openings and other places within the city with "art".
My immediate reaction to this is negative. The reason being, that art is very personal
and somewhat subjective. I wonder, where exactly this "art" will appear, and who will
decide what is "art" and what is graffiti. Also I don't believe that the city should be
using funds from the Tourism Grant Program for materials and rewards to artists. This
is funding the efforts of a project proposed by one downtown business, and I fail to see
the connection to tourism!
As I'm sure you're aware, the Kalispell Architectural Review Committee is currently in
the process of updating standards to include paint and colors in the downtown Historic
District. If you view the KALICO project favorably, perhaps a final decision should
await the results of the ARC effort.
Sincerely