s 
Subject
Deaccessioning of “The Hatter of Rockville,” an Art in Public Places artwork
Department
City Manager's Office (CMO)
Recommendation
Staff recommends the Mayor and Council approve the Cultural Arts Commission recommendation to deaccession The Hatter of Rockville, an Art in Public Places artwork.
Discussion
The City of Rockville commissioned artist Meghan Marlatt to create a temporary artwork printed on a vinyl banner entitled, “The Hatter of Rockville,” in 2008 (see attachment 1) for the Art in Public Places collection. The banner is installed on a private building now owned by Morguard on East Middle Lane in Rockville. The condition of the artwork has deteriorated over time, and the piece has reached the end of its lifespan. Additionally, the piece was installed on private property rather than public property as the Art in Public Places Ordinance requires.
Morguard is proceeding with its plans to rebrand Town Square in the Spring of 2025, and these plans include repainting the side of the building “The Hatter of Rockville” is hung on. The building is privately owned by Morguard who requested Rockville remove this artwork at the city’s expense. (See attachment 1) In April 2025, Morguard confirmed they will cover all the costs associated with removing “The Hatter of Rockville.”
According to the City’s current deaccession policy, “(t)he removal of an individual work of art from the City of Rockville Public Art collection may only be made after careful consideration of the factors results in a deaccession recommendation by the Cultural Arts Commission that is approved by the Mayor and Council.”
The Cultural Arts Commission has considered the factors and voted in favor of the recommendation to deaccession the piece, it is requested that Mayor and Council approve the recommendation, and “The Hatter of Rockville” be removed so that Morguard may proceed with its rebranding of Town Square. These factors are:
• The piece was intended to be temporary, and to date has been exhibited for eighteen years. Temporary public artworks are typically installed for no more than one year.
• The piece was printed on vinyl and is in poor condition due to its age and being displayed outdoors for eighteen years.
• Artist Meghan Marlatt did not object to the piece being removed and disposed of.
• Morguard has requested the piece be removed.
On the weekend of April 5, 2025, city staff observed that the artwork had been removed from the building. City staff did not receive notification that the artwork would be removed, nor did city staff give notice to any party to proceed with its removal.
Boards and Commissions Review
The Cultural Arts Commission voted in favor of recommending the deaccessioning “The Hatter of Rockville” to Mayor and Council in its meeting on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, (see attachment 3) on the grounds that the artwork was intended to be temporary, and it should be deaccessioned per Morguard’s request. Due to the condition of the banner, it will be disposed of. The recommendation included the work be deaccessioned after staff have completed archival work and that the time between the piece being taken down and new artwork being installed being as short as possible. Staff have completed the archival work and sent the recommendation for a short period of time between artworks being displayed to Morguard.
Fiscal Impact
While the letter sent by Morguard requests the city remove the work at the city’s expense, Morguard has verbally agreed to cover all costs associated with removing and disposing of the artwork. There is no fiscal impact for the city.
Next Steps
Staff will formally inform Morguard of the deaccession approval.
Attachments
• Attachment 1: Picture of The Hatter of Rockville and details related to the piece
• Attachment 2: Letter from Morguard requesting deaccessioning
• Attachment 3: Recommendation to deaccession The Hatter of Rockville as voted on by the Cultural Arts Commission at the February 12, 2025, meeting