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PUBLIC ART COMMISSION, CITY OF AMES
MEETING MINUTES – 4/1/2020
HELD VIA ZOOM VIRTUAL MEETING
Present: Olivia Madison (Chair), Penny Adam, Erica Briest, Taylor Carlson #, Angie DeWaard, Kerry Dixon
(Treasurer)*, Karen George, Amanda Gigler #, Claire Kruesel (Secretary), Brian Phillips (Interim City
Liaison), Paola Sepulveda, Sara Sherman (Vice-Chair), James Surber, Andrew Ward, Candace Zwank #
Absent: Cathy Carlyle*, Matthew Corones
Public Forum/Guests: N/A
Notes: * Indicates outgoing member; # indicates incoming 2020/2021 member. Positions are for 2019-2020.
A. Call to Order—Olivia Madison, Chair, called the meeting to order at 12:03 p.m. after taking a roll call.
B. Approval of 4/1/2020 Agenda (Olivia Madison, Chair)
Andrew moved and Claire seconded to approve the agenda, which was approved unanimously.
C. Approval of 3/4/2019 Minutes (Claire Kruesel, Secretary)
Kerry moved and Andrew seconded to approve the minutes, which were approved unanimously.
D. Treasurer’s Report (Kerry Dixon, Treasurer)
Kerry shared the current PAC budget statement, noting our balance is $93,371.84. Upcoming expenses will
occur in the next three to four months and include $23,000 for Neighborhood Sculpture program (to
purchase four items) and $13,500 for AAOSE. Kerry explained, for new members, that the Art in the Parks
budget carries over year-to-year to fund larger projects that occur every several years.
E. Public Forum—N/A
F. Chair’s Report and Comments (Olivia Madison, Chair) – Olivia outlined expectations for the meeting,
thanked outgoing members for their service, and invited members to introduce themselves.
1. New Members—New members include Taylor Carlson, Amanda Gigler, and Candace Zwank. Thank you,
new members, for joining PAC and serving our community!
2. Returning and outgoing members—
a. Returning members include Penny Adam, Erica Briest, Matthew Corones, Angie DeWaard, Karen
George, Claire Kruesel (2019-2020 Secretary), Olivia Madison (2019-2020 Chair), Brian Phillips
(Ames Assistant City Manager and Interim City Staff Liaison to PAC), Sara Sherman (2019-2020
Vice-Chair), Paola Sepulveda, James (Jim) Surber, and Andrew Ward.
b. Outgoing members include Cathy Carlyle and Kerry Dixon (2019-2020 Treasurer). Thank you for
your years of service on PAC!
G. City of Ames Liaison Comments (Brian Phillips)—Brian updated PAC on how COVID-19 will affect PAC.
1. Heidi Bickner (a community member) wants to contribute $1000 to fund a piece of art to recognize
emergency workers in Ames ($1500 if the piece is made by an out-of-work artist).
2. Brian noted no updates to the electrical boxes project (confirmed in OB-5 by Andrew).
3. Erica shared accessibility concerns about the likelihood of future meetings’ being virtual. Brian offered to
assist with future meetings if needed, and Kerry will send Brian an ISU contact for digital accessibility.
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4. Appointment of a permanent City liaison has been postponed until the summer due to COVID-19. Thank
you, Brian, for your helping PAC in the meantime!
H. Old Business
1. PAC projects, initiatives, events looking forward to FY20, FY21 and FY22— Olivia confirmed that PAC
will continue planning these major celebrations: 25th year of AAOSE and 30th year of PAC
2. Black Arts Festival & Music Festival
a. Outcome of purchase (Sara Sherman and Kerry Dixon)—Kerry will put this item onto the City Council
agenda for 4/21/2020 meeting. For new members, Olivia summarized this event and purchase of
three art pieces.
b. Temporary public viewing and event – Following City Hall Opening – Deferred
3. 10th Annual EcoFair celebration (4/25/20)—Brian confirmed that the event is postponed indefinitely.
4. Bird House Competition Report – Kerry Dixon (attached) noted that this project is complete.
a. Select birdhouses were going to be shared at EcoFair, which has been postponed indefinitely.
b. Kerry shared images of birdhouses that Parks and Recreation will install at select park and prairie sites
in Ames; labor and materials will be billed to PAC’s budget.
c. Thank you to Kerry, Angie, Sara, and all others who assisted on this project!
5. Transformer Cabinet Mural Project Proposal Update – Andrew Ward has no updates to report; Olivia
confirmed there should be more updates in the May meeting.
