Cultural Commission

CITY OF DANBURY CULTURAL COMMISSION 256 Main Street Danbury, Connecticut 06810 203 797 4508 February 28, 2022 Minutes of the Meeting Meeting called to order, in person and as a video conference call, by Chairman Harvey Center at 6:30 pm with Commissioners: John Cherry, John Cooke, Cheryl Hill, Ed Moore, Gregory Smith, and Coordinator Gregory Wencek. Absent: Mary Burke. Presentation of Minutes The Minutes of the January meeting were submitted. A motion by GSmith to accept the minutes as presented, seconded by JCooke. Passed by unanimous voice vote. Correspondence EMail threads: Shared available scholarship information with contacts at Danbury Schools, Assist Derek Pitor to obtain meeting space at Danbury Library for his Commission sponsored research presentation, various threads relating to the Literary contests, various threads related to Make Music Day, EMoore re: “slide for Marian Anderson notice at City Hall, Phone: - Reports on DCC sponsored events Events RETURNING with the modification of Gov. Lamont's Executive Order No. 7B ● Danbury Music Centre Danbury events not sponsored by the Commission ● Danbury Music Centre ● Danbury Museum ○ Guided Tours of 4 Danbury Museum Historic Buildings on our Main Street campus ○ The outdoor exhibit panels are installed. ● Danbury Railway Museum ● Palace Theater Danbury ● Galleries ○ Gallery of the Visual and Performing Arts Center WCSU Westside campus, 43 Lake Ave. Extension ● “Last Wisps of the Old Ways: North Carolina Mountain Singing” with Folklorist Derek Piotr (In-Person Event) ● Danbury Library ● Silent Film: Buster Keaton in Cameraman - Saint Peter Church, Feb. 25 ● WCSU ○ SWEENEY TODD, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street - WCSU Feb 25-Mar 6 ○ Mohamad Hafez: Unsettled Nostalgia - Gallery Opening/Reception - WCSU Feb 10 - 3/6 Upcoming events See addendum Coordinator’s Report Minutes of the Meeting Page 1 of 4 Approved: March 28, 2022 NOTE: Additional and supporting information can be found in the files at the Commission office.  CITY OF DANBURY CULTURAL COMMISSION 256 Main Street Danbury, Connecticut 06810 203 797 4508 A. Response to Government Review Committee City Council meeting March 16, 2022 FORMS DUE TO COUNCIL BY March 4, 2022 a. City Council - Government Review Committee provided 10 questions for continuing the Cultural Commission. Part of a 5 year cycle to reevaluate all boards and Commissions. B. Scholarship for ACE a. Working with Dianna Dinardo. Alternative Center for Excellence will provide a name. b. Need to allocate funds C. Letter to Danbury cultural groups to solicit new Commissioners a. Two replies D. Literary Contest a. Short Story submission deadline was January 25. Short Stories are with the judge b. Poems have started to come in c. First notice for what is needed and who will bring what to the reception at WCSU E. Enamel pins as prizes Soft Enamel Pins (1") F. Make Music Day a. Positive contact with Danbury Museum about using the Marian Anderson studio for an event b. A number of meetings with the City and the State to get set up for this year c. City is working on a marketing campaign G. List of Grants received by Danbury organizations so far this year is available H. The Arts Focus group - WestCOG a. Discussion to plan the next 5 years for the Arts in Western Connecticut I. EMoore had asked the Coordinator to put together some videos with Marian Anderson on the Commission’s website and invite schools and the public to view them. - DONE HCenter noted that a new painting has been commissioned for the Marian Anderson Studio by the Music Centre and will be displayed in the studio, upstairs. J. GSmith had asked the Coordinator to research grants for Murals. a. Connecticut Community Foundation Arts and culture grant proposals are accepted once annually, in February. b. CT Office of the Arts and CT Humanities c. There are hundreds of grants available through the National Endowment for the Arts GSmith noted that he wanted information specific to the mural in the Commission office, not in general. K. How arts organizations could set up to be a viable business seminars recordings available Coordinator attended the training so that the Commission is in a position to assist any groups or individuals who are looking for assistance. L. Designs for Danbury a. Working on the rules b. Rules can be reviewed by an attorney, pro bono, from a contact of JCooke M. GSmith re: commissioning a Marian Anderson sculpture a. Reach out to Brian Walters II, Jim Falice, and David Gesualdi for information EMoore suggests contacting Converse College in South Carolina for information about the statue they display. GWencek suggests also contacting the WCSU art Department. Minutes of the Meeting Page 2 of 4 Approved: March 28, 2022 NOTE: Additional and supporting information can be found in the files at the Commission office.  