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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-03-12 CITY OF PALM DESERT ART IN PUBLIC PLACES COMMISSION MINUTES Wednesday, March 12, 2014 I. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Boren convened the meeting at 9:05 a.m. II. ROLL CALL Present Absent Melissa Blalock Norma Bussing Maureen Boren Donna Jean Darby Katherine Hough Lesley Miller Maureen Thompson Also Present Deborah Schwartz, Management Analyst Debbie Thompson, Recording Secretary Lauri Aylaian, Director of Community Development Susan Marie Weber, Councilmember Liaison III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Ms. Schwartz introduced and welcomed new Commissioner Member Melissa Blalock to the Commission. IV. CONSENT CALENDAR Minutes of the regular meeting held on February 12, 2014. Commissioner Hough moved to approve the Minutes of February 12, 2014. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Darby and carried 5-0-1 with Boren, Darby, Hough, Miller, and Thompson voting AYE, Blalock ABSTAINING, with Bussing absent. Art in Public Places Minutes March 12, 2014 2 V. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. ORAL REVIEW OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION – Mayor Pro Tem Susan Marie Weber Mayor Pro Tem Weber reported that at its meeting of February 27, 2014, City Council approved the three sculptures from the 2013/2014 El Paseo Invitational Exhibition for the public to choose one to be purchased by the City of Palm Desert. The proposal from and commissioning of Bijan Masoumpanah for a design to be painted on the traffic signal cabinet located on the southwest corner of Fred Waring Drive and College of the Desert was also approved by Council. B. PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT – Ken Stendell No report. C. ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION REPORT – John Vuksic No report. VI. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None VII. NEW BUSINESS A. CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSALS FOR EXHIBITION IN THE PALM DESERT COMMUNITY GALLERY FOR THE 2014/2015 SEASON Ms. Schwartz reported that every year staff publicizes the call for artists to submit proposals to show artwork in the Palm Desert Community Gallery. There are five shows a year, one being the Student Art and Essay Contest which leaves four available shows. She received 25 submissions with several artists submitting only a few pieces. Ms. Schwartz thought that one show could be a combination of the artists who had just a few pieces and title it “Bits and Pieces”. Art in Public Places Minutes March 12, 2014 3 The following artists submitted proposals to exhibit in the gallery. Betty Owen, Dan Green, Ed Seeberger, Elizabeth Chandler, Jo-Ann Rosa, John Ressler, Julie Hirsch, Linda Ann Wolf, Maggie Headrick, Moira Johannessen, Peggy Bakke, Ray Yeager, Sherry Tucker, Steve Ehrlich, Burton Swope, Tom Robson, Anita Krapes, Billy Baumann, Bonnie Arizona, Dyana Swanson, John Zaugg, Kim Snyder, Linda Kottke, Neesa Perman, and Toshiko Ousdahl. After much consideration and discussion, the Commission concurred that the following artists were selected to exhibit their artwork in the Palm Desert Community Gallery. John Ressler, Moira Johannessen, and Linda Kottke as one show; Elizabeth Chandler and Maggie Headrick as one show; Linda Ann Wolf, Kim Snyder, and Bonnie Arizona as one show; and Burton Swope and Tim Robson as another show. Commissioner Thompson moved to accept artists John Ressler, Moira Johannessen, Linda Kottke, Elizabeth Chandler, Maggie Headrick, Linda Ann Wolf, Kim Snyder, Bonnie Arizona, Burton Swope, and Tim Robson as the artists to exhibit in the Palm Desert Community Gallery for the 2014/2015 season. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Darby and carried 5-0-0 with Blalock, Boren, Darby, Hough, Miller, and Thompson voting AYE with Bussing absent. VIII. CONTINUED BUSINESS MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF JANUARY 8, 2014 Commissioner Thompson moved to approve the Minutes of the regular meeting of January 8, 2014 (continued from the meeting of February 12, 2014). Motion was seconded by Commissioner Hough and carried 5-0-1 with Boren, Darby, Hough, Miller, and Thompson voting AYE, Blalock ABSTAINING, with Bussing absent. IX. OLD BUSINESS NONE Art in Public Places Minutes March 12, 2014 4 X. PROJECT STATUS REPORTS A. Palm Desert Community Gallery Ms. Schwartz reported that Ancestral Recall by Gideon Cohn has been well received. B. Docent Program The docent program has been busy with tours. There were eight people on the First Weekend March Saturday Library tour. C. Public Art Documentary Film Series Ms. Schwartz reported that March’s film, Inocente, will be shown on Thursday, March 20. XI. