Leesburg COPA Committee Meeting - October 6, 2026

The Leesburg COPA arts committee met on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, from 5:30 to 6:06 p.m., with five members present. The committee discussed the upcoming budget request, the pollinator sculpture project, the public art map, the annual photo calendar, and the October 9 Arts Parks event. Members also agreed to draft a letter to the Town Council urging that art be incorporated into planning for the Rock Spring Farm property.

Consent Calendar

• Motion to approve the agenda passed unanimously (5-0).
• Motion to approve the September meeting minutes passed by voice vote.

Discussion Items

• Budget Request: The budget must be finalized by the November meeting and is due to the finance department on December 4. Last year the group requested $20,000; the chair proposed requesting $25,000. The annual calendar is a recurring cost of approximately $5,000. Members were asked to bring three or four project ideas to the next meeting.
• Pollinator Sculpture: With Lauren absent, a volunteer is needed to lead the project. The chair walked the Fox Ridge site with John Cleves and identified three accessible, non-sloped locations. A theme and location must be presented to the Parks and Recreation Commission on either October 21 or November 18. The piece may be a standalone sculpture (e.g., butterfly wings) designed for visitor photos.
• Rock Spring Farm Letter: Linda reported that appraiser Norman Myers expressed interest in an arts facility at the property. The committee agreed to draft a letter to the Town Council supporting art initiatives in the redevelopment planning. The chair will draft the letter, and Tony, head of performing arts, will review it before the committee votes to send it.
• Public Art Map: GIS manager Jesse Kushnick created a map showing existing and potential public art sites around Leesburg. The chair shared the map and said it will be updated to include the alleyway murals and community piano, then linked from the COPA website.
• Calendar Photo Contest: Only four photo submissions had been received (three from staff) ahead of the October 30 deadline. The chair noted a technical issue with the submission form that prevents multiple photo uploads; those must be submitted separately.
• Airport Mural: Approximately $1,700 has been raised for the mural project. The group is waiting to hear back on a grant application.
• Paint the Plow: Members were asked to bring at least one theme idea to the next meeting to select a new design.
• Arts Parks Event: Scheduled for October 9, 6-8 p.m. at Raymond James, featuring Casanel Winery, a harpist, and banner artist Russ Murdon. A ribbon cutting for the art installations is set for 5:30 p.m.; the chair will be out of town and requested photos. The exhibit at the visitor center will remain up through November, with the artist present at next month's First Friday.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the agenda and September meeting minutes.
• Directed the chair to draft a letter to the Town Council regarding arts at Rock Spring Farm and to circulate it for comment.
• Members will bring budget project ideas to the next meeting; the budget must be finalized by then.
• Calendar photo submissions remain open until October 30.