Lawrence Arts Commission
January 14, 2004 meeting minutes
Commissioners present: Betsy Clark*, Bill Carswell*, DiAnne Damro, Jeff Ridgway, Marlene Merrill, Margaret Morris, Kay Henry, Linda Stone-Ferrier*, Janet Satz, Lew Tilford and Sandra Wiechert.
Commissioners Absent: Dan Sabatini*
*retiring commissioners
A. Commissioner Henry called the meeting in City Hall to order at 6:30 PM. Commissioner Henry gave the report from the chair.
1. Commissioner Henry welcomed two new commissioners to the board: Margaret Morris and Sandra Wiechert. Commissioner Morris is the education director at the Lawrence Art Center and will step into the commissions work with the Outdoor Sculpture committee. Commissioner Wiechert recently retired from the Lawrence Public Library where she had been community relations coordinator.
2. The minutes from the September, October, and November meetings were presented. Commissioners Clark/Ridgway made a motion to approve the October minutes and commissioners Tilford/Stone-Ferrier made a motion to approve the November minutes. The meeting minutes were approved.
B. Committee Reports:
1. Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition committee. Commissioner Ridgway shared with the commissioners the Call for Entries for the 17th Exhibition. The Call for Entries will be mailed next week and will also be posted on the city web site. The Juror is Rachael Blackburn, Director of the Kemper Museum. The designer for the Call for Entries was Trent Flory. The Exhibition’s opening tour and reception will be June 19 at 5:30pm beginning at the Lawrence Art Center.
2. Grants. Commissioner Damero reported that the committee’s work was “on target”. Copies of the application were handed out to the commissioners for distribution. The applications are due March 8. Between now and the review by the commission of the applications in April, Commissioner Damero will review that all Final Reports have been sent in. The announcement of the rewards will be at a City Commission meeting.
3. Sesquicentennial Sculpture - Site approval for the Percent for Art project. The site recommended by the Art Commissioners was approved by the City Commission. Commissioner Satz is putting together a selection committee. On the committee are: Mark Hecker from Parks and Rec., Sandra Spratt, Diane Simpson, Bill Carswell, Dick Holtzson, John Heckmeister, and Marilyn Stocksdale.
C. Regular Agenda Items:
1. Election of Officers
a. Commissioner Damero was selected to be the new Chair. Commissioners Merrill/Stone-Ferrier made the motion. Motion passed by acclamation.
b. Commissioner Henry was selected to be Vice-Chair. Commissioners Tilford/Carswell made the motion. Motion passed by acclamation.
c. Commissioner Weichert was selected to be Secretary. Commissioners Damero/Tilford made the motion. Motion passed by acclamation.
D. Commission Committee items/Reports:
1. Commissioner Henry reviewed her year as Chair and the activities of the commission that were celebrated.
a. Dedicated Percent for Art for the LMH Art Project in February. Stephen Johnson was the artist and Commissioner Henry was the liaison for the project.
b. The annual Grants committee was chaired by Commissioner Stone-Ferrier. Ten grants were awarded.
c. In April at a special meeting Ken Wheatly proposed the Langston Hughes memorial.
d. In June, the Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition opened with a tour and reception. Commissioner Merrill was the chair and the Juror Jan Schall gave the tour. There were 40 entires from 18 artists this year and 8 pieces were selected for the exhibition. About 90 people attended the tour including 3 of the artists who contributed comments about their work.
e. In August, the Lawrence Art Center requested approval for an extension to their mural. Added to the existing mural were scenes from the Flint Hills and the Wetlands. The mural was painted by local children in October.
f. The final activity was the Phoenix Awards which was chaired by Commissioner Sabatini. There were 17 nominations and 7 people were selected for awards. Lisa Grossman was the artist who prepared the awards.
g. Year End funds were used to purchase a display case. The Commission is asking the city to place it in the lobby of City Hall. The display case will hold prior years Phoenix Awards.
h. Sculpture Garden/Walk is in the planning stages. The first piece will be the $53,000 Percent of Art project, chaired by Commissioner Satz, and it will be placed on the grassy verge across from City Hall.
