Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission Meeting Minutes

October 7, 2009

Fire Station 5

7 pm

Present:  Dave Loewenstein, Kathy Porsch, Susan Craig, Amy Kelly, Jane Pennington, Christie Dobson

Absent:  Donna Griffin, Matthew Herren, Joanne Renfro

Other:  Diane Stoddard, and three members of the public

Commissioner Kelly called the meeting to order.  The minutes for August and September were approved with no changes.

Unfinished Business:

Discussion on community arts project:  Commissioner Kelly recapped the work of the Commission thus far this year on this item.  Diane was asked to explain the possible carryover of funds to 2010.  Commissioner Pennington made a motion to make a request to the City Commission to carryover the approximately $11,000 to 2010.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Loewenstein.  The motion was further discussed in order to be make sure that the City Commission is aware the circumstances that brought about these extra funds in 2009- the situation with the possible cut to alcohol funds by the state legislature.  Additionally, it was noted that the letter would indicate that the funds would be expeditiously and wisely spent in 2010.   

Rick Yarnell, Lawrence Arts Center, commented that he thought the proper thing was to make the right decision and have more time to make the decision, so he supported the idea to roll over the funds.  He indicated that the Lawrence Arts Center appreciated the work of the Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission. 

New Business:

Mural Requests:

Heather Reynolds-Nance Request for 12^th & Haskell Mural

After brief discussion on the item, Commissioner Craig made a motion to recommend approval to the City Commission.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Porsch.  Motion was approved unanimously.   

Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War Mural Request

Mr. Bob Wandel explained that the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War planned to move the civil war monuments adjacent to the parking garage on New Hampshire and then place a picture of a union soldier on the side of the parking garage in the location across from the Lawrence Arts Center.  Mr. Wandel explained that the mural would be a photo on an aluminum plate affixed to the wall of the parking garage.  If the photo fades over time, it would either be replaced or removed at that time.  Commissioner Craig asked about the process and expressed concern that this be reviewed from a historic standpoint.  Diane explained that the role of the Cultural Arts Commission regarding this matter is to review the request against the mural criteria and then make a recommendation to the City Commission.  The item would also go to the Historic Resources Commission for a recommendation prior to going to the City Commission.  Commissioner Loewenstein indicated that he thought that a photograph of a union soldier from Lawrence might be most appropriate and to indicate some information about the person in the photograph.  Commissioner Craig indicated that she was concerned that she didn’t have enough information about the material to be used and if it would be subject to vandalism.  After discussion, Commissioner Pennington made a motion to recommend approval of the concept, but that the Cultural Arts Commission wished to consider the name of the person in photograph, history of the person, more specifics about the material, its life expectancy, how it would be mounted, and potential for vandalism and reserved consideration of a final recommendation pending these items.  Commissioner Porsch seconded the motion.    Motion was approved unanimously.

Phoenix Award Nominations:

A total of nine nominations were received for five awards.  Commissioner Pennington reviewed the criteria for the selection of the Phoenix Award winners.  Each nomination was reviewed and there was discussion.  The Commission utilized the dot polling method for each to identify their top five artists.  After discussion, the following were named the 2009 Phoenix Award recipients. 

Stan Lombardo- literary arts

Richard Kloche- design arts

Doug Weaver- performing arts

Linda Baranski - arts administrator

Margaret Weisbrod-Morris - arts advocate

Logistical issues were discussed, such as who would contact the award recipients and the nominators. 

Regular agenda items:  None. 

Commissioner Items:  None. 

Staff Liaison Items:  Diane reported that Phoenix Award invitations are in and Commissioners are encouraged to take a stack.  Additionally, Diane reported that Mayor Chestnut was actively working on replacement for the two positions that had been recently vacated due to resignations.

The meeting adjourned 8:45 pm.