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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAIPP Cmsn - 05/02/09 . _ � CITY OF PALM DESERT i-��-� � � ART IN PUBLIC PLACES COMMISSION MINUTES May 20, 2009 I. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Thompson convened the meeting at 9:00 a.m. II. ROLL CALL Present Absent � � � � � Norma Bussing Katherine Houg Donna Jean Darby � � , :� Kim Snyder z w o Barbara Stenning % � �j ,� Maureen Thompson � � .� = John Weston z , v C � � Also Present Q ; C v = � F , � ._ — �: Richard Twedt, Public Arts Manager � �, -� � y: .� Councilmember Jean Benson '� � ^ ° � -' ' �' :� �.:: �; r^ . � � Sonia Campbell, Planning Commission Liaison C > � `: �: ? �; _ Debbie Thompson, Recording Secretary y�, N �: � f s � � �- .� � � � � u c,: �r v; :n � =- �;; �' �, ^ Ca ^ t�: �= III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS � � ~ � Q � � a > � Commissioner Snyder thanked staff and the City for the field trip to the University of California, San Diego to see the Stuart Collection. Councilmember Benson asked if any new art pieces had been added to the Collection. Mr. Twedt noted the teddy bear made from large boulders by Tim Hawkinson. Also new to the collection was work by Barbara Kruger which included inlaid quotes on the floor of the cafeteria as well as two large images of clocks with phrases on the walls. There are two LED displays on the clocks that showed current news and surfing reports. Art in Public Places Minutes May 20, 2009 IV. CONSENT CALENDAR Minutes of the regular meeting held on April 15, 2009. Upon Motion by Commissioner Stenning and second by Commissioner Snyder, the Minutes of April 15, 2009 were approved unanimously with Commissioner Hough absent. V. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. ORAL REVIEW OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION No report. B. PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT Ms. Campbell reported that at its meeting of May 19, 2009, the Planning Commission approved EI Paseo Village as a one story, not two-story, shopping center. The new center is planed to open fall 2010. The parking structure will be level parking only; there will not be a parking garage. Saks 5tn Avenue is planning to extend its store at the back of the current Gardens building with a fall 2011 opening. VI. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None VII. NEW BUSINESS A. CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE THE ART IN PUBLIC PLACES COMMISSION TO CURATE THE 2011/2012 EL PASEO INVITATIONAL EXHIBITION Mr. Twedt noted that at last month's meeting, Commissioner Hough agreed to assist with reviewing the "Embracing the Desert Light" project proposals for consideration as part of the 2011/2012 EI Paseo Invitational Exhibition. Once selections are made from those proposals an RFP will be sent out. Mr. Twedt has separated the 114 proposals by medium of glass, LED lighting, reflective material, etc. The artists who sent in RFPs for the "Embracing the Desert Light" project would need to be notified asking if they would be interested in participating in the Exhibition. 2 Art in Public Places Minutes May 20, 2009 The Commission agreed to curate the show, as they are familiar with the process, plus it would save $10,000 because a curator will not have to be hired. Councilmember Benson noted that she thought it could be a positive to have the Commission curate the show instead of hiring a curator. Mr. Twedt noted the timeline for the Exhibition. The Art in Public Places Commission will act as the curator for the upcoming exhibition; spend approximately one or two months reviewing the "Embracing the Desert LighY' proposals; and start the RFP process and send letters to galleries, etc. by September 2009 setting a six month deadline for receipt of applications. Selections need to be made by June 2010 due to advertising commitments. A subcommittee of Commissioners Bussing, Hough, and Stenning was formed to review the "Embracing the Desert Light" proposals. It was moved by Commissioner Bussing and seconded by Commissioner Stenning to 1) approve the Art in Public Places Commission to curate the 2011/2012 EI Paseo Invitational Exhibition; and 2) approve the subcommittee of Commissioners Bussing, Hough, and Stenning to review the proposa/s from the "Embracing the Desert Light" project. Motion carried unanimously with Commissioner Hough absent. Commissioner Bussing mentioned that she will be out of town in June and asked Commissioner Darby if she could review the first set of proposals. Commissioner Darby agreed to review the first round of proposals during Commissioner Bussing's absence. Commissioner Bussing would then resume with the selection process. It was suggested that the subcommittee meet before the AIPP meeting of June 17, in order for the Commission to review the proposals at that meeting. VIII. CONTINUED BUSINESS NONE IX. OLD BUSINESS NONE X. PROJECT STATUS REPORTS 3 Art in Public Places Minutes May 20, 2009 A. Palm Desert Community Gallery Ms. Thompson reported that the "Student Art and Essay Contest" is currently on display. The upcoming exhibit, "Energized Elements", will be in the gallery June 4 — July 26. Artists Paula DeYoe, Nancy O'Donnell, and Rik Phillips will display their work. The reception is Monday, June 8, 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. B. Website