City of Lawrence

Lawrence Arts Commission

Minutes of December 13, 2006

Members Present 

Marlene Merrill, Donna Griffin, Elizabeth Hatchett,

Liz Kowalchuk, David Loewenstein, Margaret Morris, Evie Rapport, John Reeves,

James Schaefer, and Sandra Wiechert.

Members Absent 

Judi Geer Kellas

December Secretary

Sandra Wiechert.

Staff Liaison

Michael Tubbs

A. Marlene Merrill, chair, called the meeting to order at 6:40 pm. She introduced Donna Griffin as the new commissioner replacing Mary Kennedy McCabe who had recently resigned. Three guests introduced themselves: Percent for Art Committee, Fire Station #4 members Fire Chief Mark Bradford and Eric Smith, and Janice Friedman.

B. Commissioner Kowalchuk moved, Commissioner Morris seconded that the November

Minutes be accepted.

C. Chairwoman Merrill passed out copies of Resolution 5015 establishing the policies and expenditures of Lawrence’s Public Art Program, the Minutes of the Dec. 7 Percent for Art, Fire Station #4 committee meeting, and a letter from Liz Kowalchuk, chair of the latter committee. Commissioner Kowalchuk summarized the committee’s actions since June. Composed of 12 people including the Fire Chief, KU faculty, and community neighbors, the committee had sent out RFQ’s (request for qualifications) nationally. Forty had responded, three were selected and given two months to create maquettes. On Dec. 1 the sculptors presented their maquettes and their concepts to the committee. On Dec. 7 members voted to eliminate Beacon. Votes to accept Sowing Home and to accept none of the sculptures were tied. In consultation with city liaison Michael Tubbs, it was decided that as all published procedures had been followed, the report must be presented to the Arts Commission whose members would then decide on the completion process.

Chairwoman Merrill, with liaison Tubbs’ concurrence, explained that all processes

had been met; therefore in accordance with Resolution 5015, a “none” vote could

not be accepted.

Eric Smith spoke both as a committee member and as a neighbor of Fire Station #4. He was pleased with the process of the committee’s work, but stated a consensus on a final sculpture is not desirable, even dangerous. He expects, and hopes, all public art will be challenged. He requested the LAC be respectful of purpose: is this public art for the fire house, or is it public art at the fire house?

Fire Chief Mark Bradford addressed the LAC. The fire station is a site of education. Constant tours and lectures are given there and hundreds of children come there. Fire fighters must explain all, including describing any public art. Therefore he said all public art there should relate easily to fire service. It should engage visitors and be somewhat self-explanatory. He did not feel the three proposed sculptures met expectations, and recommended the process start over again.

Lawrence Arts Commission Minutes of Dec. 13, 2006                           Page 2

Staff Liaison Michael Tubbs referred to III, A. of Resolution 5015, stating that the selection responsibility is left with the LAC, with final approval by the City Commission.

Chairwoman Merrill gave the LAC three options:

1.  Review the three maquettes and make a selection.

2.  Reject all three submissions and start over with a new committee.

3.  Take a look at the 40 submitted RFQ’s and create RFP’s for one or more artists.

Regardless, all money previously spent on publicity and artists’ costs have been subtracted from the remaining budget. No new money will be available.

Commissioners commented: could we ask artists to refine their submissions? asking the top three to resubmit their art is unfair to the other 40; it is unprofessional to select none; the Percent for Art committee chose to select artists, not art, thus LAC should stay with this intent. Commissioner Reeves who is also on the Percent committee explained how that committee had arrived at its vote.

Commissioner Kowalchuk moved, seconded by Commissioner Morris, that the LAC select one submitted piece and its artist and then work with the artist to bring the work to completion at Fire Station #4. Motion passed unanimously.

Discussion followed. Commissioner Wiechert moved, Commissioner Hatchett seconded, that Beacon created by Actual Size Artworks (Gail Simpson and Aristotle Georgiades) be accepted, with possible revisions by the artists, as the Percent for Art sculpture for Fire Station #4. The motion passed unanimously. LAC members felt Beacon emphasizes hope and safety, is easily recognizable as a fireman’s ladder and fire bell, and is a tribute to firemen’s skills and caring.

Chairwoman Merrill appointed a subcommittee including commissioners Kowalchuk, Loewenstein, and Reeves to work with the artists.

Commissioner Rapport moved, Commissioner Morris seconded, for the LAC to reject the recommendation made by the Percent for Art, Fire Station #4 committee. Motion passed unanimously. Liaison Tubbs will draft a letter to the City Commission recommending that they accept the Percent for Art sculpture by Actual Size Artworks, and that

members of the LAC will work with sculptors Gail Simpson and Aristotle Georgiades on possible revisions.

D.1. a & b.  Chairwoman Merrill thanked Michael Tubbs for handing out information on the LAC November 16 at the Leadership Lawrence Arts Festival. She also thanked commissioners for their support during the two years of her presidency. She is leaving the Commission after two three-year terms and is ineligible for reappointment.

Judi Geer Kellas is leaving after one term; Sandra Wiechert is eligible for a second term and will accept reappointment.

c.  The 2007 Budget for the Arts Commission shows that the Grants total will be increased by $600-$700. The Phoenix Awards budget also will be increased.

Lawrence Arts Commission Minutes for Dec. 13, 2007                          Page 3

2. & 3. Due to the lateness of the evening, discussion on a Mission/Vision statement and web site priorities was deferred. Sub committee updates also were deferred.

E. 1. Elections were held for the 2007 officers

Chair:  Evie Rapport.  Nominated by Commissioner Hatchett, seconded by Commissioner Wiechert. Passed unanimously.

Vice Chair:  Liz Kowalchuk. Nominated by Commissioner Loewenstein, seconded by Commissioner Reeves. Passed unanimously.

Secretary: Sandra Wiechert. Nominated by Chair Merrill, seconded by Commissioner

Rapport. Passed unanimously.

E. 2. & 3.  Discussion and possible voting were deferred.

4. Commissioner Reeves pointed out there frequently is confusion on the name “Lawrence Arts Commission.” He suggests a name change to “Cultural Arts Commission.” There was no further discussion at this time.

F. Calendar

December 14, 2006—Community meeting concerning the closing of art galleries in Lawrence.

January 10, 2007—Lawrence Arts Commission-6:30 pm at City Hall.

January 22, 2007—City Reception honoring Advisory Board members from 5-7 pm

at the Lawrence Arts Center.

Commissioner Kowalchuk moved, Commissioner Loewenstein seconded, that the meeting be adjourned at 9:25 pm. Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,

Sandra Wiechert, Secretary