Fine Arts Commission

Skokie Fine Arts Commission December 13, 2023 Meeting Notes 1. Call to Order at 6:55 p.m. by Chairperson Pam Garbarini Present: Chairperson Garbarini, Vice Chairperson Rhodes, Staff Liaison Gioia, Trustee Klein and Commissioners Beatrice, Blum Barish, Chander, Hatchett, Joshi, Liberman, Osseny, Sloan, Thomas, Vasevski, and Waxberg. 2. Excellence in the Arts Awards a. Chair Garbarini reviewed the nominations with the Commission. There was some discussion as to whether the nomination for Ralph Petrella and the Old Orchard Junior High Bands was an individual or a group nomination. The group agreed that it should be reviewed as an individual nomination similar to last year’s recipient Jennifer Page from Niles North. The point was made that school groups where students pass through regularly are intrinsically different than community arts groups in which adults may remain part for many years. After a vote, Andrea Seigel was selected (9-6) as the individual recipient and The Gallery at A+C Architects was selected as the group recipient. b. Trustee Klein will be meeting with the mayor and will introduce the idea of an award for service to be given annually by the Village Board to a long-standing Commission member. c. Staff Liaison Gioia will send notice to the recipients. d. Awards will be presented at the January 16 February 20 Village Board meeting with a reception in the lobby for the recipients and guests. All Commissioners are encouraged to attend. 3. February Storytelling Event a. A decision was made to postpone the next storytelling event until spring. This will allow for more time to plan and recruit storytellers. b. Possible themes referencing new beginnings, rebirth c. A discussion followed about the cost of chair rental and delivery. It was suggested that we investigate holding the next storytelling event at Sketchbook which would not require the rental of chairs. Commissioner Blum Barish mentioned a Skokie Bike Network storytelling event that was held there on a Sunday afternoon. 4. Artists’ Happy Hour Networking Event a. Will be held in late February. Commissioner VanOsdol will contact Sketchbook for available dates. #616441  b. It will be a cash bar but the Commission will provide trays of food from a local restaurant/caterer c. Anyone who lives or works in Skokie and identifies as an artist is welcome to attend d. Commissioners are tasked with sharing the event within their circles and bringing a friend to the event. Staff Liaison Gioia will share in SkokieNews and on social media when date is decided. 5. SOAR Student Art Exhibit in March at Oakton College a. Artists reception will be held Monday, March 11 from 4-6 p.m. Mayor Van Dusen will be in attendance b. Set up is Thursday, February 29 from 3-5 p.m. Volunteers needed c. Staff Liaison Gioia will take down the exhibit during the day on Monday, April 1 and teachers will be instructed to pick up their students’ artwork at the front desk of Village Hall during normal hours. 6. New Business a. Commissioner Blum Barish updated the group on her research about Skokie oral histories. There are various recordings at the library, historical society, history museum. Will continue her outreach and report back. b. Commissioner Thomas shared that she will be teaching a Ukulele Campfire Class on Wednesdays at Emily Oaks beginning January 31. 7. Adjournment – Meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m. Upcoming meetings: January 10 – Commission Meeting at 7 p.m. February 14 – Commission Meeting at 7 p.m. February 20 – Village Board Meeting at 7:30 p.m. (Presentation of Excellence in Arts Awards) #616441 #616441