Arts Commission

STERLING HEIGHTS ARTS COMMISSION Minutes of Tuesday, March 2 , 2021 Meeting Locatio n: Zoom Conference Call Members Present: Ron Bindle, Lawrence Farhat, Grace Finazzo, Judith Foley, Amanda Koss Wendy Popko and Jeanne Schabath Members Absent: David Bollman, Jan Burns 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 February 1, 2021 Arts Commission made by Bindle; Seconded by: Popko Ayes: all Nays: none AGENDA ITEMS: A. 2021 Public Art Projects  Giallombardo Popko stated that her mural design for Ventimiglia’s Italian Market has been approved, and she will begin the installation mid-April. Popko thanked Schabath-Lewis for helping to “sell” the mural to Ventimiglia’s. She added that the title of the mural is “Trailblazer”, which represents the “active” portion of the city’s vision statement. Once approved by City Council, Popko will be working with a company that will enhance the mural with augmented reality, making Sterling Heights the first suburb to have such a mural. More details to follow. Schabath-Lewis added that this added feature really helped sell the mural to Tony Ventimiglia. Bindle asked if Popko would be putting a mural on the north side of the building as well; Popko stated that she is unsure at this point, but would like for that wall to be complementary to the mural.  Davis stated that she is working on ordering signage for the current murals in place, the park memorials will be completed soon and the new wraps for the four monument markers along Van Dyke will be installed in April. She has also been in talks with Fiat/Chrysler regarding a possible mural installation. B. 2021 Memorial Day Parade  Davis stated that we will still be having the usual Memorial Day Ceremony, and will possibly unveil the new police mural during the ceremony. Davis added that we may bypass having a “Grand Marshal” so that we can give proper recognition to Sharron Allen in 2022, since the Memorial Day events for 2020 were cancelled.  Giallombardo stated that she will coordinate invitees for the ceremony, and added that Arts Commission members are welcome to attend. Further details will be discussed at the March meeting. OLD BUSINESS:  Schabath Schabath-Lewis stated that she might be getting a donation of paint from a business that recently closed. She would like to also solicit donations of rocks, and if so, would like to hand out baggies of rocks, with small containers of paints so that residents could decorate rocks for the new rock garden to be installed near the Library.   Giallombardo stated that as a follow up to last month’s meeting, the GIS map of public art in Sterling Heights is updated, and consists of 28 items. The map can be accessed by going to the city’s website, clicking on Community, then Recreation & Sculptures. Members showed interest in having a paper version of the maps that would help promote the digital version. Davis suggested using a QR code system inside of pamphlets.  Davis stated that there is $50 budgeted for an annual membership to Anton Art Center. Schabath-Lewis stated that Anton has discontinued their memberships. Giallombardo will contact Phil Gilchrist to ask what other options are available to support Anton Art Center.  Bindle asked the status on the painting of utility boxes. Giallombardo stated that she spoke with the city’s DPW staff and learned that the utility boxes could be owned by the city, the county or the specific utility, and she would need to get permission from the owner of the box. Giallombardo added that she had a list of several numbers off of boxes, but will need to backtrack to get additional owner information off each box. Bindle suggested using local artists to decorate the boxes. NEW BUSINESS :  Popko said that the promoters of Arts, Beats & Eats held a contest for decorating Royal Oak’s parking meters. Interested artists submitted their designs that were voted on.  Davis stated that City Management would like to see more public art in unexpected places, such as the crosswalks at schools.  Giallombardo stated that with the resignation of Mona Yassine, there is a vacancy on the Commission. She asked if members knew of a friend or colleague that would be interested in applying. If so, have them apply through the city’s website and notify Giallombardo so that she could make the recommendation to City Council. NEXT ARTS COMMISSION MEETING: Tuesday, May 4, 2021 at 6 p.m. , via Zoom