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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAIPP Cmsn - 04/15/09 L..+ � CITY OF PALM DESERT i—��—� � � ART IN PUBLIC PLACES COMMISSION MINUTES �� , . April 15, 2009 I. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Thompson convened the meeting at 9:00 a.m. II. ROLL CALL Present Absent Norma Bussing John Weston Donna Jean Darby Katherine Hough Kim Snyder Barbara Stenning Maureen Thompson Also Present Richard Twedt, Public Arts Manager Deborah Schwartz, Public Art Coordinator Councilmember Jean Benson Debbie Thompson, Recording Secretary Gracie Mendoza, Deputy City Clerk Mark Talboys, Sister Cities Foundation III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Deputy City Clerk Gracie Mendoza swore in Donna Jean Darby as a new Art in Public Places Commissioner. Welcome Commissioner Darby! CITY COUNCILACTION APPROVrD .._.--�rN1i+.n RECCIVED � � OTHF.R MEI?TI G DATE � `d AYES: � ' NOF.S: A�3SF.NT: N on At3sTA��: N on� � vF�2iFar» t3v: Ori�;inal on Filc with City Clcrk s Oftice Art in Public Places Minutes April 15, 2009 IV. CONSENT CALENDAR Minutes of the regular meetings held on March 18, 2009. Upon Motion by Commissioner Hough and second by Commissioner Bussing, the Minutes of March 18, 2009 were approved unanimously with Commissioner Weston absent. V. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. ORAL REVIEW OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION Councilmember Benson reported that City Council rejected the proposed project to paint artwork on designated Traffic Signal Boxes. Council was opposed to the proposed designs from the COD students and the Teen Program at the Palm Springs Art Museum and asked if other designs would be proposed. Councilmembers expressed concern of having too many painted traffic signal boxes and did not seem interested in continuing the program. The Monterey median project near Dinah Shore was tabled indefinitely. Although the City had a grant for a portion of the project, it would have cost the City close to a million dollars for the project. The artwork designed by Heath Satow was only $248,000 of the total budget and would have been paid out of the AIPP fund. It was noted that Mr. Satow's artwork design for the project had been approved by Council several months ago with comments that they liked the design. At this council meeting, however, Council commented that they did not like the artwork design. B. PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT No report. VI. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None VII. NEW BUSINESS A. CONSIDERATION OF ARTISTS TO BE INCLUDED IN THE CITY OF PALM DESERT'S ARTIST REGISTRY 2 Art in Public Places Minutes April 15, 2009 Artwork by Robert Chambers, David Boyer, and Marta Thoma were reviewed to be considered as part of the City of Palm Desert's Artist Registry. It was moved by Commissioner Bussing and seconded by Commissioner Darby to include Robert Chambers, David Boyer, and Marta Thoma in the City of Palm Desert's Artist Registry. Motion carried unanimously with Commissioner Weston absent. B. CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSALS FOR EXHIBITION IN THE PALM DESERT COMMUNITY GALLERY FOR THE 2009/2010 SEASON Ms. Schwartz reported that she received 26 proposals for the gallery for the 2009/2010 season and was very pleased with the work and quality. She grouped the proposals into potential exhibitions. She presented works by Jean Rosker, Maria Hunt, Susan Elle, Marion Hermann, Betty Klass- Druskoff, Nancy Rizzardi, Myrn-Ellen Krengel, G.A. Novak, Pat Kodet, Patrick Blythe, Robin Goudy, Bijan Masoumpanah, Wildland Images, Elizabeth and Mark Stephenson, Walking Tall, Taili Song Roth, Joe Oakes, Body Work, Vigallonart, Coachella Valley Watercolor Society, Jan Blakley, Patricia Seyfried, Jone Dupre, Katie Alexander, Linda Atkins, and Pat Kodet. Ms. Schwartz noted that there are four exhibition slots available with each show running approximately eight weeks. It was the consensus of the Commission to include Coachella Valley Watercolor Society, Walking Tall, Desert Landscape (Maria Hunt, GA Novak, Marion Hermann, and Myrn-Ellen Krengel), and Elizabeth and Mark Stephenson in the 2009/2010 gallery season. Staff will include Betty Klass- Druskoff and Patrick Blythe where appropriate. It was moved by Commissioner Hough and seconded by Commissioner Bussing to approve Coachella Valley Watercolor Society, Walking Tall, Desert Landscape (Maria Hunt, GA Novak, Marion Hermann, and Myrn-Ellen Krengel), Elizabeth and Mark Stephenson, Betty Klass-Druskoff, and Patrick Blythe for the 2009/2010 season in the Palm Desert Community Gallery. Motion carried unanimously with Commissioner Weston absent. 