CITY OF DANBURY CULTURAL COMMISSION 256 Main Street Danbury, Connecticut 06810 203 797 4508 N. The Coordinator provides lists of: 1. State grants awarded to Danbury organizations, 2. State grants available to Danbury organizations, 3. Projects undertaken by the Cultural Commission Appeals from Community groups: None Old Business 1. ACE Scholarship Moved by GSmith to increase the Scholarship budget to a total of $5,000, One thousand ($1,000) for each of 5 scholarships to be distributed as follows: 1 for Art at Alternative Center for Excellence, 1 for Art at Henry Abbott Technical High School, 3 at Danbury High School for Art (BDaSilva), Music (MSiegel), and Theater/Dance. Seconded by JCooke. DISCUSSION: HCenter - this is a good way to honor the memory of Joe Pepin, the school’s founder, and increase the awareness of the Cultural Commission. CALLED: Passed by unanimous voice vote. JCooke asked if the Commission tracks the eventual employment fields of past scholarship winners. The Coordinator has no information in the files. A request to have students stay in touch will be undertaken. 2. New Commissioners a. Two names from the membership campaign have come in and Alma has already reached out to the Mayor: 1. Tyler Keur and 2. Alma Faham JCooke asked the Coordinator to invite both persons to the next meeting of the Commission 3. Literary Contests a. Enamel pins as prizes Soft Enamel Pins (1") - Pricing reduces as quantity increases JCooke asked if anyone wears pins? GWencek: his son collects them. Discussion continued regarding the wording to be included, perhaps one style pin for Commissioners and another for the public. TABLED until the March meeting. 4. Commissioning a Marian Anderson sculpture Action on Grant Requests: None New Business 1. Other Business The Chairman asked if anyone had heard the WXCI radio show done by GWencek? He played a snippet of the program. GWencek noted that the Cultural Commission PSA was in the broadcast. The Coordinator offered a link to his arts management reading list. Motion to adjourn at 7:40 Made by EMoore. Passed by Unanimous vote. Minutes of the Meeting Page 3 of 4 Approved: March 28, 2022 NOTE: Additional and supporting information can be found in the files at the Commission office.  CITY OF DANBURY CULTURAL COMMISSION 256 Main Street Danbury, Connecticut 06810 203 797 4508 NOTE: Corporation Counsel has provided the Clerk's office with the following... Current as of 3/16/20: Effective with Gov. Lamont's Executive Order No. 7B issued on 3/14/20, the requirement of public attendance at all meetings of public agencies is suspended. Meetings are to be held remotely by conference call, videoconference, or other technology, provided that (in summary): 1) the public has the ability to view or listen to each meeting or proceeding in real time by phone, video or other technology. Therefore the Commission office had set up a video conference call which started at 6:00 on Monday evening. Commissioners and the public connected to Join Zoom Meeting Join Zoom Meeting (setup time starts at 6:00P.M.): https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87581189033?pwd=WGQ2TXRKb3RHZTdTQWRHMDF2K1hEdz09 Meeting ID: 875 8118 9033 Passcode: 524880 One tap mobile: Dial by your location +1929 436 2866,,875 8118 9033# US (New York) +1 929 436 2866 US (New York) Meeting ID: 875 8118 9033 Passcode: 524880 Meeting ID:875 8118 9033 Passcode: 524880 The meeting started at 6:30 and was not recorded by the Commission. Upcoming events addendum * Peter and the Wolf - Danbury Music Centre Silent Film: Buster Keaton in Cameraman Sunday, March 13⋅3:00 – 4:30pm Friday, February 25⋅7:30 – 9:00pm Visual & Performing Arts Center St Peter Church 43 Lake Ave Ext, Danbury, CT 06811 104 Main St, Danbury, CT 06810 * Llewellyn Sanchez Werner - Danbury Concert Scratching the Surface: David Haislip - Gallery at Still Association River Editions Sunday, March 20⋅3:00 – 4:30pm JANUARY 24 - MAY 27, 2022 Visual & Performing Arts Center Still River Editions 43 Lake Ave Ext, Danbury, CT 06811 128 E Liberty St Suite 3, Danbury, CT 06810 *Events sponsored by the Commission SWEENEY TODD, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street - Western Connecticut State University WCSU Mohamad Hafez: Unsettled Nostalgia - Gallery February 25 - March 6 Opening/Reception - WCSU Visual & Performing Arts Center February 10 6-8 PM 43 Lake Ave Ext, Danbury, CT 06811 The Gallery at the Visual & Performing Arts Center 43 Lake Ave Ext, Danbury, CT 06811 2022 MFA Thesis Exhibition - Western Connecticut State University Unsettled Nostalgia - Western Connecticut State March 24 – April 4, 2022 University February 11 – March 6, 2022 Visual & Performing Arts Center The Gallery at the Visual & Performing Arts Center 43 Lake Ave Ext, Danbury, CT 06811 43 Lake Ave Ext, Danbury, CT 06811 Minutes of the Meeting Page 4 of 4 Approved: March 28, 2022 NOTE: Additional and supporting information can be found in the files at the Commission office.