Arts and Humanities Council of Falls Church

Page 1 Minutes of the Arts and Humanities Council (A&HC) of Falls Church Approved Oct 17, 2024 PURPOSE OF MEETING: To discuss arts and humanities matters across the City of Falls Church. DATE OF MEETING: September 19, 2024 (Next Meeting: October 17, 2024) PLACE OF MEETING: Dogwood Room, City Hall 1. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER BY: Laura Connors Hull at 9:32 am 2. THOSE PRESENT: NAME LIAISONS Member: Maureen Budetti, Falls Church Arts Keith Thurston, CATCH Foundation Member: Laura Connors Hull, Creative Cauldron Ed Henderson, Historical Commission Member: Ronald Anzalone, Victorian Society Regan Davis, FCCPS Member: Do-Nhu Nguyen, VLAC Jessie Labukas, MRSPL Member: Nikki Graves Henderson, Tinner Hill Foundation Justine Underhill, Falls Church City Council Member: Ellen Gross, VPIS Member-at-Large: Ari Autor STAFF Member-at-Large: Russ Mardon Holly Irwin Member-at-Large: Mary Sellers GUESTS ABSENT Mary Beth Avedesian, Hoffman & Associates Member: Elise Neal Bengston, Chamber of Commerce Tom Pipkin, Pipkin Creative Member: Katharine Stewart, Friends of Cherry Hill Jeff Huntington, Artist 3. ORGANIZATION ROUND TABLE Members representing Falls Church Arts, Falls Church Village Preservation and Improvement Society (VPIS), Falls Church Chamber of Commerce, Victorian Society, Friends of Cherry Hill, Mary Riley Styles Public Library, Falls Church City Public Schools, Vietnamese Literary and Artistic Club (VLAC), and Creative Cauldron gave updates. 4. MINUTES FOR APPROVAL For the July 18, 2024 meeting minutes, there being no corrections, Maureen Budetti moved to approve the minutes; Russ Mardon seconded. Unanimously approved. 5. NEW BUSINESS A. West Falls Mural Presentation Hoffman & Associates presented 2 concepts for a nature-themed mural that will be installed on the facade of The Alder, in the vertical space over the main entrance. Concept #1: alder leaves are featured in design; colors are more muted/subtle which complement the aesthetic of the building; preferred option by the developer Concept #2: alder leaves and shapes are featured in design, which is more geometric/dimensional; colors are brighter and tie in the blue hue of the sky 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 Keith Thurston asked why the alder tree was chosen for the name of the development/building when they are not native to Virginia. He questioned the idea that both public art pieces (acorn sculptures and proposed mural) seem to be directly related to advertising the buildings being developed by Hoffman (The Oak and The Alder). Keith also raised concern about the cost of the mural and fee for the artist. Mural #2 was favored by the majority of voting members. Russ Mardon proposed a motion that the AHC thinks both designs are strong and appropriate for the site. Ron Anzelone seconded the motion. The motion did not pass. A second motion was made by Ron Anzelone that the AHC supports acceptance of Concept #2. Ari Autor seconded the motion. The motion passed. Ari will draft a letter on behalf of the AHC to send to Hoffman. 6. ONGOING BUSINESS A. City-Initiated Public Art Project Updates Three utility box art wraps are complete; the remaining box should be finished by the end of September. New RFQ was published for the Falls Church Chamber portraits of Carol DeLong and Frederick Foote Jr. Motion made by Maureen Budetti to reconvene the Public Art Committee; Ari Autor seconded the motion. Approved. Photo display of the “Welcome to Falls Church” metal sign that will be installed on the outside of City Hall is in the lobby. Installation date TBD. “LOVE” sculpture is being coordinated by Cindy Mester. City of Falls Church employees have been asked to voluntarily submit design ideas. Planning for the 250th Anniversary of the United States of America has begun. Maureen Budetti will represent the AHC on the City planning committee. VA250 is the lead organizer for Virginia. B. Visit Falls Church Website The Visit Falls Church tourism website has officially launched. Members of AHC have ongoing concerns about the following: 1. Arts/History organizations that are featured 2. Event submission form does not include contact info for the event organizer or point of contact 3. Photos seem to be low-resolution 4. Does not market the entire community/reflect all businesses Holly asked AHC members to review the site and share comments with her by October 2nd. 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. Vietnamese Heritage Day Do-Nhu Nguyen from VLAC thanked everyone for supporting the Vietnamese Heritage Day event held on June 16 at Cherry Hill Park. She gently reminded the AHC members to be sensitive about using the city name of Saigon instead of Ho Chi Minh City. As a community of immigrants, they are very appreciative of the efforts by the City of Falls Church for the renaming of Wilson Blvd to Little Saigon Blvd, in the stretch near Eden Center. MEETING MOVED TO ADJOURN BY NIKKI GRAVES HENDERSON. SECONDED BY ARI AUTOR. MEETING ADJOURNED AT: 11:20 am SIGNATURE OF RECORDER: Regan Davis 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).