Loading...
Minutes 03-04-10 MINUTES OF THE BOYNTON BEACH ARTS COMMISSION WORKSHOP/COMMUNITY MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2010, AT 6:30 P.M., AT THE CAROLYN SIMS CENTER 225 NW 12TH AVENUE, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA ARTS COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: Barbara Ready, Chair Sherie Tengbergen Debby Coles-Do bay, Public Art Administrator Andrew Mack, Engineer, Project Manager ABSENT: Anderson Slocombe, Vice Chair Dana Cook Barbara Lentz Nubia Richman Halena Wolf Donn Davenport, Alternate Christine Moeller, Alternate COMMUNITY MEMBERS PRESENT: Myra Jones Carol Mahoney Dr. Martha Meekslight Jermaine Johnson Leesha Roundtree Lenny Marucci Debbie Marucci Lois Smith Everlina Baker Laura Williams Betty Edgerton 1. Introduction to the project, location and scope of work Debby-Coles Dobay, Public Art Administrator, facilitated the meeting, which opened at 6:31 p.m. The attendees were thanked for coming. The project would involve the four corners at the intersection of Seacrest and MLK Boulevards. The purpose of the meeting was to exchange ideas. Ms. Coles-Dobay requested those in attendance turn off their cell phones and try to keep on topic. She explained notes would be taken. When speaking, the attendees were asked to identify themselves. 1 Meeting Minutes Arts Commission Workshop/Community Meeting Boynton Beach, FL March 4, 2010 Self introductions were made and Andrew Mack, as the Project Manager and a State Certified General Contractor, was introduced. The workshop would be followed by a second workshop on March 25, 2010. The streetscape project was large, but the art component was not. Mr. Mack was working with the Community Redevelopment Agency on it and, if there were questions outside the topic about the larger scope of the project, the attendees should contact Mr. Mack directly. Heritage Park was included in the project and had a walkway and a memorial dedicated to Boynton Beach African Americans. The people listed on the memorial were people of importance. If someone's name should be added, the MLK Committee should be contacted. It was noted the memorial would remain in the park as a key central piece and 9th Street would be eliminated and made part of the park. Most of the improvements at Heritage Park would be made with landscaping material although some streetscape improvements were included. The project area encompassed Ocean Avenue to the C-16 Boynton Beach Canal and was funded through the American Recovery Redevelopment Act (ARRA) of 2009, which was a stimulus package. The project was selected through the Metropolitan Planning Organization process. When it was selected, the project consisted of two phases which were Seacrest Boulevard and MLK Boulevard. Due to funding, however, only Phase I, which was Seacrest Boulevard, would be included. When it was decided there would be a pedestrian plaza at the intersection of MLK and Seacrest Boulevards, the Community Redevelopment Agency decided to move the Butterfly Mandela piece, which was selected through the public input process, to the intersection and add three more art pieces - one to each corner. The conceptual piece was 30 inches by 20 feet. Some of the factors to be considered with the pedestrian plaza project was the sight distance for cars, which was why the art was limited in size. They were limited by regulations from Palm Beach County, since Seacrest Boulevard was a County road, and limitations from the Federal Highway Administration and the Florida Department of Transportation due to federal funds being used. The project budget was $2 million. Another factor was the location did not have a lot of right-of-way area so the artwork needed to be narrow and long. The proposed artwork would have one piece on each of the three corners, but not on the current comer of Heritage Park. The piece could be die cut, or cut in keeping with the style of the Butterfly Mandela. 2. Review the process. Workshop steps including the public art process The Butterfly Mandela piece on the Avenue of the Arts involved a call to artist process and a selection panel. Under the process, the notice is issued, the artists submit their 2 Meeting Minutes Arts Commission Workshop/Community Meeting Boynton Beach, FL March 4, 2010 work, a shortlist is developed and a selection is made. Once the pieces were selected, they were placed on pads and located within Boynton Beach. Normally, the artists research the area first. The artwork at the Carolyn Sims Center involved the community. They named the piece Etema/ Vision and wrote the poem. The graffiti mural project involved youth and youth violence project members from the local community and artists participated in the project. A half-hour visual presentation was made to help portray the mindset of the project. The City understood family and intergenerational issues were important to the community. Photos from the community provided examples of items with historic significance. Some of the items and comments noted were: ./ The fish depot was a gathering spot as were churches; ./ There was a shipwreck and the bell from the shipwreck was situated by the St. Paul AME church; ./ The area had a Bahamian culture; ./ The Ezell Hester Center was an important center; ./ St. John Missionary Baptist church communicated what they were trying to convey through their stained glass windows through symbols; ./ Teaching was identified as community individuals whowere heavily involved in education; ./ Light poles, formerly holding gas lamps remained in the community; ./ Dance, music, and choir were a part of the community; and ./ Themes were community and family. The proposed site did not have room to accommodate three-dimensional pieces. Accordingly the pieces would be flat. The art was hand cut, and other layers of metals were used and welded and paints helped to create textures and dimension. 