HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-10-2014 Public Art Advisory CommitteePublic Art Advisory Committee
Thursday, April 10, 2014
3:3OPM
****City Managers Conference Room****
410 E. Washington
******NOTE LOCATION******
A. Call to order
B. Public discussion of any item not on the agenda
C. Election of Officers
D. Consideration of the minutes of the March 6, 2014 meeting
E. BenchMarks 3 — Review of Proposals
F. Consideration of funding for "matching fund murals".
G. Updates — Downtown Streetscape Art projects, Mural Project,
Herky on Parade, Poetry in Public, Inside Out
H. Other?
I. Adjournment
MINUTES
PUBLIC ART ADVISORY COMMITTEE
PRELIMINARY
THURSDAY, March 6, 2014
PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE ROOM — CITY HALL
Members present
Not present:
Staff Present:
Public Present:
CALL TO ORDER
Meeting called to order at 3:32pm.
John Engelbrecht, Rick Fosse, Mike Moran, Brent
Westphal, and Elizabeth Pusack
Tam Bryk, and Bill Nusser
Marcia Bollinger, Jeff Davidson
None
INTRODUCTION OF NEW MEMBER ELIZABETH PUSACK
Elizabeth Pusack introduced herself as a Graduate Student at the University of Iowa's Writers
workshop where she studies and writes poetry. Pusack is looking forward to being a part of this
committee.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA
No new business.
CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 5TH, 2013 MEETING
MOTION: Fosse moved to approve the February 6th, 2013 meeting minutes as amended.
Westphal seconded. Motion passed 5:0.
BENCHMARKS 3: UPDATE AND ROLE OF PAAC
Engelbrecht updated the committee on the progress of the BenchMarks 3 program. He told the
members that the application packet is now available to the public. Englebrecht reminded the
committee that a smaller number of benches would be painted this year. Englebrecht then
asked the committee at what level they would be interested in the review process. Moran asked
how many benches were going to be selected this year. Engelbrecht responded stating that 30
benches would be selected this year. The committee then discussed encouraging competition
since the number of benches is less this year. Moran then asked what will happen with current
painted benches that will not be repainted. Engelbrecht noted that all of the benches painted
last year will be reworked this year. The ones that will not be repainted by an artist will be
returned to a neutral state. Moran and Englebrecht discussed options for returning the benches
to a neutral state. Bollinger then asked about the Streetscape plan and whether or not some
benches will be replaced. Fosse responded stating that work on the Pedestrian Mall will not
occur until 2015. The committee then discussed their role in the review process. The committee
decided that the whole committee would review applications at the April 3`' meeting.
MURAL PROJECT: CALL TO ARTISTS REVIEW
Bollinger then discussed the draft call to artists for the mural project and asked for the
committee's feedback. The committee then discussed the possible locations for murals to be
located. Bollinger also noted different suggested themes associated with the different locations
and again asked for the committee's feedback. The committee then discussed the Recreation
Center location in detail. Moran asked about the Mercer Park Mural Project. Bollinger and
Moran described the Mercer Park Mural location for the committee members. Bollinger told
committee members that she would look into the status of the Mercer Park location and remove
the Recreation Center location from the list of possible locations for a mural. Fosse and
Engelbrecht made suggested edits to the Call to Artists. Pusack asked what level of experience
the artists would need to have to apply. Bollinger and Engelbrecht responded stating that it is
not limited but experience is preferred. Bollinger then asked the members to think about the
length of time the murals should remain in place. Engelbrecht then discussed a location which
was brought to his attention by the building owners. The bar George's had been vandalized with
graffiti and they were looking to cover it with a mural. Bollinger and Fosse then discussed the
Yotopia location which also has graffiti. Bollinger also noted another location on the South wall
of the Meacham Travel next to the barber shop. Bollinger then noted that she preferred to let the
business owners decide what they would like to do.
HERKY ON PARADE UPDATE
Bollinger updated the committee on the Herky on Parade program. She noted that she has been
in contact with artists about their proposed designs which could be susceptible to vandalism.
She then discussed the designs and locations of the different Herkys to be placed on public
property. Bollinger noted one particular design that would work for the downtown location next
to the checkerboard. She reminded the committee members of the different Herkys and their
locations. Moran and Bollinger then discussed the Herky to be placed at the Terry True Blood
Recreation Area.
POETRY IN PUBLIC UPDATE
Bollinger then updated the committee on the Poetry in Public program. Bollinger made the
committee aware that 431 poems were submitted by children ranging from preschool to 12`h
grade. She also noted that exactly 100 adults submitted poetry to the program. Davidson noted
that 531 poem submissions is significant. Pusack then asked who was on the committee to
select poetry. Bollinger responded stating that there are five members one of which is Westphal.
The other members are from the Public Library, the University's writing program, Prairie Lights
Bookstore, and a retiree. Westphal then asked how many poems are selected and where are
they posted around Iowa City. Bollinger stated that 83 poems are selected and they are placed
on the city buses, the rec centers, the Public Library, the downtown kiosks, the senior center,
and online.
INSIDE OUT UPDATE
Engelbrecht updated the committee on the Inside Out program noting they are still waiting for
the posters to arrive. Engelbrecht then showed the committee a picture on his laptop illustrating
the new larger size of the posters. Engelbrecht also noted that the posters were not all shaped
exactly the same. Bollinger and Engelbrecht then explained the program to the committee.
Pusack asked where the portraits come from. Engelbrecht responded that they are portraits of
Iowans of Asian descent. Davidson then showed a few pictures of these posters installed in
different cities. Fosse then noted that the building they are going to be installed on has a
rhythm with the joints and panels. Bollinger then asked about how much input the committee
wants to have in terms of the orientation of the portraits. Westphal stated that he would assist.
Engelbrecht also noted that professionals should be hired to place the posters on the wall with
wheat paste. He noted that the next step is to find a professional to do it. Moran noted a couple
of companies out of Cedar Rapids that may be options. Engelbrecht noted that part of the
deterioration is a part of the program but they should be power washed off at some point. The
committee agreed.
OTHER
No other news.
ADJOURNMENT
Engelbrecht motioned and Westphal seconded a motion to adjourn at 4:36 PM.
Minutes created by Ashley Zitzner.