City of Lawrence

Lawrence Arts Commission

Meeting Minutes for May 10, 2006

 

Members Present

 

Marlene Merrill

Elizabeth Hatchett

Evie Rapport

James Schaefer

Liz Kowalchuk

Judi Geer Kellas

John Reeves

Margaret Morris

Dave Loewenstein

 

Members Absent

 

Sandra Wiechert

Mary Kennedy McCabe

 

Staff Liaison

 

Michael Tubbs

 

A. The Meeting was called to order by Commissioner Chair Merrill at 6:30 pm. Meeting was held in a downstairs meeting room due to City Commission meeting scheduled for Commission meeting room upstairs.

 

 

B. Approval of minutes

 

1.Commissioner Kellas motioned to approve amended minutes of the March meeting. Commissioner Morris seconded and the minutes were unanimously approved.

 

2.Commissioner Kowalchuk motioned to approve minutes from the April meeting. Commissioner Rapport seconded and the minutes were unanimously approved.

 

C. Regular Agenda Items

 

1. Announcements from Chair

 

Description of the orientation meeting held for new Commissioners Reeves and Loewenstein at Tellers restaurant on May 1st. Staff Liaison Michael Tubbs facilitated the orientation with Commissioner Merrill.

 

Commissioners Merrill, Wiechert,  Reeves, and Loewenstein attended the awarding of Lawrence Arts Commission Grants (LAC) at the City Commission meeting.

 

$6,000 was submitted as a sub-addendum to the LAC budget by Commissioner Merrill. This amount is in addition to the $1,300 submitted in an earlier addendum.

 

2. “River of Soul” Project

Guest Marie Thompson made a presentation regarding the “River of Soul Project.”

Thompson outlined a project that would clean-up and develop, as an environmental sculpture park, the riverfront area that joins Burcham and Constant Parks. She described an accessible boarded walkway winding through nature with sculptures along its path donated by local artists. The sculptures, Thompson noted, would function dually as art and as shelter for wildlife. Thompson noted support from the Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department for the concept. She also mentioned the possibility of Westar Energy as a possible sponsor. Thompson suggested that funding for the project would come from both private and public sources. She mentioned that many companies might contribute in order to “eco-atone” for past actions detrimental to the environment. Thompson said she been in contact with a number of area artists who expressed interest in donating artworks for the project. Thompson asked if a member of the LAC would serve on the steering committee for the “River of Soul” project.

 

Commissioner Kowalchuk and Merrill opened the discussion by asking Thompson what steps would be necessary to accomplish complete the “River of Soul” project. Commissioner Kellas expressed her excitement and support for the project. Commissioner Rapport asked how safety standards and access to the park would be developed. Commissioner Schaefer expressed concern about how the overall aesthetic of developing this area would be handled. Guest Marie Thompson answered that theme for the park would be “diversity.” Commissioner Loewenstein commented that there appeared to be two parts to the concept 1) clean-up and development of the park site, and 2) the integration of an art component. Commissioner Kowalchuk cautioned that such an ambitious project had the potential for trouble without proper planning. In response to a question about potential flooding of the park, guest Thompson said that artists who contribute their work “should expect that the river will flood.” Staff Liaison Tubbs said that a site plan and maintenance plan were needed. Commissioner Hatchett said that she was unclear about what expectations would be placed on the LAC if the “River of Soul” project was recommended. Hatchett added that she wanted it to be clear that the LAC was in no place to provide funding to such a project.

 

Commissioner Kellas motioned to recommend the concept of the “River of Soul” project with the condition that any future artworks would need to be approved by the LAC. The motion was not seconded and therefore the LAC took no action on this matter.

 

3. Subcommittee Updates

a. Outdoor Sculpture

Commissioner Kellas presented photos and gave brief descriptions of the selected sculptures. Kellas said she needed help on May 12th to greet artists and complete paperwork.  Artist Andrew Connolly has made arrangements to install his own piece.

Kellas showed a draft of the Outdoor Sculpture brochure. Commissioner Loewenstein asked how much the brochure cost to produce. Staff Liaison Tubbs estimated $1,800.

 

b. Percent for Arts Fire station #5

Commissioner Schaefer reported that the committee had completed meetings to review the six semi-finalist proposals. A final selection would be made by the committee on Friday, May 12th.

 

c.  Percent for Arts Fire station #4

Commissioner Kowalchuk said that the first meeting of this committee would be in mid-June.

 

d. Phoenix Awards

Commissioner Rapport wants the committee to meet and discuss possible artists for creation of the 2006 awards. She said the artist who creates the awards will receive $1,500 in compensation.

 

e. Grants – no report.

 

f. Developmental Workshops – no report.

 

g. Website

Commissioner Hatchett reported that Assistant Professor Andrea Hertowski is willing to work with Trent Flory on the development of the LAC website.

 

4. New Business

 

a. Restoration of Stan Herd’s “Wildflower Still Life”Mural

This mural was originally funded by Bert Nash and had approval from both the Lawrence City Commission and Army Corps of Engineers. Commissioner Loewenstein reported on e-mail correspondence with City Commissioner Highberger and artist Stan Herd concerning the restoration of “Wildflower Still Life,” which has been damaged by regular changes in the river’s current. In an e-mail, Herd estimated that cost for the restoration will be a minimum of $2,000 - $3,000. Herd also asked for volunteers to help him.

 

 

b. Documentation and Maintenance of Lawrence Public Art

Commissioner Loewenstein suggested that the LAC document all of the City’s public art and determine which pieces need maintenance. Staff Liaison Tubbs said that in the Percent for Art contracts, ten percent of the funds for each piece are held back for future maintenance. Commissioner Morris suggested that the LAC prioritize which public art pieces are in the greatest need of maintenance. Commissioner Hatchett said that the LAC needs to address the maintenance needs of existing public art pieces before taking on new projects. Commissioner Morris made a motion to discuss documentation of Lawrence public art at a future LAC meeting. Commissioner Schaefer seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

 

Commissioner Hatchett resigned from the Outdoor Sculpture subcommittee.

 

Commissioner Merrill made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Kellas seconded and the meeting ended at 8:30 pm.

 

Secretary for May 10, 2006 Meeting

Dave Loewenstein