Appleton Public Arts Committee approves 12 photos to refresh Houdini Tower display
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Summary
The committee voted to display a set of 12 existing images in the Houdini Tower welcome tower at Houdini Plaza for 2026, agreed to coordinate spring installation with Parks and Recreation, and noted budget language earmarking funds for new panels in next year’s budget.
The Appleton Public Arts Committee voted on Nov. 5, 2025 to select 12 photographs from its existing inventory for display in the Houdini Tower welcome tower at Houdini Plaza, 121 West College Avenue, as a refresh for 2026.
Committee members said the selections were drawn from previously exhibited images rather than through a new contest; members ranked their top choices and staff compiled the committee’s top picks into a final set. The committee approved the selection by voice vote; members present registered their approval.
Committee discussion addressed practical matters about materials and longevity. Members noted two primary production types in the inventory: a more rigid, acrylic-style panel and a more flexible vinyl-style sheet. Staff said all panels have a similar matte finish but that some earlier rigid pieces had shown different durability characteristics; the committee agreed that more frequent replacement could mitigate longevity concerns for less durable pieces.
Staff said Parks and Recreation would likely schedule installation in spring so the refreshed display will be noticed by the public; a Parks and Recreation contact was cited by first name only during the meeting. Committee staff also said they will search archived contest submission records and contact contributing artists as needed; most recent contest submissions in the set date from about 2022. Records of signed image-use permissions were said to be kept by staff, and unless a time-limited display restriction exists in a given file, the committee expects the rights for reuse to be available under previous contest forms.
The committee also received a brief budget update: staff reported the proposed city budget tentatively earmarks funds for new display panels in next year’s budget, with a budget hearing scheduled the same night and adoption set for the next council meeting. The earmark means replacement panels could be procured next year rather than rely only on the current inventory.
Next steps identified at the meeting include staff circulating a recap email listing the shortlisted images and the final 12 for confirmation, contacting artists as records permit, and coordinating installation logistics with Parks and Recreation for spring.