Arts Commission

STERLING HEIGHTS ARTS COMMISSION Minutes of Tuesday, October 1, 2019 Meeting Location: Sterling Heights City Hall, 40555 Utica Ro ad, Sterling Heights, MI 48313, Conference Room 202 Members Present: Ron Bindle, Jan Burns, Steve Couchman, Grace Finazzo, , Wendy Popko, Jeanne Schabath, Mona Yassine and Stacy Ziarko Members Absent: David Bollman, Larry Farhat, Judith Foley and Gary Lusk Representing the City: Melanie Davis and Sue Giallombardo Meeting called to order at 6:00 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES : Motion to approve the meeting minutes of the September 10, 2019 Art Commission made by Burns. Seconded by: Couchman Ayes: all Nays: none AGENDA ITEMS: A. Sterlingfest Application  Giallombardo stated that she briefly reviewed the Zapplication website; the cost would be approximately $2,000. She stated that she would look into it further. The zapplication software will not work for other events such as the Farmers Market or Local Author Fair, only art fairs. Zapplication would allow for applicants to submit their application online, and send photos electronically. Applicants would pay the application upfront, but would not submit the artist fee until after the jury process.  Giallombardo said that the Sterlingfest fees would be increased in the next budget, and will be effective July 1, 2020.  Application fee $18  Booth fee $240  Double Booth fee $420  Corner Booth request fee $35  Food Vendor $670  Restaurant vendor $1,530  Schabath stated that moving the due date of the applications to mid-March (as opposed to mid-April) will hopefully attract more artists. Jurying will take place at the April meeting (as opposed to May).  Burns noticed a decrease in artists selling pottery and suggested offering classes at the new Community Center.  Yassine suggested offering free booth space for high school students. Giallombardo stated that the Children Artist application is available for students up to age 18 and the fee is only $10.00.  Giallombardo will work with the City Attorney to add language to the application regarding the use of logos on merchandise.  Language will also be added at the signature section of the application, to further emphasize that all of the submitted artwork is original.  Couchman suggested adding a mosaic display of Sterlingfest photos on the grounds of the festival; Davis added that she would like to see more interactive aspects to the festival.   Ziarko stated that there should be more signage (sandwich boards, pamphlets) and promotion of the DIA "make & take" project under the tent.  Yassine suggested adding display monitors around the City Center, showing what is going on throughout the festival. Giallombardo stated that this would be a huge undertaking; SHTV only has a staff of two employees. B. 2019 Public Art Projects  In regards to the public mosaic tile project, Giallombardo stated that she met with Melanie Davis, Kyle Langlois and Mary Gilhuly (Song & Spirit). Langlois stated that the mosaic artwork would be located on two large walls in the main meeting room of the Community Center (as discussed with Langlois and Bridget Kozlowski). Langlois added that the room will host up to 500 people for a variety of events and based on the motif of the room, he wanted to artwork to be created by a professional artist. He suggested the second floor of the Center as an option for residents to contribute to a separate mosaic tile project that would fit nicer with the space. Giallombardo said that it was decided to start with 6-8 photographs that highlight the community feel of Sterling Heights. Once the photos are selected, Mary Gilhuly will create a project combining paintings of the photographs with mosaic tiles. The goal is to reveal the project at the grand opening of the Center; once the Center is complete, the Commission can work with Langlois and decide on the best location for the children's project.  In regards to the photo contest on social media, Giallombardo is working with Community Relations on getting the first contest up and running with easypromosapp.com. Participants will be able to download photo entries, and winners will be voted on by the public. Giallombardo will work on securing gift cards for prizes; any Commission members with connections are encouraged to ask for donations as well. Members decided that the photos need to be current, taken in Sterling Heights and can be black and white. Community Relations with will work the City Attorney's office to obtain the guidelines for including random faces in the photos, taken in public places. The first three themes will be: o October-November: Autumn/Halloween Harvest o December: How We Celebrate o January: Winter Paradise OLD BUSINESS:  Giallombardo stated that the installation of the mural on the Police Department outside wall has been put on hold until the completion of the renovation happening now.  Giallombardo provided a status on the Arts Commission Endowment Fund with the Community Foundation. Since 2013, the Commission received a portion of the profits from the Sterlingfast 5K. The check was presented by Joe Burns, the coordinator of the 5K, ranging from $1,000-$3,800. Beginning in 2018, Joe Burns stated that he could no longer coordinate the race so it was turned over to Parks & Recreation, and due to a turnover of staff members in Community Relations, the profits went into the Sterlingfest general fund. The balance of the Endowment Fund is $8,884, of which $3,555 is available for immediate disbursement.  Giallombardo contacted the city's Engineering department and inquired about painting school crosswalks. Engineering staff stated that due to the harsh winters, salt and heavy traffic, the artwork would not last longer than two years. NEW BUSINESS:  Couchman suggested creating a 5-year strategic plan to include a list of locations throughout the city that could use a piece of public art. Finazzo suggested a sculpture at the pocket park, located at the intersection of Utica & Van Dyke.  Yassine suggested a project for children, perhaps during Sterlingfest, having the children paint a picture that members could judge and award a winner. Popko added that a sand art project would also be a nice idea. Meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m. NEXT ART COMMISSION MEETING: Wednesday, November 6, 2019 at 6 p.m.