HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-07-2009 Public Art Advisory CommitteePublic Art Advisory Committee
Thursday, May 7, 2009
3: OOPM
Lobby Conference Room
City Hall
410 E. Washington
A. Call to order
B. Public discussion of any item not on the agenda
C. Consideration of the minutes of the April 2, 2009 meeting
D. Peninsula Park Sculptor's Showcase -Jason Messier Proposal
As you may recall, Jason Messier submitted a proposal for his dragonfly sculpture
to be installed at the downtown Iowa Sculptor's Showcase. As the committee chose
Jerry Cowger's Banjolin for exhibit on that showcase, Jason is requesting that his
sculpture be considered for the Peninsula Showcase Pad.
E. Public Art Program -Future project discussion
The committee should review current funds available for expenditure and determine
some upcoming projects to utilize those funds.
F. Update on Artsfest - Kidztent/Poetry in Public Art Program
G. Committee time/updates
H. Adjournment
MINUTES PRELIMINARY
PUBLIC ART ADVISORY COMMITTEE
THURSDAY, APRIL 2 2009
LOBBY CONFERENCE ROOM -CITY HALL
Members Present: Jan Finlayson, Dalayne Williamson, Ann Kahn, Rick Fosse,
Patrick Carney, Terry Robinson
Members Absent: Mark Seabold
Staff Present: Marcia Bollinger, Jeff Davidson, Nate Kabat
Public Present: Melissa Mitchell, interested party
RECOMMENDATIONS TO CITY COUNCIL
Recommend approval of reallocating $1000 from the Wetherby Shelter mural
project to supporting a mural to be painted on the Creekside Park shelter along
with the completion of the Wetherby Shelter ceiling. The project will be lead by
Daniel Kinney with assistance from students of Tate High School, surrounding
elementary schools and residents of Creekside Neighborhood Association. Moved
by Finlayson. Seconded by Kahn. Motion passed 6:0.
CALL TO ORDER
Finlayson called the meeting to order at 3:05 PM.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA
None
CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES OF THE MARCH 5, 2009 MEETING
MOTION: Fosse moved to approve the minutes; Robinson seconded. The motion
passed 6:0.
REVIEW SUBMISSIONS FOR THE DOWNTOWN IOWA SCULPTOR'S SHOWCASE
Bollinger passed out submission from three artists. She noted the chosen artist would
receive a $500 honorarium. The dedication would be on the Saturday of Artsfest and the
sculpture will remain on the showcase pad for a full year.
Jerry Cowger: Proposed Banjolin, a 9' x 4' x 42" brass sculpture representing a musical
instrument similar to a banjo or violin. Cowger has participated in the showcase before.
Jason Messier: Proposed Simple Flight, a 3' square steel powder coated sculpture
representing a bobber with a dragonfly on top.
Michael Tschampl: Proposed Surrender, a 24" tall, 12-14" wide carved granite sculpture,
which in the words of the artist is, "representing a masculine figure that is displaying a
feminine relationship, both spiritual and emotional."
Public Art Advisory Committee
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Page 2 of 4
Robinson said he was concerned about securing Surrender to the showcase pad.
Bollinger said securing the piece is the responsibility of the artist. Kahn said she liked
Banjolin, Williamson agreed the piece would fit well with the Friday Night Concert Series.
Williamson asked if the pieces are ever vandalized. Bollinger said there have been no
significant problems in the past. The committee agreed the Cowger piece would be the
best fit for the showcase pad.
UPDATE ON WATERWORKS PRAIRIE PARK SCULPTURE
Bollinger explained the City Council agreed to defer a decision on the sculpture, but
would like to reconsider the contract with Dale Merrill. The City Council is planning to
propose paying $5,000 to Merrill for breach of contract on July 1St, 2009 and another
$5,000 would be paid on July 1St, 2010. Merrill would consider $5,000 of the total
$10,000 as a down payment on the sculpture to be completed at a later date. Davidson
added this is a relatively good solution for both sides. Bollinger said delaying the project
will allow the Committee time to pursue further private partnerships in the project.
Fosse said this situation provides some lessons for the Committee's future decision
making. He said the Committee should be more sensitive in the future of economic
conditions when considering projects. Fosse noted early on in the Committee's
existence a lot of emphasis was put on ensuring a project would not go sour in the
public's opinion. He said this emphasis should not be forgotten. Finlayson suggested
had the timing been different the project may have been less controversial. Davidson
agreed saying the perfect storm of the contentious firefighter issue, the sales tax
referendum and the City's budget situation makes public art seem less important right
now.
Bollinger said private participation and contributions to the project will now be essential
to the project moving forward. Davidson agreed saying many people do not believe
public funds should support art at all. Bollinger said all in all she believes the Committee
came out of the issue as good as possible.
UPDATE ON TATE HIGH SCHOOL MURAL PROJECT
Bollinger explained the last project was a huge success. Dan Kinney planned to do a
mural similar to the one he had completed in Minneapolis. The neighborhood was not
excited about that idea because they thought they shelter might have enough murals
and would rather have murals more reflective of the neighborhood. As a result, Bollinger
approached the Creekside neighborhood about doing a mural in the Creekside Park
Shelter. Kinney liked the Creekside idea since it is so close to Tate High School and the
neighborhood was excited about the project as well. The mural project will involve
students as well as residents of the Creekside Neighborhood. Kinney is working to
personalize the design and students will paint with residents on a weekly basis.
Kahn said she is glad the Wetherby Neighborhood spoke up about their dislike of the
plan and she is glad it worked out for Creekside as well. She is excited about the idea of
students being involved along with neighborhood residents. Fosse said. everyone
involved needs to understand that the mural is not permanent and the Creekside Shelter
will likely be replaced in the next few years. Robinson agreed with Fosse an added the
Creekside shelter still has a few years left in it.
Bollinger explained since the $1,000 approved at the last meeting was intended for
Wetherby, the Committee needs to make a revised motion to include the Creekside
Shelter.
Public Art Advisory Committee
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Page 3 of 4
MOTION: William moved to recommend reallocating $1000 from the Wetherby Shelter
mural project to supporting a mural at the Creekside Park Shelter and completion of the
Wetherby Park Shelter ceiling. Seconded by Finlayson. Motion passed 6:0.
ARTSFEST - KIDSTENT
Bollinger said a formal invitation to artists to participate in the Kidztent would be
completed and made public in about a week. The project is moving along well
COMMITTEE TIME/UPDATES
Bollinger informed the committee that the Poetry in Public Art Project is moving along
well. The wall at the US Bank Building and Drive thru area is the likely location to display
the selected poems and corresponding art. Kabat told the committee that art
submissions for this project are due on May 8`h and the poets will be responsible for
selecting the artwork.
Bollinger announced the Lemme Leopard will be unveiled on May 22"d at 9:00 a.m. The
University of Iowa Steel Drum Band will be providing entertainment.
Robinson offered that the concrete block wall on the East side of the Mercer Park old
pool building would be a great place for future mural projects. That wall attracts a lot of
graffiti and is very close to Tate and South East Junior High.
ADJOURNMENT
Fosse motioned to adjourn; Carney seconded. Meeting adjourned at 3:42 pm. Next
meeting scheduled for May 7, 2009.
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