Cortez Public Arts Advisory Committee

Cortez Public Arts Advisory Committee Regular Meeting Wednesday, August 8, 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 Absent with notice: Brandon Shubert Citizens and visitors: Linda Smith, city clerk; Phil Johnson, Cortez Public Works Department 1. Call to Order. The meeting convened at 3:30 P.M. 2. Presentations a. Linda Smith, Cortez City Clerk, addressed the committee to voice staff concerns about loaned art being removed from City Hall. Sonja Horoshko apologized for the lack of communication and explained the process of purchasing new art and arranging for monthly rotating displays of art. Linda was grateful for the explanation and said she would share the information with other staff. b. Phil Johnson, Cortez Public Works Department, asked the committee for ideas for the art in the medians going in on Main Street. He noted that median art is a component of downtown beautification. There are four spots for art placement, plus possible placement in the “Burger King triangle,” by McDonald’s, and in the former water fountain feature at the West Y in front of Slaven’s—areas not part of the main construction. The committee asked for CDOT parameters for median artworks and the budget for art. Phil suggested that sidewalk art, such as the metal sunflower sculpture by the theater, could also be part of the project. He was asked to also supply city parameters for allowable sidewalk elements. He committed to sending the information to Eric Ikenouye, who will send it out to the committee members. 3. Old Business a. Approval of the July 11, 2018 minutes. Corinne Damore-Rome made a MOTION: To approve the minutes as submitted; Dan Simplicio seconded the motion, which PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. b. Art Survey Report update. Sonja reported that the art survey has been through a final edit and will be available in PDF format as of Monday, August 13. She will begin posting three to four pieces per week on the committee’s Facebook page, sharing information about the piece and soliciting comments and additional information from viewers. c. Art Acquisitions update. The four pieces approved by the committee have been purchased. Sonja will work with city employees to position and hang the works. She noted and Eric concurred that City Council will not fund additional art acquisitions for City Hall. The four artists whose work was selected are appreciative. Sonja added that Stephanie Alderton did an exemplary job of covering the art survey and acquisitions in the Cortez Journal, which provided expansive PR. Sonja also introduced the idea of rotating exhibition of artwork in City Hall that would be “One Artist. One Painting/Photograph. One Month.” This plan would provide some exhibit space, “dress” some of the more public areas of City Hall, and focus attention on a multitude of artists over 18 months. The plan could be implemented starting in December 2018. The committee APPROVED THIS PLAN BY CONSENSUS. d. Montezuma Park Cottonwood. Sonja noted that public works “saved” this tree for potential carving; the committee needs to move forward with a plan. Aaron LeMay added that Cortez Retail Enhancement Association (CREA) has plans to construct a performance stage in the park, possibly near the tree. Dan raised concerns about the tree remaining rooted and thus the  potential for damage from insects and rot. The committee agreed that it needed to confer with the city arborist and possibly folk artist David Sykes regarding maintenance of wood sculptures. It also touched on ways to discourage vandalism of the piece, e.g. raising it on a plinth. Heidi Brugger made a MOTION: for the committee to look into the viability of a cottonwood sculpture and, if good, to proceed with earmarking $5,000 from the budget and putting out an RFP for the project. Kirbi Vaughn seconded the motion, which PASSED 5-1. e. Montezuma Food Coalition project (Pink Building). The coalition altered its request of the committee; it is now being asked to consider a value-added, temporary, four-month ‘use’ of the building’s social space to host visual arts exhibitions and arts education workshops during 2018- 2019. The Montezuma Food Coalition TeamUp United Way group is offering CPAAC approximately 350 sq. ft. for temporary use as dedicated gallery space in the center of the building with access from Beech Street. The use of the space is valued at $3,600, which covers the above mentioned uses and includes utilities. CPAAC would work with Laurie Hall and Susan Riggs, project leaders, to select exhibitions and events. The fee to hold the space is $1,500. The $1,500 fee will enable the coalition to begin immediate work on its mural project, which will identify the building as a hub of city activity supporting a healthy community, and is projected for completion by mid-September. Eric said that he would pursue a Memorandum of Understanding or Agreement (MOU or MOA) with the food hub group for use of the space. Kirbi Vaughn made a MOTION: to