HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - Arts Commission - Meeting Date: 8/18/2010 CITY OF GLENDALE,ARIZONA
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
ARTS COMMISSION
HELD WEDNESDAY,AUGUST 18,2010
GLENDALE PUBLIC LIBRARY
LIBRARY BOARD CONFERENCE ROOM,2ND FLOOR
5959 WEST BROWN STREET
GLENDALE,ARIZONA
4:00 p.m.
The meeting was called to order at 4:00 p.m. by Chairperson Darrell Criswell. Commission
members Janine Barbour, Manuel Burruel, M.B. Finnerty, Diane Lesser, Scott Mink, and Enid
Spear were in attendance. Representing city staff were Sue Komernicky, Library and Arts
Director, J. Gibran Villalobos, Gallery/Collections Coordinator, and Mojgan Vahabzadeh,
Library Graphics Coordinator. Commission member Kaltala was absent. Guests in attendance
were Mike Gregory and Paul Bernardo, representing City of Glendale Parks and Recreation
Department.
WELCOME TO NEW ARTS COMMISSION MEMBER
Commission member Diane Lesser was welcomed as the newest member of the Arts
Commission. Commission member Lesser described her background briefly and shared her
enthusiasm for serving on the commission,
APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES
Commission member Burruel requested a minor change to the minutes to strike the words"for
seniors" on page two.
A MOTION was MADE by Commission member Barbour to APPROVE the minutes of
the May 19,2010 meeting as corrected. The MOTION was SECONDED by Commission
member Mink and carried unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
At this time the Commission will hear comments from the public; however, the Commission
may not discuss or consider items not appearing on the agenda unless an actual emergency
exists. No public comments.
SAHUARO RANCH PARK
Paul Bernardo, Glendale Parks & Recreation staff member, presented an overview of the park's
active and passive as well as historic features. He noted the park's history dating back to 1886.
Mike Gregory, also representing the Glendale Parks and Recreation Department, presented an
overview of the construction projects and park management, specifically those related to the
capital investments made over the last nine years, which total $4 Million. He discussed the park
infrastructure assessment and, in detail, six components of the sports complex renovation, which
are all tied to a goal of saving operational expenses and maximizing revenue potential for the
complex. The Park Staff are proposing that the entry monuments be a public art feature,
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deferring to the Arts Commission for design. They would, however, like the entry feature to
match the architecture of the park's historic area.
Sue Komernicky, Library and Arts Director, explained that if the commission chose to support
the project the city would form a committee as the first step in the process. Mr. Gregory
indicated that the Planning Department has already evaluated site requirements. Staff and
commission members discussed the illumination options for the entry feature.
Commission member Finnerty stated she would not want to do a typical sign and asked where
the most appropriate location for the public art feature might be. Ms. Komernicky mentioned
that the City of Scottsdale uses artistic signage in their parks. She suggested the need to attune
the signage to Sahuaro Ranch specifically, because it is so special to Glendale. Mr. Gregory
suggested that an aspect of the Sahuaro Ranch signage could be used in other parks in the future.
Ms. Mojgan Vahabzadeh, Library Graphics Coordinator referred to past public comments related
to the inconsistent identification of Glendale's city parks and the opportunity this project
presents to begin to resolve those concerns. Commission member Spear stated that Sahuaro
Ranch is unique and warrants something special. Mr. Bernardo indicated that the other items at
the entrance to the park could be moved and recommended evaluating the aesthetics of the area
to pull the entry together in the most favorable manner. Ms. Komernicky estimated the budget
for this project could be in the range of$40,000. Mr. Gregory added that they can be flexible
with timing of the project.
Commission Member Burruel suggested if the Arts Commission has an opportunity to fund a
public art project in Sahuaro Ranch Park, he would prefer to do something other than entry
signage. The entire commission discussed and agreed on the highly visible opportunity the entry
feature/signage represents for public art in Glendale. Commission member Finnerty expressed
concern with having to move the tractor to accommodate the project under consideration,
although she agreed it would be good to have artistic signs in Glendale's parks.
