Most people agree that art is subjective, and we’ve kept an open mind about the decisions made about the sculptural pieces installed along historic Pioneer Way.

Lord knows we’ve tried.

While we believe in the importance of art and support art in public places, something just doesn’t seem to be gelling here.

Located at the entrance to downtown, there’s the kraken sculpture, which is not growing on us. It’s kind of like being willing to try liver when you know you don’t like it — you take a little taste every so often, make a face and conclude it’s just not for you.

The kraken is the first piece that you see coming into Pioneer Way. From the casual observer, you might hear, “What is that?” It’s not easily recognizable from a moving car, and the eye is distracted by the blue-and-white base.

Because of its prominence, the kraken is a statement piece — but is it making the statement that Oak Harbor wants to make?

There’s also the mermaid and giant ducks on Pioneer Way. They are striking pieces of art, and easier to comprehend. Their locations make more sense.

With the dedication of the kraken Thursday, an event the artist didn’t attend, perhaps it’s time to evaluate the direction Oak Harbor wants to go with future pieces. What is the city’s vision, and should there be some sort of cohesiveness in the selection?

We would argue that both a vision and cohesiveness are critical to moving forward.

There seems to be a nautical theme, a bit of Disney-like fantasy at play … but the Barrington wedding sculpture is more realistic and historical in nature and appearance. That piece is expected to be installed near the staircase leading to the former Mi Pueblo restaurant.

Here on Whidbey, Langley has its stunning bronze pieces by local artist Georgia Gerber, including her iconic “Boy and Dog” that overlooks Saratoga Passage and “The Brush Cutter” located outside the South Whidbey Historical Museum. In context, these pieces all work together and make sense.

Anacortes has it’s “Lady of the Sea” sculpture that stands prominent in the city’s harbor and a number of mural cutouts of historical figures mounted on businesses along Commercial Avenue. There are also spectacular pieces by Phil McCraken, another local artist.

Oak Harbor doesn’t need to copy another community’s vision — nor should it. But we think now is a good time to engage in a discussion about what’s meaningful to the community, and what kind of art is relevant to our community now and in the long-term.

How cool, for example, would it be to have a life-sized bronze sculpture of era-appropriate sailors from the glory days of the Seaplane Base looking from Pioneer Way toward the marina?

We have the greatest respect for the Arts Commission and its members, but we do worry that colliding visions may result in art selections that don’t work in conjunction with one another.

A long-term vision is a subject worthy of discussion now rather than later.