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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-02-21CITY OF PALM DESERT ART IN PUBLIC PLACES COMMISSION MINUTES February 21, 2007 I. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Bussing convened the meeting at 9:05 a.m. II. ROLL CALL Present Absent Chairperson Bussing Kevin Grochau Katherine Hough Barbara Stenning Maureen Thompson John Weston Also Present Kim Snyder Richard Twedt, Public Arts Manager Deborah Schwartz, Public Art Coordinator Debbie Thompson, Recording Secretary Mayor Pro Tem Jean Benson Maria Hunt, Proposed Traffic Signal Box Project Artist III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS City Clerk Rachelle Klassen swore in Mark Wiener, new Alternate Commission Member. Mr. Wiener introduced himself. To clarify his position, Mayor Pro Tem Benson stated that Mr. Wiener is welcome to participate in discussions but would not be able to vote unless the Commission does not have a quorum. Art in Public Places Minutes February 21, 2007 IV. CONSENT CALENDAR Minutes of the regular meeting held on December 20, 2006. Upon Motion by Commissioner Hough and second by Commissioner Thompson, the Minutes of December 20, 2006, were approved unanimously with Commissioner Snyder absent. V. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. ORAL REVIEW OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION No report. VI. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None VII. NEW BUSINESS A. SELECTION OF NEW CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR It was moved by Commissioner Stenning and seconded by Commissioner Hough to renominate Chairperson Bussing to serve as Chair for 2007. Motion carried unanimously with Commissioner Snyder absent. It was moved by Commissioner Thompson and seconded by Commissioner Stenning to renominate Vice Chairperson Grochau to serve as Vice Chair for 2007. Motion carried unanimously with Commissioner Snyder absent. B. CONSIDERATION OF AN ENTRADA DEL PASEO PUBLIC ART PROJECT Mr. Twedt stated that he was instructed by Council to proceed with a site -specific project for the Visitor Center. He didn't get clear direction of what type of artwork would be appropriate for the Visitor Center or its gardens. He has a meeting with Mayor Kelly and Councilmember Finerty March 2, to clarify what is "appropriate" as far as artwork for the Visitor Center. The two Councilmembers didn't think it was appropriate to place modern or contemporary artwork in the gardens, which was the Commission's original intent. Art in Public Places Minutes February 21, 2007 Mr. Twedt noted to the Commission that the aforementioned Councilmembers did not like any of the artwork from the 2007/08 El Paseo Exhibition. There has been $250,000 allocated for art for Entrada del Paseo. Once the public has selected which of the four pieces from the El Paseo Exhibition will be purchased and the purchase has been approved by Council, the balance of the $250,000 can be put towards a piece for the Visitor Center. It was expressed by these two Councilmembers that none of the four artworks would be appropriate to be placed at the Visitor Center. Mr. Twedt referred to the original RFP for the Entrada del Paseo project. Approximately a year ago an RFP for Entrada was sent to 21 renowned artists. Only two of the artists submitted proposals. Mr. Twedt suggested modifying the original RFP to fulfill Council's request of finding realistic art. It was suggested by Commissioner Hough to do an invitational competition to artists who do representational/realistic work. Commissioner Hough mentioned Gwynn Murrill, who does representational/realistic sculptures and could be commissioned to do a series of sculptures that will create a path through the gardens. Mayor Pro Tem Benson clarified that it was not the entire Council who did not like the El Paseo Exhibition. She added that the two Councilmembers are looking for art that is very understandable and something they do not have to interpret. She said that Mayor Kelly does like the Baja Palapa on Fred Waring. Mr. Twedt noted that none of the galleries presented representational art for the 2007/08 Exhibition. Commissioner Weston asked what the Commission's role was in selecting the public art. Is the Commission under the thumb of Council in the final analysis for their judgment? He added that the two Councilperson's want something that requires no thought, no education, no explanation, and no docent work, but something that is cute, recognizable, and palpable. He added that the Commission is absconding from its responsibility if it does not put up some kind of argument against the aforementioned approach to the selection of art. Mr. Twedt responded that the role of the Commission is advisory and it advises the Council on all matters related to visual arts and that Council makes all final decisions. The Commission can make recommendations and the Commission's decision rests solely in an advisory role. Mr. Twedt added that this Council is very actively involved in the public art program, takes pride in it, and takes 3 Art in Public Places Minutes February 21, 2007 a personal responsibility for it. He noted that he often receives comments and complements in the community about the public art program. Commissioner Grochau stated that even though the Commission performs an advisory service for the Council, it is the Commission's responsibility to give Council educated advice and the very best quality of art for the program. Commissioner Hough added that there are great representational artists who do good museum quality work; however, they are expensive. It was suggested to do an invitational and have Commissioner Hough work with staff to help identify appropriate, high quality artists. Commissioner Grochau noted that in most cases he has agreed with Council's final decisions. The Commission has always given Council good artwork to choose from and in the past the Commission has steered them very well. He said if Council is asking for representational, we could still steer them to fine art. Mayor Pro Tem Benson recommended including the specific placement of the artwork in the RFP. Commissioner Hough commented that $148,000 is not enough to attract an appropriate artist. Mr. Twedt stated he would like to wait to see what piece will be purchased to see what funds will be available. Commissioner Stenning stated that there are important criteria in the original RFP that should be kept in it. The artwork should be interactive and respond to the environment. Mr. Twedt suggested not spending too much money on Entrada; however, Mayor Pro Tem added that a cost limit should be considered. Mr. Twedt will let Council know that the Commission plans to search for a realistic artist who can create a site specific piece or series of pieces and he will request the original Entrada budget amount of $250,000 so that the Commission can proceed. It was moved by Commissioner Hough and seconded by Commissioner Grochau that staff, with Commissioner Hough's assistance, research representational/realistic artists with the intent that the RFP be an invitational to target representational/realistic artists using a budget of $250,000. Motion carried unanimously with Commissioner Snyder absent. 