[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6117137,"mediaKeyId","2730856-139535cb40b86f6854e17b9c6928d62e","parentId",2730856,"title","\"Onward Air\" exhibition opens at Casa Ortiz March 23; runs through May 2","audioSeconds",35,"startMs",99000,"endMs",134000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2730856-139535cb40b86f6854e17b9c6928d62e&start=99&end=134","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2730856-139535cb40b86f6854e17b9c6928d62e/thumbnail_99000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6117137/Laredo/Webb-County/Texas/Onward-Air-exhibition-opens-at-Casa-Ortiz-March-23-runs-through-May-2","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6117137-af70e0f2b865f5884d5514d5c6333a3b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166995&Signature=L0eT8USmQsN85vASm4Ri-omO9U2rfWBLGUex8L30bOke~u8NOsIwSuBRw4c4xG1JcChcCDKZ8REzaXcos9Rnt0WwwkCEIiaShst-3CEhP4dNsMEmmts7BNiN-EiuJSLYUl6~LgWJJkIvgQAldv-hI16QwwQ3tqLSoXsd-S7nbgDfKJhLF0Qfp-2hkEar2YRyLXRuClw1jfsblHYw-~nHOGNh4r5dBCW-m~-fS97dVPLXXMdvx0kNbIKmu0XpFxIP51MvQ~zBS~QPswc4S8p2GJnQSJaQqNS7qO2PKojS3hX8leIEpT52CK13ZsLkWPdbC~ydzBhcFAHJu76GTwoU8Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Laredo, Texas","date","2025-03-22T00:33:00.667Z","article","Commission members announced an opening reception for a new exhibition titled \"Onward Air,\" featuring 14 former artists‑in‑residence from Puerto Vallarta.

The opening reception is scheduled for March 23 from 7 to 10 p.m. at Casa Ortiz; commissioners said the exhibition will remain on view through May 2. The commission encouraged members and the public to attend; the meeting advertised that the opening will include music and refreshments and suggested attendees might attend the reception after a local Warriorsland competition earlier that evening.

Commissioners described the show as a vibrant presentation of previous residents’ work and noted that the exhibition is a good early opportunity to engage the public while the public art manager onboards and the commission advances project planning.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Fine Arts & Culture Commission Meeting 032025","oneSentenceSummary","Commissioners announced an opening reception for \"Onward Air,\" featuring 14 former artists-in-residence from Puerto Vallarta. The opening is scheduled for 7–10 p.m. and the exhibition will remain on view through May 2.","taxTitle","Laredo, Webb County, Texas","taxId",2820,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6117142,"Commission to finalize public-art SOPs; members debate painting utility boxes versus vinyl wraps",167,1021000,1188000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2730856-139535cb40b86f6854e17b9c6928d62e&start=1021&end=1188","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2730856-139535cb40b86f6854e17b9c6928d62e/thumbnail_1021000.jpg","/articles/6117142/Laredo/Webb-County/Texas/Commission-to-finalize-public-art-SOPs-members-debate-painting-utility-boxes-versus-vinyl-wraps","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6117142-d6b2d7abc35abcaeb6036771c97e4184/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166995&Signature=jR8B3KT57f2GSF-aGzVNktiEqzXIqdvaVZ0YqhEMEDuTQT-CJf1Cn0pSuHSCLT1zMxkiqGrxR6bgS5r8FQZSj95M6bMTbNrH0HdgdhFU9awyolSiFhmQ2-Hj771CMYcvRG2xfH~rbehDIUhd43yNQZjhpq5E3bKrnYLax9Ehmu9T5LFZNJOKA5JCw4fIlg4T5-87tMWfpIqAXeZuFZRDsPWKSiwX72GHWRFxYOkc61bKiB5Tf4MoDSlTetxLNa2wL9dGuKJqJbDSEOn69ARczLpJsOczHYuSFeF5lta54-EoQL9SKfSoytNxujyQxQxX7q6KBV8mYu29B-9Az1RXMw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commissioners reviewed a draft standard operating procedures (SOP) document for public-art projects and agreed the incoming public art manager should complete a final draft that incorporates departmental feedback.

The group identified utility (electrical/traffic) boxes as a near-term, low-hanging project that could be used to engage all city districts. Members discussed two technical approaches — painting directly onto boxes or using pre-made vinyl wraps — and expressed a clear preference for painted treatments that would allow artists and communities to participate, rather than wraps that some commissioners said could reduce community engagement.

