Mesquite Public Arts Commission Meeting

The Mesquite Public Arts Commission (MPAC) met on Monday, February 9, 2026, at 10:00 AM at Mesquite City Hall. The commission approved several key initiatives including the establishment of a Poet Laureate and Junior Poet Laureate program, the transition of the monthly First Friday event to Saturdays starting in October 2026, prioritization of utility box wrap repairs using a $10,400 Nevada Main Street grant, and a new public art statue honoring women's suffrage. New officers were appointed, and committees were formed to advance the five-year plan.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: Unanimously approved the minutes from the December 15, 2025, MPAC meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public offered comment during the designated periods.

Discussion Items

• Appointment of Vice-Chair: Mitzi Bender was appointed as MPAC Vice-Chair by a unanimous vote.
• First Friday Committee Chair: Judy Cole-White was appointed as Chair of the First Friday Committee, with the commission expressing gratitude for her previous work.
• Poet Laureate and Junior Poet Laureate Program: The commission approved the final draft of a two-year program. The commission will appoint a committee to select candidates; the poet laureate will serve as a cultural ambassador, and the junior laureate will receive a $1,000 scholarship. The program is slated to start in April 2026, with selections named in October 2026 for City Council approval. A $250 yearly travel stipend per laureate was discussed but not finalized.
• Five-Year Plan Update: Staff reviewed accomplishments from 2025 (including three statues, the theater mural, and the launch of First Friday) and outlined goals for 2026, such as developing community interactive art projects, installing art district signs, and creating a terracotta pottery display. A motion was unanimously approved to create four committees (five-year plan, Jimmy Hughes Center courtyard plan, "We Love Mesquite" art contest venue, and terracotta pottery) at the March 2026 meeting.
• Moving First Friday to Saturday: After discussion, the commission voted unanimously to move the monthly event from Friday to the second Saturday of each month, starting in October 2026. The name will change from "First Friday" to a yet-to-be-determined title (suggested: "Mesquite Arts Festival" or "Family Art Walk") to reflect the new day. The change aims to attract more families, allow food truck participation, and expand hours. The committee will finalize the name and logo.
• Power Box Wrap Repairs: The commission prioritized re-wrapping several utility boxes using $10,400 from the Nevada Main Street grant. Priority boxes include those at Dollar General, Dollar Tree, Old Mill and Mesquite Boulevard, and others identified as badly faded or peeling. The motion to proceed with repairs within the budget was approved unanimously.
• Future Projects with Nevada Main Street Grant: Approved a new statue titled "For the Love of the Game" depicting four women from the Nevada suffrage movement, to be located at Recreation Park. The commission also approved potential wrap repair of an OPD box near Heritage Park, pending OPD approval. Both items require City Council approval.

Key Outcomes

• Votes: All decisions noted above were approved unanimously by voice vote (all in favor, none opposed).
• Appointments: Mitzi Bender as Vice-Chair; Judy Cole-White as First Friday Committee Chair.
• Directives: Staff to form committees by March meeting; staff to coordinate with OPD and City Council for approvals on power box wraps and the statue.
• Next Steps: The Poet Laureate committee will begin selection process in April; the First Friday committee will finalize Saturday plans and new branding; the power box wrap bids will be obtained and submitted for approval.