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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 05-15-2008 AiPP Minutes May 15, 2008 Page 1 ST. LUCIE COUNTY CULTURAL AFFAIRS COUNCIL Art in Public Places Committee Meeting Thursday, May 15, 2008 Bill Ward called the meeting to order at 3:40 P.M. Members Present: Bill Ward, Jack Connolly, Joe Holiday, Jon Ward, T.A. Wyner, Bob Hood Members Absent: James Gibson, Coach Fenn, Gail Forrestor Staff Present: Jody Bonet, Suzanne Antonetti, John Hayes, Katherine Mackenzie-Smith, Kelly Holiday, Jeanne Johansen Bill Ward and John Hayes gave the committee an overview of the Orlando Symposium. John Hayes received numerous excellent comments on his presentation on St. Lucie County’s WoW2 exhibit to 42 cultural committee members attending the conference. Minutes The April Minutes were read. Jon Ward made a motion to accept the minutes. Bob Hood seconded and the motion was passed. OLD BUSINESS : CALL TO ARTIST SUBCOMMITTEES : Four subcommittees met since the last AiPP meeting: Clerk of the Courts (Jon Ward, Chair): While sites were limited the northeast rotunda was identified as a possible site. There is room inside the building for possibly another site. The staff likes the current piece (Totem, by David Lee Cumbie). Avenue D project (T.A. Wyner, Chair): The subcommittee looked at sites and was still attempting to locate an appropriate site. The committee discussed 1234 Avenue D building and doing a frieze as band of relief sculpture running around the top of the building as a possible site. Jon Ward suggested the subcommittee go back to the roundabout site and look for a site appropriate sculpture for the Avenue D roundabout. He noted the three African-American sculptors in the current WoW2 exhibit. The “Birds of Ifa” was discussed. None of the current sculptures is not size appropriate. The limitations of Susan Gott’s “Flame Sentinel”. Bob Hood pointed out the problems with people using the roundabout as a beer bottle target and Jon Ward noted that the piece like Dennis Kowal’s Remnant Series #26, while not size appropriate, would take “a licking” because of it’s construction. It was suggested the subcommittee get together with Lincoln Park Main Street and discuss what they would like. Having Yaw Owusu-Hassan create an enlarged “Birds of Ifa” was suggested as something that might work. Coach Fenn Center (Joe Holiday, Chair): The site the subcommittee had recommended was rejected by St. Lucie County Parks and Recreation Director, Debra Brisson since a site was already agreed upon with the City and the County during the site plan process. The spot identified on the site plan is behind the building behind trees where the subcommittee felt no one would ever see. Jody Bonet is required to report that there is a piece in place for the opening in September. The reason for the rejection of the site in front of the building was it would slow down the construction process. The committee felt that putting a piece of sculpture behind trees and behind a wall was not appropriate nor is using a piece as a screen. 1 AiPP Minutes May 15, 2008 Page 2 John Hayes reminded the committee that gates and fences are also sculptures that can be very nice. Jon Ward suggested looking into sculptures by Jorge Blanco. Blanco’s work is athletic, brightly colored, and fun stuff. He has skaters, swimmers, skateboarders and roller bladers. The committee discussed buying 3 pieces or a duplicate set to place on the sight. This artist already has pieces that might be site appropriate and already produced so it could be in place by the time constraints of the rapidly approaching grand opening. The committee directed the subcommittee to look for a piece that would work in the area suggested by Ms.Brisson and see if Mr. Blanco’s has a site appropriate piece. John Hayes suggested considering a hard landscape of concrete, rock or stone, to minimize landscape maintenance. Downtown Parking Garage (Jon Ward, Chair): The site is prepared and ready for the committee and commissioners to choose once the subcommittee submits its choices. NEW BUSINESS National Navy Seal Museum Michael R. Howard brought the actual bill signed by President Bush designating the museum a national museum with the actual pen. He appealed for support for the memorial and the proposed expansion. He came to talk about the memorial. It is a $250,000 project. Since November they have raised $55,000 towards the Memorial including a small grant from National City today. He presented the memorial to honor the Navy UDT Seals. He anticipates receiving the proposals from three artists next week. Two of these artists are Pat Cochran and the son of Stewart Johnson. The site is being prepared. The unveiling is in 2009. John Hayes told Mr. Howard that he could give him referrals to several foundries in the state that would have competitive prices. The museum is on county owned land. The committee discussed if the project fell under AiPP. Jon Ward reminded the museum if they invited AiPP the committee would have an opinion on the choice of piece. The committee discussed adopting the sculpture as part of its contribution under the Art in Public Places ordinance. Mr. Howard said that one of the proposals was for a rifle in the ground with a pair of fins. John Hayes stated that there would a lot of 3-D sculpture ideas the committee might want to consider – such as encapsulating a swimmer – conceptual piece – one that reflected their service and not so much their being buried in the ground. Jon Ward made a motion to set aside funds of up to $100,000 towards the sculpture at the National Navy UDT SEAL Museum Memorial. Bob Hood seconded the motion. The motion carried. WoW2 Florida Gulf Coast Museum of Art is selecting 18 pieces from the WoW2 for their exhibit. The contracts for all the WoW2 exhibits is up in August. T.A. Wyner made a motion for the AiPP to purchase six (6) of the sculptures from the show: In the Swim $36,000 Jorge Blanco Totem $12,000 David Cumbie Prevailing Winds $12,000 Pat Cochran Buoy $30,000 Terry Thommes Remnant Series #26 $40,000 Dennis Kowal Bird in the Hand $ 7,500 Anita Prentice/Ginny Piech Street Total $137,500 Joe Holiday seconded the motion. The motion carried. The committee agreed to begin negotiating with the artists and drawing up contracts for the purchase of these pieces. 2 AiPP Minutes May 15, 2008 Page 3 Member Absence: The committee discussed sending information on the call for artists to traveling subcommittee members. Joe Holiday informed the committee that he will be leaving on June 12 and returning on September 29. Michele Berger will be the contact for the Coach Fenn Center Subcommittee during his absence. She will keep Mr. Holiday informed of events. NEW BUSINESS The committee discussed visual art, paintings, drawings, and photos, in public places. Jody Bonet informed the committee that she is looking into purchasing stripping frames to display art in the Clerk of Courts building by the elevators and possibly in the front entrance area. Jon Ward stated he was against putting AiPP art in restricted areas, county official offices or areas not available to the public. Bill Ward discussed the 15% of funds available for programs and maintenance of current exhibits. The committee meeting adjourned at 4:20 PM. Next regular meeting is scheduled June 15, 2008 at 3:30 PM. 3