Public Art Commission

Blue Springs Public Art Commission Minutes of the Meeting Thursday, April 16, 2015 East Conference Room 3:30 to 5:00PM Attending: Ramon Magee, Steve Willman, Dale Carter, Carolyn Gordanier, Barbara Landes, Kathe White, Greta Hoener, Eleanor Frasier Call to Order. The meeting was called to order at 3:30PM Accept Minutes of March meeting. The following corrections were made to the minutes and accepted. ---p. 1, 6c should read Blue Springs Art League ---p. 2 under 7 c.-d should read …from a per-capita tax… ---p. 3 under What is Ahead, No. 2 should state Corks and Canvas (Saturday May 16.) Update/Information “Remnants Restored” A. Question was how CAFÉ worked. 1. Ramon explained how CAFÉ was set up. It is a company owned by Westaf, located in Denver, which allows arts organizations to post their Calls for a set-up fee and user fee. Artists can submit their contact information and a certain number of images to be stored at CAFÉ website at no cost. If an artist sees a Call they want to apply for, they ask CAFÉ to place their name and any information they wish to submit for that Call, using either the images they have stored or additional images as it might relate to the Call. CAFÉ is increasingly being accepted as the venue for public art Calls. 2. The one-time set up fee is $250 plus another $450 application fee which supports the on-line jury process, This fee was paid by Downtown Alive (DA). Note: if PAC uses CAFÉ for future Calls, we would need to pay this same amount. 3. DA contracted with CAFÉ for their services. DA asked PAC if we would administer the Call to secure an artist to create a Steel sculpture and an Aluminum sculpture. Discussion within PAC and DA was that the artists would be paid $15,000 per sculpture. The Call went to CAFÉ November 3. Both DA and PAC had approved the Call information. 4. The use of CAFÉ involves a CAFÉ administrator for the Call. Carol Reed was asked to be responsible for all information going to CAFÉ, for all contact with jury process, and for correspondence (email generally) to artists. Ramon or Eleanor assisted with inquiries when needed. 5. Using the accepted public art format for naming a selection panel, a jury of seven individuals was named to represent the interests of the groups involved in the Call (Downtown Alive named 2 jurors; PAC named 2 jurors, City named 1 juror, and 2 external judges were asked to participate on the selection panel). These names were approved by PAC and DA. 6. The jury process involved providing CAFÉ with the username and unique passwords of each juror who then went on-line, spending considerable time reviewing the images of the 103 applicants and giving each one a score of 1 to 7. CAFÉ tabulated the scores to the fourth decimal point of each artist applicant to give us a final ranking of all applicants. 7. We had determined in the Call that we would interview the top two finalists in each category (Aluminum and Steel) but when we had an unbelievable tie for the second artist in steel, PAC determined we should ask the three top artists to submit a sculpture concept to the jurors. 8. At the Selection Panel meeting, the jurors heard presentations from the artist finalists, gained input from PAC, DA and City staff members attending, conferred and then voted by secret ballot 1  to select the two commissioned artists. Each artist was given a short status meeting with jurors with any suggestions for changes in the concept presented. 9. Once the artists were selected, DA became responsible for contracts and arrangements with the artists. The City (through the Parks staff) will assist in installation of the sculptures. DA will donate the artworks to the City as permanent art assets. DA will be responsible for the Dedication. B, Discussion on how we felt about Call to Artist using CAFÉ 1. Carolyn felt that PAC commissioners should have had more involvement in the process, especially the selection panel jury deliberations. Eleanor said she felt the same way when she first joined PAC. At that time, she was told that the selection panel process is designed to allow for outside experts to review applicant information (and if possible to interview artists in person) in order to judge and select the winning artist. It was explained that, in essence, they are the selected representatives to listen, confer and decide much like an elected representative body would do in making a political decision. 2. This panel usually includes artists, art professionals, arts educators, architects and community leaders. The arts organization sponsoring the Call is usually represented on the Selection Panel but cannot dominate membership in order to insure against conflict of interest. 3. The Selection Panel recommends the winning artists to the organization awarding the commission. There may be additional scrutiny (i.e. seek recommendations from previous clients, seek additional information from artist, or arrange for conceptual change) before the group issues a contract. 4. We can explore ways to allow more commissioner input during future Calls perhaps more involvement before the Selection Panel meets now that we know how CAFÉ works. 