HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-09-2009 Public Art Advisory CommitteeMINUTES PRELIMINARY
PUBLIC ART ADVISORY COMMITTEE
THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2009
LOBBY CONFERENCE ROOM -CITY HALL
Members Present: Jan Finlayson, DaLayne Williamson, Ann Kahn, Rick Fosse,
Patrick Carney, Mark Seabold
Members Absent: Terry Robinson
Staff Present: Marcia Bollinger, Karl Burhop
Public Present: Melissa Mitchell, interested party
RECOMMENDATIONS TO CITY COUNCIL
Recommend approval of Simple Flight sculpture by artist Jason Messier for
location at the Peninsula Park Sculptor's Showcase. Moved by Finlayson;
seconded by Carney. Motion passed 6:0.
CALL TO ORDER
Seabold called the meeting to order at 3:08 PM.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA
None
CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES OF THE APRIL 2, 2009 MEETING
MOTION: Seabold moved to approve the minutes; Williamson seconded. The motion
passed 6:0.
PENINSULA PARK SCULPTOR'S SHOWCASE -JASON MESSIER PROPOSAL
Bollinger talked about the Peninsula Park Sculpture and passed out pictures of the
proposal. Jason Messier is the artist, and the proposed Simple Flight sculpture is a 3'
square steel powder coated sculpture representing a bobber with a dragonfly on top.
Originally Jason Messier had submitted the proposal to be installed downtown at the
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.
Several questions were asked to Bollinger about the location of the Pad. Seabold
agreed that the proposal was excellent and would work well at the new location.
Bollinger added that the City Council needs to approve the proposal.
MOTION: Finlayson moved to approve Jason Messier's proposal for location at
Peninsula Park Sculptor's Showcase; Carney seconded. The motion passed 6:0.
Public Art Advisory Committee
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Page 2 of 5
PUBLIC ART PROGRAM
In response to recent discussion by the City Council of removing the funding for the
Public Art Program, Bollinger stated the future of the Committee is in doubt. Bollinger
suggested there have been discussions regarding the feasibility of keeping the
Committee intact, but the future is somewhat ambiguous.
Bollinger passed out finance/budget sheets and went through the Art Program
expenses. Seabold and Fosse discussed funding issues, such as maintenance. Fosse
suggested the possibility of a "mini-endowment" for the next 3-5 years, which he
described as potentially being a "lean period." Fosse stated that the Committee should
maintain itself in some fashion so that it wouldn't permanently go away.
Bollinger indicated the City Council perhaps wants to keep neighborhood art projects or
smaller funded art projects. Seabold suggested that downtown business could possibly
help by donating to keep the program going. Bollinger stated that Poetry in Public
doesn't have many hard costs; the costs are more or less labor and time costs. Carney
reminded the Committee that they are all volunteers and asked why the City Council
would disband an all volunteer committee. Bollinger stated that the committee was
staffed by City employees and there is a cost associated with that.
Carney stated that many artworks and exhibits are already in place throughout Iowa
City, regardless of future projects, that require maintenance and upkeep. Ideas were
floated by numerous Committee members and Bollinger to put a letter together and send
to each member of City Council. Seabold stated Iowa City is a city of culture; therefore
the Art Program is essential. Seabold suggested getting all past members to sign a
letter to the City Council as well.
The committee acknowledged that hopefully cuts are temporary and that City Councilors
aren't happy with the idea of cutting the Art Program either. Fosse again stated that the
Committee is free, but staff time isn't. Fosse suggested listing alternatives in a letter to
Council, like using the Committee to continue maintenance. Finlayson asked if other
funding is available, such as grants. Seabold responded that individuals and
corporations could be asked for donations. Williamson stated that art projects have
done very well in Iowa City because of City Council approval and involvement.
