Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-10-15 CITY OF PALM DESERT ART IN PUBLIC PLACES COMMISSION MINUTES October 15, 2003 I. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Dickinson convened the meeting at 8:35 a.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Absent: Janet Brody Kevin Grochau Norma Bussing Joe Dickinson Suzanne Greenberg Katherine Hough Jana Koroczynsky Also Present: Mayor Jean Benson Richard Twedt, Public Arts Manager Deborah Schwartz, Public Art Coordinator Debbie Thompson, Recording Secretary Sonia Campbell, Planning Commission Liaison Sharon Klatz - Visitor III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS NONE Minutes October 15, 2003 2 IV. CONSENT CALENDAR Minutes of the regular meeting held on September 17, 2003. It was noted by Commissioner Koroczynsky that under New Business, Item J. Commissioner Koroczynsky abstained from voting. Upon Motion by Commissioner Brody and second by Commissioner Koroczynsky, the Minutes of September 17, 2003, were approved unanimously as corrected. V. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. ORAL REVIEW OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION City Council approved the following items at its meeting of October 9, 2003. * The Art Department was authorized to conduct a Call for Proposals to create an artistic bench program on El Paseo. * The Art Department was authorized to commission two sculptures to be integrated on the stone monument signs on El Paseo between Highway 111 and Portola Avenue and El Paseo west of Highway 74. * The Art Department was authorized to commission artist Donna Billick’s Baja Palapa for the second sculpture on the Fred Waring Corridor. * The Art Department was authorized to commission Allen Root’s Proposal #1 rock formation with roadrunners for the entrance sign at the northwest corner of Fred Waring Drive and Washington Street. * The Art Department was authorized to hire Robert Menifee to curate the 2004/05 El Paseo Exhibition. * The Art Department was authorized to construct additional pads on the El Paseo median between Highway 111 and Highway 74, and Portola Avenue to extend the El Paseo Exhibition. Minutes October 15, 2003 3 VI. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None VII. NEW BUSINESS A. CONSIDER ARTISTS TO BE INCLUDED IN THE CITY OF PALM DESERT’S ARTIST SLIDE REGISTRY The following artists were reviewed to be included in the artist slide registry. Delores Berg Delberg, Steve Gaskey, Harriet Zeitlin, Scott Wallace, Koryn Rolstad, Carlos Basanta, and Russell Jacques. It was moved by Commissioner Bussing and seconded by Commissioner Hough to accept artists Scott Wallace, Carlos Basanta, Russell Jacques, and Harriet Zeitlin to be included in the Artist Slide Registry. Motion carried unanimously. B. REVIEW OF ARTISTS IN THE CITY OF PALM DESERT’S ARTIST SLIDE REGISTRY The following artists were reviewed to be retained or eliminated from the artist slide registry. (Sculpture Realistic) Marie Barbera, Mary Buckman, Paul Berlier, Jane DeDecker, Patrick Brady, Ann LaRose, George Lundeen, Sharon Loper, Kenneth Ryder, George Schmerholz, John Henry Waddell, and Joe Wertheimer (reviewing next month). It was moved by Commissioner Hough and seconded by Commissioner Brody to retain artists Mary Buckman, Jane DeDecker, Ann LaRose, George Lundeen, George Schmerholz, and John Henry Waddell to be retained in the artist slide registry. Motion carried unanimously with Commissioner Koroczynsky abstaining from voting on George Lundeen. The following artists were reviewed to be retained or eliminated from the artist slide registry. (Architectural Elements) Michael Bondi, Myra Burg, Garth Edwards, Phil Evans, Nitin Jayaswal, Gregg Le Feure, Mandel/Sultan, Michael Morgan, Kate Petley, Vickie Scuri, and Bryan Tedrick. Minutes October 15, 2003 4 It was moved by Commissioner Hough and seconded by Commissioner Bussing to retain artists Michael Bondi, Myra Burg, Garth Edwards, Phil Evans, Gregg Le Feure, Mandel/Sultan, Michael Morgan, Vickie Scuri, Bryan Tedrick, and Nitin Jayaswal to be retained in the Artist Slide Registry. Motion carried unanimously with Commissioner Koroczynsky abstaining from voting on Myrna Burg. VIII. CONTINUED BUSINESS A. CONSIDERATION OF COMMISSIONING ORR STUDIOS TO CREATE SCULPTURE/FOUNTAIN LANDMARK SIGNS ON EL PASEO AND HIGHWAY III AND PORTOLA (Continued from the meeting of September 17, 2003) Mr. Twedt stated that Landscape Manager Spencer Knight was not opposed to the landmark signs for El Paseo, but he will not remove the tree that would block the visibility of the sign. Mr. Knight stated that he would support converting pad #18 into the base for a sign. Mr. Knight also told Mr. Twedt that he would not endorse a water feature. It was moved by Commissioner Brody and seconded by Commissioner Koroczynsky to continue the Consideration to Commission Orr Studios to create sculpture/fountain landmark signs on El Paseo and Highway III and El Paseo and Portola. