Arts Commission

STERLING HEIGHTS ARTS COMMISSION Minutes of Tuesday, January 8, 2019 Meeting Location: Sterling Heights City Hall, 40555 Utica Ro ad, Sterling Height s, MI 48313, Conference Room 202 Members Present: Ron Bindle, Jan Burns, Lawrence Farhat, Grace Finazzo, Gary Lusk, Wendy Popko, Jeanne Schabath, Mona Yassine and Stacy Ziarko. Members Absent: David Bollman, Steve Couchman and Judith Foley. Representing the City: Sue Giallombardo and Bridget Kozlowski Meeting called to order at 6:00 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES : Motion to approve the meeting minutes of the November 6, 2018 Art Commission made by Farhat; Seconded by: Yassine Ayes: all Nays: none AGENDA ITEMS: A. 2019 Art Projects  Schabath summarized the six suggested projects that were discussed at the November meeting as a review: Art Classes, 3-D Visioning, Art Walk, Mosaic Tiling, Tower Wraps and Photo Contest.  Kozlowski stated that the City will be moving forward on three separate projects that have been in a holding pattern during her maternity leave.  The first project is David Bollman's sculpture. The sculpture will be installed in Dodge Park, near the fire pit area, in a way that it will not conflict with The Seed. Kozlowski and Bollman still need to work out the details. Bindle stated that since Bollman is a local artist, he should be given a generous budget.  Kozlowski stated that she would like a second sculpture to go "outside" the general area of City Hall. She has reached out to the Chaldean Community Foundation as a possible location, at their new development on N. Van Dyke Avenue. Schabath suggested the Velocity Center as a possible location. An artist has not been determined for this project.  Kozlowski added that the third project will entail a proposed mural at the Munro Muffle Shop on Van Dyke. She contacted the manager of the shop and has to contact their corporate office; she is hoping for a spring installation. Bindle inquired on the budget for this project. Kozlowski doesn’t know the amount yet.  Kozlowski said that DIA will be installing a mural on the wall of the Police Department, facing the pond. DIA will be funding the mural, but the entire area of the pond and the memorial stones is going to be re-designed. A large portion of the cost will come out of the Public Art budget. B. Featured Artist  Giallombardo shared photos of artwork from AnnMarie Curley, she works with pastels and watercolors. Members approved Curley as a Featured Artist, Giallombardo will make arrangements for February/March 2019. C. Memorial Day Parade  Giallombardo distributed the bio for Colonel Laurel Burkel; she has a very impressive history, but is not a resident of Sterling Heights.   Ziarko suggested Hope Morphew, who recently surprised her son at Harvey Elementary in November. Morphew served in the Air Force for 24 years and recently retired after a six-week deployment to the South Pacific. Ziarko will follow up with her bio at the February meeting.  It was decided that the theme of the parade would be "Honoring Women in the Military"  Schabath stated that the Rosie the Riveter group would like to be included in the band category. D. Election of 2019 Officers  Giallombardo asked for nominations for Chair and Vice Chair. Lusk made a motion to nominate Schabath for Chair and Ziarko for Vice Chair, seconded by Burns. Ayes: All Nays: None OLD BUSINESS:  Kozlowski stated that Lusk's photo contest might be something that the Beautification Commission could coordinate; the Arts Commission could suggest a variety of topics for the photos.  Schabath discussed the Art Walk, stating that it would be a one-day event to take place the first day of the Farmers Market. She added that she could ask the art teachers at the schools for help in getting the artwork.  Lusk suggested that members with ideas should spell out their idea with specifics, how to implement it, etc. and ask for volunteers to put it into action.  Schabath stated that she would draft a letter outlining the Art Walk and send it to Kozlowski for approval. NEW BUSINESS :  Kozlowski stated that she attended a meeting at the DIA. She stated that she will be part of a newly formed group: Local Government Public Art Group. Their first meeting will be held in February. The group will discuss public art; Kozlowski hopes to learn new ideas to bring back to the Commission. Kozlowski stated that as the group develops it would be open for Commission members to shadow. Popko expressed an interest.  Popko stated that the Library stated a Teen Artists Club. The group will meet once a month to discuss and share poems, short stories, graphic novels, illustrations, etc. Kozlowski suggested that the Commission work with the Library and possibly piggy-back off of this program, and perhaps offer to teach a class or host some type of class. Yassine stated that she would like to see more Sterling Heights students become artists. Kozlowski stated that the goal of the library program is to reach young people and also suggested opening the Featured Artist program to teenage students. Kozlowski will meet with Tammy Turgeon to discuss a possible partnership. Motion to adjourn the Art Commission meeting at 7:00 p.m. made by Ziarko. Seconded by: Bindle. Ayes: all Nays: none NEXT ART COMMISSION MEETING: Tuesday, February 5, at 6 p.m.