Arts Commission

City of Joliet 150 West Jefferson Street Joliet, IL 60432 Meeting Minutes - Pending Approval Wednesday, October 2, 2024 5:00 PM City Hall, Council Chambers Arts Commission Commission Members Donna Franks-Tapley Eric Gorder Tom Grotovsky Vince Logan Ron Romero John Simpson,Jr. Peg Stoiber Deborah Summers Ellis Wright Arts Commission Meeting Minutes - Pending Approval October 2, 2024 Page 1 of 1 Arts Commission Meeting Minutes - Pending Approval October 2, 2024 Citizens who are unable to attend the meeting can email comments in advance of the meeting to publiccomment@joliet.gov. 1. ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m. Present Eric Gorder, John Simpson Jr, Peg (Marguerite) Stoiber, Ron Romero, Vince Logan , Tom Grotovsky and Deborah Summers Absent Ellis Wright and Donna Franks-Tapley 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Attachments: Meeting Minutes September 18 2024 A motion was made by Tom Grotovsky, seconded by Eric Gorder, to approve COUNCIL MEMO #TMP-7776: Meeting Minutes - September 18, 2024. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: Gorder, Simpson Jr, Stoiber, Romero, Logan, Grotovsky and Summers Absent: Wright and Franks-Tapley 3. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD ON AGENDA ITEMS None. This section is for anyone wanting to speak regarding agenda items and are allowed a maximum of 4 minutes. It is not a question and answer period and staff, and the Commission members do not generally respond to public comments. The City Clerk has a copy of the public speaking procedures; please note, speakers who engage in conduct injurious to the harmony of the meeting shall be called to order by the Presiding Officer and may forfeit the opportunity to speak. 4. OLD BUSINESS A. Discussion of finalists for the City Square Sculpture competition. The Commission discussed each of the six finalist entries for the City Square Sculpture competition. Mirror Image: Commissioner Gorder questioned the value of having an artwork display of the buildings surrounding the City Square while being in the City Square. Most commissioners agreed. Commissioner Stoiber mentioned that the sculpture is somewhat disorienting. Additional questions were raised regarding the sculpture's long-term durability. Dome of Unity: Several commissioners cited the ability of this entry to incorporate community input into the final design and public outreach and workshops planned to be conducted by the artist as major benefits to the sculpture entry. The Commission also appreciated the efforts of the artist to create a project website to keep the public informed of the development process and allow for continuous public input. Commissioner Gorder stated that the design could be more invigorating. Commissioner Stoiber stated it was not her favorite entry and had difficulty moving forward with something where the final design is not yet in place. Commissioner Grotovsky stated that he felt it was a nice multi-cultural piece of art that was sleek and Page 1 of 4 Arts Commission Meeting Minutes - Pending Approval October 2, 2024 modern. Chairman Romero emphasized that he likes what the sculpture stands for, and that the proposed lighting and shadows cast from sculpture are appealing. Woman of Steel and Stone: Several commissioners stated that they felt this entry was the most symbolic of Joliet's history and culture. Commissioner Gorder stated that the sculpture seemed too familiar with many of the figurative, gender-specific, sculptures that are already abundant in Joliet. Other commissioners felt that the sculpture might not be contemporary enough for this project and location. The Commission discussed that while it is nice to have a local artist in the final pool of candidates, it would also be nice to have a national or international artist's work shown prominently in Joliet. Nature Gate: Commissioner Grotovsky remarked that he liked the symbolism of the door acting as an entry point from the past of the city's architecture and heritage, to the newness and progress of the future City Square. Grotovksy also stated that he thought maintenance of the sculpture might be difficult over time, and that there is some confusion over the relevance of the structure and tree within the sculpture. Commissioner Gorder stated that he thought it was a perfectly acceptable sculpture, but that it would be better suited in a more natural, park or forest setting. Vessels: Chairman Romero stated that he felt this entry did not make enough of a statement . Commissioner Gorder stated that this entry would also be better suited in a park setting. Other commissioners stated that this entry does not meet the quality of the other finalist entries. Joy: Chairman Romero had concerns about the interior lighting amplifying heat. Commissioner Gorder responded saying he felt this would likely not be an issue. Commissioner Logan commented that quarterly inspections for structural integrity might be a lot to take on, from a maintenance perspective. Commissioner Simpson expressed concerns over maintenance and the amount of time it would take to finish the sculpture. Commissioners also brought up concerns over how often interior lighting on the sculpture might need to be replaced . Commissioner Gorder stated that despite some challenges with maintenance, this is the most visually impactful entry. Attachments: Finalist Review Criteria Attachments: AVVA_Mirror Image_Joliet City Square Sculpture Finalist Proposal Attachments: City of Joliet RFP # 2802-1124 - Sijia Chen Studio Page 2 of 4 Arts Commission Meeting Minutes - Pending Approval October 2, 2024 Attachments: DiBartolo_City Square Final Proposal Combined Attachments: CITY OF JOLIET HQ proposal_compressed (1) Attachments: Jorgensen_Tim_Vessels Attachments: James Peterson - Joliet City Square Proposal B. Recommendation of an artist and sculpture to the City Council for an award of contract for the City Square Sculpture competition. The Commission engaged in a prolonged discussion about two favorite entries, "Dome of Unity" and "Joy." After taking an informal polling of which entry each commissioner preferred, commissioners Logan, Stoiber, Grotovsky, Romero, and Summers stated their preference for "Dome of Unity." Reasons for their position of support included the ability to incorporate community input into the final paper-cut design, the sleek, modern look of the dome, and the ability to having various lighting and shadow effects on the square. Commissioners Gorder and Simpson stated their preference for "Joy." They stated that "Joy" has better volume and is more visually striking. Following the informal polling, the Commissioner Simpson motioned, and Commissioner Grotovsky seconded, that the Joliet Arts Commission recommend "Dome of Unity" by Sijia Chen for an award of contract to the City Council. The motion carried by a vote of 7-0. Voting aye were Commissioners Goder, Grotovsky, Logan, Romero, Simpson, Stoiber, and Summers. A motion was made by John Simpson, Jr, seconded by Tom Grotovsky, to recommend for City Council approval "Dome of Unity" by artist Sijia Chen for an award of contract. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: Gorder, Simpson Jr, Stoiber, Romero, Logan, Grotovsky and Summers Absent: Wright and Franks-Tapley 5. NEW BUSINESS None. 6. NEW OR OLD BUSINESS, NOT FOR FINAL ACTION OR RECOMMENDATION Chairman Romero asked if a summary of the 2024 IAC General Operating Support grant expenditures could be provided at the next meeting. Staff Liaison Heitner said he would prepare a summary report. 7. PUBLIC COMMENT Page 3 of 4 Arts Commission Meeting Minutes - Pending Approval October 2, 2024 None. This section is for anyone wanting to speak regarding non-agenda items and are allowed a maximum of 4 minutes. It is not a question and answer period and staff, and the Commission members do not generally respond to public comments. The City Clerk has a copy of the public speaking procedures; please note, speakers who engage in conduct injurious to the harmony of the meeting shall be called to order by the Presiding Officer and may forfeit the opportunity to speak. 8. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 6:38 p.m. Aye: Gorder, Simpson Jr, Stoiber, Romero, Logan, Grotovsky and Summers Absent: Wright and Franks-Tapley This meeting will be held in an accessible location. If you need a reasonable accommodation, please contact The City Clerk Office, 150 West Jefferson Street, Joliet, Illinois 60432 at (815) 724-3780. Page 4 of 4