Arts Commission

STERLING HEIGHTS ARTS COMMISSION Minutes of Tuesday, February 5, 2019 Meeting Location: Sterling Heights City Hall, 40555 Utica Ro ad, Sterling Height s, MI 48313, Conference Room 202 Members Present: David Bollman, Lawrence Farhat, Grace Finazzo, Gary Lusk, Wendy Popko, Jeanne Schabath and Mona Yassine and. Members Absent: Ron Bindle, Jan Burns, Steve Couchman, Judith Foley and Stacy Ziarko. Representing the City: Sue Giallombardo 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 Yassine; Seconded by: Farhat Ayes: all Nays: none AGENDA ITEMS: A. Library Events - Tammy Turgeon, Library Director  Tammy Turgeon attended the meeting to share information about what is happening at the Library. Turgeon stated that the Library will be using money from the Public Art fund to purchase an Everbright interactive light board, for the Children's area. Currently, Canton Public Library is the only library in the state that has this. Everbright resembles a Light Bright toy, with dials that hold every color of the rainbow and can be calculated to turn in either direction through the color spectrum to run animations and then erase itself. Kids could also set their own animation, designs are unlimited. The unit is free-standing and measures 4 1/2' x 4'. The unit cost is $14,000 with no extra fees and the warranty is included.  Turgeon added that the library is going through renovations, and once complete, the Everbright will sit near the entrance into the Children's area.  Finazzo said that this will modernize the library.  Bollman asked if the unit could be expanded on; Turgeon replied yes, by purchasing additional units.  Turgeon said that the library has a Teen Artist Club, and stated that she likes the idea of Art Commission members getting involved. Turgeon suggested that the teen artists be included in the Featured Artist program. She also suggested including the teen artists in the design and/or installation of a mural. Turgeon said that all spaces are full at the library and she's looking for ideas and suggestions.  Giallombardo showed pictures of the mural that will be installed on the outside wall of the Police Department, and said that the children of the police department designed tiles to frame the mural.  Yassine said that she likes the idea of the teen artist club. Turgeon added that they plan to reach out to the teens to discuss the form of art that interests them - photography, painting, sketching, etc. Teens meet with no instruction, it’s a very open forum.  Schabath made a motion to include teen artists in the Featured Artist program; Seconded by Farhat. Ayes: all Nays: none  B. Memorial Day Parade  Giallombardo shared a short bio for proposed Grand Marshal Hope Morphew. Morphew served in the Air Force for 24 years and recently retired after a six- week deployment to the South Pacific. Morphew resides in Shelby Twp. and her children attend Utica Community Schools in Sterling Heights.  Finazzo made a motion to invite Hope Morphew to serve as Grand Marshal. Seconded by Lusk. Ayes: all Nays: none C. Featured Artist  Giallombardo shared the artwork and background for potential Featured Artist, Rebecca Callens. Callens is a Sterling Heights resident, her medium is ink, pencils, oil & clay. Farhat made a motion to accept Callens as April/May Featured Artist; Seconded by Lusk. Ayes: all Nays: none  Giallombardo will send congratulations letter and arrange SHTV interview. OLD BUSINESS:  Giallombardo stated that per Bridget Kozlowski, David Bollman's new sculpture will be installed in Dodge Park. Bollman stated that he was hoping it could go at the new Community Center. He added that the sculpture will be nature- oriented and he wants to get kids involved; perhaps small concrete tiles that kids could make imprints of their hand or stamp their name in the tile. Turgeon offered the library as a working space.  Finazzo shared more details regarding a Community Art project using mosaic tiles. She would like to invite Mary Gilhuly to a future meeting. Ms. Gilhuly works with a non-profit organization called "Song and Spirit". Finazzo added that the project would not have to be a permanent fixture; there are small versions that can be moved. You may visit www.songandspirit.org/art-in- action/installations.html for samples of their work.  Bollman made a motion to invite Ms. Gilhuly to the next meeting; Seconded by Farhat. Ayes: all Nays: none  Schabath discussed Couchman's public art idea regarding using a high-end 3- D scanner to turn artwork into 3-D. His company would donate the scanning service, the time and the web-hosting so there would be no costs involved. Their office is at the Velocity Building on 18 Mile Road; Schabath suggested holding a future meeting there to see a demonstration.  Couchman is making calls regarding the vinyl wraps on ITC towers.  Farhat asked for an update on the possible mural at Munro Muffler. Giallombardo stated that Kozlowski has reached out to the corporate office and is waiting for a call back. NEW BUSINESS :  Finazzo suggested that the group take a field trip to the Sculpture Park in Detroit. She added that she would like to see a nature-themed sculpture along the Clinton River.  Yassine presented the idea for a kid's talent contest, to be held during Sterlingfest in the Farmers Market pavilion. Giallombardo stated that there would not be enough city staff to coordinate the contest during Sterlingfest, but perhaps a different date would work. The idea will be discussed further at a future meeting.   Lusk suggested holding a contest for a "city song".  Finazzo stated that the 38th Macomb County Annual Secondary Student Show will be held at the Anton Art Center from March 99-April 11. This is a free, juried exhibition of varying media by students in grades 7-12. Meeting adjourned: 7:07 p.m. NEXT ART COMMISSION MEETING: Tuesday, April 2, 2019 at 6 p.m.