3 Art in Public Places Minutes April 15, 2009 It was moved by Commissioner Hough and seconded by Commissioner Bussing to add Consideration of the Sister Cities sculpture proposal fo the agenda under New Business, Item C. Motion carried unanimously with Commissioner Weston absent C. CONSIDERATION OF THE SISTER CITIES SCULPTURE PROPOSAL Mr. Talboys introduced himself as the program coordinator for the Palm Desert Sister Cities Foundation. He talked about the artist in residence program that is an exchange of artists between Gisborne New Zealand and Palm Desert. Palm Desert has sent an artist to Gisborne for the program and now Gisborne has asked to send artists to Palm Desert to create a project for the City. He explained that the host city provides the artist(s) with accommodations, local transportation, facilities, and materials to produce the artwork. Mr. Talboys presented the proposal to the Commission. Mr. Talboys noted that Mr. Twedt had some reservations about plexi glass being used for the artwork. Mr. Talboys asked the artists if recycled glass could be used instead and he had not heard back from them yet. Mr. Talboys is asking for this Commission's endorsement and noted that the Foundation will assist with funding. Mr. Twedt stated he reviewed the proposal. We have funds for the costs associated with installation, pad, etc. He is looking at the empty pad on Highway 74 and EI Paseo which will need power for lighting. If the EI Paseo revitalization project goes forward power will be in place for the medians. He noted that it would only cost $800 to install lighting. He suggested to Mr. Talboys that if the artists agreed to work in cast recycled glass it would qualify as a project under the recycle fund. Commissioner Hough asked at what foundry the glass would be cast. Mr. Twedt responded that there are cast blowers here and it could be done locally and will be researched. He added that they may be able to make the molds in New Zealand and bring them to Palm Desert. The public art program could pay for the $2,000 in fabrication costs. Commissioner Darby noted that Mr. Talboys is looking for approval from AIPP to forward to Council. She 4 Art in Public Places Minutes April 15, 2009 added that Palm Desert has had a relationship with Gisborne for over 25 years. Commissioner Bussing liked the proposal but is concerned about the proposed material. Commissioner Hough asked how the artists may respond to working with a different material. Mr. Talboys noted that he will let staff know as soon as he heard from the artists. It was moved by Commissioner Bussing and seconded by Commissioner Stenning to recommend that Art in Public P/aces supports the concept of the proposal and that the artists from New Zealand complete the proposed arfinrork with the proviso that the material is made of recycled glass or another type of durable material, Motion carried unanimously with Commissioner Weston absent. Councilmember Benson suggested that Mr. Talboys bring the item to Council as a Sister Cities project with the Art in Public Places Commission's consent. She added to remind Council that this is an exchange program and is Gisborne's turn to send an artist here, and that Palm Desert is not initiating the program. VIII. CONTINUED BUSINESS NONE IX. OLD BUSINESS NONE X. PROJECT STATUS REPORTS A. Palm Desert Community Gallery Ms. Schwartz reported that the Student Art and Essay Contest has been hung. She is working on the next show, which is a trio exhibition. B. Website Ms. Schwartz reported she is still moving forward with the new website. C. Docent Program 5 Art in Public Places Minutes April 15, 2009 Ms. Schwartz reported that 120 kindergarten students from Washington Charter School toured the art in the Civic Center Park last Friday. She noted that there have been more private tours requested this year than in the past. She is also training the Courtesy Cart drivers on the artwork on EI Paseo so they can talk to their passengers about the sculptures. D. Student Art and Essay Contest Ms. Thompson asked for volunteers to assist at the refreshment table and handing out programs at the Student Art and Essay Contest Award Ceremony on Wednesday, May 6, at 6:30. Ms. Schwartz mentioned that a time capsule is included with the "Desert Dessert" art piece that is due to be opened in 2010. Therefore, it might be interesting to choose a theme based on time capsules for next year's contest. XI. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. STAFF Mr. Twedt suggested that the Commission curate the next EI Paseo Invitational Exhibition, which would help budget costs. He noted that 140 proposals were received for the Embracing the Desert Light project. Based on these proposals, a theme of desert light could be considered for the next exhibition. The Commission could review those proposals for the exhibition, as well as sending out an RFP inviting artists to apply. Mr. Twedt would like to create a month long plein air painting program. He circulated his goals/ideas to the Commission. A meeting about the program will be held at the Visitor Center on May 8, with the Coachella Valley Watercolor Society, The Living Desert, Palm Springs Art Museum, and the Historical Society in attendance. He invited the Commission to attend the meeting. He also mentioned the idea to Susan Smith Evans from COD. There is a teacher at COD who works in Plein Air painting and Ms. Evans will ask him if he is interested in participating in the program. If there is interest from the meeting, the public art department would be the lead agency to apply for a Berger Grant to fund the lectures, demonstrations, etc. 6 Art in Public Places Minutes April 15, 2009 Results to go on ne� agenda. B. COMMISSION MEMBERS Commissioner Hough reported that she is going to Argentina for two weeks in May leading a group to tour the art. XI. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Chairperson Thompson adjourned the meeting at 11:00 a.m. Respectfully submitted, DEBBIE L. THOMPSON, RECORDING SECRETARY 7