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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-03-190 CITY OF PALM DESERT ART IN PUBLIC PLACES COMMISSION MINUTES March 19, 2008 I. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Bussing convened the meeting at 9:01 a.m. II. ROLL CALL Present Absent Norma Bussing Kevin Grochau Katherine Hough Barbara Stenning John Weston Also Present Kim Snyder Maureen Thompson Richard Twedt, Public Arts Manager Mayor Jean Benson Deborah Schwartz, Public Art Coordinator Debbie Thompson, Recording Secretary K. Kaufman III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Ms. Schwartz asked to add an item to the agenda. It was moved by Commissioner Hough and seconded by Commissioner Stenning to add CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSALS FOR EXHIBITION IN THE PALM DESERT COMMUNITY GALLERY FOR THE 2008/2009 SEASON Under New Business, Item B. Motion carried unanimously with Commissioners Snyder and Thompson absent. Art in Public Places Minutes 0 March 19, 2008 0 IV. CONSENT CALENDAR Minutes of the regular meeting held on February 20, 2008. Upon Motion by Commissioner Hough and second by Commissioner Hough, the Minutes of February 20, 2008, were approved unanimously with Commissioners Snyder and Thompson absent. V. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. ORAL REVIEW OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION Mr. Twedt reported that at its meeting of March 13, 2008, City Council approved the maintenance contract of the City's public art collection and the El Paseo Exhibition for one year with Brett Fiore with Signature Sculpture Restoration and Maintenance. He was the low bidder and was highly recommended. Michael Volpone has serviced the collection for four years and will still have opportunity to service the additional maintenance needs of the collection. Mr. Twedt added that staff will need to go out to bid for the installation and deinstallation of the El Paseo Exhibition. VI. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None VII. NEW BUSINESS A. CONSIDERATION OF ARTISTS TO BE INCLUDED IN CITY OF PALM DESERT'S ARTIST REGISTRY Artwork by David Wagner, Seranda Vespermann, George Fishman, Kent Hutchison, and Bruce Howdle were reviewed to be considered for the City of Palm Desert's Artist Registry. It was moved by Commissioner Grochau and seconded by Commissioner Hough to include Seranda Vespermann, George Fishman, and Bruce Howdle in the City of Palm Desert's Artist Registry. Motion approved unanimously with Commissioners Snyder and Thompson absent. 0 Art in Public Places Minutes March 19, 2008 0 B. CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSALS FOR EXHIBITION IN THE PALM DESERT COMMUNITY GALLERY FOR THE 2008/2009 SEASON Ms. Schwartz reported that she received 14 proposals for the Palm Desert Community Gallery. She noted that six shows are scheduled each season; one being the annual Student Art and Essay Contest and the other a curated show. Ms. Schwartz presented proposed work by Nancy O'Donnell, Darr Sandberg, Trudy Kapner, Alfred White, Walter Lawson, Paula DeYoe, Susan Carol, Edward Lupper, Anette Lilen Kennedy, Suzanne Blau Greenberg, RK Willis, Lester Wiese, George Wahl, and Kimitri Kirillov. Many of the proposals were either landscapes/desert scenes or faces/portraits and grouped them accordingly. She did not receive any proposals for sculptures. She may try to get another article in the BrightSide and get a Press Release out stating we are looking for sculptures specifically. After much discussion, Ms. Schwartz confirmed that the proposals will be grouped as follows. The photography show will include Trudy Kapner and RK Willis; a solo exhibition of Dimitri Kirillov's work; a portrait/faces exhibition to include Walter Lawson, Susan Carol, Alfred White, and Suzanne Blau Greenberg; and an exhibition of Nancy O'Donnell and Paula DeYoe's works. Mayor Benson noted that the prints by Edward Lupper might be appropriate at the Library. Commissioner Stenning noted that the level of the landscape proposals presented were not the quality we are looking for. She suggested to not having a landscape show this year unless there is a higher caliber of the way the landscape is depicted because there is so much landscape representation here in the desert. It was Ms. Schwartz's suggestion to have this year's themed exhibition to be that of landscapes and she could look for a higher caliber of landscapes. Commissioner Hough suggested focusing on the current Coachella Valley plein air painters. Ms. Schwartz will plan the curated show based on plein air painters. It was moved by Commissioner Hough and seconded by Commissioner Stenning to present the categories as a guideline for staff to explore and develop with some flexibility and if any changes are made bring them back to the