2. Commissioner Henry recognized each of the retiring commissioners. Each retiring commissioner was presented with a certificate of appreciation and their contributions to the Lawrence Art Commission were reviewed.
E. Calendar: Next meeting will be February, 2004 at City Hall.
The Meeting was adjourned at 7:15 PM. Commissioners Carswell/Tilford made the
motion to adjourn. Motion Passed.
Minutes respectfully submitted by;
Marlene Merrill, Ph.D.
Secretary
Lawrence Arts Commission
February 11, 2004 Meeting Minutes
Commissioners present: DiAnne Damro, Kay Henry, Marlene Merrill, Margaret Morris, Jeff Ridgway, Janet Satz, Sureva Towler, and Sandra Wiechert.
Commissioners absent: Lew Tilford.
Staff liaison: Michael Tubbs
A. Recognition/Proclamation/Presentation
Commissioner Damro called the meeting to order in City Hall at 6:37 pm.
1. Commissioner Damro welcomed Sureva Towler as a new member of the
LAC Board. She is currently the grants manager at the Lied Center, after having
lived 30 years in Steamboat Springs CO. She has also served on the National Endowment for the Arts. The present commissioners introduced themselves
to her. There are still two vacancies on the Commission. Commissioners were
requested to think of potential members,
2. At Michael Tubbs’ request, all Board members updated their addresses,
phone numbers and e-mail. He will distribute them.
B. Commission Committee Items and Reports
1.Commissioner Damro passed around a list for all to sign up for 2004 committees: Outdoor Sculpture (Jeff Ridgway); Grants (DiAnne Damro/Lew Tilford); Phoenix Award (Kay Henry); Sesquicentennial/Percent for Art
(Janet Satz). All signed to assist one or more.
2. Commissioner Damro reported grant inquiries are coming in, and final applications are due March 8. When copies are ready, probably in the third week of March, commissioners are to pick them up at the Water Treatment Plant,
720 West 3rd. The grant applications will be reviewed at the April LAC meeting. The $5000 budgeted will be awarded to winning applicants at a later City Commission meeting ceremony.
3. Sesquicentennial Sculpture chairman Satz made a correction to the Jan. 14 Minutes about committee members. She has received written confirmation from
City Manager Mike Wildgen that $53,000 is budgeted for this project with $50,000 being available for the sculpture; $3000 for administration costs. The
approved site will be the city-owned “grassy verge” on 6th St. between Massachusetts and Vermont sts., south side. It is hoped this whole site will be
environmentally developed, an area for visitors to find “a quiet place in a busy city.” Those asked and agreeing to serve on this committee include Mark Hecker from Parks and Recreation, Sandra Spratt, Diane Simpson, Bill Carswell, Dick
Holzmeister, David Cateforis, Maria Martin, and Bobbi Rahder. A few more may be added.
4. Outdoor Sculpture chairman Jeff Ridgway reported work on this year’s 17th annual exhibition is speeding along. Applications to exhibit are due Feb. 27. This is now a nationally-known exhibit, and thus is now a national competition. He recently met with Michael Tubbs about possibly establishing permanent pads for these sculptures at permanent downtown sites. Parks & Recreation receives and locates these sculptures; staff members have suggested 4’ by 4’ pads using ¾” bolts for uniform attachment. Pads could be removed when not needed. Staff members have reported which sites are frequently vandalized, notably those in a
“bar district.” As an experiment, the City agreed to try two of these pads: one at 6th and Mass; the other in front of Tellers at 8th and Mass. City costs will be $725- $1000 each; bids will go out next week. Currently downtown sculptures number 8, down from 12 at one time. Hopefully the exhibition can return to 12 someday.
This year’s juror is from the Kemper Art Gallery in Kansas City; Commissioner
Ridgway will drive her around Lawrence Feb. 12 to see this year’s sculptures, hopefully with commissioners Satz and Morris’ assistance. Once new sculptures are accepted, Parks & Recreation decide where each goes, with LAC approval.
