HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Art In Public Places Commission - July 18, 2012CITY OF PALM DESERT
ART IN PUBLIC PLACES COMMISSION
MINUTES
July 18, 2012
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Snyder convened the meeting at 9:00 a.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Present
Norma Bussing
Katherine Hough
Lesley Miller
Kim Snyder, Chairperson
Also Present
Absent
Maureen Boren
Donna Jean Darby
Maureen Thompson
Bill Kroonen, Mayor Pro Tern
Lauri Aylaian, Director of Commur&yqv8n CTION
Deborah Schwartz, Public Art CooA KED — DENIED
Debbie Thompson, Recording SeW VEDOT1-iEll
MEETING DATE
III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS AYES: be-L`Ln,Fi� +bz,` i K-+ 4�-t,arLen,Crgj���T
NOES: None
NONE ABSENT: Mane
ABSTAIN; ,--
IV. CONSENT CALENDAR VERIFIED BY: 4) K- r
Original on File with City Clerk's Lice
Minutes of the regular meeting held on May 16, 2012.
Upon Motion by Commissioner Miller and second by
Commissioner Bussing, the Minutes of May 16, 2012 were approved
unanimously with Commissioners Boren, Darby, and Thompson
absent.
Art in Public Places Minutes July 18 2012
V. DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. ORAL REVIEW OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION — Mayor Pro
Tern Bill Kroonen
Mayor Pro Tern Kroonen complimented the Commission
members for their time and effort in its decision making for
the public art program and noted that the Commission's
efforts are not overlooked. He expressed his regret that City
Council did not choose the Commission's first choice artwork
from the 2011/2012 El Paseo Invitational Exhibition to be
purchased and placed on the vacant pad on El Paseo west
of Highway 74. He added that after much review and
discussion Council chose to purchase the Commission's
second choice, Ascension by Brian Carlson. Ms. Schwartz
informed the Commission that Ascension by Brian Carlson
has been purchased and will be relocated to its permanent
site during the deinstallation process of the 2011/2012 El
Paseo Invitational Exhibition.
B. PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT — Sonia Campbell
No report.
C. ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION REPORT —
John Vuksic
Mayor Pro Tern Kroonen reported that the Desert Magazine
building is currently being considered for fagade
improvements but the Cultural Resources Preservation
Committee wants to preserve it as historical. The
Architectural Review Commission has approved the
proposed improvements submitted by the owner. There has
been much discussion in the community about the building.
The building was one of the first built in Palm Desert and is
no longer leasable and has been vacant for approximately
five years. In order to be able to lease it, the interior would
have to be renovated. The most significance change to the
exterior is that the Vegas (rafter tails) will be removed.
There are citizens who believe that the building should not
be changed and left exactly as it is but the property owner
wants to derive revenue from it. If it is used to house
historical information it would not bring in revenue. Mayor
Pro Tern Kroonen noted that he first came to the desert in
1948 when his brother-in-law was working on that building
and laid the first and last brick. The building was built by
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Art in Public Places Minutes July 18 2012
Randal Henderson and was used for several purposes — one
being publishing Desert Magazine.
VI. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER
None
VII. NEW BUSINESS
A. CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSAL OF "DESERT
WINDOWS" AS THE SECOND PUBLIC ART COMPONENT
FOR THE WESTIN DESERT WILLOW
Ms. Schwartz reminded the Commission of the public art
component by Artist Steven Rieman that the Westin Desert
Willow installed in 2010 to utilize its public art fee. Mr.
Rieman created "Willow" which is a tree that is placed in the
Porte Cochere entry way that leads into the hotel. Westin
did not use its entire public art fee for "Willow" and are
working with Mr. Rieman who will create another artwork to
utilize the balance of the fee. The proposed artwork, "Desert
Windows", will be placed into a planter behind "Willow". Ms.
Schwartz referred to the agenda packet that included
drawings of "Desert Windows". Ms. Schwartz noted that
because the proposed artwork is to be placed in a planter
the developer will need to work with the Landscape
Department. The only concern of the Landscape
Department is that the plant matter in the planter has not
done well in the past.
It was moved by Commissioner Hough and seconded by
Commissioner Bussing to approve "Desert Windows" as the
public art component by Steven Rieman for the Westin Desert
Willow with the condition that the developer works with the
Landscape Department to ensure that the artwork is integrated
properly into the planter. Motion carried with Commissioners
Boren, Darby, and Thompson absent.
Ms. Schwartz noted that this item will go before City Council
on August 23.
B. CONSIDERATION OF ARTISTS TO BE INCLUDED IN
CITY OF PALM DESERT'S ARTIST REGISTRY
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Art in Public Places Minutes July 18, 2012
The following artists applied to be included in the City of
Palm Desert's Artist Registry. Edward Walsh, Etty Horowitz,
Michael Esbin, Susan Zoccola, and Marton Varo.
It was moved by Commissioner Miller and seconded by
Commissioner Hough to include artists Edward Walsh, Etty
Horowitz, Michael Esbin, Susan Zoccola, and Marton Varo into
the City of Palm Desert's Artist Registry. Motion carried
unanimously with Commissioners Boren, Darby, and
Thompson absent.
VIII. CONTINUED BUSINESS
NONE
IX. OLD BUSINESS
NONE
X. PROJECT STATUS REPORTS
A. Palm Desert Community Gallery
Ms. Schwartz reported that the current show in the gallery,
Faces and Places, had its reception opening on Monday,
July 9. One of the artists sold four pieces during the
opening.
B. Docent Program
No report.
C. El Paseo Invitational Exhibition
Ms. Schwartz reported that staff has been working on the
deinstallation and installation schedules for the El Paseo
Invitational Exhibitions. Deinstallation of the 2011/2012
Exhibition will occur the second and third week in October.
Installation of the new sculptures will occur the beginning of
November with one being installed on October 31. The
schedule has been compressed to four days from the usual
six as the Public Works staff will not be available to assist
with the deinstallation and installation process. An outside
company will be hired to provide lane closures.
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Art in Public Places Minutes July 18 2012
XI. REPORTS AND REMARKS
A. STAFF
Ms. Schwartz noted that "R. Hero" that is in front of the
Historical Society has been getting great reviews. She
ordered an aluminum plaque that is the shape of a dog
bone. A purple plaque that includes text about the artwork
and the donors will be adhered to the bone shaped plaque.
The Public Works staff will install the signage in a couple of
weeks. Staff is going to meet with the Historical Society
today to discuss the dedication (October 6) of "R. Hero" that
will coincide with the reopening of the Historical Society for
the season.
Ms. Schwartz noted that some of the City's public art
collection lacks proper signage. Staff will take inventory of
the collection and order signage/plaques for the artworks
that do not have proper signage. Staff has started the
process and three signs are ready to be installed at a few
permanent artworks that have been on El Paseo for quite a
while.
Ms. Schwartz reported that the "Desert Road" fence that was
originally in front of Washington Charter School has been
relocated by the Soccer Park on Hovley Lane. The original
plaque will be placed at the new location as well as a new
plaque stating the new installation date.
Ms. Schwartz showed the Commission members Year in
Review from the Americans for the Arts Conference she
attended in June.
B. COMMISSION MEMBERS
None
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Art in Public Places Minutes July 18 2012
XI. ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Hough moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:00 a.m.
Motion was seconded by Commissioner Bussing with
Commissioners Boren, Darby, and Thompson absent.
DEBBIE L. THOMPSON, RECORDING SECRETARY
A