Culture, Arts & Pride Commission

CULTURE, ARTS & PRIDE COMMISSION Wednesday, May 12, 2021 12:00 PM Municipal Complex, Committee Meeting Room (3300) 100 Ann Edwards Lane Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 MINUTES Members Present: Kathryn Whitaker, Chair; Corey Alston, Brad Dunnells, Ann McGahey, Courtney Sarre, Frank Sonntag Members Absent: Bren Romano Monteiro Staff Present: Nicole Harvey 1. Approval of Minutes from the April 14, 2021 meeting Mr. Sonntag made a motion to approve the April 14, 2021 minutes. Ms. Sarre seconded the motion. All were in favor. 2. Public Comments None 3. Report from Subcommittees a. Art on the Half Shell (Recording began at 12:07 p.m.) Ms. Harvey said they were accepting submissions and the Commission would be ordering more sculptures after July 1 to complete another round. b. Paint the Town Ms. Harvey said the murals they selected for the Jones Center are in process. She shared pictures of the work. She discussed putting artists and possible spaces together for future murals. Mr. Alston said one of his ideas for the unincorporated areas of Mount Pleasant was murals for some of the cinder block structures that are there. He discussed some of the various places. Telephone (843) 884-8517 - Fax (843) 856-2180 www.tompsc.com  Ms. Harvey said there was some concern about spending taxpayer dollars on non-Town property. c. Performing Arts Mr. Sonntag said they had a subcommittee meeting and would like to engage the Commission in a conversation about potential rebranding of the ArtFest idea. He said they made the determination that it would be best to keep the date in March as it had been. He said they wanted to talk about moving the event to Waterfront Park. He asked if there were any financial ramifications relative to the participation of Towne Centre. Ms. Harvey answered in the affirmative as they contribute with a 60/40 split with the Town spending a little more money than they do. She said it was something they could talk about as it was not a very expensive event. The Commission continued discussion about having two stages, the need to develop an outline, and departmental approvals. Mr. Dunnells said they were trying to organize a performing arts event that showcases some professional local and regional talent and want to promote multiple events. Mr Sonntag suggested involving the Artists Guild and Moultrie News. d. Culture Youth Council Cultural Fair Ms. Harvey said the fair was going to be part of the Sweetgrass Half Marathon on May 22. She said if anyone from the Commission wanted to volunteer there could be a table there to talk about what they do. e. Unincorporated Areas Sweetgrass Basket Stand Ms. Harvey said she had some conversations about the Sweetgrass Basket Stands but has some research to do before they can move forward. She said she learned that the administration would like for the Commission to talk with the Settlement Communities’ Task Force and the Historical Commission and get them involved in this project. She said there was concern about spending taxpayer money on projects in the county. She said she emphasized that even though the stands are not Town property, they benefit Town residents. She Telephone (843) 884-8517 - Fax (843) 856-2180 www.tompsc.com  said there are some considerations that they did not realize. She said it ties in with the livability piece that the Historical Commission is working on. She said they need to talk with the National Park Service about the protection of the stands because they are individually owned. She said they would get together soon. The Commission continued discussion on Sweetgrass Basket Stands. f. Student Art None g. Marketing None 4. New Business None 5. Adjourn There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 12:48 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Karen Bedenbaugh, 5/12/21 Telephone (843) 884-8517 - Fax (843) 856-2180 www.tompsc.com