Minutes 08-25-09
MINUTES OF THE BOYNTON BEACH ARTS COMMISSION MEETING
HELD ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 25,2009 AT 6:30 P.M., AT FIRE STATION #2,
2615 WOOLBRIGHT ROAD, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
PRESENT:
Barbara Ready, Chair
Anderson Slocombe, Vice Chair
Christine Moeller
Nubia Richman
Sherie Tengbergen (arrived at 6:30 p.rn.)
Halena Wolf (arrived at 6:30 p.m.)
Donn Davenport, All.
Debby Coles-Dobay, Public Art
Administrator
ABSENT:
Barbara Lentz
Dana Cook, All.
I. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 6:29 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS
Self-introductions were made. It was noted Mr. Cook was sick and Ms. Lentz called to advise
she could not attend the meeting.
III. AGENDA APPROVAL
Motion
Ms. Richman moved to approve the agenda. Ms. Moeller seconded the motion that unanimously
passed.
IV. APPROVE MEETINGMINUTES
A. Approval of July 25, 2009 minutes
There was one addition to the minutes. There were five members of the Delray Art Board
present for the presentation. Dana Donaty and Ms. Coles-Dobay conducted the presentation.
This was important because the Arts Commission was working with outside entities to further
the arts.
1
Meeting Minutes
Arts Commission
Boynton Beach, FL
August 25, 2009
Motion
Ms. Wolf moved to accept the minutes as amended. Ms. Richman seconded the motion that
unanimously passed.
V. ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Meet and Greet scheduled for Friday was cancelled until further notice.
VI. PUBLIC ART PROJECTS
The 8APS Swaminarayan Temple was interested in placing artwork on site as part of their
expansion. Mr. Bharat Batel was present to answer any questions the members had. A more
complete description of the artwork was included with the meeting materials. The name of the
piece was "Man with a Chisel" by Sompura which would be placed in the front courtyard area.
The piece would be created in India and shipped to the United States. The cost was $12,000 to
$15,000 exclusive of shipping, installation, lighting, pedestal and freight charges. It was noted
the Art in Public Places Ordinance only required $7,000 be spent on the artwork.
There was lengthy discussion that lighting would playa large part in displaying the piece. Mr.
Batel explained they have been adhering to the electrical requirements and were considering
surface and recessed lighting. There was discussion down lighting may be appropriate. The
piece of sandstone was durable and would withstand the elements as it was already used in the
construction of other buildings and temples.
Mr. Batel was urged to consider using appropriate lighting for the sculpture since strategically
placed lighting would greatly enhance the work.
Motion
Ms. Wolf moved to approve. Vice Chair SJocombe seconded the motion that unanimously
passed.
It was noted the sculpture was due to arrive in February 2010. There were also various festivals
planned. He indicated invitations would be sent to the Board.
B. Fire Station #5 PA Status GO date October 10, 2009
After the Arts Commission met and inspected the artwork at the Fire Station, there were items
that needed to be repaired. There were also imperfections in the mosaic upstairs. There was a
communication breakdown with the artist, and he was not returning to complete the projecl.
Subsequently, the upstairs mosaic was removed. It was noted there was nearly $7,900 left to
use for art at the Fire Station.
The sconces for the area were discussed and it was noted they would not be delivered. Further
discussion followed regarding the photographs flashing would be upstairs and that was where
the firefighters would be. The pictures could be used for tourism purposes.
2
Meeting Minutes
Arts Commission
Boynton Beach, FL August 25, 2009
Options the Board could consider were to keep the funds in escrow. Monies could be added to
the account through fundraising; the Board could spend the money, or install public art
someplace else. There were areas that could accommodate art at the Fire Station. One was
the parking area that was supposed to have a walkway to the new police station. The second
area was where the mosaic previously was. There was discussion that art, via a camera or
multi -media projection from behind the sculpture could be used. The projections could run
continuously of scenes from the 9 -11 event. It was not a major expense, but it was a good
opportunity to continue the theme. Discussion ensued that the concept was of a memorial to 9-
11 and Police and Firefighters may take offense that art was on the floor. It was noted;
however, that it was a working space and a space could be screened off and dedicated.
Another area was the training tower which was visible from the highway; however, motorists
would only have a short time frame to view the art as they drove by the building.
