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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-02-200 0 CITY OF PALM DESERT ART IN PUBLIC PLACES COMMISSION MINUTES February 20, 2008 I. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Bussing convened the meeting at 9:00 a.m. II. ROLL CALL Present Absent Norma Bussing Kevin Grochau Katherine Hough Barbara Stenning Kim Snyder Maureen Thompson Also Present John Weston Richard Twedt, Public Arts Manager Mayor Jean Benson Sonia Campbell, Planning Commission Liaison Deborah Schwartz, Public Art Coordinator Debbie Thompson, Recording Secretary III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None 0 Art in Public Places Minutes February 20, 2008 0 0 IV. CONSENT CALENDAR Minutes of the regular meeting held on December 19, 2007. Upon Motion by Commissioner Thompson and second by Commissioner Snyder, the Minutes of December 19, 2007, were approved unanimously with Commissioner Weston absent. V. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. ORAL REVIEW OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION None VI. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None Vil. NEW BUSINESS A. SELECTION OF A CHAIRPERSON AND VICE CHAIRPERSON Chairperson Bussing opened up the floor for nominations to select a new Chairperson. It was the consensus of the Commission to re-elect Chairperson Bussing to serve as Chairperson for another one year term. The floor was opened up for nominations for Vice Chairperson. It was unanimous that Commissioner Hough serves as Vice Chairperson. It was moved by Commissioner Hough and seconded by Commissioner Snyder to select Chairperson Bussing to serve as Chairperson for a one year term. Motion carried unanimously with Commissioner Weston absent. It was moved by Chairperson Bussing and seconded by Commissioner Stenning to select Commissioner Hough to serve as Vice Chairperson for a one year term. Motion carried unanimously with Commissioner Weston absent. Art in Public Places Minutes February 20, 2008 0 B. CONSIDERATION OF ARTISTS TO BE INCLUDED IN CITY OF PALM DESERT'S ARTIST REGISTRY Artwork by Mark Grieve, Carolyn Guerra, Nancy Stanchfield, Tony Stallard, Rik Phillips, Cecilia Lueza, Samuel Nigro, Jean Bradley, and Herb Roe were reviewed to be considered for the City of Palm Desert's Artist Registry. It was moved by Commissioner Hough and seconded by Commissioner Bussing to include Mark Grieve, Nancy Stanchfield, Rik Phillips, Cecilia Lueza, Samuel Nigro, Jean Bradley, and Herb Roe in the City of Palm Desert's Artist Registry. Motion approved unanimously with Commissioner Weston absent. Vlll. CONTINUED BUSINESS NONE IX. OLD BUSINESS A. CONSIDERATION OF THE BRONZE SCULPTURE "MONET" FOR ENTRADA DEL PASEO Mr. Twedt reminded the Commission that at the meeting of December 19, 2007, there was discussion of commissioning artwork to honor Painter's Path and the plein air painters who visited here between 1905 and 1950. Mr. Twedt met with Hal Rover of the Historical Society regarding information on the painters. Commissioner Weston mentioned to Mr. Twedt that there was a bronze figure of a plein air painter on El Paseo. Mr. Twedt looked at it and it is of a portrait of Monet by artist Gary Price. The artwork is a bronze tableau of Monet sitting on a bench painting (that acts as a pedestrian bench), an easel with a painting on it, a box of paints, and a paint brush. The Commission did not feel the connection between Monet and Painter's Path and suggested honoring the painters of Painter's Path including history of the plein air painters. Mr. Twedt referred to the literature from Mr. Rover regarding the plein air painters that was included in the agenda packet. Mr. Twedt noted that the bronze of Monet on El Paseo by Gary Price is available for $41,000, which would leave $210,000 available for another project. Commissioner Art in Public Places Minutes 0 February 20, 2008 o 0 Hough stated that there is no true connection between Monet and the plein air painters on Painter's Path and does not want to portray Monet as the "father" of those painters. Mr. Twedt stated that the Commission could ask the artists who were approved for the "Andy the Donkey Man" project and direct them to propose a figurative person painting outdoors. Commissioner Grochau suggested evaluating the entire budget and have one large project rather than several smaller projects. He added that he would like to get more information on the Video Wall. Mr. Twedt stated that that probably would not take place as he has not been able to locate an appropriate site. His only suggestion was the new parking structure off of El Paseo but that project is a few years away. Commissioner Thompson agreed to the idea of a bronze figure depicting a person painting outdoors. Commissioner Hough suggested including Gary Price as one of the artists to submit a proposal. Chairperson Bussing reiterated that Mr. Twedt mentioned asking the approved artists for the "Andy the Donkey Man" project to propose a sculpture of an artist depicting a plein air painter. Commissioner Hough stated that we have the funds, the concept, and we should not compromise. Chairperson Bussing agreed. Mr. Twedt said he could get more information from Hal Rover about the painters. Commissioner Snyder stated that the City has a lot of modern art and the piece by Gary Price was modern. Commissioning a piece that would depict a plein air artist would tie in with Palm Desert's history. Commissioner Hough mentioned the plein air painters that are here today (Terry Masters) and that it is an ongoing tradition. It was the consensus of the Commission to invite Gary Price, Terry Allen, Clay Dahlberg, and Dee Clements to create a proposal including two figures; one male and one female. It was moved by Commissioner Stenning and seconded by Commissioner Grochau to utilize the approved list of artists for the "Andy the Donkey Man" project and have staff contact those artists regarding the new project, send out a new set of guidelines, ask the artist to propose concepts based on the circle of plein air painters who painted on Painter's Path with the criteria including a bronze realistic figure and depicts the history of plein air painters in Palm Desert There was discussion to include Gary Price as one of the artists to present a maquette for the project. Commissioner Art in Public Places Minutes 0 February 20, 2008 C Hough will help with the list of actual artists who lived here for staff to research. 