Cortez Public Arts Advisory Committee

Cortez Public Arts Advisory Committee Regular Meeting Wednesday, April 11, 2018; 3:30 P.M. Cortez City Hall Meeting Room Present: Heidi Brugger (scribe), Corinne Damore-Rome, Sonja Horoshko (president), Eric Ikenouye (city liaison), Aaron LeMay, Dan Simplicio, Kirbi Vaughn, Peyton Heitzman (city intern) Absent with notice: Brandon Shubert Citizens and visitors: Janis Nowlin, Bob Dunn, Marlo Johnson, Susan Riggs 1. Call to Order. The meeting convened at 3:30 P.M. 2. Presentations. a. Marlo Johnson (Sedona, AZ) presented background on Oak Creek Arts and Crafts Shows and invited Cortez to consider a co-sponsorship of a show in town. She noted that many artists like to travel with the shows to add to local artists displays. Johnson produces the show as a package-- handles the public relations, pays to use the venue, etc. Given the closeness of tourist season here, the committee and Johnson agreed that any endeavor would be for 2019 and would be concurrent with another event in town, such as a rodeo or hot air balloon fest. Eric Ikenouye has talked over the idea with Dean Palmquist at Parks & Rec and John Brooks, manager marketing and events. The committee was favorable and requested a written proposal. B. Bob Dunn presented a proposal for an arts fundraiser, an evening at La Casita with Blues Conspiracy. The event would include an art show, similar to the Animal Art Works with moderately priced artwork ($90-150) and artist receiving 50% of the sale price. Committee members and artists would be introduced; proceeds from a voluntary door charge would all go to fundraising revenue. Committee members would be given postcards to distribute to promote attendance, sales and a night of dancing. The organizers would handle publicity and marketing as well as printing and exhibition costs. Capacity at La Casita is about 140 people. If this event is successful, the organizers plan to offer it annually. The committee approved this event proposal by UNANIMOUS CONSENSUS. c. Linda Drobinke-Baker, presented a request for committee support of Montezuma Community Barn and Contra Dance in Cortez. She noted that this activity reflects the heritage and agricultural aspect of the Four Corners by using community space for multi-generational appreciation of music and dance. She suggested support in space for dances at no or reduced cost, a banner or linked promotions on web sites and Facebook pages, attendance at dances by committee members, linking her with local musicians who might be interested in creating a Cortez Community Band to play at dances, and help with sponsorship ideas. The committee made suggestions about alternative venues and possible sponsors and committed to supporting dances on its Facebook page once that is up and running. 3. Citizen Participation. Susan Riggs, a local artist with a background in theater, attended to find out about the committee. She noted that art is not taught in elementary schools here and she is hoping for some summer art camps to expose students to art. 4. Old Business. Approval of March 14, 2018 minutes. Sonja Horoshko requested a change in the minutes –changing the time periods on the loan of art. The sentence now reads: “After lengthy discussion the committee members agreed that artists contributing to the city request to loan art to the new City Hall in 2016-2018 would be invited to submit two works of art each for consideration of permanent acquisition in City Hall.” Aaron Lemay made a MOTION to accept the minutes as revised; Heidi Brugger seconded the motion, which PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. 5. New Business. None. 6. Draft Resolutions/Ordinances. None. 7. Other Items of Business. a. Art acquisitions. Sonja reported that she sent letters to the artists from the 2016-2018 City Hall display. Earlier in the month she shared the logo for the committee and used it on the digital letters she sent. She shared information on art appraisal and appraisers and John Peters- Campbell’s vita and his offer, with fees, to serve as appraiser. Eric brought up a potential hitch; the municipal insurer may not accept Peters-Campbell as appraiser because he is not certified (there is no certification program for art appraisers). Eric will work with the city to see if the insurer would accept Peters-Campbell as our expert appraiser, in which case the city would pay for his services. Since Peters-Campbell will be in Cortez in May and the city had yet to clear his acceptance, Heidi made a MOTION: To accept John Peters-Campbell’s offer, pending the municipal insurer’s approval of his as our appraiser. Aaron seconded the motion, which PASSED UNANIMOUSLY, Brando Shubert weighing in via email. b. Report procedure. Heidi suggested that the committee make reports and other work available to the committee members via email prior to the meeting. The committee decided to share information on the Friday (by noon) prior to the monthly meeting. This allows Eric to attach the reports to the minutes and agenda in his mailing. Aaron also offered to get trained on how to use the large screen technology in the conference room so that information and agenda can be displayed during the meetings. 8. Additional Citizen Participation. None. 9. City Staff Liaison Report. Eric reviewed the impact of City Manager Shane Hale’s departure, noting Hale’s last day is May 18. Chris Burkett will be the interim city manager during a search to replace Hale. The plan is for the new hire to be in place by mid-August, since Chris is out of country starting in September. Eric also noted that the library is hosting an art event—5 Navajo poets will be sharing their work next Friday evening (April 20) at the library. 10. Committee Reports. a. Facebook. Kirbi Vaughn reported that this group is still waiting for an email to which it can tie a Facebook page. Eric can be a designee for the page, but he made a commitment to figure out this impediment by next week and meet with the ad hoc group so it can move forward. b. Mission. Heidi sent Corinne Damore-Rome and Aaron information on the purpose and structure of mission statements, but for various reasons did not receive a response. They met quickly prior to the full committee meeting and came up with a suggested change. The new statement would read: “The Cortez Public Arts Advisory Committee is committed to enriching the environment and experiences of our community through sustained coordination, promotion, and display of public arts.” The new mission statement PASSED BY CONSENSUS.  c. Music. Aaron reported that he is focused on raising funds, establishing dates, and creating a timeline for a music series in 2019. He has been in contact with a music events producer who is providing some assistance and is interested in piggybacking acts from a music series in Cortez with similar events in Moab, Durango, Telluride, etc. One concern he raised was whether the music series needed to be a 501c3 in order to hold profits from alcohol sales for public arts benefit but, since the committee is an arm of the city, this would not likely be necessary. He emailed a detailed report prior to the meeting. d. Murals. Heidi distributed the mural spreadsheet to date and reported that she interviewed Burkett and Kemp and will begin writing up the mural text after the end of the run for “The Butterfly’s Evil Spell.” She has a few mural ownerships to clear up. Then the promotion of murals can move forward. 11. Upcoming. a. Next meeting: Wednesday, May 9, 2018; 3:30 P.M.; city hall conference room b. Celebrate National Poetry Month with 5 Navajo Poets, showcasing artwork and poetry of 5 Navajo women. Cortez Public Library, Friday, April 20; 4:00–5:30 p.m. book and visual arts sale, 6:00 p.m. poetry readings, 7:45 p.m. open poetry mike. c. “The Butterfly’s Evil Spell,” play by Frederico Garcia Lorca, Sunflower Theater, April 19-21 & 26- 28; 7:30 curtain. $15 admission. 12. Adjournment. The meeting adjourned at 5:20 P.M.