In response to questions, Commissioner Ridgway said each sculpture is insured for $5000. The artist is invited to come and repair his sculpture, or else P&R can
repair it. A risk management official oversees sculpture problems with Michael Tubbs and the sculpture exhibition chairman assisting. Each exhibiting artist receives a $750 honorarium.
Jim Patti started the Downtown Sculpture Exhibition 17 years ago, and it is now the longest running outdoor sculpture show in the nation. Artists are proud to be in it. Commissioner Ridgway told some informative and delightful stories about its history; Commissioner Satz suggested these be put in a Journal World story
sometime. Commissioners all want to promote artists, not us or the LAC.
Commissioner Henry and others thanked Commissioner Ridgway for pursuing the
platform pods. Michael Tubbs reported Olathe wants to start an arts commission similar to Lawrence’s, and Merriam has been asking for arts info as well. He stated most needed arts information is on the city website, with Lawrence links now cited on other city websites.
5. There was discussion about “orphan” or donated sculptures, including those occasionally left behind from past years’ Downtown Sculpture exhibitions, and
where to place them. Commissioner Henry suggested that one, a volcanic rock piece weighing 160 lbs. and needing a pedestal, would be attractive in the new Rotary Arboretum east of Clinton Lake. Other suggestions included the various
roundabouts. Location discussion needs to start with City employees Debbie
Van Zant and Dave Corliss. Commissioner Ridgway moved, Commissioner Merrill seconded, that an Orphan Sculpture Committee be created to look for permanent locations for orphan sculptures. Motion passed. Commissioners Ridgway, Henry, and Morris volunteered. Michael Tubbs will follow all procedures. He thinks this might become a standing committee. Final approval will come from the City Commission.
6. Commissioner Henry revived the question of having Lawrence citizens vote on best-of-show Downtown Sculpture entries yearly. The winning sculpture would be requested to stay in Lawrence for one year. Possible complications were discussed.
C. Regular Agenda Items:
1. The Minutes from Jan. 14 were corrected and approved.
2. Staff Liaison Michael Tubbs discussed the LAC Budget. Each committee function is to be self-supporting. Administration of projects has up to $800.
Outdoor Sculpture activities, including brochures and receptions, is budgeted for
$12,000. Grants has $5500. Phoenix Awards has $2000. A display case for permanently displaying the yearly Phoenix Awards has been purchased for $1165, and will be on the 4th floor of City Hall. He may ask for display help. Other cases there display historical items and will display Sesquicentennial projects.
D. and E. Remarks from the Chair and the Calendar
Commission Chairman Damro brought up future meetings:
1. March 10, 2004, City Hall.
2. April 14, 2004 (grant review), City Hall.
3. Orientation for new LAC Board members was set for Saturday, March 13, 2004
from 10 am-12 noon in City Hall. Michael Tubbs is working on an orientation packet. Old Board members are encouraged to come for this as well.
Commissioner Morris moved, and Commissioner Henry seconded, that the meeting be adjourned. Motion passed.
Lawrence Arts Commission
March 10, 2004 meeting minutes
Commissioners present: DiAnne Damro, Kay Henry, Paul Hotvedt, Judy Kellas, Marlene Merrill, Margaret Morris, Jeff Ridgway, Janet Satz, Sureva Towler, and Sandra Wiechert.
Commissioners Absent: Lew Tilford
F. Commissioner Damro called the meeting in City Hall to order at 6:30 PM. Commissioner Damro gave the report from the chair.
1. Commissioner Damro welcomed two new commissioners to the board: Paul Hotvedt and July Kellas. Commissioner Hotvedt’s email address is
BlueHeron @SBCGlobal.net. Commissioner Kellas is recognized for her involvement in the Lawrence Committee for Advancement of Visual Arts. One of her best known shows is her September show titled “Own Your Own”.
