HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-04-2010 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.
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