Arts Commission

Minutes of the Meeting Public Art Committee Middletown Commission on the Arts Tuesday, July 25, 2023 10:00 a.m. 88 Court St., Middletown Public Art Committee Minutes of Meeting Present: Pamela Steele, David Wolfram Also in Attendance: Staff: Kisha Michael, Arts Coordinator; Julia Faraci, Admin Sec’y 1. Call to order: 10:00 a.m. 2. Public Session: no members of public present 3. Assign Secretary: minutes recorded by Julia Faraci, Assistant Secretary 4. Approval of Agenda: Agenda was approved 5. Approval of minutes from May 11, 2023: Minutes were approved 6. Old Business A. Unfinished business – staff report Arts Coordinator updating progress on work accomplished by this Committee. i. Kat Owens artwork Artist has been paid and JPGs have been received. Wolfram will enlarge the files and send to printer. On July 26, he will measure the space by the Recycling Station in City Hall that was designated for the placement of the art. The Arts Office will get 3 quotes for printing of the images. ii. Rehanging Risley works The set of four sketches by John Risley were reframed by Ursel’s Web and are ready for hanging, pending walkthrough to determine location and research into hanging hardware. iii. Inventory of City Art Collection The Arts Coordinator discussed the Excel spreadsheet inventory of the City Art Collection with this Committee. The Arts Office will be updating this document and establishing values. The Arts Coordinator will invite Ann Gregg, Manager of Senior Services, to do a walkthrough at City Hall to review items to be considered for possible relocation to the Senior Center. Michael stressed that the location and storage of Public Art is a particular concern. Steele asked whether deaccessioned art could be sold or auctioned. The Arts Coordinator stated that preservation was the intent of the curation by former Commissioners. She stated that until the older pieces have a place, new artwork should not be acquired; this question to be discussed with entire Commission. iv. Labelling, Hardware, Frames for City Art Discussion of labelling of City Art. The Committee plans to move away from the gold plaques currently used for labelling. The Commissioners stated preference for the labelling system devised for the Risley pieces, a paper card that gives details about the work. This system is less expensive and is easy for the Arts Office to produce in-house. The Arts Office will continue to use Middletown Framing and Ursel’s Web for framing. Going forward, framing for new acquisitions will be standardized; frames for older pieces will not be changed unless they need to be restored or repaired. v. Images on Arts Office website The Arts Office is working with IT to populate the City Arts website with images, including photos of the PRIDE event by Wolfram and Fireworks Festival by David Bauer.  vi. MCAAAA follow-up The MCAAAA elevates the MCA’s visibility in Middletown; discussion of how to increase the relevance of the Award. An award of a check may be difficult for students to manage, especially if they don’t have a bank account; an art store gift card may be more easily applied to the needs of an art student, reflecting the intent of the MCA to foster the arts. vii. Flags in City Hall The Pride flag is now hanging in City Hall, as are three framed Pride T-shirts. Flags are easy to put up and take down in the empty wall space in City Hall; the Arts Coordinator will work with the MCA to plan the installation of flags following the calendar year. She noted that the crosswalks honoring Veterans and the LGBTQIA+ community were a “fast track to exposure”, and an effective way to recognize Middletown’s diversity. Steele noted that this diversity is a reason that some new residents, many of them with families, have moved to Middletown. viii. Mayor’s Art Show Arts Coordinator noted that an Art Show / competition has been proposed several times in the past. Discussion of planning and implementation of this event, as well as judging and curation. The Arts Office will research examples in other cities. Commissioners agreed that an annual event may be too frequent and suggested that it should be every 4 years, tied to election time. ix. City Art Collection Document “City Art Collection 1977-2012” will be added to these meeting minutes. x. Year At A Glance Timeline for Public Art Committee to be created, including short-term and long-term projects, with regularly scheduled meetings. 7. New Business i. Staff report – none ii. Brochure Wolfram will create a collage from his PRIDE event photos that can be used for the redesigned brochure, banner, and other publicity materials. Wolfram suggested expansion of the brochure to 4 panels (8.5” x 14”); images from PRIDE, the Fireworks Festival, Summer Sounds, and Children’s Circus will be featured. 8. Discussion - Completed 9. Adjournment – Meeting was adjourned at 10:55 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Julia O’Halloran Faraci Admin. Secretary III, Arts & Culture Office Attachments: City Art Collection 1977-2012 CC: Mayor’s Office