PHILADELPHIA (February 6, 2008) - Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter announced today that he has appointed UArts President Sean Buffington to one of eight spots on the city Art Commission. The other appointees are: José Alminana, Moe Brooker, Karen Davis, Emmanuel Kelly, Robert Nix, Robert Roesch and Patricia Alexander Sanford. Brooker has been asked to serve as chair.

"The Art Commission plays an important role in overseeing public art in Philadelphia,” said Nutter. “These eight individuals will bring great perspective and expertise to the Art Commission.”

The Commission is composed of eight members appointed by the Mayor, and the Commissioner of Public Property. The appointed members must include a painter, a sculptor, an architect, a landscape architect, a member of the Fairmount Park Commission, an experienced business executive and a member of a faculty or governing body of a school of art or architecture.

"We have a great cultural heritage here in Philadelphia," said Nutter. "We have one of the best art museums anywhere in the world, more public art than any other city in the United States of America and a thriving arts and culture community,” said Mayor Nutter. “I am committed to preserving and building upon our assets and successes."

The Art Commission is the City's charter-mandated design review board for architecture and public art. The Commission must approve the designs of all construction and alterations that are paid for wholly or in part with City funds or that are on publicly owned land, including streets. The Philadelphia Code also requires Art Commission approval for construction and/or signs on private property in certain special controls areas. The Commission also reviews and approves proposals for the acquisition of new works of public art by the City and conservation and maintenance of the City's existing collection that are executed by the Public Art Office.

Commission biographies:

• José Alminana is a Principal at Andropogon Associates, Ltd., a Philadelphia-based landscape architecture firm. Mr. Alminana is an architect and landscape architect.
• Moe Brooker is Professor and Chair of the Basics Department at Moore College of Art and Design. He is internationally known abstract painter. Mr. Brooker is a current member of the Art Commission.
• Karen B. Davis is the President and CEO of the Arts & Business Council of Greater Philadelphia.
• Emmanuel Kelly, AIA, is a Principal at Kelly/Maiello Architects and Planners. Mr. Kelly is a current member of the Art Commission and a member of the Zoning Code Commission.
• Robert Nix, III, Esq. is of counsel with Obermayer Rebmann Maxwell & Hippel LLP. Mr. Nix is the President of the Fairmount Park Commission and a current member of the Art Commission.
• Robert Roesch is a renowned sculptor. He is the Chair of the Department of Sculpture at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.
• Patricia Alexander Sanford is the President, CEO and Founder of Alexander Perry Inc, a full service design firm. Ms. Sanford is a current member of the Art Commission.

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