Arts Commission

STERLING HEIGHTS ARTS COMMISSION Minutes of Tuesday, April 4 , 2023 Meeting Locatio n: City Hall, Conference Room 028 Members Present: Ron Bindle, Jan Burns, Sheri Marwede, Patrick Michalski, Zachary Overman, Krystina O’Toole, Jeanne Schabath-Lewis and Lisa Stout Members Absent: Barbara Chudzik, Gary Lusk, Wendy Popko and Elizabeth Vincent Representing the City: Sue Giallombardo, Community Relations Specialist Meeting called to order at 6:00 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES : Motion to approve the minutes of the March 7, 2023 Arts Commission meeting, as amended; motion made by Richardson; Seconded by: Marwede Ayes: all Nays: none AGENDA ITEMS : A. Sterlingfest – jurying of artists  Giallombardo stated that she has 91 artists and crafters, and seven kid artists. She added that she can still accept applications for another month or so and asked commission members to encourage artists or crafters to apply if they haven’t yet. Giallombardo said that if she should get new artists applying, she would share their work with members before accepting. Otherwise, if they’ve participated in the past, she will accept them and add them to the list.  Giallombardo shared the PowerPoint presentation, showing each artist’s work. Members accepted every artist. Giallombardo stated that she will send out acceptance letters.  Members questioned several artist’s work, and the authenticity of the work, as well as the “creative” factor. These artists are: Alternative, Hazel’s Lacewear, Kip Kennedy and Simply Blake. Giallombardo will verify that their items are handcrafted during Sterlingfest, and she reminded members that they are welcome to ask questions as they visit each booth for voting.  There was a discussion regarding the “art” with using a Cricut (or similar silk screening machine) to make shirts, and whether or not this should be allowed at Sterlingfest. Giallombardo asked that members stay consistent when and if they should decide to vote against allowing it. Richardson suggested allowing it for this year, taking notes during the weekend and re-addressing the topic going forward.  Schabath-Lewis told commission members that they are welcome to volunteer during Sterlingfest, either at the Information table or acting as a “floater”, and assisting artists that might need a short break from their booth. Commission members are also asked to vote on “Best Artist”, which entails visiting every booth and voting on your favorites. The winner is invited to next year’s show, with a complementary booth fee. Giallombardo added that the voting needs to be done by 6:00 on Friday, and the winners will be presented with their award on Saturday. OLD BUSINESS:   Giallombardo stated that applications for the Memorial Day Parade are starting to come in, and asked members to continue to promote.  Bindle asked for an update on the mosaic mural project. Giallombardo stated that the artist is finishing up the background, with brown tiles and grout, etc. and will contact her when she’s about two weeks from completion. Once the mural is installed, Giallombardo will coordinate an “unveiling” event.  Michalski asked how the Featured Artist program works. Giallombardo added that anyone can apply, the artist does not need to be a Sterling Heights resident, and once the commission approves the artist’s work, they can display their pieces for two months at the Community Center. She added that the application is on the city’s website: www.sterling-heights.net.  Michalski asked who handles the Farmers Market applications; Giallombardo said that Parks & Recreation coordinates all of the Thursday night activities, and said that the applications are also on the city’s website, or anyone interested can call Troy Nowotny, at 586-446-2701.  Giallombardo stated that she finally spoke with the property management company at Riverland & Van Dyke, and thanked Lisa Stout for sending her the phone number from one of the store front windows. Giallombardo added that she received permission for a mural install on the side wall of Zap Zone, and Community Relations will start the call out for the design and the muralist. She added that city management would like the theme to somehow represent “diversity”, whether it be in the mural itself or with the artist(s). Schabath-Lewis suggested getting five artists, with a minority background, to each work on a section, with the end result flowing together. Giallombardo added that this would be difficult to coordinate, with potentially five artists, multiple contracts, multiple schedules and work availability, etc. and reminded members that these types of projects already move very slowly due to the process that is required. Schabath-Lewis offered to act as a “project coordinator”, Giallombardo said that someone from the city needs to assume that role, likely the Community Relations Director. Michalski suggested five nature scenes painted by five different artists, and also suggested taking the “people” out of the equation. Richardson agreed, adding that we could focus on the diversity in the artist’s styles. Giallombardo added that she will present these ideas to city administration, and share the press release once it’s finalized. NEW BUSINESS : None NEXT ART S COMMISSION MEETING: Tuesday , May 2, 2023 at 6 p.m.