CITY OF PALM DESERT ART IN PUBLIC PLACES COMMISSION MINUTES June 22, 2011 I. CALL TO ORDER Vice Chairperson Snyder convened the meeting at 9:02 a.m. II. ROLL CALL Present Norma Bussing Donna Jean Darby Katherine Hough Lesley Miller Kim Snyder Absent Maureen Boren (excused) Maureen Thompson (excused) Also Present Lauri Aylaian, Director of Community Development William Kroonen, Councilmember Sonia Campbell, Planning Commission Deborah Schwartz, Public Art Coordinator Debbie Thompson, Recording Secretary Sherry Barkas, reporter, The Desert Sun III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None IV. CONSENT CALENDAR Minutes of the regular meeting held on March 16, 2011. Upon Motion by Commissioner Darby and second by Commissioner Hough, the Minutes of March 16, 2011 were approved unanimously with Commissioners Boren and Thompson absent.
V. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. ORAL REVIEW OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION Ms. Schwartz reported that the City Council authorized approval to serve wine at the Gallery opening receptions for the 2011/2012 season. Councilmember Kroonen reported that the amendment to the contract for the pool artwork by Paul Hobson is on the June 23, 2011 City Council agenda. B. PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT Ms. Campbell reported that at the meeting of June 21, 2011, the Planning Commission approved the Rosewood Hotel on Highway 74. The hotel will consist of 82 rooms and 59 residential condominiums. The Planning Commission and City Council received many letters of support for the project. VI. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None VII. NEW BUSINESS A. APPROVE LEGENDS AS THE REPLACEMENT SCULPTURE FOR JAZZ MUSICIANS BY JOHN RICHEN FOR THE 2011/2012 EL PASEO INVITATIONAL EXHIBITION Ms. Schwartz referred to the staff report that was included in the agenda packet requesting to replace John Richen s Jazz Musicians from the 2011/2012 El Paseo Invitational Exhibition with Legends. She noted that there is a clause in the artist contract allowing for an artwork to be sold and replaced with another approved artwork after the first six months of the Exhibition. Jazz Musicians is composed of five individual sculptures working together as one artwork. The artist sold two of the five sculptures leaving three on the pad until a new artwork is approved by the Commission. The artist proposed Legends to replace the remaining sculptures of Jazz Musicians. Ms. Schwartz stated that due to the drastic difference of the proposed artwork and not simply replacing the two sold pieces, the Commission must 2
give approval. Ms. Schwartz noted that there is not a large impact on the aesthetics of the artwork on the pad with just the three remaining pieces of Jazz Musicians on it. Ms. Schwartz noted that partial removal of the artwork does not have a large impact on the aesthetics of the artwork on the pad. Commissioner Darby commented that the proposed sculpture does not represent what was approved initially. She loved all five pieces and would be in agreement to leave the three remaining pieces if it did not deter from the overall appearance of the artwork on the pad. Ms. Schwartz stated that the artist mentioned that he may be able to fabricate two new musicians to replace the sold pieces but it would take a few months. Ms. Schwartz will confirm that with Mr. Richen. It was moved by Commissioner Darby and seconded by Commissioner Bussing that the three pieces of Jazz Musicians remain on the pad and ask staff to confirm with the artist that he will be able to fabricate two more pieces to complete the artwork. Motion carried unanimously with Commissioners Boren and Thompson absent. B. CONSIDERATION OF ARTISTS TO BE INCLUDED IN CITY OF PALM DESERT S ARTIST REGISTRY The following artists applied to be included in the City of Palm Desert s Artist Registry. Roberto Delgado, Walter Gordinier, Dodd Holsapple, David Jang, Ana Lazovsky, DeeDee Morrison, Ball-Nogues Studio, Edward Walsh, Mattison Fitzgerald, and Tanya Regir. The following artists were approved to be included in the City of Palm Desert s Artist Registry. David Jang, Ana Lazovsky, DeeDee Morrison, Ball-Nogues, Edward Walsh, Mattison Fitzgerald, and Tanya Regir. Artist Walter Gordinier s work was not reviewed due to technical difficulties and will be reviewed at the next meeting. It was moved by Commissioner Hough and seconded by Commissioner Miller to include artists David Jang, Ana Lazovsky, DeeDee Morrison, Ball-Nogues Studio, Edward Walsh, Mattison Fitzgerald, and Tanya Regir into the City of Palm Desert s Artist Registry. Motion carried with Commissioners Boren and Thompson absent. VIII. CONTINUED BUSINESS 3
