Museums and Cultural Arts Commission Meeting

MINUTES COLTON HALL MUSEUM AND CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION Monday, November 25, 2013 4:00 PM COUNCIL CHAMBER, FEW MEMORIAL HALL OF RECORDS MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Commissioners Present: Evans, Greenwald, Marohn, Ruhnke, Schneider, Wojtkowski Commissioners Absent: Dias Ex-Officio and Staff Museums, Cultural Arts and Archives Manager Dennis Copeland, Members Present: Recording Secretary Teresa Nash Ex-Officio Commissioners are non-voting members, appointed pursuant to MCC § 2-11. CALL TO ORDER CONSENT ITEMS Approval of Minutes 1. Monday, October 28, 2013 Action: Approved as submitted (6-0-1, Dias absent). ***End of Consent Agenda*** PUBLIC COMMENTS None. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS 2. Receive Museum and Cultural Arts Division Activity Report - October 2013 Action: Report received. Museums, Cultural Arts and Archives Manager Copeland noted increases in attendance at Colton Hall Museum and the Presidio Museum and reviewed the events held in October including History Fest. He reported they have two students from California State University Monterey Bay Service Learning who will do internships this semester and they will do inventory of the rare book collection and continue the cataloging and processing of the Bill Johnk Cannery Row Research collection. Commissioner Wojtkowski inquired how many hours a month do the interns work. Manager Copeland stated they work about 16 hours per week. Commissioner Evans inquired if the large groups that visit Colton Hall usual. Manager Copeland stated it varies throughout the year. PUBLIC APPEARANCE New Business 3. Selection of Artists in Four (4) Art Shows for Exhibit at Alvarado Gallery, 2014 Action: The Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Commission selected four (4) artists and/or groups of artists for an exhibit at the Alvarado Gallery in 2014 (6-0-1, Dias absent). Museums, Cultural Arts and Archives Manager Copeland reviewed the process for the selection of artists to have exhibits in the Alvarado Gallery. He said this year we received nine (9) submissions  Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Commission Minutes Monday, November 25, 2013 from artists and it is a very diverse group. He reviewed the requirements to apply and said that all applicants comply. He said the themes for this year are: Monterey Landscapes, Monterey Events, and Monterey Everyday. Commissioner Evans inquired if the artist’s submissions are the pieces they will show in the gallery. Manager Copeland state yes, plus more depending on the number of pieces, their sizes and wall space available. Commissioner Wojtkowski stated that the Commission will select the artists and staff will work with the artists for set up, sometimes we can show two artists at one time depending on the artwork. Manager Copeland also stated we have to work with the Conference Center for scheduling. Commissioner Ruhnke inquired if Kirsten Brown’s artwork is from old military finds and if we ever show special art at the Presidio Museum. Manager Copeland stated there is not enough floor and wall space at the Presidio Museum. Commissioner Wojtkowski reminded the Commission that the artwork selected will also be for sale and we receive 20% of sale price. After discussion of each applicant, the Commission chose artists submission #1 – Kristy Sebok; #5 – Tamara Selyangina; #6 – Susan Theodore; and #7 – MBPAPA (Monterey Bay Plein Air Painters Association) because these submissions met the criteria and they are all represent different types of art: acrylic & mixed media, watercolor, photography, and oil. On a motion by Commissioner Evans, seconded by Commissioner Marohn, and carried by the following vote, the Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Commission selected four (4) artists and/or group of artists for an exhibit in the Alvarado Gallery in 2014. The artists chosen were #1 – Kristy Sebok; #5 – Tamara Selyangina; #6 – Susan Theodore; and #7 – MBPAPA (Monterey Bay Plein Art Painters Association): AYES: 6 COMMISSIONERS: Evans, Greenwald, Marohn, Ruhnke, Schneider, Wojtkowski NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONERS: Dias 4. Approval of Music Selection Subcommittee's Recommendation for 2014 Colton Hall Evening Music Series Concerts Action: The Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Commission approved the Music Selection Subcommittee’s recommendation for the 2014 Colton Hall Evening Music Series Concert and selected three (3) musicians and included a fourth as an alternate: 1) Tarquinia Trio; 2) Kim Angelis; 3) WildCoast Brass; and 4) Mike Beck as the alternate (6-0-1, Dias absent). Museums, Cultural Arts and Archives Manager Copeland said there were 11 submissions and the subcommittee selected the top three along with an alternate choice. The subcommittee members (Commissioners Schneider, Greenwald and Evans) discussed their choices and made a recommendation to delete Linda Arceo, move WildCoast Brass up to the third spot, and add Mike Beck as the alternate. Commissioner Wojtkowski inquired if there was enough funding to do all four concerts. Manager Copeland said staff will review and see if we can schedule all four. Colton Hall Museum Cultural Art Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, November 25, 2013 2  Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Commission Minutes Monday, November 25, 2013 On a motion by Commissioner Evans, seconded by Commissioner Greenwald, and carried by the