Commission member Spear stated that she believes this project would be looked upon favorably
because of its functional nature and the small budget necessary. She stated her preference for
spending the money the Arts Commission has on smaller projects and felt this was a good
opportunity and use of the public art fund.
Staff clarified that the criteria/scope of the project would be decided by the multi-department
committee that would be formed.
Commission members discussed limiting the scope of the requests to artists to Arizona artists.
Commissioner Finnerty recommended a process that would include issuance of a RFQ to local
artists, selecting the top proposals and paying a small stipend to finalists who would be asked to
submit proposals.
A MOTION was MADE by Commission member Spear to APPROVE the formation of a
committee and issuance of a Request for Qualifications to Arizona artists followed by a
Request for Proposals, also limited to Arizona artists, for a public art entry feature for
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Sahuaro Ranch Park. The MOTION was SECONDED by Commission member Mink and
carried unanimously.
Mr. Bernardo thanked the Commission members for their feedback and approval of the request.
PUBLIC SAFETY MEMORIAL
Sue Komernicky, Library and Arts Director, presented an artist's rendition of the project and
updated the Commission members on the Public Safety Memorial Project at the Civic Center
Annex. The art is due to arrive at the site around September 20 for installation. A dedication will
take place on October 5 at 6 p.m.
STAFF REPORTS/CORRESPONDENCE
Summer Art Camp
J. Gibran Villalobos, Gallery/Collections Coordinator, stated the Art Camp had concluded
nicely. He also noted they had received a proposal for making improvements to the program for
next year.
Adult Center Exhibit Updates
J. Gibran Villalobos, Gallery/Collections Coordinator, explained that the Adult Center is still
displaying Kyle Jordre's works, but the exhibit will conclude within a couple of weeks. The
department is in the process of adjusting the Adult Center exhibit calendar.
Art Maintenance Updates
J. Gibran Villalobos, Gallery/Collections Coordinator, had nothing to report on art maintenance
but he did mention that the Police Museum would open on Friday, August 20 at 1 p.m. and
invited Commission members to attend.
Other Staff Updates
J. Gibran Villalobos, Gallery/Collections Coordinator, presented each Commission member with
a summary of what has been done over the past year as well as a current public art catalog. He
thanked members of the Commission for the opportunity to work with them and expressed
confidence the experience he had gained was responsible for the great direction in which he is
headed. He stated he has updated his membership with the allied organizations and is happy to
represent Glendale at the Western States Conference in Denver. He noted he had received the
Western States Arts Federation Arizona Representative award. Commission members
encouraged Mr. Villalobos to stay in touch.
Mojgan Vahabzadeh, Library Graphics Coordinator, noted that Ms. Judy Fleming had been hired
as a 19 hr temporary to assume the position of Gallery/Collections Coordinator.
FAREWELL TO COMMISSIONERS MANUEL BURRUEL, WINIFRED KULTALA AND
ENID SPEAR AND STAFF LIAISON GIBRAN VILLALOBOS
Chairperson Criswell commended the individuals stepping off the commission as well as Mr.
Villalobos for their support of the commission. He acknowledged their extensive knowledge and
the inspiration they brought to the commission. Ms. Komernicky thanked each of the individuals
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for their support of the arts in Glendale and said how much she appreciated and valued their
input.
COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
No comments.
NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Glendale Arts Commission held Wednesday, September 15, 2010, at 4
p.m. at the 2nd Floor Board Conference Room, Glendale Public Library, 5959 West Brown
Street, Glendale, Arizona.
ADJOURNMENT
A MOTION was MADE by Commission member Burruel to ADJOURN the meeting. The
MOTION was SECONDED by Commission member Spear and carried unanimously.
As there were no further comments, the meeting was adjourned at 5:02 p.m.
Re fectful .ubmitted,
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Sue Ko ernicky, Recordi 4 ecretary
Library/Arts Director
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