Arts Commission

STERLING HEIGHTS ARTS COMMISSION Minutes of Tuesday, October 3 , 2023 Meeting Locatio n: City Hall, Conference Room 028 Members Present: Ron Bindle, Jan Burns, Barbara Chudzik, Sheri Marwede, Patrick Michalski, Krystina O’Toole, Sue Rhoten, Jeanne Schabath-Lewis, Lisa Stout and Elizabeth Vincent Members Absent: Zachary Overman and Wendy Popko Representing the City: Melanie Davis, Community Relations Director and Sue Giallombardo, Community Relations Specialist Guest: Phil Gilchrist, Executive Director at Anton Art Center Meeting called to order at 6:00 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES : Motion to approve the minutes of the September 6, 2023 Arts Commission meeting; motion made by Marwede; Seconded by: Rhoten Ayes: all Nays: none AGENDA ITEMS : A. Artstravaganza  Schabath-Lewis introduced Phil Gilchrist, Executive Director at Anton Art Center, in Mt. Clemens. Gilchrist started by saying that they raised over $60,000 at their Art Party Fundraiser on Sept. 21. Gilchrist also stated that Anton is looking for volunteers for their Holiday Market, and asked members to pass that along. The market runs from Nov. 16 through Dec. 23.  Philchrist stated that next year will mark the 5th anniversary of the first ever Artstravaganza. He added that he has been making plans with Melanie Davis for the second Artstravaganza, to be held on Thursday, Feb. 29, at the Emerald Theatre. The event will showcase all art forms and artists (performing artists and visual artists) in Macomb County, such as weavers, ice sculptures, pottery makers, face painters, cirque performers and more.  Gilchrist stated the Arts Commission will be a bonafide partner for the event, and afterwards the Art Center will donate $2,500 to be used for some sort of public art project.  Ticket prices are $25 for early bird special, $15 for kids. After Feb. 1, ticket prices will be $30, $20 for kids.  Gilchrist said that the theatre could seat about 600, he is hoping for 300 to be in attendance.  Gilchrist added that artists and performers will be compensated, and the Art Center will be selling merchandise for the event.  Bindle asked where the $2,500 contribution will be deposited; Davis stated that it would be put into a miscellaneous revenue account to be used when something comes up, relating to public art.  Philchrist told members that if they know anyone that would be interested in a sponsorship, or interested in participating or volunteering, to please have them contact him.   Davis stated that the first performance will be a drum line, and said that the commission will be invited on stage.  Gilchrist said that Charlie Langton will be the MC for the event. B. Student Artwork Displays at Community Center  Giallombardo stated that Gail Borowski reached out to her regarding an art contest for students in the Utica school district. She suggested displaying the winning artwork in the display case at the Community Center.  Gilchrist said that there is a Student Art Show in March and April. Giallombardo said that she would have the contest set for January and February displays.  Members suggested a “Think Spring” theme.  Giallombardo will let Gail Borowski know that the commission is on board, Borowski will present the idea to the other Art teachers. The proposed deadline for entries will be Dec 1 to allow time for voting. OLD BUSINESS:  Giallombardo stated that Kyle Langlois could not approve a December art show on the same day as Sterling Christmas, as suggested by members of the Commission. Langlois said that he is not against an art show, and it could be held in the community rooms, but not in the gym, due to all of the activity happening on the weekends. Giallombardo stated that the date of the show would need to be set prior to sending out the Sterlingfest applications, which need to go out late January or early Feburary. O’Toole stated that local artists would be invited to attend the second art show at no charge, as long as the artist participates in Sterlingfest. She added that if the artist states that they’d like to be in the second art show, members of the Arts Commission could review their work at Sterlingfest, to accept them into the second show.  Giallombardo distributed Sterlingfest applications to members, and asked that they make suggested changes, to be reviewed at the January 3rd meeting.  Giallombardo reminded members to RSVP for the Volunteer Banquet to be held on October 12 at the Century Banquet Center.  Schabath-Lewis reviewed her ideas for public art that were shared at the September meeting; members liked the fiberglass bee project, with the theme of “Bee Kind”, “Bee Creative”, etc. Giallombardo said that she would follow up to get the cost, weight of the bees. Davis said that IT could create a GIS map of where the bees would be located. Schabath-Lewis stated that business owners would sponsor a bee for a suggested amount of $2,000, and then the bees could be auctioned off. Giallombardo said that she would share the power point via e-mail.  Members viewed two applications for the Featured Artist program: Aurora Bohlinger is only seven years old, lives in Harper Woods but attends Bruce Collins Elementary in Sterling Heights, she paints and was accepted to be the Featured Artist for December. Darla DeCook is a Sterling Heights resident, also paints on canvas and was accepted for March and April, 2024. NEW BUSINESS :  Michalski shared an idea that he had seen at Ferris University; students or staff wrote lines of encouragement on the sidewalks (ex. Look Up, to see a nice view). He suggested working with the schools for mid-terms or finals week. NEXT ART S COMMISSION MEETING: Wednesday, January 3, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.