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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Minutes from the Public Art Commission meeting on August 4, 20261 MINUTES PUBLIC ART COMMISSION Conference Room 135 515 Clark Avenue August 4, 2026 Call to Order President Theresa Stromberg-Murphy called the meeting of the Public Art Commission (PAC) to order at 5:31 p.m. In attendance were Bob Anders, Ratnesh Kumar, Tom Lindsey, Jospeh Nolin, Greg Rowland (Treasurer), Emily Gassmann, Janice Reutter, Julianne Rogowski (Vice Chair) and Brian Phillips (City of Ames Staff Liaison). Donna Hoff-Grambreau, Joseph Marchant and Ray Schmidt were absent. Approval of Consent Agenda Moved by Reutter, seconded by Anders, to approve the Consent Agenda, including the Minutes of the July PAC meeting and August Treasurer ’s Report. Vote on Motion: 9-0. Motion carried unanimously. Report of Commission Subcommittees • Collections Management o Rowland reported on behalf of the committee, the City is going to reach out to the artist of “Playthings,” which has been refurbished but has overspray that needs to be eradicated. o “Symphony”, which was difficult to find, is on Beach Avenue and has been incorporated into a flower bed. There is no permanence to the easement, the City or the Neighborhood Association could end the relationship. The sculpture was installed in 2006 at this location as part of the neighborhood art program, and it does not have a label. 2 o President Stromberg-Murphy will draft a letter to notify the current homeowner that “Symphony” is part of the City of Ames collection, and the commission will discuss further at the September meeting. o Commission asked Brian to provide the commission with template language for future easements at the September meeting. The commission will examine the language to determine if they have suggest additional language. o “Cyclone Twister”, Rowland showed a picture of the missing footprint, Brian reported that the artist has fabricated a new footprint and will install it. The cost will be about $1,000 and paid by PAC. • Outreach o Manu Agnihotri has resigned to finish her PhD, Janice Ruetter is the co - chair and President Stromberg-Murphy asked for a volunteer to help Janice. o Sign-up for the Octagon Art Festival, on September 27, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., is forthcoming. o The committee is considering other opportunities for outreach besides the three public events the Public Arts Commission usually covers. The sub - committee is getting a brochure printed that will help publicize the Commission and Arts. • Public Relations o Lindsley reported for the committee, PAC will publicize the upcoming Octagon Art Festival and the call for jurors to select the next entries for 2027 AAOSE. o Lindsley has photos of the installed “Tipsy” that will go on social media channels. Public Forum • No public guest attending the meeting Chair Comments 3 • Stromberg-Murphy asked the commission to read the mission statement (Section 2.12) to consider these items and will discuss and recommend changes to the City Council for their consideration and possible adoption. Kumar has recommendations for items to be added. Lindley noted that the mission includes a statement that PAC will seek outside funding, which was the inspiration for bringing up the issue. • Rogowski noted that Reiman Gardens might be interested in helping to fundraise for a “troll” project (to build a giant troll) somewhere in Ames. City of Ames Liaison Report/Comments • Phillips said that the recruitment announcement to fill Manu’s position is out. • Entry form for artists for AAOSE is out of compliance with the Ames standards. The public relations team is revising the form for either printing and mailing a hard copy or web submission Old Business • Stromberg-Murphy thanked everyone who worked at the Reiman Gardens Art Fair. • Nolin reported on the possible tour of public art, the Outreach Committee will discuss this when it has a new chair and the committee is revived. • Stromberg-Murphy reported on the PAC 2027 Calendar submission, according to Allie (Ames staff person), four people have submitted 15 photographs, and the “close” date is August 15th. President Stromberg-Murphy emailed Hoyt Printing and to have the calendar produced by Thanksgiving the selections need to be submitted by October 15th. Stromberg-Murphy suggested that the PAC extend the submission deadline to September 15th. o Moved by Anders seconded by Rogowski to extend the submission to September 15th. Vote on motion: 9-0. Motion carried unanimously. The city staff will publicize the extension. New Business 4 • The Octagon Art Festival is September 17, 2026 • Discussion about interviewing Lynette Pullan, who chaired the PAC and was involved with choosing the public art in City Hall. o Anders will put together a proposal for approaching Ms. Pullman. • “Terra Cotta Reliefs” o Phillips presented a proposal for re-installing many of the “Terra Cotta Reliefs”, formerly located along 5th Avenue, to Schainker Plaza. o Two of the reliefs were reclaimed by the Martin family, who had commissioned them, one was damaged and one is missing, but all the rest are in good shape. o There is a blank wall hiding the refrigeration equipment for the ice ribbon for the Plaza, a brick veneer could be added to the blank wall that could hold 18 of the terra cotta reliefs. Estimation of about $5,000 for installing the footer, installing anchors, cleaning the terra cotta pieces and attaching them, building the veneer, and making a cap for the wall. ▪ Moved by Anders and seconded by Lindsley that the Commission ask the City to pursue the cost estimates for installing the terra cotta reliefs at Schainker Plaza. Vote on motion: 9-0. Motion carried unanimously. For the Good of the Order • Nothing reported Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 6:43 p.m. Vote on Motion: 9-0. Motion carried unanimously.