4 Art in Public Places Minutes February 21, 2007 C. CONSIDERATION OF ARTISTS TO BE INCLUDED IN THE CITY OF PALM DESERT'S ARTIST REGISTRY Artwork by Barbara Ellmann, Dayton Claudio, Edd Hayes, John Christensen, Cathy Locke, Elena Colombo, Steven Donegan, and Linda Prokop were reviewed to be considered for the City of Palm Desert's Artist Registry. it was moved by Commissioner Thompson and seconded by Commissioner Hough to include Barbara Ellmann, Dayton Claudio, John Christensen, and Cathy Locke in the City of Palm Desert's Artist Registry. Motion approved unanimously with Commissioner Snyder absent. VII1. CONTINUED BUSINESS NONE IX. OLD BUSINESS A. CONSIDERATION OF DEVELOPING A PAINTED TRAFFIC SIGNAL BOX PROJECT FOR EL PASEO Mr. Twedt informed the Commission that three utility boxes on El Paseo have been reserved for the Painted Traffic Signal Box project. Mr. Twedt referred to the proposals from the five artists that were included in the agenda packet. It was explained to the artists that this was a pilot project and City staff will monitor the boxes over a six-month period to see if the project will be feasible. Mr. Twedt noted that when he considered the program he did not realize that there are two boxes at each location. If the artist is able to incorporate a design to include both boxes the commission amount could be slightly higher. If not, staff would paint the second box a neutral color to help conceal it. Upon question by Commissioner Weston, Maria Hunt who presented a proposal for the project, responded that she would use acrylic to paint the box. Mr. Twedt added that the painted boxes are lasting approximately four years in the cities that have done this type of project. Alternate Commissioner Wiener commented he has seen several cities that have painted utility boxes. He said that while the talent of the proposed artists is clear, one could walk into a gallery and see the same style on a painting. He 5 Art in Public Places Minutes February 21, 2007 thinks it should be stylistically different from what is found in the local galleries. Commissioner Hough noted to Mr. Wiener that the Commission was looking for representational designs in response to the request from City Council in that the Commission concentrates on finding more representational art for the program. She added that this was a project that lends itself to representational as requested by Council. Mr. Twedt mentioned that one of the artist's had the idea to incorporate both boxes by painting a torso on one of the boxes and the box next to it would include a leash and a dog. The Public Works staff will prep the box for the artist. Mr. Twedt stated that he would have the artists who are chosen for the project do at least two designs, which he will take to Council. Commissioner Hough again stated that the Commission wanted this project to be one of realism in response to Council's request, which should help guide the selection of artists. Ms. Hough referred back to the minutes of December 20, 2006, and noted that the Commission had recommended the trompe I'oeil style. The proposed artists received the following votes. Maria Hunt — 6; Zoe Fisher — 1; Marcy Gregory — 5; Elizabeth Stephenson — 3; and Bobette Bird — 2. It was moved by Chairperson Bussing and seconded by Commissioner Stenning to accept Maria Hunt, Marcy Gregory, and Elizabeth Stephenson as the artists who will submit sketches for the appointed box (assigned by staff) that will wrap around the entire box. The submissions will be presented at the March 21, 2007 meeting. Each artist will receive an honorarium in an amount decided by staff. Motion carried unanimously with Commissioner Snyder absent. X. PROJECT STATUS REPORTS 1. Palm Desert Community Gallery Ms. Schwartz reported that the opening reception for "Snapshots of the American West" was last night. The exhibition will be on display through March 29. She mentioned that it is the first show that is not an art show but a collection of historical work. The collector will conduct a talk and book signing on Saturday, March 3. The Student Art and Essay Contest is the next exhibition. Art in Public Places Minutes February 21, 2007 2. Website Ms. Schwartz is working on getting the online voting set up for community members to vote on its favorite of the pre -selected sculptures from the 2007/08 El Paseo Exhibition. 3. Docent Program Ms. Schwartz reported that February was the best month for docent tours since the program began. XI. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. STAFF Mr. Twedt circulated the outline for the public art forum to the Commissioners. In keeping with the Commission's directive to staff to find programs that are temporary in nature that can be sponsored and developed to target emerging artists and educate the community in public art, he is proposing to do a public art forum at the Henderson Community Building, which will be completed in approximately one year. He has asked artist Phillip Smith to be one of the speakers at the forum. Commissioner Hough suggested having a keynote speaker that is nationally recognized to talk about the art philosophy, how public art changes lives of individuals, what public art does for a community, etc. Mr. Twedt would like to conduct a series of events, which culminate in a Valley wide bus tour for City Managers, Councilmembers, and other appropriate dignitaries to participate in. The tour would begin in Palm Springs, highlight artwork throughout the Valley, with the tour ending at the Henderson Building and hold a reception. A subcommittee was formed with Commission Members Stenning, Thompson, and Weston to review the proposed Public Art Forum and bring back suggestions at the April 18, 2007 meeting. Mr. Twedt noted that Rattle Tail by Peter Mangan (Embracing the Desert program) would be removed from El Paseo on March 2. B. COMMISSION MEMBERS Art in Public.Places Minutes February 21, 2007 • COMMISSION REPORTS • LIAISON REPORTS 1. PLANNING COMMISSION — Sonia Campbell No report. XI. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Chairperson Bussing adjourned the meeting at 11:05 a.m. Res ctfully submitted, (i..,a4-1-,L (e/(44. EBBIE L. THOMPSON, RE RDING SECRETARY