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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Art In Public Places (AIPP) Commission 10/20/2004CITY OF PALM DESERT ART IN PUBLIC PLACES COMMISSION MINUTES October 20, 2004 CALL TO ORDER Vice Chairman Bussing convened the meeting at 8:35 a.m. ROLL CALL Present: Norma Bussing Suzanne Greenberg Kevin Grochau Also Present: Absent: Joe Dickinson Katherine Hough Bob Kohn, Director of Special Programs Richard Twedt, Public Arts Manager Deborah Schwartz, Public Art Coordinator Debbie Thompson, Recording Secretary Kim Snyder, Guest Richard Begola, Guest John Westin, Guest Maureen Thompson, Guest Steve Morgan, Guest ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None Minutes October 20. 2004 IV. CONSENT CALENDAR Minutes of the regular meeting held on September 15, 2004. Upon Motion by Commissioner Grochau and second by Commissioner Greenberg, the Minutes of September 15, 2004, were approved unanimously. V. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. ORAL REVIEW OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION Mr. Twedt reported that the artwork by James Surls that was proposed for the 2005/06 El Paseo Exhibition was not approved by City Council. Mr. Twedt has been in contact with Robert Menifee who is reviewing three other artworks to replace the James Surls piece. The two proposals for the Library mural were continued from the Council meeting of October 14, to the meeting of October 28, due to Councilmember Benson's absence. Susan Evans offered to attend the Council meeting to answer questions that Council may have about her proposal for the mural. VI. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None VII. NEW BUSINESS A. CONSIDERATION OF CREATING A TEMPORARY PUBLIC ART PROGRAM Mr. Twedt stated that he and Mr. Kohn have been thinking of ways to accommodate emerging artists who have little or no experience creating a public artwork. Mr. Twedt's idea for the program would provide emerging artists the opportunity to create a public artwork and experience the various aspects of a public art project (i.e. working with city building codes, permits and licensing requirements, the engineering process, site selection, and consideration of pedestrian traffic and accessibility). The program would provide a platform for emerging artists to explore community issues like recycling, landscape and geography, climatic conditions 2 Minutes October 20. 2004 of the desert, etc. Some potential sites for artists to display their work include empty storefronts on El Paseo where they could do video installations, a projection on the McCallum Theatre building, the Marks Center for the Arts at College of the Desert, the median in front of Cal State San Bernardino that has three or four palm trees from which art could be suspended, and the Civic Center Park. This program would expand upon the already popular El Paseo Exhibition by placing more temporary artworks throughout the City. A portion of the AIPP budget is available for educational purposes. Mr. Twedt would propose that this program be considered an educational program, as is the docent program. Each accepted artist would receive a design honorarium (including engineering specifications) of $1,500.00 with a $5,000.00 commission, if selected. The artists' work would be displayed for a maximum of six months to which the artist would be responsible for the removal of the art. Mr. Twedt would offer assistance to the artist if he/she would be interested in donating, recycling, or auctioning it off, etc. Mr. Twedt stated he would treat it as a competition that will be posted on the website for four months then have the Commission review all entries and select six. This process would take approximately a year and a half before a piece of art is selected. He has titled the program "Embracing the Desert". Mr. Twedt stated that a program like this would elevate the awareness of art community wide. Commissioner Greenberg stated that she visited the Midway in San Diego that currently has a temporary exhibition of sculptural trees made from recycled material. It was suggested that City Council be taken on a bus tour to visit other city's art projects. It was moved by Commissioner Greenberg and seconded by Commissioner Grochau that Staff proceed to create a program for temporary art and take it to Council for approval. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Twedt stated he talked to the staff at the Marriott Desert Springs who are excited about the idea of using its water areas (foyer area, in the lobby, and where the gondolas are) for placement of temporary art. 91 Minutes October 20. 2004. B. CONSIDERATION OF A THEME FOR THE 2005 STUDENT ART AND ESSAY CONTEST Commissioner Grochau suggested that the theme coincide with freedom due to the future Freedom Park. Recording Secretary Thompson informed him that Freedom Park would not be completed until early 2006, so it would be a good theme for next year. Commissioner Greenberg suggested the theme incorporate the idea of community service (volunteering) or recycling. It was moved by Commissioner Greenberg and seconded by Commissioner Grochau that the theme for the Contest focus on community involvement and that Staff can determine the title for the Contest. Motion carried unanimously. C. CONSIDERATION OF ARTISTS TO BE INCLUDED IN THE CITY OF PALM DESERT'S ARTIST SLIDE REGISTRY The following artists were reviewed to be considered for the City of Palm Desert's Artist Slide Registry. Romo Studios and Chester Fields. It was moved by Commissioner Grochau and seconded by Commissioner Greenberg to include Romo Studios into the Artist Slide Registry. Motion carried unanimously. VIII. CONTINUED BUSINESS None IX. OLD BUSINESS A. CONSIDERATION OF PURCHASING AN ARTWORK FROM THE 2005/06 EL PASEO EXHIBITION Mr. Twedt referred to the price lists included in the agenda packet of the artwork for the 2003/04 and 2005/06 El Paseo Exhibitions. Mr. Twedt reminded the Commission that Mayor Spiegel initiated the consideration to purchase an artwork from the current Exhibition to be placed in the Civic Center Park. Mr. Twedt stated that the pieces he responds to for the park are "Fat Happy" for a price of $16,000.00 each and "Cow" for a price of $65,000 both of which will be H Minutes October 20. 