accept the proposal from the Montezuma Food Coalition TeamUp United Way project and to move forward with setting up a contract or a Memorandum of Agreement for use of the space; Heidi seconded the motion, which PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. f. Discussion of Citizen Requests for Funding. Sonja reviewed the “loose ends” the committee needed to address before end of fiscal year. She noted that the contra dance request for support will be addressed when the Blues Conspiracy, a local Cortez blues band, earmarks a fundraising event funds toward Contra Dance musicians stipends 2018-2019. The remaining two funding requests are the HeartPath House mural and the Deep Desert metal sculpture. Committee members shared their input roundtable fashion. Factors that the committee brought forward were, (1) the request for perpetual maintenance from the city, (2) safety compliance and liability issues for metal sculpture, (3) respecting the city council’s desire for a hiatus in mural funding, (4) lack of financial contribution from the proposing entity, (5) awareness of momentum building, especially regarding Deep Desert’s plans for classes open to all. Sonja volunteered to contact HeartPath House and Deep Desert Collective to let them know that these requests are not supported at this time. Heidi reported that she had met with Cortez Glass owners and advised them that funding for their mural proposal would not be granted at this time. She encouraged them to pursue other outside funding online. 4. New Business a. Committee Budget. Sonja and Eric presented a draft budget, showing how we propose to spend the $15,000 that is the historic budget for the committee. The budget has three main categories: Grants to artists—including grants in support of specific genres, grants in support of city events, grants in support of high impact group exhibitions, education workshops, marketing, stipends— CPAAC Projects (mural maintenance, an art biz map) and Miscellaneous operating expenses (mailings). Aaron questioned some examples, especially paying a for-profit business for aspects of its event, and noted that the budget does not include the music event he has been organizing. Eric and Sonja agreed to give him a chance to have budget input, pointing out that no details for the music event had been proffered. Eric noted that the city council is fiscally conservative; Heidi suggested the committee carefully consider what can be shaved in the event that it is not fully funded.  b. Artist Survey. Sonja submitted notes for an artist survey that would provide a database of local artist who could be contacted for calls to exhibit, grants, RFPs, etc. Because the committee was short on time, she asked that members review she proposal and review and get back to her before Sept 1. The committee will revisit this item at the next regular meeting. c. Autumn Break. Sonja and Eric suggested that the committee consider taking a break during the month of September. After a short discussion Dan made a MOTION: To take a break for the month of September and resume regular meetings in October. Kirbi seconded the motion, which PASSED 5-1. 5. Draft Resolutions/Ordinances. None 6. Other Items of Business a. Oak Creek Arts Fair. The organizer has offered two possible dates for this fair in 2019—the weekend prior to July 4 and the weekend after it. Oak Fair will be responsible for rental of Parque da Vida and, since the fair will incorporate a wine fest, for the liquor licensing. This requires no funding from the committee or the city. However, as noted under the budget discussion, the committee proposes to set aside money for booth fees so that local artists can participate in the fair. b. Rendering Visible the Invisible. Rendering Visible the Invisible. Local and renowned artist, Ed Singer, is collaborating with Hope’s Kitchen offering an opportunity to make visual art during lunch. Art materials are furnished by Singer and the First United Methodist Church. Ed will work beside patrons on his own pastel work during the lunch hour in the dining room. The community arts collaboration is scheduled for Monday, August 13; Wednesday, August 15, and Friday, August 17. While the events will be advertised, publicity will be limited so that art materials are available for the patrons of Hope’s Kitchen. 7. Additional Citizen Participation. None. 8. City Staff Liaison Report. All elements of a report were covered earlier in the meeting. 9. Committee Reports. Mural ad hoc. Heidi reported that she is a bit overwhelmed with the finishing of this project. Sonja has agreed to help with the design of the self-guided mural tour brochure, using mural details in order to circumvent the cost of hiring a photographer to provide full-mural images. They will be working toward completion of the guide to coincide with the grand opening event for the food hub building at Beech and North Streets. 10. Upcoming. Next meeting October 10, 2018; 3:30 P.M. 11. Adjournment. The committee adjourned at 5:0 p.m. by consensus.