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Minutes 03-25-10 MINUTES OF THE ARTS COMMISSION SEACREST STREETSCAPE PUBLIC ART WORKSHOP/COMMUNITY MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 2010, AT 6:30 P.M., AT THE CAROLYN SIMS CENTER, 225 NW 12TH AVENUE, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA ARTS COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: Sherie Tengbergen Debby Coles-Dobay, Public Art Administrator ABSENT: Barbara Ready, Chair Anderson Slocombe, Vice Chair Dana Cook Barbara Lentz Nubia Richman Halena Wolf Donn Davenport, Alternate Christine Moeller, Alternate OTHERS PRESENT: Woodrow Hay, Vice Mayor Doris Jackson Jaliyah Jackson Bettye Edgerton Laura Williams Allison deGregory Dr. Martha Meeks Light Jermaine Johnson Lois Smith Elouise Fullwood Victor Norfus Myra Jones Gertrude Sullivan 1. Transform ideas into visuals 2. Review artists' concepts 3. Discuss images and their relevance to the Heart of Boynton 4. Fine tune recommendations for artists to execute 1 Meeting Minutes Arts Commission Workshop/Community Meeting Boynton Beach, Florida March 25, 2010 Debby Coles-Dobay, Public Art Administrator, facilitated the meeting which opened at 6:35 p.m. She announced she would review the Streetscape Project and discuss the integration of Public Art. The timeline for completion of the project would include securing funding, working with the Florida Department of Transportation and a process to be followed by the City's Engineering Department. A presentation would be made of rough conceptual visuals provided by the artists, Debbie and Len Marucci, with the assistance of artist Jermaine Johnson. Ms. Coles- Dobay suggested all of the visuals be reviewed first, and then each visual be reviewed individually. The artists had attempted to cover all the information provided at the last meeting together with any new ideas. The participants would discuss how the visuals would be transformed into panels and the artists' responsibility for the construction of the Public Art pieces. Ms. Coles-Dobay explained the artists had committed to a certain number of workshop/community meetings they would attend. It was not necessary for the artists to attend this meeting, as they had provided the visuals for the group's review and comments. The artists would attend the next workshop/community meeting on April 15, 2010 and after receiving feedback, would assemble scaled-down visuals. The community would be provided with another opportunity for feedback, and the artists would return with the final revisions which would be on display at the Sims Center. Ms. Coles-Dobay noted Mr. Norfus' recently-completed publication, Foundations of Faith, a Boynton Beach African American History, provided a historical timeline and useful information that was shared with the artists. The Seacrest Street Project encompassed MLK and Seacrest Boulevards and would extend up to the C-16 Canal on Boynton Beach Boulevard. Landscaping, medians and pavers would enhance the streetscape, calm traffic and create a nice gateway to the community. Public Art would be placed at the four corners of MLK and Seacrest Boulevards. Heritage Park would be expanded and landscaping enhanced. The conceptual piece would measure 30 inches high by 20 feet wide by 18 inches deep. The Butterfly Mandela was temporarily located across the street from the Library and will be placed in Heritage Park once the pad is installed. Pursuant to the contractor's schedule, a pre-bid meeting had already taken place earlier thth on March 25 and the project would be awarded May 20. A preconstruction meeting th has been scheduled for June 18 and it would be necessary for the design phase to be completed by that date. The selected contractor would pour a cement pad into the ground on which the artwork would be secured. Phase I, the infrastructure segment of th the project, is slated to run from June 9th to December 7. During this phase, medians and a reclaimed water main are to be installed on Seacrest Boulevard. The drainage, 2 Meeting Minutes Arts Commission Workshop/Community Meeting Boynton Beach, Florida March 25, 2010 electric, irrigation, landscaping and pedestrian plaza, as well as the installation of the Public Art, are to be completed during Phase II. The final segment, Phase III, is slated to run from March 9 to May 6, 2011, and the project should be completed in June 2011. A participant expressed disagreement with what artist Debbie Marucci had concluded. She inquired whether Mr. Johnson, whose work was displayed at the Sims Center and throughout the community, could be brought on board as the key artist. She believed he, in collaboration with other artists, could create the artwork sought by the community to be placed on the corners of MLK and Seacrest Boulevards. Ms. Coles- Dobay pointed out the purpose of the meeting was to review visuals created by Ms. Marucci in response to comments offered at the last meeting. Mr. Johnson