0 0 It was moved by Commissioner Stenning and seconded by Commissioner Grochau to amend the Motion to include Gary Price as one of the artists to present a moquette and remove Stanley Proctor from the list Motion carried unanimously with Commissioner Weston absent. X. PROJECT STATUS REPORTS A. Palm Desert Community Gallery Ms. Schwartz stated that the new exhibition is based on the Sandpiper development. She thanked Jim West and Karen Prinzmetal for the information, photographs, and furniture that is being used in the show. The opening was Feburary 11, with 85 people in attendance. She thanked the Commissioners who attended. The documentary of mid century modern architecture "Desert Utopia" was showing during the reception. The Visitor Center owns the documentary and it will screen every Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. Ms. Schwartz noted that William Krisel will be in the Gallery this morning to see the show and for publicity opportunities. The show has been well attended. The Desert Sun did an article of the show and 92260 will also do an article. The next exhibition will be the Student Art and Essay Contest, which will begin April 10. March 13 is the deadline for the call for proposals for the gallery. Ms. Schwartz was approached by Pat Scully who heads up the Youth Committee was told by Council that the Committee could have a show in the Gallery. She is meeting with Ms. Scully today about the possibilities. B. Website Mr. Twedt reported that several years ago a video production company was hired to produce a DVD of the El Paseo show, which included installation, and interviews with the artists. The DVD was mailed to art galleries, museums, etc. He was able to download the DVD onto his computer Art in Public Places Minutes © February 20, 2008 0 and uploaded it to the public art website, which now can be found at www.pdvirtualgallery.com. C. Docent Program Ms. Schwartz reported that she is getting a lot of requests for tours. February is a popular tour month. A new rack card is being produced. D. Desert Cities Public Art Forum Mr. Twedt reported that 37 people are signed up for Friday, April 4, and 27 for Saturday, April 19. The brochure for the Forum is at the printer. Ms. Schwartz stated that there will be a bus tour subcommittee meeting next week. Mr. Twedt asked that Chairperson Bussing be on the bus tour. XI. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. STAFF Ms. Schwartz reported that she spoke to Karen Riley of the S.C.R.A.P. Gallery and the bicycles will be completed and at the Indian Wells Arts Festival in April. Ms. Riley has tickets available for the Commission members. Please let Ms. Schwartz know if you are interested. Ms. Schwartz stated that she will be involved with this year's Art of Food and Wine event. The dedication of the 2009/2010 El Paseo Exhibition will kick off the event. Ms. Thompson informed the Commission of the passing of artist Bill Ware. Ms. Thompson reported that she gave presentations to three schools for this year's Student Art and Essay Contest. One of the schools was not receptive to the title of "What Artwork or Technology Can I Create Using Solar Energy?" Mr. Twedt helped chose a new title, which will now be "What Can I Create Using Solar Energy?" Ms. Thompson notified all the schools of the new title. She reminded the Commission that the teachers need a more simplified topic to be able to work with the younger students as well as the high school students. Commissioner Thompson said she Art in Public Places Minutes - February 20, 2008 o 0 0 would join staff next year when presentations are given to the schools. Mr. Twedt reported that Heath Satow was selected as the artist who will work with the landscape architects on the 700- foot median on Monterey and Dinah Shore. He added that one of the contingencies of that project is to add lighting to the entrance sign that was created by Mr. Satow at the Desert Gateway Center. B. COMMISSION MEMBERS Commissioner Thompson reported that she is retiring from the Desert Sands Unified School District after 36 years of teaching, being a principal, and a director. Commissioner Stenning apologized to Mr. Twedt and Ms. Schwartz for not giving the attention she wanted to toward the Desert Cities Public Art Forum and added that staff has done a terrific job. Commissioner Hough reported that the Palm Springs Art Museum has a Modern Architecture exhibition of Julius Shulman's architecture and photography. Commissioner Grochau mentioned he saw Phillip Smith's artwork "Infinity" and said it looks fantastic with the textures he created. Commissioner Grochau noted that the medians on Country Club Drive between Cook and Portola include glass and stonework. He asked if it was a Public Works project. Mr. Twedt has not seen the medians but said it was most likely a Public Works project. COMMISSION REPORTS • LIAISON REPORTS 1. PLANNING COMMISSION — Sonia Campbell Ms. Campbell reported that at the meeting of February 19, 2008, the Planning Commission made a recommendation to City Council to allow 19 units to be built on Stone Eagle Golf Course. Some of the 19 pads will have a roof height of 25' 2". Art in Public Places Minutes February 20, 2008 0 0 0 XI. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Chairperson Bussing adjourned the meeting at 10:30 a.m. Respectfully submitted, alAt owtr s bk, EBBIE L. T O PSON, R CORDING SECRETARY