Other suggestions were to wait until the Police Station was constructed and put the money in
escrow. The members could also wait to see if a better choice of art became available later.
Additionally, should the police station be constructed, there may be more money available by
then.
Ms. Richman left the meeting at 6:58 p.m.
Other than tourists, the majority of the visibility would occur downstairs. Ms. Coles -Dobay
agreed to look into the cost associated with projecting images.
Motion
Ms. Wolf moved they put the funds into escrow.
Ms. Richman returned at 7:01 p.m.
Vote
Ms. Richman seconded the motion that unanimously passed.
C. Seacrest Streetscape Project
In June the Board purchased the Butterfly Mandella piece for the Seacrest Streetscape area at
the intersection of Seacrest and MLK Boulevard, by Heritage Park. The community committee
of the Community Redevelopment Agency was considering adding additional public art and
have streetscape improvements on one of the other corners.
Each of the corners was reviewed and it was discussed the art could be something temporary.
There was some initial design work done with frames. The framework would be the same as
the Butterfly Mandella made with a laser cut and could be 20 feet by 30 or 36 inches located on
the other corner. The art would be something that related to the Heart of Boynton community.
Ms. Coles -Dobay requested the Board give direction whether they wanted to engage the artist
who created the Butterfly Mandella to work with the community for the additional art and
fabricate it.
3
Meeting Minutes
Arts Commission
Boynton Beach, FL
August 25, 2009
Other types of art were discussed for the area such as creative benches. However, until the area was
more developed and since there was some criminal activity in the area, any1hing to encourage
gathering was discouraged at this time. Assembling some of the area youth and developing a
concept in a structured manner, similar to a youth art program was discussed. Ms. Coles-Dobay
explained it would be structured the same way as the community meetings held at the Carolyn Sims
Center. It was noted the Community Redevelopment Agency also has a community committee.
On a different matter, Mr. Davenport has independent clients he consults for and he showed the client
the Mandella piece. The client had an interest in employing the artist and Mr. Davenport inquired if
that was considered a conflict of interesl. Mr. Davenport stated he was not benefitting from the
association. Mr. Davenport was advised there was no conflicl.
Ms. Coles-Do bay requested a motion for her to proceed to contact the artist to set up a Citizen Input
Committee and develop a proposal, which would include working with the community. The proposal
would come back to the committee. Financing the streetscape would be paid for with stimulus funds.
Motion
Ms. Tenbergen moved Ms. Coles-Do bay to proceed as discussed. Ms. Wolf seconded the motion
that unanimously passed.
VII. AVENUE OF THE ARTS
A. Placement Recommendation for "The Family"
Chair Ready announced at the prior City Commission meeting, the Commissioners approved the Arts
Commission's recommendation to purchase The Family artwork. Several locations had been
identified as a permanent location for the art. After the members discussed their preferences, there
was consensus the artwork would be placed at the entrance of Jaycee Park.
Motion
Ms. Richman moved to place The Family at the entrance of Jaycee Park. Ms. Moeller seconded the
motion that unanimously passed.
B. EcofEnvironmental artwork submission selection
Chair Ready advised nine pedestals and 17 art pieces were submitted for consideration by 12 artists.
Ms. Coles-Do bay highlighted each piece and the members voiced their preferences and where each
piece should be located.
Mr. Oavenport left the meeting at 7:56 p.m.
The selections made and the locations were as follows:
. Location 1 - The Hibbard Piece, #1972008 would be at the corner of Boynton Beach
Boulevard and Seacrest Boulevard.
. Location 2 - The Wedin piece, the Alien Robot would be placed at City Hall fronting Sea crest
Boulevard.
4
Meeting Minutes
Arts Commission
Boynton Beach, FL August 25, 2009
• Location 3 — The Nybeck piece, Point Defiance would replace the Butterfly Mandella piece at
the Civic Center, 128 East Ocean Avenue.
• Location 4 — The Pietro piece, Endangered Florida Panther, Precious Water, would be placed
at The Art Center, 125 SE 2nd Avenue.
• Location 5 — the Wertheimer piece, Visionaries would be placed at 135 East Ocean Avenue,
the corner of Ocean and 1st.