3. Introduce the artists and their work The artist, Debbie Marucci, was introduced and had a panel, true to size, available to show the actual dimensions of the piece. There were no questions on the location, or the materials used. It was noted it was difficult to cut names in metal and it was suggested the names of important community members would be best left to be inscribed on the monument. A concern was raised that three long panels might create congestion at the intersection; however, it was explained the piece would be on the ground and flush to the pad, not up high. Additionally, the size provided was the maximum size. The piece could be made smaller if desired. 3 Meeting Minutes Arts Commission Workshop/Community Meeting Boynton Beach, FL March 4, 2010 An inquiry was made whether the piece could be curved or bent. It was explained the base was 18-inches wide and there was not a lot of room to work with. 4. Artist demonstration - how to transform ideas into visuals Ms. Marucci distributed a handout reflecting what her research revealed, and what her concepts for the piece were. She researched the area using the book by Victor Norfus entitled, Foundations of Faith, a Boynton Beach African American History, and explained she wanted to divide each panel into three sections to tell a three-part story on each corner of the intersection. Section 1 would reflect the beginning of the narrative depiction. Section 2 would reflect references to cultural history and Section 3 would reflect the dreams for the future, or endings. It was noted the number "three" itself was symbolic, and as reflected in the handout, it could symbolize the following: ./ Past, present and future; ./ Morning, day and night; ./ Beginning middle and ends; ./ Mind body spirit; and ./ Yesterday, today tomorrow. Symbols and metaphors were listed on the handout. Samples of the artist's renderings were shown. As an example, she used the Hibiscus Flower, which symbolized Florida. Florida means beautiful flowers in abundance. The Hibiscus flower, or flowers, could be Section 1. Tribes, and masks could be used in Section 2 and Section 3 could reflect canoes since the native Indians were present. 5. Idea exchange After reviewing the handout, the following was ascertained from the community: ./ No symbols or depictions to the Jim Crow laws would be used; the community wanted a lighter theme; ./ The Butterfly Mandela piece would be located at Heritage Park; ./ Symbols of unity were acceptable; unity was what made the community strong; ./ The Fawohodie symbol for independence, freedom and emancipation was not needed; ./ Having three concepts in total was acceptable, but nine ideas might be a bit much; and ./ The artists rendering of the people with the Heart, symbolizing the Heart of Boynton Beach was liked. The artist intended to incorporate repeated patterns throughout the art and would work only with symbols. If there were symbols or other items for viewers to learn about, brochures would be available, the information put on the website, and plaques placed if 4 Meeting Minutes Arts Commission Workshop/Community Meeting Boynton Beach, FL March 4, 2010 desired. Since the project would have a pedestrian plaza when residents could walk and cross at the four corners, the work could serve as an learning/educational experience. Artist Jermaine Johnson assisted with the Graffiti mural and contributed artwork displayed at the Carolyn Sims Center. It was requested Ms. Marucci work with Mr. Johnson on the project. It was thought the artwork should be a timeline mural, providing an accurate representation of the history of Boynton Beach, and be reflective of where the community came from and where they were going. It also would remove any confusion of not knowing the meaning of the symbols. There was discussion the three panels would relate but a mural would depict Boynton in a more realistic way. It was explained the medium the artist worked with was prohibitive to that type of art. Mr. Johnson's thought was to have a continuation of historical significance. There was agreement the story would be one continuous story divided into three panels having three themes. It was noted the Women's Club had an accurate depiction of their history via a mural and Mr. Johnson liked the concept in Fire Station NO.5 using the mural timeline. Mark Karageorge suggested staff and the artist work with Mr. Johnson to develop a hybrid, reflecting unity, hope and opportunity, while accurately depicting history without any depiction of Jim Crow or the rehashing the negative or harsh history. Instead it could be reflective of the community moving forward. Some of the realisms developed could be depicted in symbol form on the piece. The work would be an extension of the Butterfly Mandela piece. Ms. Marucci provided other examples for the second section using symbols such as pineapples, tomatoes, row housing, and churches. The attendees were asked what symbols they liked. Comments received were ./ The main focus that should be symbolized, in order of importance were religion, education and family; ./ A cross was not the main symbol for religion. The bible was more of a religious symbol. Crosses were on the top of the churches; ./ A dove was acceptable; ./ On a different note, the art should not be "disconnected" from the community; and, ./ Business should be represented. It was noted having too many images in one panel would be detrimental and the themes had to be consistent and congruent. 