Art in Public Places Minutes 0 March 19, 2008 o 0 Commission for review. Motion carried unanimously with Commissioners Snyder and Thompson absent. VIII. CONTINUED BUSINESS NONE IX. OLD BUSINESS A. CONSIDERATION OF THE MODEL PROPOSALS BY DEWAIN VALENTINE, TIM PRENTICE, AND MICHAEL HAYDEN FOR THE "EMBRACING THE DESERT LIGHT" PROJECT Mr. Twedt gave an overview of the artists who presented proposals for the "Embracing the Desert Light" project. Peter Erskine, who was one of the approved artists, declined the project because he did not think his work would be suitable in the median. The three artists who were to present proposals were DeWain Valentine, Tim Prentice, and Michael Hayden. Mr. Twedt noted that the deadline for the proposals was March 14. Due to an injury of Mr. Valentine, Mr. Twedt extended the deadline for him. Mr. Twedt stated that it seemed that the artists missed the point of the project. The project was to contain sequential elements on the median and not be just one piece. He noted that Mr. Prentice proposed to do a piece on each end of El Paseo versus on the median. Mr. Twedt explained Mr. Hayden's proposal. The proposal includes seven elements; four elements that would be installed together on one end of El Paseo with three similar elements on the other end of El Paseo. His concept is of a golf ball being hit and bouncing which is represented by LED lights. The tallest arch will be 13 feet. It was the consensus of the Commission to allow a deadline extension of one month for DeWain Valentine to send in his proposal for the Commission's review. It was moved by Commissioner Hough and seconded by Commissioner Grochau to give artist DeWain Valentine an extension of one month to send in his proposal for the "Embracing the Desert Light" project. Motion carried unanimously with Commissioners Snyder and Thompson absent. Commissioner Stenning commented on the professionalism of the proposal and it being complete. Art in Public Places Min tes 0 March 19, 2008 0 rTh B. CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE THE RFP FOR THE PAINTER'S PATH PROJECT AT ENTRADA DEL PASEO Mr. Twedt stated that he spoke to the four artists regarding the Painter's Path project and all are interested in the project (Terry Allen, Clay Dahlberg, Dee Clements, and Gary Price). He noted that Commissioner Hough provided staff with names of several plein air artists who lived and worked in the desert area. He suggested including a bronze plaque listing the names of the artists who lived and painted here. There would also be text on the plaque that talked about the importance of the desert painters. Staff met with Hal Rover who gave a Power Point presentation of the desert painters. Mr. Twedt wants to provide the artists with as much background information as possible. Upon question by Commissioner Weston, Mr. Twedt responded that the bronze figures would be placed in Phase II of the Eric Johnson Memorial Gardens. It was the consensus of the Commission to approve the RFP for Painter's Path. It was moved by Commissioner Stenning and seconded by Commissioner Hough to approve the RFP for the Painter's Path Project at Entrada del Paseo as presented by Staff. Motion carried with Commissioners Snyder and Thompson absent. X. PROJECT STATUS REPORTS A. Palm Desert Community Gallery Ms. Schwartz stated that the Sandpiper exhibition has been the most well received show since she has worked for the City. 92260 did a full page article of the show. Ms. Schwartz will begin to install the Art and Essay Contest on April 7. The Barone's show will follow the Student Art and Essay Contest with it being the final show of the season. B. Website Ms. Schwartz noted that there were 210,000 visitors on the palmdesertart site last year. o Art in Public Places Minutes C) March 19, 2008 0 0 0 C. Docent Program The printing of the new rack card is complete. D. Desert Cities Public Art Forum Ms. Schwartz noted there will be a full committee meeting tomorrow. There were two changes of speakers. Denise Sindelar was added to the marketing session. Gail Goldman will replace Jessica Cusick as the Keynote speaker. Mr. Twedt stated that there are 70 people signed up for April 4 and 60 for April 19. Invitations for the bus tour on May 1 will be mailed out this week. XI. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. STAFF No report. B. COMMISSION MEMBERS Commissioner Grochau stated that he talked to Spencer Knight about the medians on Country Club between Portola and Monterey that includes the glass designs. He confirmed that it was a public works project. COMMISSION REPORTS • LIAISON REPORTS 1. PLANNING COMMISSION — Sonia Campbell No report. XI. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Chairperson Bussing adjourned the meeting at 10:50 a.m. Respectfully submitted, • ( DEBBIE L. THOMPSON, RECORDING SECRETARY