HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - PAC Meeting Minutes 08/05/20Page 1 of 4
PUBLIC ART COMMISSION, CITY OF AMES
MEETING MINUTES – August 5, 2020
HELD VIA ZOOM VIRTUAL MEETING
Present: Sara Sherman (Chair), Penny Adam (Secretary), Erica Briest, Taylor Carlson, Angie DeWaard (Vice Chair),
Karen George (Treasurer), Amanda Gigler, Claire Kruesel, Olivia Madison, Brian Phillips (Interim City
Liaison), James (Jim) Surber, Andrew Ward, Candace Zwank
Absent: Paola Sepulveda
Public Forum/Guests: Elizabeth Erbes and John Hall with Ames Main Street group
A. Call to Order—Sara Sherman, Chair, called the meeting to order at 12:03pm.
B. Approval of August 5, 2020 Agenda (Sara Sherman, Chair)
Olivia Madison moved and James Surber seconded to approve the agenda with no corrections or changes.
C. Approval of July 1, 2020 Minutes and Special Meeting July 22, 2020 Minutes (Penny Adam, Secretary)
Olivia Madison moved and James Surber seconded to approve the minutes with no corrections or changes.
D. Treasurer’s Report (Karen George, Treasurer)
1. It appears the budget is $46,000 although there may be $56,000 to carry over from last fiscal year. Karen
George will update Sara Sherman when this determination is completed.
E. Public Forum
1. Guests today are Elizabeth Erbes and John Hall with Ames Main Street group. John mentions they are in
attendance for the discussion on the New Business topic of the Dahlquist light feature installations.
F. Chair’s Report and Comments (Sara Sherman)
1. Outcome of the City Council Meeting held July 28, 2020
a. Angie DeWaard attended the Council meeting held July 28, 2020 where the City Council reviewed the
proposal to remove the “The Vanishing Railyard”. Following discussion it was approved to remove the
wall and relocate the electrical, to make it available for events. It is thought this will cost $1,500 from
the PAC budget, the Collections Management portion of the budget. Future discussion is needed on
bollards and / or installation of different artwork.
b. James Surber asks if it makes sense to have a portion of the budget set aside for deaccession of art.
Angie DeWaard reminds the group that deaccession of art is already a part of the Collection
Management portion of the PAC budget.
G. City of Ames Liaison Comments (Brian Phillips, interim Liaison)
1. Brian Phillips mentions he has no comments this month.
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H. Old Business
1. Black Arts Festival & Music Festival
a. Sara Sherman confirms purchases are complete and the art works are in our possession.
b. Temporary public viewing and event, following City Hall opening – deferred
c. Permanent installation locations for these works are to be determined. Sara Sherman asks PAC
members to think about installation locations that will have impact. Angie DeWaard asks Brian Phillips
if there are locations within the City’s HR Department where these could possibly be installed. Olivia
Madison asks if the art works can be set on easels in the City Chambers or in a visible City Conference
Room – a location to showcase these works of art.
d. These works are:
i. “Ladies of Summer (2019)” by Juliana Jones; hand-cut paper
ii. “We Will Overcome (2018)” by Jamila Johnson; reductive woodcut
iii. “Goodnight Moon (2019) by Jamila Johnson; drypoint, watercolor
2. Transformer cabinet mural project proposal update (James Surber, Andrew Ward)
a. James Surber recalls previous discussion on obtaining cost and calls for entry.
b. Sara Sherman will move this Old Business item to either Neighborhood Art or Arts in the Park for
future discussions.
3. PAC projects, initiatives, events looking forward to FY20, FY21, and FY22
a. Celebration planning: 25th Year of AAOSE and 30th Year of PAC
i. Olivia Madison provided some background information and about a meeting with Bob Kindred (a
former City of Ames Liaison to PAC) who was with PAC in the beginning of it’s existance. Bob
Kindred recalls there have not been any celebrations of PAC or what it contributes to the City of
Ames. Olivia Madison researched the origins of PAC and is reminded that Lynette Pohlman is a
founding member as is Larry Curtiss, who sadly has passed.
ii. Olivia Madison recommends incorporating the AAOSE celebration into the PAC celebration as this
sculpture program is one of the Commission’s programs.
iii. Olivia Madison and Angie DeWaard will work to combine their lists of information and
organizational efforts in creating a framework for planning the Celebrations. Angie DeWaard will
set up a spreadsheet for sharing with the PAC members for transparency and input. She will also
share the 2019 / 2020 Strategic Initiative survey from last year.
iv. A steering committee roster was determined today; Olivia Madison, Sara Sherman, Angie
DeWaard, Erica Briest. The balance of the PAC members will be involved as well. The PR
committee will be integral to the process, ad-hoc committees may also be needed.
1) The steering committee will discuss possible themes and events, providing a plan to PAC
membership for transparency.
2) The steering committee may also revisit the Children’s Memorial Garden at Moore Memorial
Park project (Angie DeWaard reminds the group this project has City Council approval).