had contributed to the visuals as well. As noted earlier, the visuals would be reviewed with descriptions provided and the community members would determine which images would be included in the panels. Ms. Coles-Dobay explained a Public Artist was experienced in the public realm and was responsible for ensuring the artwork was secure and that the materials used would endure. Public artists were required to carry $1 million in liability insurance, were experienced in working with contractors and structural engineers and were well-versed in the permitting process. While Debbie and Len Marucci did have this experience, Mr. Johnson did not. Mr. Johnson, however, was very much integrated into the project and by his participation, would gain the experience necessary to enter the public realm. Ms. Coles-Dobay reiterated visuals were created from input provided by the participants, Debbie and Len Marucci and Mr. Johnson. Mr. Johnson suggested the visuals be approached with a neutral mindset. The following images were reviewed. ?The Sailfish, suggested by Mr. Johnson, represented the Boynton Beach City seal, and the opening gates symbolized "Gateway to the Gulfstream," spirit, happiness and unity. ?Foliage, wildlife, birds and masks represented the African American Seminole Indians who settled into the community. The African American Seminole Indians fished for food, and this was represented by the water, canoe and bamboo oars. The black areas reflected the cutouts and the green areas reflected the metal material. ?Flora and fauna represented the stained glass windows at St. John Missionary Baptist Church and the pristine nature of the land at that time. ?Children and their pets in the community. 3 Meeting Minutes Arts Commission Workshop/Community Meeting Boynton Beach, Florida March 25, 2010 ?Buildings were iconic structures that represented the character of the community. ?Habitat for Humanity was influential and constructed a number of homes in the community. ?The community celebrated events, such as the graffiti Public Art mural. ?Music of the community - The Continental Club was very much a part of the community in the past. Artists such as BB King and James Brown performed at the Club, and music was still important. The Continental Club and other social events should be integrated into the visual. ?People with arms raised represented a community striving for a higher and better future. Martin Luther King's "Dream" represented moving forward and provided a feeling of unity and celebration. The Carolyn Sims memorial also tied into the image. ?The image of hands could represent the hands of the people in the community. ?Buildings, as noted earlier, were iconic in the community and added meaning as to the manner in which they affected the community. ?The Schoolhouse Children's Museum. ?The water tower served as a visual landmark. ?The Boynton Beach Library - Adults and children from the community visited the Library often for educational purposes and to use the computers. ?Churches and families were an integral part of the community. A number of churches were located in the City. ?A representation of the Ocean Avenue Bridge with trellis symbols was shown. The Bridge was significant because that is where the waterway ended before it was opened up further south. ?A visual of a harvest was shown. During troubled times, the community was independent and self-sustaining. Fruits and vegetables were harvested and many people in the community earned their living through the sale of these items. 4 Meeting Minutes Arts Commission Workshop/Community Meeting Boynton Beach, Florida March 25, 2010 ?Another representation of harvest, abundance, pineapples and fishing was shown. At the time Mr. Johnson created the representation, he felt one of the images could represent a snook, and the images could be seen through the metal material. ?The homes of the community were close together and had porches which represented unity and a sense of community and sustainability. ?The participants at the previous meeting were not interested in the black crows which represented the Jim Crow laws. Another visual was displayed demonstrating white hands releasing the black crows. ?Martin Luther King's impact on the community, including the "I have a Dream" speech, resulted in positive change. ?Education was reflected through books "flying" toward freedom. ?Education was reflected by students graduating from a school. ?An Old Dutch Mill served as a trading post. ?The LaCoquimbo Bell at St. Cuthbert's Church was found at a wreck outside of the City and symbolized the churches in the community. ?Symbols representing independence, freedom, emancipation, greatness, charisma, leadership, ram's horn, humanity, strength, initiative, dynamism and versatility were to be considered. Other topics not presented in visuals included the following: ?The Bahamian influence that settled in the City. This was not addressed at