• Location 6 - The Ocamposilva piece, the Gods of the Rain, would be placed in front of the
apartments at 306 East Ocean Avenue.
• Location 7 — The Evans piece, Humans and Earth would be placed at Chicago Joe's, 412 East
Ocean Avenue.
• Location 8 - The Madero Pieces, Music in the Sea, My Red Violin, My Blue Saxo would be at
corner of SW 4th and Ocean, 480 East Ocean Avenue.
• Location 9 — The Vargo pieces, Scrub Jay and Gopher Tortoise would be placed at Veterans
Park, 100 NE 4th Street.
• The Beau Lieu piece, Opus 4 Manatee Calf would be placed at the entrance of the Marina.
VIII. VISION PLANNING
A. Art Connections
Laura Woodward
Joyce Bruck Photographer
Art Center after school
Information had been previously distributed to the members and the Board had approved the Artists of
Palm Beach County hosting a closing reception with the Artists Reading on November 16. They had
discussed having the Art Center's fall session being similar to a young artists celebration where their
artwork was on exhibit. The next session would be December 21, 2009. Many parents attend.
Awards" could be given and at the workshop meeting, they could discuss programming further.
A handout containing the Art Connections Dates and Programs was reviewed and Laura Woodward,
the subject of a book written by Deborah Pollack, was discussed. There were many historical
references involved with Ms. Woodward's life, and the Historical Society was interested in the
contributions she made. Janet DeVries would be making a presentation on Ms. Woodward for the
Historical Society at an Art Connections event. Bill Nix of the Palm Beach County Cultural Council
was interested in providing coverage for the event.
Ms. Pollack would also speak with the West Palm Beach Hictorical Society Arts Connection Program
on January 11th. The event would be an Arts Connections event that would include a slide
presentation and comment. On the second floor of the library in the historical area, the present exhibit
would expire in December and that area would be designated to display artifacts and reproductions of
her paintings. Ms. Pollack would be available for a book signing, with the Arts Commission receiving a
5
Meeting Minutes
Arts Commission
Boynton Beach, FL August 25, 2009
portion of the sales, which would be split with the Friends of the Library. While having an exhibit of
Ms. Woodward's work would be nice, borrowing the work would present security issues. Ms.
Tenbergen was able to obtain a DVD of the Education Network's documentary on Ms. Woodward's
work. The DVD was up for an Emmy Award and another copy would be presented to the Library. The
documentary was a half hour, but there would be many excellent things to showcase that evening.
Ms. Coles -Dobay contacted Carlton Cartwright of the Children's Coalition, who was also a West Palm
Beach photographer who speaks to troubled teens. It was hoped Mr. Cartwright would speak at the
Library. Since a response was not received, there was a young filmmaker associated with the Youth
Violence Prevention Program that could make a presentation instead. Ms. Coles -Dobay was trying to
make contact with them. Additionally, the Palm Beach County Film Festival may be able to assist.
Each ear, all Palm Beach County Schools turn in videos for competition. Ms. Tengbergen would
Y � Y p
provide contact information.
Joyce Bruck was interested in holding demonstrative lectures on how to take good photographs. For
photographers that are more advanced, additional pointers would be given. There was no date set for
this program and Ms. Coles -Dobay would try to schedule a date.
The members discussed social media was important. Ms. Tengbergen was aware of an individual,
Arthur Tubman, who teaches Twitter and Facebook. It was thought many artists would be interested
in learning how to use those tools and how to submit public art.
Earth Week was in April. Artist Lucy Kershavarz was interested in exhibiting. It was noted there was
a large eco -art exhibit in Miami. Putting out a call to artists may yield better results. On a different
note the graffiti art program the Arts Commission was trying to implement was not moving. Ms.
Tengbergen relayed as a way to raise funds for some organizations, some artists painted on location
and auctioned off their art, raising $25,000. This idea would be discussed further at the workshop.
B. September 12, 2009, 10 a.m. — 2 p.m. Workshop Agenda
The workshop agenda was previously distributed. Ms. Coles -Dobay had information about what was
occurring in the City. Members should take one of the handouts for the workshop.
XII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.
XIII. FUTURE BUSINESS
XIV. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting properly adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
&
Catherine Cherry
Recording Secretary
100609
6