Arts Commission

Minutes of the Meeting Public Art Subcommittee Middletown Commission on the Arts Wednesday, February 21, 2023 9:00 a.m. 88 Court St., Middletown Public Art Subcommittee Minutes of Meeting Present: Pamela Steele, Chair; David Wolfram Also in Attendance: Staff: Julia Faraci, Admin Sec’y 1. Call to order: The meeting was called to order at 9:09 a.m. 2. Public Session: No members of public present. 3. Approval of Agenda: Wolfram moved to approve, Steele seconded. 4. Approval of Minutes from August 22, 2023: Wolfram moved to approve, Steele seconded. 5. Old Business A. Mayor’s Art Show Tentative date for Mayor’s Art Show is April 19-21. Steele will approach Reverend Mary to ask whether space at Holy Trinity Church is available and can be used. Steele suggested that the show be open rather than juried in order to encourage participation. Faraci noted that the current show at Artspace in Hartford is an open exhibition, and it attracted over 100 entries. Age bracket divisions would be set for children, high school, and adults. Wolfram commented that since the Middletown schools have their own exhibition at the Zilkha each year, the show could invite students to enter, but it need not be aimed specifically to youth. Steele proposed that the Mayor would be invited to choose artwork from the show to hang in his office, for an amount of time to be determined. She added that some artwork from the show could be hung in the hallways outside the Mayor’s office, leaving open the possibility of eventual purchase by the MCA. Faraci suggested the community could vote for a “People’s Choice” award, adding that local businesses could be offered the opportunity to display show artwork in their windows. B. Deaccession Wolfram noted he had done some research on museum criteria for deaccession. Some City Art Collection items have been relocated to the Military Museum and the Senior Center. Further discussion of possible relocation / disposition of deaccessioned art is needed. Tabled. C. Art exhibits in City Hall Evans Display Case currently holds a Black History Month exhibit. Wolfram asked about placement of displays in stairwells and other locations in City Hall; Steele suggested more art in high-traffic areas. Faraci suggested approaching Oddfellows about displaying their T-shirt quilt or circus costumes to bring attention to their summer programs. Steele suggested hanging near the Arts Office where people signing up for the programs would see them.  Minutes of the Meeting Public Art Subcommittee Middletown Commission on the Arts Wednesday, February 21, 2023 9:00 a.m. 88 Court St., Middletown 6. Old Business A. Staff Report - Tabled 7. Announcements – Steele mentioned that Haven Hot Chicken, which recently opened at 524 Main Street, features a mural painted by a local artist. She said that the company has locations in various Connecticut cities, and that they try to make a point to feature local artists. Faraci said that the Courant recently published an article about a recent graduate of Hartford Art School who is creating murals for a number of cities. She also mentioned current art shows, including the show at ArtSpace in Hartford, and Pierre Sylvain’s show at Hygienic Art in New London. Faraci also noted that a steampunk-themed ball, which was produced by the former curator of Curioporium and held at Wadsworth Mansion, was sold out. 8. Adjournment – Wolfram moved to adjourn; meeting was adjourned at 9:54 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Julia O’Halloran Faraci Admin. Secretary III, Arts & Culture Office CC: Mayor’s Office