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Home My WebLink About03-04-2010 Public Art Advisory Committee Public Art Advisory Committee Thursday, March 4, 2010 ****3:30PM**** Lobby Conference Room City Hall 410 E. Washington *****NOTE TIME CHANGE***** A. Call to order B. Public discussion of any item not on the agenda C. Consideration of the minutes of the January 7, 2010 meeting D. Bounnak Thammavong - Thoughts on future public art program/commission Bounnak Thammavong earned his BFA with a sculpture emphasis from the University of Northern Iowa (Cedar Falls) in 2003 and recently received a Master's Degree from the University of Iowa's Fine Arts Program. Bounnak is interesting in sharing some ideas he has about the Iowa City Public Art Program. E. Update on Poetry In Public/Art program F. Iowa Sculptor's Showcase Call to Artists G. Committee time/updates H. Adjournment MINUTES PUBLIC ART ADVISORY COMMITTEE THURSDAY, JANUARY 7,2010 LOBBY CONFERENCE ROOM - CITY HALL PRELIMINARY Members Present: Jan Finlayson, Ann Kahn, Terry Robinson, Mark Seabold, Patrick Carney Members Absent: Rick Fosse, DaLayne Williamson Staff Present: Jeff Davidson, Marcia Bollinger Public Present: CALL TO ORDER Seabold called the meeting to order at 3:34 PM. PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA None CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES OF THE JUNE 4.2009 MEETING MOTION: Finlayson moved to approve the minutes; Robinson seconded. The motion passed 5:0. ELECTION OF OFFICERS Bollinger informed PMC that nominations had to be taken for officers. Positions up for election are chair and vice-chair. Bollinger briefly explained officer duties. Finlayson nominated by Carney for chair; seconded by Seabold. Finlayson elected as chair; 5:0. Williamson nominated by Fosse for vice-chair; seconded by Seabold. Williamson elected as vice-chair contingent on her approval; 5:0. DISCUSSION REGARDING APPROVED FUNDING FOR THE PUBLIC ART PROGRAM Seabold informed Committee that Bollinger and he had attended a September 28th City Council Work Session. At the Work Session Bollinger and Seabold presented the Public Art Program to Council as an abbreviated program. Seabold and other PMC members questioned Bollinger about abbreviated program. Fosse explained that the abbreviated art program would have funding for three years, at which point hopefully economic circumstances would allow the art program to resume normal operations. Some questions and discussion amongst Committee members if abbreviated program would get new funds or use already allocated funds. Bollinger responded that the existing carry over of funds is still available. Seabold reminded Committee members that he thought they should focus on lower-cost projects. Bollinger stated that for the most part City Council supports the Public Art Program, and appreciates their approved funding of $10,000 for the Neighborhood Art Project. Seabold reiterated the PMC's willingness to help out and understanding of the Public Art Advisory Committee Thursday, January 7, 2010 Page 2 of 4 current economic and political climate, but he also strongly pointed out that the Public Art Program should be revisited in the future as political and economic circumstances change. Bollinger informed the Committee what was available: the Neighborhood Art Project has $10,000, a mural project of some kind, a mascot program, and maintenance funds. Davidson elaborated that this money had been budgeted and the Committee has authority over these funds, however, if in the future a special project does arise then the PAAC could certainly request special funds. Seabold and Bollinger discussed a discussion they had with Bounnak Thammavong, a local artist and recent graduate from the University of Iowa Art program. Bounnak wants to serve as a conduit between the City and student artists as well as getting involved with the Public Art Program and PAAC. Seabold suggested that Thammavong would be great to work with and has many contacts. Seabold suggested a trail project, such as Creekside Trail, and finding sponsors such as Hy-Vee or Longfellow. Bollinger informed the Committee that nothing had been displayed on the downtown pad since perhaps last May. Bollinger updated the peninsula pad, explaining that the contract on the art piece there goes until the end of September [Dragon Flight]. Fosse asked what has to be done to work on the downtown showcase pad. Bollinger responded that there has to be a "call for artists" and she would get a draft proposal and send it out to the Committee. The "call for artists" is limited to Iowa artists, including students. Bollinger informed the Committee that Poetry in Public was underway. Bollinger has not received any requests on a possible Tate mural. The Pheasant Hill Park project is still underway and waiting for the ground to soften to continue. The Committee discussed the plinths and mosaic, followed by discussion on art projects in Grant Wood area. Bollinger updated Committee on Grant Wood area including Wetherby splash pad. The Committee discussed Wetherby splash pad. Robinson provided technical information on the splash pad. Bollinger reiterated the point of having positive news and events in the Grant Wood area. Bollinger informed the Committee that Jill Harper [contact for the Pheasant Ridge mosaic project] would be approaching the Grant Wood Neighborhood Association to potentially collaborate or discuss art project options. Henry Harper had also expressed interest in murals; Bollinger and Robinson discussed an east-wall at Mercer as a potential future site for a mural. Robinson reported several brass sculptures were purchased by Terry Trueblood before his passing and the two that are currently installed at the soccer park have been very popular with the children. The other sculptures include a boy and girl playing softball [one pitching and one batting so they go together, perhaps located at Napoleon Park] and a dog with a ball in its mouth [possibly a dog park location]. There will be some type of dedication this spring. Bollinger reported that the sculptures were not purchased by art funds, and the art pieces were not commissioned. Bollinger suggested to the Committee they could discuss if they wanted to reprioritize any budget items. Bollinger updated Committee on Melrose project. Bollinger informed Committee that Poetry in Public submissions would be reviewed around late February. Williamson is on the review committee. Bollinger informed Committee that the art component of Poetry in Public would be pushed again this year; hopefully with more success. Last year, Mary Friedan, Summer of the Arts director offered to display art submissions from the art component of Poetry in Public as part of Artsfest. Bollinger suggested she would contact Lisa Barnes, the new director to pursue a similar Public Art Advisory Committee Thursday, January 7,2010 Page 3 of 4 opportunity. It was suggested that Barnes be invited to attend a future meeting to further discuss this partnership. Carney asked what we have in storage, regarding putting artwork at the downtown display pad. Bollinger replied the storage has the old fountain from the Ped Mall. Carney asked about Sand Lake art project. Davidson replied the project was being stretched for cash flow purposes. It was expected that art would still be installed at the newly named park "Terry Trueblood Recreation Area" although no specific details about placement of public art was in the plan. Davidson and Bollinger reported that Linn County had approved a public art ordinance program; the program stipulates that any project above $50,000 had to be specifically reviewed by the Board to determine if it would qualify for public art. If so, 1 percent of the project costs must be set aside for public art. Robinson informed Committee about historical markers that had gone up in College Green Park commemorating John Brown taking slaves through Iowa City on their way to freedom. COMMITTEE TIME/UPDATES The regularly scheduled meeting for PAAC will occur on February 4, 2010 ADJOURNMENT Seabold motioned to adjourn; Fosse seconded. Meeting adjourned at 4:27 PM. Minutes submitted by Karl Burhop. OJ OJ ~O E..... 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