Public Art Committee

Minutes Michigan City Public Art Committee Zoom Meeting October 15, 2020 10:00 am Call to Order: Shannon Eason Attendees: Robin Kohn, Jane Daley, Matt Kubik, Kathy Dennis, CarolAnn Brown, Shannon Eason, Judy Jacobi, John Ryszka, Guest: Ed Shinn Minutes: Minutes from the August meeting were reviewed. Motion It was moved (Dennis) and seconded (Cooper) to accept the minutes. The motion carried unanimously. Financial Report: The financial report for September was reviewed: There is $10,780.00 in the operating fund and the non-reverting donation fund has a balance of $1,479.13. Motion It was moved (Daley) and seconded (Jacobi) to accept the financial reports as presented. The motion carried unanimously. Old Business: • Kiosk in Westcott Park - Subcommittee: Dale Cooper, John Ryszka and Matt Kubik Ms. Cooper reported that the new display is ready to be put into the kiosk with some adjustments in the size of the photos. • Add Photos to City Council Chamber The unveiling of the photos will coincide with the new kiosk display boards and a possible Native American sculpture on Saturday, February 13, 2021, which is Charles Westcott’s at Westcott Park. This event will also be available electronically for those who can not attend. A video featuring city council members and the mayor will be available of the unveiling of the city council photos. Mr. Kubik will send everyone on the committee a copy of the photo that has never been identified, so that we may all help with his identity.  Native American Project - Subcommittee – CarolAnn Brown, Kathy Dennis, Jane Daley Ms. Dennis reported that she has been in touch with the artist Jason Quigno again, who was responsible for creating a moquette representing a piece of Native American sculpture that MAC would like to commission. Since MAC has paid $5,000.00 for a moquette we have agreed to accept a similar piece that would represent Native Americans from our area. Mr. Quigno will have a piece ready for Ms. Dennis to pick up by November 30th. This piece will be placed in city hall until an outdoor location can be secured, (probably in front of city hall). To view some of Mr. Quigno’s work follow this site: www.jasonquigno.com. New Business: • Master Plan - Subcommittee Matt Kubik, CarolAnn Brown, Robin Kohn, Shannon Eason, Judy Jacobi, Janet Bloch, Don Presbylinsky Ms. Jacobi and Ms. Dennis have reviewed the plan and given their recommendations, so Mr. Kubik will have it ready for a November vote. Everyone is asked to look at the last page for short- and long-term goals. Mr. Kubik will send the last page to everyone on the committee. Report concerning 2% for art from Redevelopment On hold • Uptown Plaza MCEDC is still looking for a developer • Sculptfusion Ms. Eason explained that 8 sculptures will come up for renewal in June 2021. Ms. Jacobi and Ms. Brown will explore local art to see what might be available and that could save some money. Eight sculpture leases expire in 2021 Commence Artist Sculpture Status d Expires Location McKean, 7/25/202 Cynthia Libretto lease 7/26/2019 1 SW corner 5th & Franklin 7/25/202 Jim Collins Bear Family lease 7/26/2019 1 Washington Park 7/25/202 Gary Kulak Whoa lease 7/26/2019 1 NWcorner 8th & Franklin 7/25/202 Janet Austin Waterbird lease 7/26/2019 1 SE corner of 5th and Franklin Crystal Effect 6/22/202 Sunny Han III lease 6/22/2019 1 NWcorner 9th & Franklin 6/22/202 Charles Pilkey Motor City lease 6/22/2019 1 nW corner 7th & Franklin 6/22/202 Ruth Migdal Ascending lease 6/22/2019 1 Pullman Park on Hwy 12 6/22/202 NW corner of Hwy 12 & Fisher Stolz Clairvoyance lease 6/22/2019 1 Mich Blvd Otocast Ms. Eason explained that the Otocast contract was up for renewal. Motion It was moved (Daley) and seconded (Dennis) to renew the Otocast contract. The motion carried unanimously.  Farmers Market Sculpture It was decided to remove this item from the agenda and just to monitor the situation in the future. Motion It was moved (Eason) and seconded (Kohn) to remove the small sculpture problem at the Farmers Market from the agenda. The motion carried unanimously.  Murals for Westcott Park & Other areas– Subcommittee: Cooper, Ryszka, Kubik Kick off in 2021 • Fund Raisers On hold Committee Reports • Art Projects: There were no requests • Children’s Art Scholarship Requests: No requests were received • PR Committee: Subcommittee Janet Bloch, CarolAnn Brown, Jane Daley, Judy Jacobi On going • Michigan City Mainstreet Association Michigan City Mainstreet Association was awarded $40,000 to construct either a sculpture in Charles R. Westcott Park to honor Naomi Bowman Talbert Anderson. Anderson was born in Michigan City in 1843 to free African American parents and became a significant suffragist, civil rights activist, orator, writer, and poet. This project is in partnership with the Lubeznik Center for the Arts, the NAACP LaPorte County Branch–Unit 3061 and the Unity Foundation of LaPorte County. MAC will have an opportunity to view and approve the piece that has been chosen. Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch will present the check on November 27th in a ceremony at the Lubeznik Center. The Indiana Women's Suffrage Centennial Commission and the Indiana Main Street Council have awarded Preserving Women's Legacy Grants to the cities of Peru, Angola, and Michigan City to aid in their work to highlight and preserve women's history. Michigan City Merchants Association No report Comments – Ms. Kohn reported that the Michigan City Public Library will be presenting Ghosts of Route 66 Virtual Presentation from October 19-November 1. The online presentation will be available via YouTube beginning October 19. Respectfully submitted, Jane Daley - Secretary