2004 in the 2005/2006 El Paseo Exhibition. He added that those two pieces are playful and are powder coated steel, which is a sturdy material and finish for the park environment. It was moved by Commissioner Greenberg and seconded by Commissioner Grochau to suggest "Fat Happy" and "Cow" to City Council for consideration of purchase to be included in the City's art collection. Motion carried unanimously. X. PROJECT STATUS REPORTS 1. North Wing Gallery Ms. Schwartz reported that the opening reception for the Coachella, Valley Arts Alliance show was held on October 12, with approximately 60 people in attendance. There was an article of the show in the Desert Sun. The next show will include Helene Berman's paintings and J. Keith Stone's masks. That show will open in December. She plans to send out an RFP in January for the next season of exhibitions. 2. Website Ms. Schwartz stated that she is continuing to add entries into the "other artist opportunities" section of the art Website. 3. Docent Program Ms. Schwartz reported she has a tour scheduled today with St. Margaret's Episcopal School, which may be postponed due to rain. She has an El Paseo tour scheduled next week with a class from College of the Desert. The deadline for new docent applications closed on Monday and she received eleven applications. She has discussed a docent training exchange program with the docent program manager at the Palm Springs Desert Museum. 5 Minutes October 20. 2004 XI. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. STAFF Mr. Twedt reminded the Commission of the dedication for Allen Root's entry sign at the corner of Washington Street and Fred Waring Drive at 10:00 a.m. October 21. Water Studio is behind with the installation of the balance of the water feature signs for El Paseo. Mr. Twedt informed Sean So that the signs need to be installed by November 7. Donna Billick is planning to install the Baja Palapa mid November. Ms. Schwartz reported that she is planning a field trip for the AIPP Commission to tour the San Diego Port. Mr. Twedt stated that Mike Errante, Director of Public Works, was instructed by two members of Council during the Landscape Beautification Committee meeting to look at some type of wall treatment for the wall at the corner of Fred Waring and Cook. Mr. Twedt would like to suggest Donna Billick and Arthur Gonzales to do elements of the Baja in mosaic to coincide with the Baja Palapa that will be 3/4 mile from the Baja Palapa. Mr. Twedt gave pictures of the columns for the Baja Palapa to Mr. Errante. Ms. Schwartz added that it could be a great opportunity for another community workshop. Commissioner Grochau mentioned that the homeowners association would need to be contacted and would most likely want to be involved with the decision of what will be placed on that wall. Commissioner Greenberg discussed the idea of having an art center in Palm Desert to hold art shows, classes, and have artist participation. The building could be rented out for shows and meetings. She added that there are eleven different art groups in the Valley with a tremendous amount of artists. Mr. Kohn stated that he and Mr. Twedt spoke to Mrs. Gilligan about developing the art center. Mr. Kohn told Mr. Twedt that he needs to create a plan and consider the following. How would it be funded? Would it be City run or its own separate non profit group with its own Board, budget, insurance, etc? Mr. Twedt has been doing some research 0 Minutes October 20. 2004, on empty buildings, which will be the largest expense. Mrs. Gilligan approved the concept for further research. Mr. Twedt reported that in the near future the City of Palm Desert would be built out and the public art funds would be depleted and the Commission needs to prepare for future activity. It was suggested by Mr. Kohn that some of the funding come from the recycling fund and the curriculum could be described so 20 percent of the activities incorporate recycling. Items like handmade papers from recycled paper, working with kids on collage work with aluminum cans, recycled steel or metal with welding, rubber, etc. Commissioner Greenberg mentioned that every year the Coachella Valley Watercolor Society has to pay a fee to rent the Community Center for its juried art show. She added that there are a lot of groups here that would pay to use the facility for art shows. Vice Chairman Bussing stated that she has been inquiring about an art gallery in the Multi -Use Building that will be part of the Entrada project and house the new Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Twedt reported that Mrs. Gilligan asked him to work with Donna Gomez of the Visitor Center to prepare a show in ten months for the opening of the new Visitor Information Center. He noted that in reviewing the blueprints for the building there are no areas that are conducive for a professional gallery, but art could be hung there. Vice Chairman Bussing added that it would be desirable to be able to display items other than just paintings. Mr. Kohn and Mr. Twedt will further explore the idea and report back to the Commission. B. COMMISSION MEMBERS • COMMISSION REPORTS • LIAISON REPORTS 1. PLANNING COMMISSION — Sonia Campbell No report. XII. ADJOURNMENT 7 Minutes October 20. 2004 There being no further business, Vice Chair Bussing adjourned the. meeting at 10:15 a.m. Respectfully submitted, DE —BIE L. THOMPSON RECORDING SECRETARY