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Minutes 06-29-23 Minutes of the Art Advisory Board Meeting Held on Monday, June 29, 2023, at 6:30 P.M. At City Hall Commission Chambers 100 E. Ocean Avenue, Boynton Beach, Florida PRESENT: Clovis Moodie, Vice Chair Glenn Weiss, Public Art Manager Gregory Hartmann Sophia Burnston, Public Art Intern Phyllis Pacilli Sam Velazquez Ace Tilton Ratcliff, (arrived 6:31 P.mM) Cynthia Alexis ABSENT: Courtlandt McQuire I. Call to Order Clovis Moodie, Board Chair, called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M. A. Roll Call Roll was called. A quorum was present. B. Excused Absence Requests None C. Appointment of alternate(s) for absent member(s) D. Agenda Approval or Amendments Motion Dr. Pacilli moved to approve the agenda. Mx. Ratcliff seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. E. Approval of Minutes May 11, 2023 meeting minutes are approved as written or amended. (Ex. A) Motion Mr. Hartmann moved to approve the minutes. Mx. Ratcliff seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Meeting Minutes Art Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida June 29, 2023 F. Informational Items from the Board Dr. Pacilli stated that she went by the mural at the pawn shop and that the artist did a phenomenally good job. She said that she also went by the Oakwood Square and spoke to a manager and said that everyone loves the inside part of the bench, but that everyone hates the pink V on the backside. She mentioned that they wished that the part that faces Congress Avenue would be painted over. Mr. Hartmann and Mr. Velasquez agreed that the pawn shop mural was great. Chair Moodie stated that she was privileged to speak about the art at the Riverwalk Ribbon Cutting. She said that it is a beautiful facility and noted that the artist was present, but did not want to be spotlighted. G. Public Comments None. H. Announcements/Reports/Presentations A. Exhibitions 1, Turgo Bastien and Traditional Haitian Artists: Closed on June 25 (Ex. B) Chair Moodie announced that this exhibit closed. B. Grants / Fundraising 1. Mellon Foundation Application$100,000 Grant submitted on May 23, 2023 Mr. Weiss stated that the Mellon Foundation had requested additional minor information and were giving off signals that the City would receive the $100K by August 1St, but that it is not a guarantee. He advised that the Mellon Foundation Board meets in two weeks to make the final decision and that these funds would be used to support the Heart of Boynton Unity Program next year, and to recognize the HOB Neighborhood on the 100th Anniversary of the Residential Segregation Ordinance. 2. Florida Grant: Governor approved the Art Grants at 67% of proposed awards. Mr. Weiss advised that the City applied for a $25K grant, to support the Art Program, and 67% would be about $16K, but he has not received any official announcement about it. He advised that if the economy holds, and development occurs, the program would be out of debt and the funds would not be 2 Meeting Minutes Art Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida June 29, 2023 used for salaries. He also clarified that the grant funds would not roll over to next year, and would be spent. C. Closed Opportunities 1.Six Sculptures Application: Closed on June 7 Chair Moodie announced that this exhibit closed and it is a general pool of artists that developers can use, to find artists for their building projects. Mr. Weiss explained the process to the Board. D. AiPP and Private Development. 1. Development Page Update (Ex C) Mr. Weiss stated THAT the members may see a new project on Congress Avenue. 3. Action Items A. Motion: The artwork proposal titled "Harmony" by Patti Warashina at South Florida PBS /WXEL, 3401 S. Congress Avenue, is approved to satisfy the Art in Public Places requirement for the Cornelia T Bailey Cultural Arts Center addition. (Ex D) Note: Artwork location was approved by the Board on July 14, 2022 Mr. Weiss commented that the Board saw this project once before and had reviewed the site. He explained that when that was approved, WXEL looked for an artist and they identified her and her piece as noted above. He said that she is a prominent and senior artist in the Northwest and that this piece is 15 feet tall and it will be her first work in Florida. Dr. Pacilli stated that she does not like what was proposed. She said that she will not approve it, and she thought it was inappropriate. She suggested it was fine that they want to make changes, but that it was a naked woman sitting there and it does not look right. She suggested the artist make modifications. Mx. Ratcliff commented that the Board had asked for modifications, but not censorship, which they felt was completely against the role of the Art Board. They suggested, in the role that artists play, that censorship is not within the Board's purview. They said that it is one thing to dislike the art because they do not like it, but it is another to ask them to change it because they want it censored. Mr. Hartmann commented that he was not a fan of it because he thinks it is ugly; it is large, near the side of the road, part of a public institution, and he did not want another 20 feet tall piece of art. He stated that people will ask him if he is on the Art Board, and why the art is not pretty. He noted that Delray Beach completed their pineapple mural, but it replaced an iconic piece on 2nd and Atlantic Avenue. He noted that he was against 3 Meeting Minutes Art Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida June 29, 2023 demolishing it, but they wound up with something better. Dr. Pacilli agreed that the piece was ugly, reiterating