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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - PAC Meeting Minutes 02/03/21PUBLIC ART COMMISSION, CITY OF AMES MEETING MINUTES – February 3, 2021 HELD VIA ZOOM VIRTUAL MEETING Present: Sara Sherman (Chair), Angie DeWaard (Vice Chair), Andrew Ward, Brian Phillips (City Liaison), Candace Zwank, Claire Kruesel, Erica Briest, James (Jim) Surber, Karen George (Treasurer), Paola Sepulveda, Penny Adam (Secretary) Absent: Amanda Gigler, Olivia Madison, Taylor Carlson Public Forum / Guests: Heather Johnson, Director of The Octagon, Rhonda Scott and Kristen Greteman, staff members with The Octagon A. Call to Order – Sara Sherman, Chair, called the meeting to order at 12:02 pm. B. Approval of February 3, 2021 Agenda (Sara Sherman, Chair) James Surber moved and Erica Briest seconded to approve the agenda, there were no changes or corrections. C. Approval of January 6, 2021 Minutes (Penny Adam, Secretary) James Surber moved and Erica Briest seconded to approve the minutes, there were no changes or corrections. D. Treasurer’s Report for February 3, 2021 (Karen George, Treasurer) There were no new expenses to report. The PAC budget request has been submitted to Brian Phillips who has submitted to the City Council. E. Public Forum F. Chair’s Report and Comments (Sara Sherman) 1. The By-Laws were reviewed and discussed by the group with several updates noted. Candace Zwank will update the By-Laws for the Commission to review and approve at the March meeting. 2. “Ladies of Summer” and “We Shall Overcome” are on display in the lobby area of the City Hall. G. City of Ames Liaison Comments (Brian Phillips, City Liaison) 1. Applications for Commissions closes soon with six people, so far, indicating preference for the Public Arts Commission. This process should be completed by time of the May PAC meeting. 2. The Black Arts display is installed in the City Hall lobby area, a press release has gone out. 3. The City’s budget meeting takes place on February 9, 2021 at 5:15pm. The PAC budget request is first on the agenda, Karen George and Sara Sherman plan to attend. 4. Brian provides update that there is $10,000 earmarked for the transformer cabinet mural project with locations in the downtown area, it does not come out of the PAC budget. He needs to provide a memo to the City Council on the transformer project describing the proposal, artist selection process, and cost estimates. James Surber will provide information to Brian. Angie DeWaard will reach out to the Ames Main Street group leadership for input on which transformers in the downtown area to consider for this project. 5. City Council gave direction on two art grant programs being developed. One is to provide clarification that the Small Arts Grant Program is to be distributed to individual artists. Another program is to provide up to $200,000 in capital improvements arts projects. 6. COTA and PAC are asked to partner on a scholarship program. Sara Sherman will reach out to Tom Lockhart to initiate conversation; Brian Phillips will be involved. H. New Business 1. Artist Workspace partnership with COTA and The Octagon a. Heather Johnson, and staff from The Octagon, joined in with discussion on their artist workspace project. This proposes renovating the 3rd floor into studio space for local artists. Brian Phillips clarifies there are two separate pools of funding with the small arts grant no longer available to The Octagon as it is to be distributed to individual artists. Presently available to The Octagon is a new $200,000 capital improvements arts program. This is subject to City budget approval of the $200,000; if approved it would become available on March 15, 2021 after which the Council can review applications. As this a new program, and criteria needs to be developed, a new proposal application needs to be provided to the City Council for consideration and award. 2. Budget proposal 2021-2022 has been submitted to Brian Phillips who has submitted to the City Council. 3. Potential purchase of a Glowforge laser cutter a. Candace Zwank has obtained a proposal on a laser cutter, made by Glowforge. This would make QR codes, on materials that can hold up to weather, which can be used to label exterior art and enhance PAC’s record keeping. Candace will obtain additional information on the manufacturer and product for submittal to the City Council if it’s determined to move forward out of PAC. b. Paola Sepulveda asks who will be trained to use this laser cutter from a safety and risk perspective and how materials are obtained and stored. What is the return on investment, savings by making labels in-house? c. After discussing this proposal, it is determined additional information and discussion is needed at a future PAC meeting. Candace will look into this further. I. Old Business 1. Celebration Planning: 25th Year of AAOSE and 30th Year of PAC a. Committee for Planning: Olivia Madison, Sara Sherman, Angie DeWaard, Erica Briest, Claire Kruesel. Additional Contributors; Kerry Dixon, Heather Johnson, Bob Kindred b. Committee report – Olivia Madison 1. The next planning meeting is expected in late February 2021. a. Sara Sherman has begun the process of pricing the murals for live mural painting. Brian Phillips is expecting a cost estimate from the City staff soon and will share with Sara. J. Commission Committees, Liaison Reports, and Comments 1. Outreach (Olivia Madison and Erica Briest Co-Chairs; Amanda Gigler, Andrew Ward, Candace Zwank, Penny Adam) a. Ames Annual Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition (AAOSE) – Sara Sherman 1. Panelists have been selected (Kerry Dixon, Kevin Stowe, Lisa Teske, Mary James) and will meet to select AAOSE 2021 pieces. 2. The panelists’ selections are thought to be available for PAC discussion at the March meeting. b. Neighborhood Sculpture – Erica Briest 1. This Committee met in late January and made pairings of art and locations. 2. The City Risk Management group has approved the selected art pieces. 3. Next steps are to approach the artists. Candace Zwank will make these contacts after obtaining information from Carly Watson on the artists and logistics of delivering the art pieces. c. Transformer cabinet mural project, discussion in addition to section G. City Liaison Comments: 1. Further discussion and planning is needed on how to call for entries for artwork. PAC will look into forming a committee with Ames Main Street and City Electrical department to jury the entries; Angie DeWaard will discuss with Ames Main Street leadership. 2. It is thought this program can spread further into City Communities to enhance transformer boxes as part of Neighborhood Art. This may be a good alternative for neighborhoods that may not be good candidates for sculpture. 2. Public Relations (Paola Sepulveda as Chair; Sara Sherman, Taylor Carlson) a. Festival and Event participation for 2021 – Sara Sherman 1. Artwalk, June 2021 2. Reiman Gardens, July 22, 2021; Sara will submit the application for booth space. 3. The Octagon Art Festival, September 2021 4. These events need participation of PAC members at the booth however all are subject to the current covid situation. b. 3-D photos of sculptures for public viewing – Taylor Carlson 3. Collection Management (Angie DeWaard and James Surber as Co-Chairs; Claire Kruesel, Karen George, Olivia Madison) a. City Hall art placement signage, update on removal & installation; this is underway. b. PAC collection management database, system; Angie is following up. c. “Balance” any updates on the crack at the base; follow-up taking place. d. Dahlquist light features downtown, no action at this time. K. For the Good of the Order The next PAC meeting is scheduled on Wednesday, March 3, 2021 at 12:00 noon with logistics to be determined. L. Adjournment (Chair) Sara Sherman moved to adjourn the meeting at 1:15 pm, Erica Briest seconded the motion.