NONE IX. OLD BUSINESS NONE X. PROJECT STATUS REPORTS A. Palm Desert Community Gallery Ms. Schwartz reported that the current exhibition, In Martial Hues by Jayel Aheram, has been well received, and has had good coverage by the press. The opening reception went well and Mr. Aheram gave personal tours of the photographs and talked about his experiences while he was in the military. In conjunction with the current show, Ms. Schwartz put together an exhibition highlighting staff or members of their family who were in the military service. The next gallery opening reception is Monday, August 8. The exhibition, Personal Expressions, will feature artwork from Leila Namvar, Arnold Familian, and Meridy Volz. Commissioner Snyder attended the gallery opening and complimented staff on the show and reception. B. Docent Program Ms. Schwartz reported that the Docent Program is on hiatus for July and August and will resume in September with the Second Saturday tours. Ms. Schwartz will send out a Call for Docents in August to begin the interview process and train additional docents. Commissioner Darby noted that several teachers from Gisborne, New Zealand visited Palm Desert last week and took a tour of the 2011/2012 El Paseo Invitational Exhibition and were impressed with the quality of the City s artwork. One of the teachers was excited to tell other art teachers about the City s public art collection. C. Carlos Ortega Villas Ms. Schwartz reported that the Redevelopment Agency is developing the Carlos Ortega Villas which is a senior affordable housing complex. She has a set of plans and is determining a location for potential artwork placement and 4
will work within the budget which has not yet been established. Commissioner Darby stated that Mayor Benson asked her to suggest that staff personally contact artists from Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, Mexico for the project. Commissioner Darby recommended contacting Rosemary Ortega or Mark Talboys for names of artists. Ms. Schwartz stated that the artwork should honor Mr. Ortega in some way, but does not necessarily have to be a literal depiction of him. The art could represent the Redevelopment Agency, energy, etc. The idea is to work with Mrs. Ortega and those who knew Mr. Ortega very well, and include a comprehensive biography to which the artists can respond in the Call for Artists. The process will include a Call for Artists to review qualifications, narrow the selection to three, and give an honorarium to create a proposal. Ms. Aylaian stated the project will be on the August Architectural Review Commission agenda. Councilmember Kroonen noted that the Villas are located in Palm Desert Country Club near California Drive and Avenue of the States. D. Palm Desert Aquatic Center Ms. Schwartz reported that artist Paul Hobson is currently working on the artwork at the Aquatic Center and is near completion. The artwork of stop action figures of swimmers and divers are being sandblasted onto the pool deck and stained. Each section of figures are stained a different color with the bathing suits being a contrasting color. The art will be coated and sealed. Maintenance will entail resealing periodically. The dedication/grand opening of the pool is Saturday, June 25 at 10:00 am. The artist will attend and be part of the dedication. Ms. Schwartz addressed the concerns of the Commissioners regarding the process of commissioning artwork for City projects. Once the artist is contracted there is often a long waiting period before the art is installed to allow for the fabrication of the piece as well as building construction to be completed. She reminded the Commission that a typical timeline for a City public art project can be one to three years. XI. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. STAFF 5
Ms. Schwartz reported that she attended the Americans for the Arts Conference in San Diego June 15-18. She purchased a DVD of the conference called, Annual Convention on Demand. It includes footage of A Year in Review of artworks that have been selected by curators acknowledging excellence. She will show A Year in Review at one of the Commission meetings. There were several temporary public art projects. Additionally, she took a tour of the North Park area of San Diego that included a large utility box program, and viewed some art in a parking garage. B. COMMISSION MEMBERS Commissioner Darby asked about the summer meeting schedule. Ms. Schwartz announced that this Commission will be Dark in August. Otherwise regular meetings will be held when there are appropriate agenda items. Commissioner Bussing asked if it would be possible to receive updates on projects when the Commission does not meet. Ms. Schwartz reminded the Commissioners that she did send an update in the past and would be happy to do it again. Ms. Schwartz welcomed the Commission members to call or email her if they have any questions or if they would like an update. Commissioner Snyder suggested taking a tour of the City s artwork. Commissioner Bussing inquired about a map of current projects that had been available in the past. Ms. Schwartz reminded her that the Art and Architecture map that includes the location of the artwork within the City is available online or from staff. XI. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Vice Chairperson Snyder adjourned the meeting at 9:55 a.m. Respectfully submitted, DEBBIE L. THOMPSON, RECORDING SECRETARY 6