G. Committee Reports:
1. Grants.
a. Commissioner Damro reviewed the 2003 Final Reports that had been sent in. Nine reports were received; no report was received from Music Access.
b. Commissioner Damro introduced a “Conflict of Interest” statement and requested Commissioners comment. The statement is as follows: ”I agree to acknowledge any conflicts of interest with eligible applicants and understand that I will not participate in the review, recommendation or award process of any applicant under the following conditions: 1) employs you in a part-time or full time capacity; 2) accepts money or services from you as a board member; 3) has a current employee that is related to you within you immediate family.”
Various commissioners commented …”makes sense to have statement, saves us trouble down the line, not needed as it is already understood by commissioners, don’t think it is a “burning issue’. The group discussed that since Dave Corliss would be attending the orientation it would be a good idea to discuss this on Saturday as this statement might need to be a part of the City Commission’s resolution for the Art Commission or perhaps it might only need to be a part of the minutes for the Art Commission.
Commissioner Towler made a motion to approve the “Conflict of Interest” statement with it applying to consideration of any awards the Art Commission offers, subject to review by the city. Commissioner Henry seconded. Motion Passed.
c. Next month will be the grants review meeting. Commissioner packets
should be ready two weeks prior to the April meeting. The Commissioners will need to read the proposals ahead of time. The process at the April meeting will be to discuss each grant separately and then do rankings.
2. Sesquicentennial Sculpture - Commissioner Satz has put together a selection committee; the list of committee member names will be filed with the Commission’s chair, Commissioner Damro. The first meeting of the selection committee will be March 12 at 4:30 PM at the Library.
3. Outdoor Sculpture – Commissioner Ridgway. The Outdoor Sculpture sub-committee has received entries from 10 states – 27 artists’ submitted entries for 62 pieces. The pieces were reviewed by Parks & Rec. staff to eliminate any pieces deemed dangerous or prone to vandalism. The entries will be sent to the Juror by the end of this week. A reminder was given that the reception opening the exhibit this year will be June 19 at the Art Center.
4. Orphan Sculpture – Commissioner Ridgway distributed pictures documenting the current status of the orphan sculptures. Everyone was very distressed at the condition of these art pieces. Under the current conditions, they are “disrespected” and allowed to be broken and defaced. Commissioner Ridgway will communicate with Parks & Rec. staff and attempt to relocate these art pieces to a safer location. Commissioners were concerned that national laws regarding the defacing and destroying of arts were being violated and Commissioners Ridgway/ Kellas moved and seconded a notion requesting the city to find a more appropriate storage location for the abandoned art. Motion Passed.
The selection, “Inside Out”, which was donated by the artist to the City, will be repaired. Commissioner Ridgway and the Orphan Sculpture committee will investigate a location for this donated piece.
5. Workshop Committee - Commissioner Damro proposed a new working committed be formed. Commissioners Merrill and Towler will work together to hold a workshop on grant writing this fall. The focus of the workshop will be on the case statement – how to tell who you are and what you do. The workshop will be open to our entire community.
6. Other Committee Reports
H. Regular Agenda Items:
1. Minutes – Commissioner Wiechert. Commissioner Henry complimented Commissioner Wiechert for the fine job that was done on the February minutes.
The minutes from the January and February meetings were presented. Commissioners Clark/Ridgway made a motion to approve the January minutes and commissioners Tilford/Stone-Ferrier made a motion to approve the February minutes. The meeting minutes were approved.
2. Budget – Staff person Tubbs. Discussion deferred because Mr. Tubbs was unable to prepare materials due to a death in his family.
D. Remarks from the Chair – Orientation on March 13 at 10 am at City Hall
1. Commissioner Merrill brought to the attention of the Commission the recent article in the newspaper listing the Sesquecentennial committee’s grant award winners. This list included a mural to be painted at the Library by VanGo artists. It was questioned whether the Art Commission should have been involved or still needs to be involved prior to this art being installed at the Public Library. Commissioner Wiechert will have a discussion about the VanGo project with library staff and perhaps again at the orientation meeting on Saturday.
Next meeting is April 14 at City Hall
The meeting was adjourned at 8 PM. Motion was made to adjourn by Commissioners Wiechert/Ridgway. Motion Passed.
Minutes respectfully submitted by;
Marlene Merrill, Ph.D.
Secretary