the last workshop. ?Major Nathan Boynton, founder of the City in 1894. ?Henry Flagler employed a number of African Americans in the community to work at the railroad. He paid decent wages and did not discriminate. The visuals were reviewed again for discussion purposes. ?The Gateway - Mr. Johnson explained the framework of the gate helped to represent the Heart of Boynton. Designs of open-heart patterns and a dove 5 Meeting Minutes Arts Commission Workshop/Community Meeting Boynton Beach, Florida March 25, 2010 were recreated with the opening of the gate. The visual represented the Gateway to the Gulfstream as Boynton Beach was one of the closest points to the Gulfstream and the Coast of South Florida. People visited Boynton Beach to fish and dive. The artists would determine the manner in which a concept would translate into the medium and would determine the images representing the past, present and future. The integrity of the piece must be considered. Aluminum would be the element to be used. Ms. Coles-Dobay explained the procedure for fabricating an image into the structure of the piece. Comments from the participants included the following: The heart should be made complete with the City symbol in the center. This ? would tie in with the Heart of Boynton. The lines should be simplified. If greater detail was desired, areas could be ? cut out and more details introduced. The artists might not be able to capture on aluminum what the community ? wanted. ?The African American Seminole Indians settling into the community were represented by utilizing tribal masks. The participants offered the following comments: The masks were not appealing and did not send a positive message. ? Masks were not worn. ? The masks were too small and reflected a mean image. ? The "ugly" mask should not be included, but the Indians should be ? represented, as they were the first inhabitants of the community. The images of the Indians were not realistic. It would be more accurate to ? reflect an Indian silhouette on a raft on the canal. An image should be added featuring the canoe and the Bahamians which ? were part of the past. Bahamians made their living and fished for food by using canoes on the water. Nets were used as well. ?The flora, fauna and wildlife represented the land as it existed in Florida at the time. Comments from the participants included the following: 6 Meeting Minutes Arts Commission Workshop/Community Meeting Boynton Beach, Florida March 25, 2010 Farmland existed in the past. ? Alligators, manatees, turtle, crabs and swamp rabbits existed along the ? water. All agreed the masks should be omitted. ? Fishing poles and case poles should be used. ? ?Image of the children and their pets - The participants did not want the image included as it was not applicable. ?Habitat for Humanity. The participants did not feel this image focused on the Heart of Boynton. ?Community celebrating events. The image was taken from the mural near the Sims Center. The Sims Center housed the Empowerment Center for Youth Violence Prevention Program participants. The Program was well established in the community and is part of the present. Highlights of comments offered by the community were as follows: The reflection of unity was good. However, faces of the people in the ? mural should be placed on the memorial to be placed in Heritage Park. The faces could be a representation of the community and reflect ? diversity. The visual would teach youngsters to be accepting of differences and to ? have an open mind. A child's interpretation should be considered. ? Positive images must be reflected. ? Citizens must make the community a better place in which to live. ? The violence must be stopped. ? The representation should be simplistic and positive. ? All participants agreed the mural should not be repeated in this image, but ? the music in the community must be represented. 7 Meeting Minutes Arts Commission Workshop/Community Meeting Boynton Beach, Florida March 25, 2010 ?Uplifting hands with the large heart – people of the community and Dr. King's "Dream". Comments made by the participants included the following: The visual was good but should be in silhouette format. ? The image should reflect a diverse community. ? The image should be included, but representations of women should be ? reflected. ?Hands at Sims Center. Comments offered for this visual included the following: People of all ethnicities should be represented. ? The period of time would determine whether the representations were of ? blacks, whites or Hispanics, and whether the community was integrated. The images should portray an accurate description of the past and an ? appreciation of the present and future. Naming of individuals should be considered. ? The images portrayed a story of the past, present and future. In order for ? anyone to appreciate the present or the future, they must be aware of the past. The community's children need to know