Commissioners said the SOP should include precise bid specifications and scope language so that future proposals reflect the commission’s artistic and technical standards. They noted that some other departments, such as traffic and utilities, have different concerns (for example, distractions or maintenance) and that the SOP needs to reconcile those operational issues with artistic aims. The commission asked that the public-art manager add a finalized SOP and a recommended starter list (utility boxes, murals) to the next meeting agenda so members can take concrete steps toward bidding and installation.","The commission reviewed a draft of standard operating procedures for public-art projects and identified utility/traffic signal boxes as an immediate project; members prefer painted or community‑engaged approaches over pre‑made wraps and plan to revisit the item with the incoming public art manager.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6117147,"Commission presses for clarity on public-art funding, asks finance for itemized breakdown",424,1191000,1615000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2730856-139535cb40b86f6854e17b9c6928d62e&start=1191&end=1615","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2730856-139535cb40b86f6854e17b9c6928d62e/thumbnail_1191000.jpg","/articles/6117147/Laredo/Webb-County/Texas/Commission-presses-for-clarity-on-public-art-funding-asks-finance-for-itemized-breakdown","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6117147-d1c725a9eeccf8439fd7902092fdd58a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166995&Signature=ohZA2PCNjC3A~qdnqt~fSkBipAYiPq1GAdmAp7aGg8aOXsdyq3DBmrqbijeZUGDc1hJv-WkiSAZ3SVhvXe08TI-1-pxkJOPeSd~TJHLxR8h2ajcNuY29drSegD0MvSaxcEFmcUBZonwAFw2zFn2fk-~MWeuvDtTTc~L8b3Ml4wn0oXTNzXrwsXtE7ItFXiY-pzloPqvS3QbTMuDCuP1GGm44-Sshjt5ZEO9o9AfWZHGZ-tHCmay8yeLZ8cpXd3FRr0tH870RMY7-WIbiRo6aCTqdo0lhx3K7ot9hTaFgisbT7l78l8nK5Vx4LtTOxNZlGdZfAt~QV0YoowHgG50fag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its March 22 meeting the Laredo Fine Arts and Culture Commission asked city finance staff for a clearer accounting of public-art funds after reviewing a Jan. 17 funding report.

Commissioners said the report as presented did not show a single top-line total; members discussed an accumulated balance that several referenced as about $2 million, and they requested an itemized breakdown by year and funding source so the incoming public art manager can understand available funds.

Members asked staff to compare the public-art reserve to other city budget lines in outreach and public messaging, noting misperceptions that art funding would reduce money for essentials such as water. Commissioners emphasized that some projects are funded outside the public-art 2% allocation — for example, murals funded through HUD grants or hotel-tax-funded tourism projects handled by economic development — and they asked finance to make those distinctions clear.

The commission asked that orientation for the new public art manager include a meeting with finance so the manager can present a concise funding summary to commissioners and, when appropriate, to council. Members said clearer reporting would help rebut public confusion and support outreach and bond‑related public information.","Members discussed an earlier public‑art funding report dated Jan. 17 and sought a clearer, itemized accounting of funds held by the city, including the 2% allocation, district discretionary spending, and accumulated balances estimated at about $2 million.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6117151,"Laredo to add full-time public art program manager; commission plans meet-and-greet",2210,419000,2629000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2730856-139535cb40b86f6854e17b9c6928d62e&start=419&end=2629","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2730856-139535cb40b86f6854e17b9c6928d62e/thumbnail_419000.jpg","/articles/6117151/Laredo/Webb-County/Texas/Laredo-to-add-full-time-public-art-program-manager-commission-plans-meet-and-greet","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6117151-7a714f77bd24334ed93d573549250292/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166995&Signature=CPIs-1xhafFkID6Cmxic39RAxjQs8b2XFjuTthdqdFNbpqpugsVrvoHKIwnhAT2P3lctp-CZAOVisnzcHxOIOuq-QIO6gbRYQPD~~JVlBlb5kn0TyV2XZJrywcdrIRhhl4WByC0fC7n4EooRx3-7j-8TmOIzE4dWmTSdEw5v43qLDJL1m8onUXCXphGAfQjsTn7TADhJx9QLk-25QQB-nQJnD6fHmPg~94bbvyu9KLaLjLdesUdGGf2xHuQAtkMJV9udCItHVHuWWnm2qxFpAfEISDcxKc6cZ8LukcQKor1u3I5v~ylcaQQ-3JvvlEPJ7cKvMVUki7BY~sw0eENaGQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Laredo Fine Arts and Culture Commission reported that the city will hire a full-time public art program manager who is scheduled to begin March 31 and serve as the city’s official liaison to the commission.

Commissioners said the hire is intended to provide a single city contact to move public-art projects onto council agendas and to finalize the commission’s draft standard operating procedures. The commission also agreed to host an informal meet-and-greet with the new manager before the next scheduled commission meeting so members can brief the manager and discuss priorities.

Commissioners described the incoming manager as having a background in both mathematics and art and supervisory experience. The position will be subject to a one-year probationary evaluation; commissioners were told the city’s evaluation can use a 90-day improvement-plan process if needed and that performance reviews are internal and include the manager’s supervisors up to the city manager.

Commission members said the manager will be expected to attend commission meetings regularly, gather departmental input, and finalize a small, revisable SOP document that will guide bidding, site selection and project specifications. Commissioners also discussed using the manager to coordinate with finance and other departments so the commission’s agenda items are placed on council dockets in a timely way.

Commissioners asked that the new manager meet stakeholders, including arts venues, schools and economic development staff, and recommended inviting city council members and the mayor to the meet-and-greet so elected leaders can hear the commission’s vision directly. Commission members said the new manager has been watching meetings in advance of starting and is prepared to begin work immediately upon appointment.

Votes at a glance: The only recorded formal action at the meeting was approval of minutes for the Jan. 16, 2025 meeting; the minutes were approved by the commission (motion and second recorded in the meeting transcript; roll-call vote not recorded in the transcript).","The Laredo Fine Arts and Culture Commission said the city will bring on a public art program manager March 31 to serve as the official liaison and help finalize procedures and project pipelines; commissioners plan a meet-and-greet and want the manager to present to council.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

"Onward Air" exhibition opens at Casa Ortiz March 23; runs through May 2

Commission to finalize public-art SOPs; members debate painting utility boxes versus vinyl wraps

Commission presses for clarity on public-art funding, asks finance for itemized breakdown

Laredo to add full-time public art program manager; commission plans meet-and-greet