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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-10-29o 0 0 0 CITY OF PALM DESERT ART IN PUBLIC PLACES COMMISSION MINUTES October 29, 2008 I. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Bussing convened the meeting at 2:33 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present Absent Norma Bussing Kevin Grochau Katherine Hough Kim Snyder Barbara Stenning John Weston Also Present Maureen Thompson (excused) Mayor Jean Benson Richard Twedt, Public Arts Manager Deborah Schwartz, Public Art Coordinator Debbie Thompson, Recording Secretary Dr. Paul Flanagan, artist Rachel Flanagan Ryan Ogulnick, Developer Art in Public Places Minutes 0 October 29.2008 0 III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS NONE IV. CONSENT CALENDAR Minutes of the regular meeting held on September 17, 2008. Upon Motion by Commissioner Grochau and second by Commissioner Hough, the Minutes of September 17, 2008, were approved unanimously. V. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. ORAL REVIEW OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION No report. Mayor Benson commented that Debbie Thompson did an outstanding job on the 2009 calendar with the theme being "Embracing Palm Desert's Public Art". VI. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None VII. NEW BUSINESS A. CONSIDERATION OF A TITLE FOR THE 2009 STUDENT ART AND ESSAY CONTEST Commissioner Hough suggested a theme that could educate students focusing on the art field. Staff suggested the themes of "Living your Dream" or "What is Your Favorite Daydream?" Other theme suggestions included endangered animals and acts of kindness. There was discussion when considering the theme that it be appropriate for students grades Kindergarten through high school and that it not be too elementary. Staff noted that there is only one high school and the percentage of the elementary school age students who participate is high. The theme of creating a website was also discussed. it was moved by Commissioner Snyder and seconded by Commissioner Grochau to direct staff to contact some of Art in Public Places Minutes October 29 2008 0 the schools regarding the theme of creating a website for the 2009 Student Art and Essay Contest, and to continue this item to the meeting of November 19, 2008. Motion carried unanimously. B. CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE DESIGN PROPOSAL, "FAMILY OF THE COACHELLA VALLEY" BY DR. PAUL FLANAGAN FOR THE VINEYARDS AT PALM DESERT DEVELOPMENT Chairperson Bussing referred to the staff report in the agenda packet that included the design proposal provided by developer Ryan Ogulnick as the public art component for the Vineyards at Palm Desert Development. Mr. Ogulnick noted that the development includes 260 apartments and a clubhouse. The proposed sculpture represents a family made from Persian travertine. The piece will be placed in front of the clubhouse at the main entrance. The five foot sculpture will sit on a two foot base and will be lit. Upon question by Commissioner Grochau, Mr. Ogulnick responded that the clubhouse would be open to the public as well as for the residents. The budget is $93,000. There was discussion of the placement of the sculpture and concern that it may not be seen by passersby. Commissioner Grochau requested a lighting plan and a specific site plan of where the sculpture will be placed. It was the consensus of the Commission that the sculpture worked well with the building. It was moved by Commissioner Stenning and seconded by Commissioner Grochau to approve the "Family of the Coachella Valley" sculpture as the public art component for the Vineyards at Palm Desert with the provision that the developer provide a lighting plan and a larger scale rendering of the art placement. Motion carried unanimously. C. CONSIDERATION OF ARTISTS TO BE INCLUDED IN CITY OF PALM DESERT'S ARTIST REGISTRY Artwork by Numan Begovic and Tony and Karen Barone 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 Tony and Karen Barone in Art in Public Places Minutes October 29, 2008 0 0 the City of Palm Desert's Artist Registry. Motion carried unanimously. It was moved by Commissioner Grochau and seconded by Commissioner Hough to add Consideration to Accept a Donation of Three Sculptures by Michael Bigger to the City's Permanent Public Art Collection to the agenda under New Business, Item D. Motion carried unanimously. D. CONSIDERATION TO ACCEPT A DONATION OF THREE SCULPTURES BY MICHAEL BIGGER TO THE CITY'S PERMANENT PUBLIC ART COLLECTION Mr. Twedt informed the Commission that artist Michael Bigger inquired about donating three sculptures (currently at the Desert Art Collection Gallery) to the City to be included in its permanent public art collection. Staff noted that the large yellow sculpture, titled "Marfa", would need to be sandblasted and repainted. "Texas Totem I" and "Texas Totem II" are the two smaller pieces. The Commission inquired about having to take all three pieces as it was mostly interested in "Marfa". Mr. Twedt stated he would consider placing "Marfa" in the area behind the Henderson Community Building. Mayor Benson noted that the City has turned down requests for donated artwork in the past so that we do not end up with a lot of mix match art. However, if the larger piece has value then it could be worth accepting. It was the consensus of the Commission to have Staff ask the