5 Meeting Minutes Arts Commission Workshop/Community Meeting Boynton Beach, FL March 4, 2010 There was agreement. Mr. Johnson would help develop a symbolic timeline. It was suggested instead of having this type of a meeting again, that the artist meet with Mr. Johnson to hone in and ensure they captured the heart of the Boynton visually. A reference was made to a 3-D image of Martin Luther King in Atlanta which expressed the sentiment the attendees wanted to convey. Mr. Johnson was asked to assist Ms Coles-Dobay form the images they were discussing. Comments made by the attendees were: ./ The purpose of the art was to celebrate the Heart of Boynton; ./ The past, present and future theme could be used, but what would be included was debatable; ./ If homes were depicted, the homes would be small homes with porches that were close together, and in quarters. That was how the residents communicated and the neighbors depended on each other; ./ The homes did not have running water - they had wells; ./ There were stores in the area so residents did not have to go downtown to shop for groceries. The businesses supported the community. Other aspects of the community that could be reflected were the 3-D houses, businesses, religion, education, unity, family, hope and opportunity, music, celebrations. Suggestions for symbols to be used for the future section reflective of generations, legacy, and grandchildren were wanted. Children represented the future. Ms. Coles-Dobay explained they would come back with visuals based on the comments received and additional input would be sought. A comment was made the community did not want the second meeting it to be similar to a meeting that indicated there was supposed to be a piece placed on MLK and a Seacrest Boulevards 20 years ago. Since Mr. Johnson has done substantial work to capture the Heart of Boynton, it was suggested they come back, after working with him, and collaborate more and survey the area to see other ideas were in the community. If there was another angle to use to get the project off the ground it should be done. It was also mentioned that an attendee was happy the City was willing to work with an artist the community had confidence in. It was suggested concentrating on coming back for the next meeting and concentrating on a section instead of all three sections at one time. If the first section was decided on, the community could move on from there. Debby Coles-Dobay summarized the progress made. The community had a representative involved that they trusted and the City was listening to. The artist knows what was wanted and the attendees provided great direction. 6 Meeting Minutes Arts Commission Workshop/Community Meeting Boynton Beach, FL March 4, 2010 The next session would be held on March 25th, everyone is invited and Ms. Coles- Dobay appreciated the core group. At the next meeting there would be visuals of conceptual ideas based on the collaboration between them and Mr. Johnson. At the meeting, the community could provide feedback and then create the final concept. The City did not want to hold up the streetscape project because of the art. The attendees were also asked to focus more specifically on past present and future symbols since It would give the artists a clear focus of what they would like to see on the panel. The artist's concept of the past was to represent Florida with bright colors to tie into the Butterfly Mandela piece, which would be integrated through all panels. The flowers symbolized nature, there were tribal masks to represent Indians and African-American Seminoles, they fished in a pristine environment very different than the environment today. The next panel could contain row houses with porches symbolic of the 1900's and symbols of children could be used to depict the future. Flowers, leaves and palm trees could also be used for the past (beginning). Years ago, families in the area lived on the Intracoastal. When the community's three streets were created they were relocated to the present area. The churches were moved by horses. Mr. Johnson explained it still came back to accuracy and the community's perspective. He suggested creating a timeline and keeping the shapes to a minimum, using a flat surface. The artist could use Mr. Johnson's time line and create it in the artist's medium. Mr. Johnson liked the mural at the Fire Station and the Woman's Center and felt by using one, the public may come away more educated. It was reiterated a mural could not be used because the piece had to be in the same medium as the Butterfly Mandela piece. Mr. Johnson thought he and the artist could meet and keep the cutting down to a minimum. He agreed shapes should be used, but expressed he would not be happy until they have accurate depictions. Ms. Coles-Dobay explained it could be a collaborative effort and Mr. Johnson could translate the depictions into symbols. There was agreement there would be collaboration. Ms. Coles-Dobay hoped the attendees would attend the March 25th meeting and thanked all for coming. She commented there would be a vignette and there would be a border for each piece. The workshop closed at 8:13 p.m. (] (1t1J.A1IQ QlvvVJ . Catherine Cherry Q Recording Secretary 032710 7