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. STAFF Ms. Schwartz reported that she attended a board meeting at the Palm Springs Unified School District to receive the Shiny Apple Award on behalf of herself and six of the City’s public art docents who gave tours of the El Paseo Exhibition to 150 high school students, and Louisa Castrodale wanted to recognize their service. Ms. Schwartz was able to talk about the City’s public art program during the presentation. Ms. Schwartz stated that she researched the signage at Desert Willow as Commissioner Miller and Mayor Pro Tem Weber expressed their concerns about the difficulty of finding Desert Willow. Ms. Schwartz pointed out that there is a large rock sculpture on the northwest corner of Country Club and Desert Willow drives that reads Desert Willow. Traveling westbound the signage is more visible than when traveling east. However, there are several way finding signs that direct one to Desert Willow. She stated that adding another sculpture on the south side of Country Club Drive may not solve the signage problem and there would be too much artwork in that location as “Desert Bloom” is near the entrance of the clubhouse as well as the Dale Chihuly chandelier in the entryway of the clubhouse. As far as Art in Public Places Minutes March 12, 2014 5 acquiring additional signage directing one to Desert Willow, would be more of a Public Works matter. Ms. Schwartz reminded the Commission members to complete their 2013 Form 700 and return them to the City Clerk’s office by April 1. Ms. Schwartz gave an update on the proposed donation from Renova Energy Corporation of having artist Deborah Flowers paint a design on the traffic signal cabinets on the northeast corner of Highway 74 and El Paseo which was denied by City Council. Staff was directed by Council to find another location for Renova to consider. Ms. Schwartz located a couple of cabinets in the north sphere but Renova was not in favor of those particular sites. Ms. Flowers suggested a location on the southwest corner of Parkview and Monterey Avenue near College of the Desert. The original proposal from Renova was that they would pay the artist $3,000 to paint designs on three cabinets and the City would pay $750. Ms. Schwartz said the new proposed location was for two cabinets and she believes that Renova intends to leave the original proposal amount of $3,000 the same. Chairperson Boren mentioned that she had seen an image that Ms. Flowers had done for another organization that was done in hues of blue and the design was similar to what she recently presented to this Commission. She does not know why Renova and the artist are so vested in continuing the same pattern that the City already has. Ms. Schwartz said that it is the Commission’s decision to accept or deny the proposal, and is part of the Commission’s responsibility to do so. Commissioner Darby commented that the blue hues might blend in more than the oranges. Commissioner Miller again voiced her feelings about the artwork being an advertisement for Renova since they are using such a similar design. Ms. Schwartz said that any time an entity is offering a donation, it would be apparent that it is some type of advertisement. The proposed donation from Renova fits the City’s criteria for artwork and does not include the business name or logo on it. Ms. Schwartz will let Renova know that the Commission would like Renova to consider another color scheme and agendize this item on the Commission’s April 9 meeting. Art in Public Places Minutes March 12, 2014 6 B. COMMISSION REPORTS Commissioner Miller stated that the resident from Sandpiper, Marilyn Irvin, who spoke at the meeting of January 8, is very distressed about the sculpture “Recycle” located on the El Paseo median near Vons. Commissioner Miller did let her know that part of the reason for not moving the sculpture was due to the cost of relocating it. Ms. Irvin asked if the residents were willing to pay to relocate the sculpture, could it be moved. Ms. Schwartz stated that not every piece of artwork is going to be liked by everyone. Ms. Schwartz told Commissioner Miller that she did ask Ms. Irvin if she was representing herself or the homeowner association, and Ms. Irvin said she was representing herself. Ms. Schwartz added that if there is a group of people who are interested in moving the sculpture and is an overwhelming issue, it can be addressed. Commissioner Darby reported that she stopped to talk to the artists who were installing the artwork at the Coachella Valley Water District. She enjoyed talking to the artists and the mural is beautifully done. Commissioner Darby mentioned that the Desertscapes exhibit at the Marks Center at COD looks good. Ms. Schwartz reminded the Commission that the City was not participating in Desertscapes this year. Chairperson Boren announced that Ron Backer has an exhibit at the Coachella Valley History Museum this month. The focus of Mr. Backer’s artwork is the Coachella Valley’s historic sites. Chairperson Boren added that the Museum is having a Heritage Festival on Saturday, March 29, and are celebrating the early cultures that settled in the Valley. Commissioner Hough announced that the Palm Springs Art Museum is presenting the film Herb & Dorothy 50X50 on Thursday, April 10, at the Annenberg Theater. The Museum is hosting Dorothy Vogel and Megumi Sasaki who will conduct the Q&A after the film. Art in Public Places Minutes March 12, 2014 7 XI. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Darby moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:50 a.m. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Hough. Respectfully submitted, Debbie L. Thompson _______________________________________________ DEBBIE L. THOMPSON, RECORDING SECRETARY