Mr. Twedt stated that he has seen the new website and it is outstanding, but has not yet been launched. C. Docent Program No report. D. Plein Air Project Mr. Twedt reported that Commissioners Bussing and Snyder attended the plein air project meeting on Friday, May 8. Representatives from the La Quinta Arts Foundation, The Living Desert, Palm Springs Art Museum, Coachella Valley Watercolor Society, Palm Desert Historical Society, Desert Art Center, and plein air painters also attended. Commissioner Bussing suggested "Desertscapes" as the title for the program. There was discussion that the program focus on promoting lifescape painting and plein air painting, and that it not concentrate on desert landscape only. Mr. Twedt circulated the list of ideas for the program that could be promoted next year. He told the Committee that Councilmember Benson would declare March 2010 as "Desertscapes" month. Activities will include the Coachella Valley Watercolor Society painting at The Living Desert and plein air painters from the Desert Art Center painting at the Eric Johnson Memorial Gardens. A reception will be held at The Living Desert and will include an auction of the paintings from the two days' activities. The committee needs to address a beneficiary from the sales. Mr. Twedt does not foresee a lot of costs associated with this project except the reception. If Jean Stern from the Irvine Museum came out to speak, it would cost about $400. He gives an outstanding talk on early California lmpressionism. All other speakers would have to be voluntary. There was discussion of having famous artists attend the event but could cost $350 to $500 4 Art in Public Places Minutes Mav 20, 2009 a day per artist. Subcommittees were formed and will try to meet before the next Committee meeting on June 26. Most of the advertising will be placed on various institutional websites, blogs, etc. Hal Rover from the Palm Desert Historical Society is going to meet with some of the galleries in Palm Desert to see if there is any interest from them in participating in the event. Councilmember Benson suggested that the Committee ask other cities to include information about the event in their monthly newsletters. There was also discussion of involving schools and art organizations. Mr. Twedt expressed the historical importance of this area in regards to this period of time in art history and the famous artists who used to visit the Coachella Valley to paint. XI. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. STAFF Mr. Twedt gave an update on the Sister Cities project. Mark Talboys talked to the Gisborne artists who are interested in using recycled glass for the artwork that was proposed the meeting of April 15, 2009. Staff researched artists who cast glass. He noted that Patrick Blythe, public art docent, has volunteered to be the technical liaison for the artists in helping with the recycled glass and will work with Burrtec for the recycling process. Mr. Blythe is part of a network of artists who cast glass. If his kiln cannot melt down the quantity of glass necessary for the artwork, he may have a resource to assist with that need. Mr. Talboys will make a presentation to City Council asking for endorsement of the project. This piece would become part of Palm Desert's permanent art collection. Mr. Twedt noted that there is an empty pad on EI Paseo west of Highway 74 where the artwork could be placed. The pad would need electricity for lighting. Commissioner Darby asked about placing it at the Henderson Building. Mr. Twedt replied that Mr. Talboys wants the artwork in a highly visible area. Mr. Twedt is looking to get funding from the Recycling account. Sister Cities will provide housing and transportation for the artists. Commissioner Darby said she will be responsible for getting the artists involved with the schools as it does require a strong element of education as part of the Sister Cities program. Commissioner Darby added that according to Mr. Talboys the educational component is to educate the Coachella Valley. 5 Art in Public Places Minutes Mav 20, 2009 Mr. Twedt reported that "Danseur" has been repaired and the foundry is waiting for approval from the insurance adjuster to inspect it before it is released to the City. It will be reinstalled in front of City Hall where "RECYCLE" was. The pad has been restored and the sprinklers have been redirected from the pad, a border was built around it, and DG has been placed between the pad and the border. There will be a sign identifying the artwork. Mr. Twedt announced his retirement as of August 13. He will return to his love of art making. He noted that Ms. Schwartz and Ms. Thompson's salaries currently come out of the general fund and most likely Ms. Schwartz's salary would be moved and taken out of the public art fund. Ms. Schwartz will be the staff liaison for the Art in Public Places Commission beginning September. B. COMMISSION MEMBERS Commissioner Bussing mentioned that Debbie Thompson did a fantastic job with the Student Art and Essay Contest and Award Ceremony. Ms. Thompson thanked the Commission members for their assistance at the Award Ceremony. XI. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Chairperson Thompson adjourned the meeting at 9:55 a.m. Respectfully submitted, DEBBIE L. THOMPSON, RECORDING SECRETARY 6