5. The process we follow is considered Standard Practice for public art selection but each organization can modify within reason. “Breath” A. Discussion was on asking the Mid-Continent Library to allow us to place this artwork at the Blue Springs South location, in the alcove just north of the entry door. B. DECISION. Motion passed to make the request for placement of “Breath” as discussed. “OH!” A. Discussion was where to place “OH!”. Eleanor felt that since this artwork was originally shown in the first downtown art exhibit and then placed in front of City Hall after donor purchase, it should remain in the downtown City Hall site but to be moved in front of the window (between the sidewalk and flags) B. DECISION. Motion passed to place “OH!” in front of City Hall big window. “Moving the Stars”—Plaque will be placed at a future date. ”Fortitude III”—no date set for the Dedication. We hope to do so in late June. “The Visit”—Steve has sent paperwork to St. Mary’s Manor but no new information “Providence”—Discussion was held on where to site but no decision was made. To be continued… . Downtown Alive Murals—Plans are underway for four murals to be designed by BS students Art Maintenance Plans A. “Quasarc”—following discussion, it was decided that Carolyn will pick the paint color and that Parks will be involved in maintenance arrangements to paint and restore the lens that have been lost B. “OH!”—Carolyn volunteered to re-paint the artwork and pay for new base. She said that Scot Furgason felt that powder coating was not a proper way to handle this artwork and suggested the art 2  be prepared and then to brush on Rustoleum. We will check with Randy Cooper to determine if this is feasible. C. “BlueSprings.Net” 1. Eleanor said there is no way PAC can pay for the cost of restoration proposed by Metalabs but maybe we could have them do some of the work relating to damage to the “net” which is starting to peel and deteriorate.. We might be able to arrange for self-painting of the oars and railroad ties in different colors if we get artist permission to do so. Steve pointed out at anyone hired would need to be paid prevailing wage but that volunteers could do so if approved by City. 2. Discussion on how to pay included a request that PAC art maintenance be included in Parks Master Plan for Park Maintenance. Dale and Steve pointed out deferred Parks maintenance remains an issue and it is difficult to fund everything needed. There is some thought of a tax bond issue to cover these costs. “Fire, Earth and Water” Dedication on Thursday, May 21, 9:00 to 10:00AM A. Dedication Invitation and Guest List—Eleanor provided a sample invitation and asked for any changes. There was one change to add: that the art was “Purchased by Blue Springs Art League” The guest list will be BSAL members and others selected to be invited B. Planned Schedule—We will begin with coffee and light refreshments. The Mayor will welcome guests. Eleanor will give a brief update on accomplishments in 2014 and Certificates of Appreciation will be given to art partners, who will be given an opportunity to respond. The artist, Janet Kuemmerlein will be introduced for brief remarks C. Notifying Art Partners. Eleanor has written letter notifying Art Partners of their honor and asking that they respond whether they will attend D. Reception Plans--Kathe and Barbara will contact Bill Essmann to arrange for reception food and be responsible for name tags and program table. E. Plaque—Discussion was that we would have a brass plaque with the basic information. We are asking Kim to design Treasure Quest—Update on Plans A. Greta shared the Treasure Quest flyer with locations of public art on the front and the back page has the names of the art and artist, plus some trivia questions. She will check with Leslie Evans at BSSD about how to get permission to distribute to students sometime in May. B. Eleanor’s daughter, Jennifer, is working on a format for youth (or adults) to use in answering questions or participate in learning activities about our public art or artists which could also be distributed to students and placed in other venues (libraries, City Hall, etc) along with Treasure Quest flyers. Thinking Ahead A. Corks and Canvas is May 16. Eleanor asked that we have a tent, tables and chairs in the same location as next year. We will need volunteers to man the tent on that date B. New Plaques Needed:. Eleanor will work with Kim to design a new plaque for “OH! (material not decided). We decided on a brass plaque for “Fortitude III” and a stainless steel one for “Breath”. C. New Public Art Program Ideas. We need to think of what we want to do next year, either a temporary art exhibit or a commissioned art for the Fieldhouse. We will discuss this in June. Reminder: “Fire, Earth and Water” Dedication Event on Thursday, May 21, Adams Pointe Conference Center Theatre Room, 9:00 to 10:00 AM. No PAC Meeting that day in the East Conference Room as the Dedication will serve as our May meeting Next Regular Meeting: Thursday, June 18 in East Conference Room, 3:30 to 5:00PM 3