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Twedt stated that the El Paseo Business Association supported the idea of having upscale sculpture/landmark signs at both ends of El Paseo. IX. OLD BUSINESS A. CONSIDERATION OF CREATING A BUDGET FOR THE MURAL IN THE PALM DESERT LIBRARY COMMUNITY ROOM Mr. Twedt stated that the Library Committee was receptive to Commissioner Brody’s suggestion that the mural have a non-desert theme. She suggested that the theme of the mural be the programs and activities that the Library provides for the community. Mr. Twedt stated that there is approximately 500 square feet of surface area plus 150 feet of ceiling and overhang that needs to be painted. The cost for a mural is approximately $50.00 to $100.00 per square foot. He contacted Susan Evans who has done a similar Minutes October 15, 2003 5 mural work for the Indio Library. She charges between $40.00 to $60.00 per square foot. It was moved by Commissioner Brody and seconded by Commissioner Koroczynsky to have staff proceed with the commissioning of an artist in an amount not to exceed $40,000.00 for the mural in the Palm Desert Public Library Community Room. Artist to be determined at a later date. Motion carried unanimously. B. CONSIDERATION TO COMMISSION ARTWORK FOR THE ENTRADA DEL PASEO PROJECT Mr. Twedt stated that RDA will provide $75,000 in funds for art for the Entrada Del Paseo project. In order to find a nationally known artist for a project of the scale the commission amount should be approximately $250,000.00. Upon question by Commissioner Brody, it is the desire to have people experience the garden. Mayor Benson stated that at the last Entrada meeting, the Committee voted not to do anything on the second restaurant pad until the Visitor Center and the Chamber of Commerce buildings are complete. When the Cuistot Restaurant was moved to a different location on the site the perimeter landscape was expanded, which left no room for the Eric Johnson Garden. Mayor Benson stated that the main reason the City purchased that lot was to preserve open space and it has become crowded. At this point the Commission will not be able to search for an artist. Upon question by Commissioner Dickinson, Mayor Benson replied that placement of art will probably not be ready until next year. It was moved by Commissioner Koroczynksy and seconded by Commissioner Hough to table the Entrada Del Paseo project. Motion carried unanimously. X. PROJECT STATUS REPORTS 1. North Wing Gallery Ms. Schwartz reported that BJ Mitchell’s work (currently in the Gallery) has received a lot of press and good reviews. Articles about Ms. Mitchell were in the Desert Entertainer and Desert Woman Magazines. Minutes October 15, 2003 6 Mayor Benson suggested the Commissioners help out at the opening receptions. She suggested that during a high peak time during the reception the artist could be introduced and asked to say a few words. A few cocktail size tables with tablecloths will be purchased to accommodate people socializing to provide a place for people with drinks and food. The next opening is November 20 with artist Peggy Vermeer. 2. Website Ms. Schwartz reported that she has updated the Website with information on BJ Mitchell’s exhibition, A Symphony of Color. Ms. Schwartz discussed the docent program for the City’s collection. She sent out an announcement seeking volunteers for the program. Docents will be trained on the collection, how to give tours, and about public art in general. Applications are due November 7. To date, she has received three applications. She posted the announcement on the website. XI. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. STAFF Mr. Twedt stated that he received compliments from several Councilmembers who said that they appreciated having three proposals for a project to choose from. Mr. Twedt wrote RFQs for the artistic bench program, the sculptures incorporated on the two El Paseo signs, and the 2004/2005 El Paseo Exhibition. Because there are several upcoming projects at the same time, Mr. Twedt suggested creating a poster to announce all three projects. He plans to send out RFQs to approximately 2,500 artists, galleries, and artist representatives and it will also be posted on the website. Mr. Twedt reported that an ad for the AIPP program was placed on the back cover of Lifescapes Magazine’s October/November 2003 issue. The representative from Lifescapes Magazine asked Mr. Twedt for a suggestion of a sculptor and photographer to interview and Mr. Twedt suggested sculptor Russell Jacques and photographer Mark Minutes October 15, 2003 7 Stephenson. This publication reaches areas from Santa Barbara to Newport Beach. Mr. Twedt has listed the City’s collection in the October 2003 issue of Gallery Guide. He is placing full page ads in the November issue of Gallery Guide. A new ad will be placed in ARTnews and Art in America highlighting Palm Desert’s public art registry. The pad for Gordon Huether’s artwork “Agave” has been poured. Upon question by Ms. Campbell, Mr. Twedt responded that the “Agave” will not have lighting but may in the future. It was suggested to have a reception for the dedication of the “Agave” on December 3 at 3:00 p.m. Ms. Campbell mentioned that Jon Seeman’s piece on the corner of Cook and Frank Sinatra at the ARCO Station is not lit. Upon question by Mayor Benson, Mr. Twedt responded that Mr. Yamasaki did not want it lit due to the cost of the lighting. She asked that Mr. Twedt get prices on lighting. B. COMMISSION MEMBERS • COMMISSION REPORTS Commissioner Hough stated that she will be leading a tour through Havana, Cuba November 7 – 14. Commissioner Greenberg informed the Commission that she has four paintings at the Café at Borders at The River. She also has a photograph of a painting in the annual Palm Springs Life Magazine (hardbound). Commissioner Koroczynsky reported that the dedication for the Hanson House is December 3. • LIAISON REPORTS 1. PLANNING COMMISSION – Sonia Campbell A medical building/general office complex on the corner of Cook Street and Hovley Lane East was approved. Minutes October 15, 2003 8 A medical building on the corner of Fred Waring and San Anselmo was approved. A one story apartment project on Shadow Mountain Drive was approved. XII. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Chairman Dickinson adjourned the meeting at 10:24 a.m. Respectfully submitted, DEBBIE L. THOMPSON RECORDING SECRETARY