Public Art Commission

Minutes of a Regular Public Art Commission Meeting August 14, 2019 A regular meeting of the Blue Springs Public Art Commission was held on Wednesday, August 14, 2019 at the Fieldhouse. The Chairman called the meeting to order. Eleanor Frasier – Present Parks Dept. Staff: Justin Stuart Ramon Magee – Absent City Council Liaison: Chris Lievsay- Present Joy Frazier Boyle – Present Community Member: Barbara Landes Larry Randall - Absent Greta Hoener – Present Jeff Carpenter – Absent A motion was made by Jeff and seconded by Greta to accept the Minutes of the July meeting; it passed unanimously. PAC members also remembered Kathe White, PAC member who passed away unexpectedly last month. Kathe enjoyed her work with PAC and served faithfully for many years and will be greatly missed in the PAC. Public Art Commission Financial Report: The financial report was presented for review. Planning for Call for Artist for 2020 Commissioned Sculpture 1. Café Contract. Justin reported that the CAFÉ contract has been approved and paid for so that the Call To Artist can be posted as soon as it is approved. 2. Funding Plans. The plan is to have a commissioned sculpture placed in front of the Fieldhouse to recognize the Parks and Recreation Department. It is expected that the Call will be to pay an artist $25,000, of which $15,000 will come from Parks and $10,000 from PAC. 3. Theme. Eleanor said that PAC will present three theme ideas for Parks to choose from, or to select a different theme altogether. since they are the party issuing the Call. The theme will be a means to assist the artist in proposing an artwork for the project. Theme ideas had been submitted at the last meeting but no decision was made. Eleanor asked for any additional theme ideas and two others were added to the list: Ascending and Synergy. Following discussion, each member voted their top three choices, which shortened the list to 8 theme ideas , and then their top three choices from this list. The top choices from PAC were Ascending, Play Naturally, and Synergy (in that order). First Round Results: One vote each: Rise Up, Journey, Exhilaration; Community. Two votes each: Just Move. Three votes each: Play Naturally, Synergy; Six votes: Ascending. Second Round Results: One vote: Journey Three votes each: Just Move, Exhilaration Seven votes: Synergy Nine votes: Play Naturally Thirteen votes: Ascending A motion was made by Jeff and seconded by Greta to present the top 3 choices- Ascending, Play Naturally, and Synergy- to the Parks and Recreation Department for consideration; it passed unanimously. 4. Discussion of Call to Artist. Eleanor reviewed the Call which had been sent previously to all Commission members. Suggestions for change or edits were made and the timeline was reviewed. --The theme (as determined by Parks) and the various descriptors will be added to the Call 1  --Following discussion, the Call will be approved at the September 11 meeting, giving an opportunity for City Council to review the information at their September 16 session. --Unless there is objection, Justin will upload the Call on CAFÉ on Wednesday, September 18. --PAC reviewed the remainder of the Timeline, with artists having until Wednesday, October 30 to submit applications, after which the jury panel will begin review which ends Wednesday, November 13. --The top three artists selected by the jurors will be notified to have a telephone interview with Selection Panel (jurors and PAC members) on Wednesday, December 11. --Finalists will be asked to make an on-site presentation to the Selection Panel on Wednesday, January 8, 2020 and the finalist will be announced on January 9, if approved by Parks Director --Installation of Art is expected to be in late Fall, with the Dedication before the end of the year, so as to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Public Art Commission. b. Other Needs- Will need to have photos of the site placed on City website so prospective artists can review c. Discussion of Jurors. If following the example of “Restless Restored”, there will be seven jurors: 2 from Parks (chosen by Dennis); 2 from PAC (chosen by Eleanor); 3 External Members. PAC members are asked to bring suggestions for the External Members at the next meeting. Information/Updates/Status: a. Contract with Van Witt for repair of “Mother and Child”. Van Witt still has not received notice of Missouri licensure so cannot contract until then. Discussion was that we hope the artwork will be secured and safeguarded during repairs to Blue Springs North Library. Parks will assist in moving the artwork nearer the building upon completion of the library. b. Discussion with Spencer Schubert regarding “Moving the Stars”. Eleanor contacted Spencer who had personally visited the art to see the maintenance needs. He held a telephone conference with PAC to present three ideas (in order of cost): 1. He would repair with gelcoat and wax 2. He would remove the artwork to his studio and cover with shiny baked on enamel (auto paint); would have a metallic finish but would have no further damage if waxed 3. He would buy back the original and create a new sculpture in bronze. Discussion was that he would provide additional information on costs that would be discussed at the September meeting. c. “Fire, Earth and Water” was given to Janet Kummerlein to clean and repair and she will let PAC know when to pick it up d. “The Story of Blue Springs, Missouri” publication has been completed and is now under review by Mayor Ross (for City) and Annette Seago (for BSSD). After any suggested changes, the book will be ready for publication, of which 1250 copies will be given to BSSD for fourth grade students and arrangements for individual book sales will be completed. Print Graphics is the publisher. 5. Task Force Plans. Community volunteer Susan Rew will join the Task Force. She is willing to help with plans for fund-raising to help with art maintenance costs and to raise awareness of PAC to the public. She will also assist with the publication arrangements for “Public Art in Blue Springs”. Other Business- : None Visitors/Public Comment: None As there was no further business, a motion for adjournment was made by Greta and seconded by Jeff. Meeting was adjourned at 5:00pm ___________________________________ Eleanor Frasier, Chairman 2