City Council Approves $15,000 Purchase of 9/11 Art

The City Council unanimously voted Tuesday night to purchase a piece of 9/11 art for $15,000 from York, Maine, artist Sarah Haskell.

"Each one; The Button Project, a 9/11 Memorial" will be displayed in City Council chambers at City Hall as it was Tuesday night when the vote was taken.

City Councilor Chris Dwyer urged her colleagues to use money from the Public Trust Fund to purchase the artwork as a way to observe the 10th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks and honor Mayor Evelyn Sirrell, who was in office when the attacks occurred.

Dwyer said the buttons represent each person killed in the attacks and the wor has been displayed at Ground Zero. Dwyer also said the art work would be purchased with private donations made to the Public Art Trust and no taxpayers would be involved.

Councilor Eileen Kennedy said the city should consider giving Portsmouth artists the first opportunity for such projects in the future give the state of the economy and wealth of artists in the city.

Assistant Mayor Nancy Novelline Clayburgh said she was inclined to support the motion because it involves private money and not taxpayer money. But she questioned whether purchasing a piece of artwork is the best way to honor Mayor Sirrell.

"I would like to see us think of other ways we could memorialize her," she said.

Mayor Tom Ferrini said he was also inclined to support the purchase and felt it would be good way to honor Mayor Sirrell.

City Manager John Bohenko said the artwork could be displayed in the council chambers at City Hall and a decision could be made later where else it could be displayed.

"It would be nice for people to be able to see it here in City Hall where Mayor Sirrell spent a lot of her time especially during a very difficult time," Bohenko said.

Haskell said she was pleased the City Council decided to purchase her artwork.