Public Arts and Culture Advisory Council

PUBLIC ARTS & CULTURE ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Monday, May 13, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. Members Present: Alicia Bermes – Niles Chamber of Commerce Barbara Karawacki – Niles Historical Society Steve Vinezeano – Niles VFW Post 3579 Ed Eubank – School District 207 Marina Samovsky – Photographer Debi Gajewski - Artist Kathleen Gallegos – Artist/Art Studio Members Absent: John Kosirog – School District 71 Susan Lempke – Niles-Maine District Library Carol Luc – Artist Janet Spector Bishop – School District 63 Lindsey Brubaker – Niles Park District Village Officials/Staff Present: Katie Schneider – Community Engagement Coordinator I. Call to Order: Chair Lindsey Brubaker was absent, Katie Schneider called the meeting to order at 5:10 p.m. in the Niles Administration Building, Council Chambers Conference Room. II. Approval of Meeting Minutes Alicia Bermes noted that under her report, there was a line that probably cut off, it should read “can post their events to the Chamber calendar, simply log-in or contact the Chamber for log-in credentials. Steve Vinezeano made a motion to accept the April meeting minutes with Alicia’s changes. Debi Gajewski second the motion, all were in favor. None opposed. Minutes passed. III. Organization Representative Reports Steve Vinezeano (Niles VFW Post 3579) - is still running their Queen of Hearts raffle if anyone is interested. Barbara Karawacki (Niles Historical Society) has cancelled their Historical Yard Sale, the Board of Directors cancelled the Historical Yard Sale and decided to pursue other options for off loading items at the museum. Marina Samovsky (Photographer) – Photos from bench are still at the library and asked what the status, Katie stated that we are waiting for the library to bring them over. She will connect with them to follow up. Locally she photographed the Night of Roses event, the 60th Anniversary for the library and Culver School 8th grade dance. Edward Eubank (School District 207) - School is coming to an end, graduation this Sunday. Fine Arts at Maine East is moving in strong directions including Susan Georges was recognized at the NATAS (National Association for Television Arts and Sciences) for one of her mid-west video work. She is Niles resident. Steve Vinezeano would like to recognize her award and work at a Village level, Ed will send her contact info. Susan’s work was a news package on Newsies, the school musical. Each video clip is 4-6 minutes in length. Kathleen Gallegos (Artist/Art Studio) continues to teach art classes at Shriners Childrens hospital, hosting Glow it the Dark parties and is now offering summer camps. Alicia Bermes (Niles Chamber of Commerce) – She met with Debi to get the Arts in Business program off the ground, they will pair artists with local businesses. They are putting a launch reception for June. Women In Business is up and running again and alternating social/fun events with professional development seminars and speakers. Debi Gajewski (Artist) - Debi’s street pole banner is up in West Chicago. She has a solo show in Bartlett at the Village Hall and a solo show in the Poplar Creek Library. Katie Schneider (Village of Niles)- the parade will have a theme this year – Films in Illinois. Katie asked if the Arts and Culture group would participate again, the Council agreed they would not have a float. Katie presented Mayor Przybylo’s concept for a new street lamp, it is an original design that features a lit finial on top. Mayor Przybylo unfortunately could not make the meeting, but asked for input from Arts and Culture Council members. Feedback from the group varied, all agreed that is was unique and creative, some liked the style other members did not. Kathleen Gallegos who is an artist and electrical engineer offered quick sketches of the concept that may be more effective for lighting. The conversation developed more into what style Niles has - modern, contemporary versus traditional. There was overall agreement that there should be a cohesive style (buildings, signage, lamp posts, etc.) and we should stick to it, not continue with hodge podge styles throughout town. IV. Niles Artisan Guild Festive Fronts was announced at the Village Board meeting. They are accepting nominations for private homes, gardens, landmarks, and business fronts. Nomination forms are available online and printouts at Village Hall. It will be a one year program. Anyone can participate; artists will select a nomimee and produce artwork in different mediums. They will be on display once hopefully at the library, village hall and offer a traveling display. Eventually there will be a calendar produced and the pieces will be sold. They are current looking for donations. The Artisan Guild will have an exhibit at the library in June. There are 19 members. They are also discussing a pop-up event/gallery. Debi would still like to see an exhibit at Village Hall and was disappointed that there is such limited space. She asked if the Senior Center or Fitness Center is available, Katie will look into it. After discussion, it was clarified that only one (possibly two) pieces could be accommodated. We would aim for June 1st set-up. In the future, the Village would like to have art from local artist throughout village hall, although not all spaces are open to the public. V. Old Business a. A Day in the Life Of - Marina and Katie need to reconnect on the project. They are currently working on a letter to community stakeholders explaining the project and inviting them to participate. They will have more of an update next month. b. Murals - Katie distributed an article from the Pioneer Press on murals. She presented it at the Village Board meeting, there are three locations: Michels Frame Garden adjacent to the rain garden, the Fire house at Dempster and Cumberland and Christine Pusateri’s hair salon on Milwaukee, next to Schmeissers. There is an option for the artist to submit a design only and have Arts Alive install/paint the piece. A committee will determine the design submissions. Once Katie confirms the RFP with Arts Alive Chicago we will start to promote to our local artists. c. Grant Application Process - As a follow up from our discussion last month on the Grant Application, the Council discussed clarifications to the application and agreed on the changes submitted. We will also start to promote this program more regularly. VI. New Business a. Niles Historical Society Use Study RFP - The Village will be issuing an RFP to study the building and determine its current state and potential usage. This study is inline with the Arts and Culture Master plan. VII. Open Discussion There was no open discussion VIII. Public Comment There was no public comment. IX. Next Meeting Monday, June 10, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. X. Adjournment Debi Gajewski made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:10 p.m. Kathleen Gallegos second the motion, all were in favor. Meeting adjourned.