City of Lawrence

Lawrence Arts Commission

September 8, 2004 Minutes

Commissioners present:  DiAnne Damro, Kay Henry, Paul Hotvedt, Judi Geer Kellas,

Marlene Merrill, Margaret Morris, Jeff Ridgway, Sandra Wiechert

Commissioners absent:  Janet Satz, Lew Tilford, Sureva Towler

Staff liaison present:  Michael Tubbs

A. and B. Recognition/Proclamation and Remarks from the Chair

     Acting chair Kay Henry called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm in the absence of the

     Chair, DiAnne Damro.

C. 1.  Minutes

       Commissioner Morris moved and Commissioner Ridgway seconded that the

       Minutes of August 11 as written by Judi Geer Kellas be approved as written.

       The motion passed.

2.  Budget

Michael Tubbs reported $3746 remains in the four accounts of the LAC. The

       Phoenix Awards will take about $2000 of that amount; the grant writing workshop

       will take most of the rest. The remainder can be used by LAC this year rather

       than turning it back to the City.

D.  Committee Reports

1. Commissioner Wiechert reported the Lawrence Arts and Culture Roundtable

       again did not meet this month.

2. Commissioner Morris reported the Lied Center’s summer arts festival was again

       very successful. She staffed an LAC table and handed out Phoenix Award

       applications and candy.

3. Phoenix Award chairman Henry announced that Grace Carmody has completed

       the jewelry awards for this year’s Phoenix Awards winners. The invitations and the

       programs still need to be done. All commissioners were encouraged to publicize

       and encourage applications. No applications, due Oct. 4, have been received yet.

4. Finalists for the Sesquicentennial sculpture, a project of the Percent for Art

       sub-committee, include Doug Coffin, Stephen Johnson, Tom Otterness, and

       Richard Taylor. Coffin and Johnson are from Lawrence. A Percent for Art meeting

       will be held Oct. 6 at 4:30 pm in the Parks and Recreation conference room to

       recommend the winning entry.

5. Commissioner Ridgway spoke on the recommendations to the City Commission

       concerning the orphan sculptures. Some have been requested and sites designated.

       Several commissioners discussed the LAC’s August 11^th motion to recommend

       having Tango sold at public auction. Some wanted to rescind the decision,

       questioning what would happen to the sale money, how could the sculpture be

       adequately cared for, what kind of setting can guarantee its safe care, etc. Others

       commented that encouraging private ownership of these public sculptures can be

       quite positive. Acting chair Henry and others agreed to let the decision to

     recommend Tango be sold at public auction stand as voted upon in the

     August 11 Minutes.

     Ridgway and other commissioners questioned again what to do about the two

     damaged orphan sculptures Inside Out and Endless Toilets. He moved and

     Commissioner Wiechert seconded to allow Parks and Recreation to transfer or

     dispose of these broken pieces as they see fit. The motion passed.

     Commissioner Ridgway reported he will write up a plan to notify the City staff of

     future abandoned or orphan sculpture pieces which will include recommendations

     as to their future placement.

   6.  Commissioner Merrill commented that the August 11 Minutes and the Grants

     Workshop handout distributed earlier in the evening have discrepancies both as to date

     and time of the proposed workshop. As Commissioner Towler was absent, there

     seemed no way to find out which one is correct. Michael Tubbs needs a press release

     soon, as well as a budget. He will check with Towler on these needs.

E.  New Business

     Commissioner Hotvedt reported receiving some negative comments on the title of

Self Portrait As a Midget given to the downtown sculpture now between the

     Courthouse and the Police Department. Some discussion followed.

     Commissioner Ridgway will give a speech on the Lawrence Arts Commission in  

     February, for which he will receive an honorarium. He wondered if there is a rule

     about keeping this money himself or giving it to a charity.

F.  Calendar additions and adjournment

     The next LAC meeting will be Wednesday, Oct. 13, 6:30 pm in the City Commission

     room. Most of the meeting will be to discuss and finalize who the recipients will be

     for the 2004 Phoenix Awards. Michael Tubbs will have copies of all the applications  

     duplicated for commissioners well ahead of time for their personal review.

     The selected Sesquicentennial sculpture will also be approved at that meeting.

     Commissioner Ridgway moved and Commissioner Morris seconded that the meeting

     be adjourned at 7:35 pm. The motion passed.