I. New Business
1. AAOSE Report (attached)—Kerry Dixon summarized AAOSE for new members, then updated PAC on the
2020-2021 initiative’s status. Olivia emphasized that AAOSE is the longest initiative of its kind in the
nation and brings longstanding value to artists, the city, and neighborhoods.
a. Sara explained how the three jurors selected AAOSE pieces.
b. Kerry explained sculpture-placement recommendations, which consider size, safety, and
interactions with pre-existing pieces (such as removal of the musical-instrument sculptures in
Tom Evans Park for future placement elsewhere).
1) If approved, each artist will receive $1000, the piece will be displayed for a year, and the
piece may be purchased by the public or the city (for Neighborhood Art).
2) PAC needs to approve these selections as soon as possible to ensure availability and
expedite placement by goal date of June 1.
3) Kerry moved and Erica seconded to approve the described selection and placement of
the pieces, which was approved unanimously. Kerry will prepare the proposal for April’s
City Council meeting.
2. Officer Elections for Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary—The following members previously
offered to serve in these positions for 2020-2021 following the last meeting. Each candidate briefly
stated their suitability for each position. Given that no other PAC members sought these offices, PAC
voted unanimously to approve the following slate of officers for the 2020-2021 year:
a. Chair—Sara Sherman (was 2019-2020 Vice Chair)
b. Vice Chair—Angie DeWaard (Olivia noted that the Vice Chair typically succeeds serves the Chair)
c. Treasurer—Karen George
d. Secretary—Penny Adam
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J. Commission Committees, Liaison Reports, and Comments—Olivia explained the function and importance
of these standing committees, and committee chairs offered a brief description of their committee. After
this meeting, PAC members should respond to Sara’s e-mail with their top two committee preferences.
1. Outreach (Erica Briest and Sara Sherman, 2019-2020 Co-Chairs)—Erica and Sara summarized the
committee’s focus on engaging with communities, which includes initiatives like AAOSE, the
Neighborhood Sculpture program, and Art in the Park projects (e.g. Birdhouse Initiative).
a. Ames Annual Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition (AAOSE)—See NB-1
b. Neighborhood Sculpture—No discussion
2. Public Relations (Kerry Dixon and Paola Sepulveda, 2019-2020 Co-Chairs)—Kerry and Paola summarized
the committee’s focus on engaging with communities via tools and activities like social media, brochures,
festivals such as Art Walk, and Otocast (an app that maps and informs the public about art in Ames).
a. Festival & Event Participation for 2020-2021: Brief update—Kerry shared upcoming festival
dates (note: times do not include setup and teardown); PAC members should add these on their
calendars to assist future volunteering:
1) Art Walk (Friday, June 5)—5-8 p.m.
2) Reiman Arts Festival (Sunday, July 12)—9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Paola is contact for this event
3) Octagon Festival (Sunday, Sept. 27)—9 a.m.-4 p.m.
b. Paola and Kerry noted other possible upcoming engagement opportunities:
1) Farmers’ Market (usually the Saturday before Fall semester begins)
2) STEM Night at a local school (e.g. in 2019 at Kate Mitchell Elementary)
3. Collection Management (Angie DeWaard and Olivia Madison, 2019-2020 Co-Chairs)—Angie
summarized the committee’s focus on keeping track of artwork location and status, including monitoring
and managing repairs, optimizing placement, and creating a virtual database. Olivia emphasized the need
to optimize how repair and deaccessioning decisions are handled, and noted that deaccessioning
decisions involve not just PAC but City approval.
a. City Hall Art Placement/Signage (removal and installation)—In progress (no discussion)
b. PAC Collection Management Database/System--Deferred
K. For the Good of the Order—
1. Olivia thanked 2019-2020 members for their service and good planning that will continue to benefit all.
a. Specifically, Olivia thanked Kerry Dixon, who has held Treasurer, Co-Chair, and Chair positions, as
well as going through our archive and penning a manual on PAC’s history and methods.
b. Olivia revisited suggestions that we offer an orientation to new members (and a refresher for
returning members); Sara will work with officers and committee chairs to develop an orientation.
2. Olivia passed Chair duties to Sara Sherman. Thank you so very much, Olivia, for your excellent leadership!
3. The next PAC meeting is scheduled on Wednesday, May 6th at 12 p.m.(likely virtual) to be determined.
L. Adjournment (Chair)—Sara Sherman (2020-2021 Chair)—Jim moved and Kerry seconded to adjourn the
meeting. Sara adjourned the meeting at 1:14 p.m.
Submitted by
Claire Kruesel, 2019-2020 PAC Secretary