Bollinger suggested having the Acting City Manager speak to the Committee to clear up
any confusion about whether or not the Committee is to be disbanded. At this point
Burhop passed out City Council transcripts that detailed the Council discussion about
the Committee and the Art Program in their Budget Prioritization meetings. Seabold
stated that the committee needs to continue to meet. Fosse again suggested alternative
roles the Committee could temporarily play as it rides out the budget problems, such as
maintenance, facilitate small art projects with organizations and neighborhoods, and that
the committee should not disappear. Seabold backed this up by saying how recent
projects had been successful.
Group discussion again focused on the letter, with a need to acknowledge the financial
hardship the City Council was going through. Fosse stressed that the letter must
indicate the temporary nature of any cut or change to the Committee and the Art
Program. There was group unanimity on this issue; the Committee must continue to
meet and, if necessary, perform alternative functions. Kahn stated that a component of
the PIN Grant funding Neighborhood Art project could be administered through the
Committee if it involved art projects. In this way the Committee could continue to be an
Public Art Advisory Committee
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Page 3 of 5
advisory group and review art projects submitted for PIN Grants. Kahn again wished to
stress to Council that they are all volunteers.
Seabold asked if the Committee needed someone to perform in a secretary role.
Bollinger said that wouldn't be necessary. Bollinger said that art projects might come
under Neighborhood Services. Seabold reminded the Committee that they needed city
staff to draw up art contracts. Fosse pressed upon this point further, stating that
contracts are important with artists, as a waiver of rights, and must be carefully
construed or public art can become an encumbrance in the future.
Seabold then asked if they should just draft a letter or also go and talk to Council at a
Council Meeting. Bollinger said they should do both. Carney reiterated that the
Committee plays a big role in Iowa City. With the Arts Festival coming up, Carney
pressed on this point that Iowa City is defined by art. Finlayson agreed with this.
Seabold concluded the conversation by saying he would draft a letter to the City Council
and have other members approve and sign it.
UPDATE ON ARTS FEST
Bollinger explained how volunteers would pick up artist donations for Kidz Tent.
Finlayson and Kahn and Mitchell have volunteered to pick up art donations. Burhop
handed out information and maps about picking up donations. Bollinger suggested to
pick-up volunteers to ask other artists if they would like to donate items as well.
Bollinger stated that Cheryl Jacobson, the calligrapher, would also be at the Kidz Tent.
Seabold and Fosse clarified that no adults would be allowed in Kidz Tent, it is
exclusively for children to select art work they appreciate and purchase it. There was
some conversation between Kahn and Finlayson about dividing up the donation list.
Bollinger then clarified the location of Kidz Tent; it will be located where Dubuque Street
runs into and ends at Washington Street.
COMMITTEE TIME/UPDATES
At this point Bollinger updated the committee on Poetry in Public Art Program. Originally
artwork was to be unveiled during Arts Fest, but Bollinger explained that this was no
longer happening because, though poets were very enthusiastic and many had agreed
to participate, there weren't enough artist submissions to proceed. Bollinger suggested
that next year the program would be pushed harder - if that potential existed under the
current budget cuts. Bollinger also stated that poetry from Poetry in Public had been
posted in downtown kiosks.
Bollinger commented on the unveiling of Lemme Leopard art project and said it had
been a success. Bollinger also stated that the Creekside Mural was complete and was a
very intricate artwork piece with a wavy flowing pattern.
Bollinger updated the committee on her meeting with Jill Harper, who was drawing a
design for a cement bench. Bollinger passed out pictures of the design; the design is a
mosaic art piece. Fosse asked about maintenance and safety issues. Bollinger said the
artwork should be safe. Seabold seconded this.
Public Art Advisory Committee
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Page 4 of 5
Finlayson and Seabold ended the meeting on a lighter note, suggesting that the band
Squirrel Nut Zippers should be good at the Arts Fest.
ADJOURNMENT
Kahn motioned to adjourn; Fosse seconded. Meeting adjourned at 4:05 PM.
Minutes submitted by Karl Burhop.
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