artist if the City is conditioned to take all three sculptures or if it can only accept "Marfa". It was moved by Commissioner Stenning and seconded by Commissioner Snyder that staff inquires with artist Michael Bigger about the conditions of accepting one or all three sculptures as the Commission prefers to accept "Marfa". Motion carried unanimously. VIII. CONTINUED BUSINESS A. CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE AN INTERNET/ART VIDEO PROJECT Commissioner Stenning reported that the subcommittee met regarding the Internet/Art Video project and is recommending that the Commission hold a video competition. The winning video could be posted on the Art in Public Places Minutes 0 October 29, 2008 0 website and receive $500.00 and two runners up would each receive $250.00. There would also be a competition for the Internet art based project with the same stipulations. The winners would receive a certificate from the Mayor at a City Council meeting. Commissioner Grochau added that we would like to do the video competition first. The RFP will state that the competition is for nonprofessional artists and students are encouraged to enter. It was moved by Commissioner Hough and seconded by Commissioner Snyder to approve the Internet/Art Video project directing staff to proceed with the RFP. Motion carried unanimously. IX. OLD BUSINESS A. CONSIDERATION OF PAINTING THREE TRAFFIC SIGNAL BOXES Mr. Twedt reported that Susan Smith Evans of COD is interested in participating in the Traffic Signal Box project. Robert Brasier of the Palm Springs Art Museum would also like to have his students participate but would need to have theirs completed by May due to the students graduating. Mayor Benson asked if we had a map that included the locations of the City's traffic signal boxes. She added that she would like to see all of the boxes painted and possibly request additional funds from Council. She noted two boxes on Fred Waring near the High School that she would like to have considered. Mr. Twedt mentioned that Mark Greenwood would like a few more boxes painted near and around El Paseo; however, he does not object to other areas of Palm Desert. Mr. Twedt thought about having Susan Smith Evans start with the location at Hwy 74 and El Paseo. Mr. Twedt would take a few designs to Melissa Morgan Fine Art asking for their input due to the gallery being on that corner. Mr. Twedt would like it to be a class project and have the designs presented to the Commission. An honorarium would be given. It was moved by Commissioner Grochau and seconded by Commissioner Hough to have staff continue communication with the schools and Palm Springs Art Museum for the Traffic Signal Boxes project. Staff was also directed to investigate a map of the locations of the City's traffic signal boxes. Motion carried unanimously. Art in Public Places Minutes _ October 29, 2008 0 0 B. CONSIDERATION TO SELECT TWO ARTISTS TO DEVELOP A PROPOSAL FOR THE "EMBRACING THE DESERT LIGHT" PROJECT Mr. Twedt stated that he would like the Commission to select two more artists from the 140 proposals he received for the "Embracing the Desert Light" project. The two additional artists will be added to the artists that were approved at its meeting of October 17, 2007 (Tim Prentice, Michael Hayden, and DeWain Valentine). He sorted the submissions into categories of potential for the Commission's review. It was moved by Commissioner Grochau and seconded by Commissioner Snyder to continue the Consideration to Select Two Artists to Develop a Proposal for the "Embracing the Desert Light" Project to the meeting of November 19, 2008. Motion carried unanimously. X. PROJECT STATUS REPORTS A. Palm Desert Community Gallery Ms. Schwartz reported that the "It's All About Nature" exhibit is doing well. The upcoming show is of plein air artists with the opening reception on Monday, December 15 at 5:30 p.m. B. Website No report. C. Docent Program Ms. Schwartz reported that she sent out a Call for Docents. She received ten applications and will interview eight people. She will conduct an -eleven week training. She will train the current docents on the 2009/10 El Paseo Exhibition on Friday, October 31. The second Saturday tour (November 8) will be of the art at the Library. XI. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. STAFF Art in Public Places Minutes 0 October 29, 2008 0 0 Ms. Schwartz noted that the Art of Food & Wine festival begins on Thursday, November 6 kicking off with the 2009/10 El Paseo Exhibition dedication. There will be two tours of the new Exhibition on Friday (11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.) as part of the Art of Shopping day. She highly recommends that the Commissioners take one of the three tours offered to find out what the community is learning about the program. There will be ten sculptures from six different artists at Saturday and Sunday's Grand Tasting event. There will be three sculptures from Tony and Karen Barone, three sculptures from Jones and Terwilliger Gallery, two from Ted Phillip Denton, and two from Desert Art Collection. The artists will be at the event conducting art in action. B. COMMISSION MEMBERS None COMMISSION REPORTS • LIAISON REPORTS 1. PLANNING COMMISSION — Sonia Campbell No report. XI. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Chairperson Bussing adjourned the meeting at 4:38 p.m. ectfully sub tte , R�BBIE L. THOMPSON, RECORDING SECRETARY