Cultural Arts Commission

City of Morgantown Cultural Arts Commission Meeting Minutes for June 8, 2022 Present: Mark McCoy – Chair Rick McEwuen – Secretary Treasurer Ron Dulaney Mark Downs Josh Williamson Absent: Nikki Bowman Mills – Vice Chair, Jeff Arnett – Mon County Commissioner, Brian Butcher – City Councilor Ward 7 Public: None Meeting called to order by at 5:33 P.M. Meeting took place at the Historic Depot, Hazel Ruby McQuain Park. Minutes: The May 2022 minutes were reviewed. Motion to approve minutes – Commissioner Mark McCoy 2nd – Commissioner Mark Downs Motion passed 6-0 Public Comment: None New Business: Director Kitch presented the recommendation from the Westover Bridge Pier Mural Project Public Art Advisory Committee to recommend Ann Tarantino be selected as the artist the mural commission. Ann Tarantino and Kamara Townes, who had been the runners up from the RFQ process were both contracted to create designs for the mural project. After review of the submissions, Ann Tarantino was recommended unanimously for the project. Vice Chair Nikki Bowman-Mills, who was a member of the PAAC commented via email “. . . my comment as to the selection of Ann Tarantino is that the committee voted unanimously to award her the project. We feel that her vibrant and contemporary take will add a fresh and energetic addition to the area near the amphitheater.” Unable to attend the meeting Ms. Bowman-Mills gave her proxy vote to Commissioner Ron Dulaney. Motion to approve Ann Tarantino for the Westover Bridge Pier Mural Project Motion – Commissioner Mark McCoy 2nd – Commissioner Mark Downs Motion passed 5-0 with 1 abstention 1 Director’s Report: Vincent E. Kitch Director Kitch provided an overview of events and activities of the Arts & Cultural Development Department. MHM – They continue to have a few events related to the History of Printmaking in Morgantown. Eddie Spaghetti will be doing a print workshop in July. Vincent hopes to post the manager position after July 1 Met – Morgantown Theatre Company is in the Met this week and there is one final dance school performance, and the Met will be dark until September when they have Neil McCoy on 9/2 from Drusky Entertainment. That is also the same night as the final concert here at the Amphitheater. HRMP - At the Ruby Amphitheater staff kicked off the season on Saturday May 28th with the Morgantown Music Festival. Despite rain and 2 high school graduations, 6 bands over the entire day with food trucks and about 600 people attended. Last Friday the Ruby summer concert series launched with Almost Queen. Over 1500 people attended and the event was covered on the front page of the Saturday Dominion Post. This week will be Don McLean. Other – The department still have one outstanding grant with WV Commission on the Arts and should know by the end of the month. Woodburn mural project will have community input Mid July. The artist will likely complete in August. Vincent has a zoom call with Ann Tarantino set up to settle the schedule for the Bridge Pier Mural. He hopes to schedule a Friday night “unveiling” between acts at a concert this summer. There will not be a July Commission meeting unless there is urgent business. Everyone is invited to come for a concert or the fireworks on the 4th of July Thanks to commissioners Josh Williamson again for the festoon lighting project. People love it. The next meeting will take place on August 10, 2022, Historic Depot – Hazel Ruby McQuain Park. Motion to adjourn Commissioner Ron Dulaney 2nd Commissioner Josh Williamson The meeting was adjourned at 6:00 PM. Submitted by Rick McEwuen – Secretary Treasurer 2