3) It is suggested that highly rated projects from the 2019 / 2020 Strategic Initiative be
considered for incorporation, as appropriate, into planning the Celebration.
4) The steering committee may reach out to Ames Public Library, Parks and Rec, Ames Historical
Museum, University Museums possible partnership as appropriate.
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I. New Business
1. Dahlquist light features on Main Street
a. Discussion on repair and maintenance of the light fixtures took place. From conversation with the
artist (David Dahlquist) this would be a large undertaking involving disassembly, evaluation,
replacement of materials, and reassembly with a potential cost estimate ranging from $99,675 to
$114,675.
b. Elizabeth Erbes has met with a mason to review the light features finding many pedestals are cracked
and / or broken. These light features tie in thematically with other installations in the Main Street
area. Unless abandoned, these light features do not interfere with the paving project. There are
streetlights in these locations so the light features are not needed for illumination. Elizabeth Erbes
suggests it may be time for replacement.
c. John Hall thinks these features are high impact markings of the Main Street area however they do
need repair or re-imagined with replacement art. There may be businesses interested in partnering
for funding repair and / or replacement. John Hall and Elizabeth Erbes will brainstorm ideas for re-
imagined replacements and bring to a future PAC meeting for discussion.
d. Sara Sherman asks since PAC owns these light features, are we required to have the artist make
repairs. Brian Phillips says PAC is not committed to having the artist make repairs and / or
modifications.
e. Sara Sherman asks if pricing for repairs can be obtained from alternate sources, in an effort to reduce
costs. John Hall will take this back to the Main Street Group for additional cost estimates.
f. Elizabeth Erbes comments fundraising for new installations may be more effective than for repair of
the existing installations.
g. Brian Phillips suggests a repair schedule is developed to spread out the impact of the expense of
repairs over several years.
h. Olivia Madison reminds the group there are a lot of initiatives presently at the forefront and
addressing light features may need to wait.
i. Angie DeWaard makes a motion to formally research costs of repairs to the light features for future
discussion and, if interested, tie this into Tom Evans Park updates; Taylor seconded the motion. This
motion was unanimously approved.
j. James Surber asks if the Main Street Group has budget to contribute to projects on Main Street as
PAC manages budget for art installations throughout the City of Ames. John Hall says they presently
do not however are willing to help with fundraising and collaborating on initiatives for Main Street
installations. John Hall says they are in the process of obtaining grants for public art investments in
the Main Street area and can redirect funds towards projects in partnership with PAC.
J. Commission Committees, Liaison Reports, and Comments
1. Outreach (Olivia Madison and Erica Briest Co-Chairs; Andrew Ward, Penny Adam, Candace Zwank, and
Amanda Gigler)
a. Ames Annual Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition (AAOSE)
i. Olivia Madison reports all of the 2020 / 2021 sculptures have been installed.
ii. Angie DeWaard will take photos needed for brochure and the on-line catalog and can wrap this up
within a week or two.
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b. Neighborhood Sculpture Program. Looking ahead to future installation of the current AAOSE
sculptures, Sara Sherman reminds the group they are available for application and eventual relocation
into Neighborhoods. Sara Sherman will verify with Jacque Higgins the timeline for requesting
applications from Neighborhoods around Ames. Angie DeWaard questions whether all the sculpture
from past years are installed, Sara Sherman will ask Jacque Higgins this as well. Olivia Madison and
Erica Briest will meet to discuss sculpture maintenance and installation.
2. Public Relations (Paola Sepulveda as Chair; Taylor Carlson and Sara Sherman)
a. Festival and event participation for FY2021 (Paola Sepulveda) – deferred to a future meeting
b. Taylor Carlson has been working on updates to the brochure including following font standards
required by the City of Ames. Taylor Carlson shared on the screen her working documents, the group
discussed questions she has for the brochure. Sara Sherman has a preliminary map of the new statues
and their locations; she will provide this to Taylor Carlson for use in developing the brochure.
3. Collection Management (Angie DeWaard and James Surber as Co-Chairs; Olivia Madison, Claire Kruesel,
and Karen George)
a. City Hall art placement and signage, update on removal and installation. Olivia Madison is working on
this.
b. PAC Collection Management database system. James Surber is willing to assess the installations and
needs a map or a document of these locations; Angie DeWaard will send this information to James
Surber. Angie DeWaard is working with the City on this database and needs more suitable photos to
attached to the records which Jacque Higgins is working to obtain. James Surber and Angie DeWaard
will continue conversation about obtaining photos. Olivia Madison shares that Bob Kindred knows of
photos professionally done, she will verify and update Angie DeWaard.
K. For the Good of the Order—The next PAC meeting is scheduled on Wednesday, September 2, 2020 at 12:00
noon in 135 Ames City Hall or via Zoom virtual meeting, logistics to be determined and announced.
L. Adjournment (Chair)
Sara adjourned the meeting at 1:30pm after Olivia Madison so moved and James Surber seconded.
Submitted by
Penny Adam, PAC Secretary