Arts and Humanities Council of Falls Church

Page 1 MINUTES OF the Arts and Humanities Council (A&HC) of Falls Church Approved Sept 19, 2024 PURPOSE OF MEETING: To discuss arts and humanities matters across the City of Falls Church. DATE OF MEETING: July 18, 2024 (Aug. 15 meeting CANCELLED; next meeting: Sept. 19) PLACE OF MEETING: Dogwood Room, City Hall 1. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER BY: Laura Connors Hull at 9:30 am 2. THOSE PRESENT: NAME LIAISONS Member: Laura Connors Hull, Creative Cauldron Justine Underhill, City Council Member: Elise Bengtson, Chamber of Commerce Regan Davis, FCCPS Member: Maureen Budetti, Falls Church Arts Keith Thurston, CATCH Foundation Member: Ellen Gross, VPIS Member: Katharine Stewart, Friends of Cherry Hill Staff Member: Lapha Havan, VLAC Holly Irwin Member-at-Large: Ari Autor Member-at-Large: Mary Sellers Guests Member-at-Large: Russ Mardon Becky Witsman Sarah Swinton ABSENT Member: Ron Anzalone, Victorian Society Member: Nikki Graves Henderson, Tinner Hill Liaison: Jessie Labukas, MRSPL Liaison: Ed Henderson, Historical Commission TOPICS OF DISCUSSION: . 3. New Business A. West Falls Church Commons Public Art Presentation Mary Beth Avedesian of Hoffman & Associates, Project Manager of the West Falls development, attended and was joined by Thomas Pipkin of Pipkin Creative and the artist Brad Oldham. Mary Beth went over sections of West Falls that have opened or will soon, including The Oak condos; a new medical office building; retail (including Fresh Market); The Alder, a 400-unit apartment building; and a senior living facility. She explained that they envision The Commons area as the ‘spine’ of the site. It will be an open, active space, 50 feet wide from curb to curb, running along West Falls Station Boulevard that extends between Route 7/Leesburg Pike and Mustang Alley. The north section has a fire pit, tables, and seating; the south section includes a fountain, artificial turfin the area around it, and seating. This is where they propose to place the sculpture. Tom reviewed the process for selecting Brad Oldham. They propose a total of six acorn sculptures, placed in two areas, that will be installed on the turf, bolted to the ground. The large acorn sculptures are perfect for this kind of space because of size, weight, and stability. The artist envisions the sculptures as very natural looking, not fragile; to be accessible and not roped off, and “touch-able.” The City of Falls Church is committed to the letter and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This document will be made available in alternate format upon request. Call 703 248-5014, (TTY 711). Page 2 Brad talked about the lost wax process he uses. The acorns are about two feet tall, weighing 100+ pounds, with an anti-graffiti coating. In the proposal, he shows three laying against a tree, with three in a different spot. Mary Beth added that acorns relate to tree names used for other parts of West Falls, and are sometimes considered good luck tokens. Members asked how hot the sculptures get (they stay at the ambient air temperature); and about safety when children climb on them. For that height, there may be guidelines that require a soft surface area at the base (such as mulch). Mary Beth said they will look into it. Small bronze plaques will provide more details about the artist. Members asked about cost. Mary Beth explained that $100,000 is budgeted for public art at West Falls. Keith said the large mural on the parking garage wall was not to be paid for out of the $100k. He also noted that the A&HC, when reviewing public art proposals, requests several options. Council members agreed that this is a very good proposal. Mary Beth asked for a letter from A&HC to that effect. Holly will check on whether letter is sent to the Planning Commision or City Manager. Elise moved to send a letter in support of the Acorns proposal; Ari seconded. Unanimously approved. Regan raised the idea of the schools commissioning other ‘acorn’ sculptures. Brad explained pricing for combining with the West Falls order ($8,500) or an independent purchase ($12,000). 4. Ongoing Business A. Tourism Website Update Sarah Swinton and Becky Witsman of the Economic Development Office (EDO) joined the meeting and thanked the A&HC for providing feedback on the new website. Sarah reviewed how to submit events, the Event form, and the process once an event is submitted. The EDO plans for a minimum of 5 days to review event information. Sarah explained the online translation function, discussed image size, and how to make edits once event is “live.” At that point, the “owner” can edit an event, but not others. Members also discussed how to organize our organizations on the site, i.e. should all the A&HC entities be found on a portion of the website just for “CATCH’ organizations, or something else, or both. B. City-initiated Public Art Project Update & Public Art Committee Debrief The Public Art Committee’s first project was to review proposals for the Council Chambers art. Ari, Russ, Keith, and Mary serve on the Committee; they met July 10. Keith went over brief descriptions of each proposal that the Committee prepared; and explained how the Committee developed a ‘score’ for each and which two they recommended. There was consensus to endorse the Committee’s two recommendations. Holly will brief the City Council at their July 22 meeting. If these two submissions are approved to proceed, she and Mike Guy will meet with the artists selected. Since the Committee approved going ahead with two of the submissions, Council approval is not needed. There were questions about whether we make the Public Art Committee permanent? or for one year? There was consensus not to make the decision at this time. UDPATE: On July 23, Holly informed A&HC that the City Council had decided to go in a different direction for the Council Chambers art. The City of Falls Church is committed to the letter and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This document will be made available in alternate format upon request. Call 703 248-5014, (TTY 711). Page 3 C. Storm Drain Presentations City Council member Justine Underhill discussed the process for artists to submit proposals for painting the heavy concrete blocks above the City’s storm drains. She summarized the proposals submitted by four artists. The consensus of the group was that we liked each of the submissions and endorsed Justine moving ahead. 5. Minutes for Approval For the June 20, 2024 meeting minutes, there were no corrections noted at the time. Mary moved to accept minutes; Elise seconded. Laura pointed out that there are a lot of events happening and asked members and liaisons to send updates to Council members. 6.. Adjourn Elise moved to adjourn; Ari seconded. Unanimously approved. MEETING ADJOURNED AT: 11:42 am SIGNATURE OF RECORDER: Katharine Stewart The City of Falls Church is committed to the letter and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This document will be made available in alternate format upon request. Call 703 248-5014, (TTY 711).