following vote, the Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Commission approved the selection of three (3) musicians and included a fourth as an alternate: 1) Tarquinia Trio; 2) Kim Angelis; 3) WildCoast Brass; and 4) Mike Beck at the alternate choice: AYES: 6 COMMISSIONERS: Evans, Greenwald, Marohn, Ruhnke, Schneider, Wojtkowski NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 1 COMMISSIONERS: Dias 5. Approve Priorities of Fundraising Subcommittee for 2014 Action: The Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Commission approved the Fundraising Subcommittee priorities for 2014 (6-0-1, Dias absent). Museums, Cultural Arts and Archives Manager Copeland gave an overview of the fundraising efforts made by staff and the commission and stated the fundraising has been to support the music concert series in Colton Hall. He said the repainting of the angels and the Cannery Row mural project took an enormous effort and very energetic leaders to complete. He said staff is asking the Commission to not start any major projects to raise funds at this time due to the lack of staff time available. Commissioner Wojtkowski clarified that staff would not have enough time even if the Commission wanted to take on a project at this time. Manager Copeland stated we only have part-time staff and we are still one position short. Commissioner Wojtkowski asked interns could be used if there was interest on the Commissions part to work on murals. Manager Copeland said the Commission could create an exploratory subcommittee to review ideas. Commissioner Evans said the Cannery Row murals did well and suggested putting together an inventory, create a booklet showing the art, and have an art auction. Commissioner Wojtkowski stated we should look at the existing murals, the first murals did very well. Commissioners Wojtkowski, Marohn and Evans are on the subcommittee and they will explore this option and report back to the Commission. 6. Receive Update Report on Colton Hall Museum Interpretive Plan Project Action: Report received. Museums, Cultural Arts and Archives Manager Copeland reported that October was very busy for the Colton Hall Interpretive Plan and reviewed project tasks that have been completed. He said the major event for this project was the community stakeholders meeting and said there was a really good exchange with the consultants regarding the themes, what’s important about Colton Hall, interpretation guides, and different media. He said they discussed the possibility of using IPads for people unable to get upstairs. Manager Copeland said the consultants are working on the draft and moving towards the final plan that will be presented to Commission in January. He said the subcommittee will meet prior to that for their final review. He said there is going to be some intriguing ideas on exhibits and outreach to gain more interest in Colton Hall Museum, and to also change things up to get locals to come back. This is going to be a very dynamic document that we can build on. Colton Hall Museum Cultural Art Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, November 25, 2013 3 Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Commission Minutes Monday, November 25, 2013 Commissioner Ruhnke said at the last meeting we talked about a lot of different suggestions and possibly changing up the exhibits. She said the consultant was surprised that the local percentage was so low and are looking to get younger groups involved. Commissioner Wojtkowski asked staff to send the final plan to the Commission when it is completed so they could have extra time for review. He reported staff is recommending cancelling the December 23 Commission meeting; and reminded everyone that the annual Boards and Commissions meeting and reception will be on Thursday, December 12 at 4:00 p.m. at the Conference Center, where the Chair of each board or commission will give a report to the Mayor and Council. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner Evans wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. Commissioner Greenwald encouraged everyone to see the art exhibit by David Ligare at the Monterey Museum of Art. He said Mr. Ligare’s work is quite extraordinary and that he was a very interesting fellow. He noted that the City owns a David Ligare and it is on display at the Monterey Conference Center. He said the artwork is really deteriorating and we need to do some restoration; it’s very important artwork and we have an obligation to conserve it and put it where it will be protected. Commissioner Wojtkowski reminded everyone that the City Council subcommittee for the Gold State Theater will hold a meeting tomorrow from 4-6:00p.m. He inquired if there is going to be an official meeting between the City and National Historic Trust. Manager Copeland stated that has been postponed; the City is waiting to hear from the National Historic Trust on when they can provide a presentation following the review of additional information they have received on the Cooper-Molera complex.. Commissioner Evans noted a fundraiser for the Cooper Molera Adobe will be held on December 8 at Cooper’s Pub and Restaurant on Cannery Row. NEXT MEETING Monday, November 25, 2013 ADJOURNMENT Chair Wojtkowski adjourned the meeting at 5:20 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Dennis Copeland, Manager Bill Wojtkowski, Chair Museums, Cultural Arts and Archives Colton Hall Museum & Cultural Arts Commission Colton Hall Museum Cultural Art Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, November 25, 2013 4