Public Art Committee

Minutes Michigan City Public Art Committee Mayors Conference Room, City Hall, 100 E Michigan Blvd, Michigan City, IN 46360 November 16, 2017 10:00 am Call to Order: Robin Kohn Attendees: Robin Kohn, Jane Daley, Shannon Eason, Dale Cooper, Janet Bloch, Kyron Williams, Pat Boy, Jessica Rosier. Liaison: Hannah Hammond, Kathy Dennis; Guests: Rich Murphy, Sam Hook, Nancy Smith Minutes: Minutes from the October meeting were reviewed. Motion It was moved (Eason) and seconded (Bloch) to accept the minutes. The motion carried unanimously. Financial Report: Ms. Eason reported that the operating fund has a balance of $375. The non-reverting donation fund, has a balance of $8,421.13. Motion It was moved (Daley) and seconded (Boy) to accept the financial report as presented. The motion carried unanimously. Ms. Eason suggested that the mural that is painted on the east wall at Shoreline Brewery be added to Otocast. She will contact Otocast and ask them to contact Shoreline to become a sponsor, which would bet them on the Sculptfusion tour. Also, Ms. Eason reported that it will soon be time to renew our Otocast annual maintenance fee. Motion It was moved (Daley) and seconded (Boy) to renew the Otocast annual maintenance fee totaling $1325. The motion carried unanimously. Public Comment: Promise Scholarship Mural Project Presentation: Sam Hook and Nancy Smith presented their project idea for the Promise Scholarship Mural Project: They ask MAC for help in organizing a call for artists to create the mural and help with site selection. The concept is to create a mural highlighting the Promise Scholarship initiative, the Icon and Promise type must be included in the final work. The budget for this initiative is TBD, the mayor would like to see pricing and options before making any decision to proceed. The timeline for this project is to have artist selected by early Spring 2018 and mural complete by Summer 2018. Ms. Eason advised them to look at the school maintenance building just south of Ames Field and Ms. Dennis suggested the Bob Lake building at the corner of 8th and Franklin which recently was purchased by Michigan City. No action was taken at this time, any site selection must be approved by MAC if it is on City property. Ms. Bloch will share a list of artists to help them with their call. Welcome sign for Sheridan Beach Project Presentation: Rich Murphy explained that this project will be designed as a welcome sign for Sheridan Beach, to build neighborhood pride and promote the Michigan City Branding initiative. The concept is an oversized Adirondack chair to be placed on a city right of way and the proposed site is at the intersection of Lake Shore Drive and Krueger Avenue. They have most of the funding, an artist to design the chair, but will need approval of the site from the MC Board of Works. Concerns from the committee were: is signage art, will this open an issue with other neighborhoods, is this location going to be safe and convenient for visitors to take photos. Mr. Murphy asks for support from MAC and $500. Motion It was moved (Eason) and seconded (Williams) to support this project and give $500. Vote was 7 yes and 1 no, the motion carried. Downtown Enhancement Grant Project sent in by Lora Fosberg: The committee determined that this grant was a better fit for the Michigan City Mainstreet Association or for the Promise Scholarship Mural Project. Ms. Bloch will forward the information to Mainstreet and Sam Hook. Old Business:  Sculptfusion: There have been reports that Sol Invictus is not always working, so the committee was asked to keep their eyes on it and report to Ms. Eason when they notice it is not working.  Move American Gothic: No report  Westcott Park Kiosk: No report.  Michigan City High School Sculpture: Mr. Kubik was not available to report on the sculpture and we are waiting for Mr. Craig Phillips and the BOW to make a report. MAC feels that the High School needs to know what decision has been made.  Mining the Archives: Ms. Rosier reported that Mr. Kubik has not available to share quotes for printing and framing. As soon as the quotes are shared with Ms. Rosier they will move forward with the project. New Business: Members brought some fundraising ideas so that MAC will be financially able to continue to renew the downtown sculptures. Art, Architecture & Appetizers”. Ms. Cooper renewed her suggestion that was made in August to organize and sell tickets to an event she calls “Art, Architecture & Appetizers”. This could be a walking tour of the historic downtown with stops for art appreciation and sales, architecture lectures and appetizers served along the way in local restaurants. “Give Back” Ms. Kohn will set up a “Give Back” night at Galveston’s Steak House and a day at Fanny May Candies. “Women in the Arts” Ms. Boy and Ms. Dennis invited MAC to get involved with the “Women in the Arts” fundraiser. Ms.’s. Cooper, Rosier and Bloch will join the planning committee on behalf of MAC. “Locks of Love” Ms. Eason asks the committee to consider a wire mesh sculpture where visitors can place a small lock with a message of devotion written on them. A lock vending machine could be place near by and therefore would not need to be manned. This idea would be like the locks on the bridge in Paris. Ms. Dennis encouraged MAC to feel free to send a proposal to the Redevelopment Commission for money to complete projects. Committee Reports:  Art Projects: See Public Comments  Children’s Art Scholarship Requests: Five requests were made for scholarships. Motion It was moved (Eason) and seconded (Boy) to approve the scholarship requests for a total of $1,000 for Youth Glass Blowing. The motion carried unanimously.  PR Committee- (Janet Bloch, CarolAnn Brown, Jane Daley, Kyron Williams Ms. Jacobi) Ms. Daley reported that a press release concerning Sculptfusion was sent to local and regional media in early November.  MCNEAT Report No Report  Other MC Commissions/Committees: No Report Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned the meeting at 11:30am. Next meeting: No December meeting is scheduled The next Michigan City Public Art Committee meeting will be on Thursday, January 18, 2018 in the Mayors Conference Room, City Hall, 100 E Michigan Blvd, Michigan City, IN 46360 starting at 10:00 am. Respectfully submitted, Jane Daley - Secretary