just like the V on the runway at Oakbrook Shopping Center that faces the street, and she also said that people ask if she approved it. Mr. Weiss stated that the requirement is that they have to spend money on art, on the property. He expressed his surprise and questioned if the role of this is Board is to determine that they like the art or not. He advised that the work is done by a high-quality artist that meets the criteria as a public artist and meets the general standards of the community, as the developer brought forward the art they want to purchase for the site. He mentioned that it is the owners risk the community won't like the work. Mr. Hartmann agreed, but stated that as a Board Member, he is questioned a lot about art that people do not like. He stated that the Board did direct the art for Gator Storage and the artists changed the art to accommodate the Board's taste. He commented that this art may be prominent in the Northeast, but this is South Florida. He questioned if the sculpture would look appropriate next to the Woman's Club. Mx. Ratcliff said that they thought this piece is indicative of the artist's work. They stated that the artist was exceptionally cool and did not think, subjectively, it is the Board's job to say if they like the piece or not, if it meets the criteria that the program has for the developers. They noted, regarding the public's concern about art, that no one from the public was present. Dr. Pacilli noted that the Board reviewed all the kinetic pieces, and that this was no different. Mx. Ratcliff explained that it is different than this, as this is on someone's property and the developer wants this piece. Mr. Weiss stated that the criteria is specific: does the artist have professional standing?; can the piece be well made and maintained; and does it violate community standards?. He stated that it is not an aesthetic judgment. Motion Dr. Pacilli moved to table it. Mr. Hartmann seconded the motion for discussion. Mr. Weiss said that from a social perspective, it has nothing to do with the Board and they announced that this project was moving forward. He noted that this is a very expensive piece of art. 4 Meeting Minutes Art Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida June 29, 2023 Mr. Hartmann commented that the piece is 23 feet tall and it does not identify with the cultural identity of Boynton Beach. Mr. Weiss stated that the piece is 12 feet tall and 15 feet with the base. Vote The motion passed. Mx. Ratcliff suggested that since it is tabled, the discussion at the next meeting should include a copy of exactly what they should be discussing. Mr. Hartmann suggested that Mr. Weiss let WXEL know it does not fit the character of Boynton Beach's artistic identity and that he believes the Board's mission is to further the City's cultural and artistic identity and that the Board Members should help curate the look and feel of the art in Boynton Beach. B. Motion: The following artists accepted into the Artist Roster 2023-2026 for possible selection for public art projects with the City and others. Carlos Azuaje, Daniela Sanchez Vegas, Delia Miller, Elise Rubin, John Carollo, Keith Doles, Lee Bell, Lupe Lawrence, Melissa Mastrangelo-Diaz, Michelle Drummond, Richlin Burnett-Ryan, Sara Augustin, Sitki Dogan and Tiffany Beasi Note: The review and voting by the Board was on May 11, 2023. (Ex E): Mr. Weiss explained that he had presented the tally of artists the Members had previously voted on as noted above and he had explained the scoring. He advised that the votes are noted for the public record and that the Board needs to ratify their decision. Motion Mx. Ratcliff moved to accept the votes they selected, so that they can put forth this group of artists. Mr. Hartmann seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 4. Old Business None 5. New Business None 6. Future Agenda Items 5 Meeting Minutes Art Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida June 29, 2023 Mr. Hartmann asked who shapes the identify of Boynton Beach and that maybe it should be part of the Mission Statement. Chair Moodie asked how much weight is given to considering the developer's interest in using art to promote their business. She asked how the proposed artwork ties in to what the developer is doing and noted that on one side, they have Boynton's artistic identity, and then a developer who is funding to help them brand. She stated that they have to blend the two and they have to find a balance between the two. Mr. Hartmann suggested that the Board have a discussion and work with developers who want to work with creative minded people on behalf of the community. Mr. Weiss said that it was his experience that generally, developers want to place art that is pleasing to the community. The members discussed their experiences with art in Vero Beach, Sanibel, and Savannah and that they favored themed art. Dr. Pacilli stated that thought the matter may have to go to the City Commission, if the art does not have a theme, and she wanted to make sure they are going in the correct direction. Mr. Weiss asked, on a different note, that given this and the schedule related to the Mellon Foundation, it may be best to hold another meeting in three weeks. He commented that he had planned to skip the July Meeting, and asked if they should meet in August or September. He stated that he would not know about the grant until the end of the month. Mx. Ratcliff suggested that they discuss this issue on August 10th. The members agreed. 7. Adjournment Motion Dr. Pacilli moved to adjourn. Mx. Ratcliff seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 7:11 P.M. Catherine Cherry Minutes Specialist 6