of their past. The hands could be traced and used in a visual or in a cutout version. ? The heart represented the Heart of Boynton. Butterflies could be used instead of hands, and this would tie into the Butterfly Mandela. The imagery could be sculpted to provide a 3-D effect. Schools were segregated in the past. An image of the school was needed ? to represent the schools of the community in the past. Boynton High School could be included in the present as the community has been integrated. Integration did not begin when Nathan Boynton founded Boynton Beach. ? The schools were integrated in the 1960s. Children need to be aware of this. The torch would be left to the children. The community has learned from the past to make a better future. ? 8 Meeting Minutes Arts Commission Workshop/Community Meeting Boynton Beach, Florida March 25, 2010 The heart in the middle of the image could be removed and the hands ? could be tied to the Butterfly Mandela and still have the sense of community. Names could be stamped into the butterflies. ? Adding names could "open up a can of worms" if people were left out. It ? was noted the Martin Luther King Committee was responsible for adding names to the plaque that would remain in Heritage Park. The participants unanimously agreed that names or profiles should not be used. The outer layer of hands or butterflies would be flat and another layer ? curved and sculpted to emerge in 3-D from the other heart. ?Iconic Buildings. The Sims Center. The building spoke for itself. Water Tower. The participants did not want this visual included. Schoolhouse Children's Museum. The participants agreed the building did not influence the Heart of Boynton. The Library. Comments by the participants included the following: The Library was representative of the community. In the past, books ? were brought from the Library downtown to the school and the Library had always been an important part of the community, even though the community was still segregated at that time. Books symbolized education. An image of an open book could reflect ? subjects such as mathematics, science, art, chemistry and geography emerging from the books. Silhouettes of children donning graduation caps and holding diplomas could be included in the visual as they would signify achievement. It was recommended clip art not be used. An image of a silhouetted fireman, doctor, policeman teacher or other ? professional could emerge from the books. Tools and laboratory equipment could also be shown emerging from ? the books. 9 Meeting Minutes Arts Commission Workshop/Community Meeting Boynton Beach, Florida March 25, 2010 A ladder emerging from the books could indicate "climbing up in the ? world." Mr. Johnson referred to previous comments regarding a mural at the Woman's Club which provided a sense of art history. He felt the panels should simply portray the challenges faced and overcome by the community. Rather than including intricate cutouts, he suggested creating more of a solid piece where detail could be added. He viewed the project as a stepping stone and suggested the community determine what could be accomplished at the present time while possibly having more of a historical work in the future. ?Churches and unity of families. The participants agreed churches were important to the community and necessary for historical purposes. Additionally, it was agreed the bell was an important element of religious connectivity, and religious symbols could be represented by crosses and bibles. It was noted the artists would create a visual representing these elements. ?Representation of the bridge had historical significance and was "low on the totem pole." ?The harvest image represented the early settlers who grew tomatoes, broccoli and pineapples and brought the fruits and vegetables to market. Whatever was left over was placed under the settlers' homes for anyone to take. This reflected self-sustainability, abundance, independence and sharing within the community. The participants agreed to the image, but felt coconuts and mangoes should be added. ?Houses that were close together with representations of porches and open spaces had historical significance. The participants agreed to include the houses. ?Birds, black crows, white hands, Jim Crow Laws and City ordinances. The participants did not want theses images included. ?Churches on wheels. The participants felt the image was a good representation, but felt it should relate more to the era. It was suggested consideration be given to expanding the image to include tears, a broken heart and the Jim Crow ordinances being transported by horse-drawn carriages. ?"I Have a Dream," celebration and education symbols for uplifting could be more accurately reflected in the book images. 10 Meeting Minutes Arts Commission Workshop/Community Meeting Boynton Beach, Florida March 25, 2010 . Iconic buildings. The participants did not want these images included. However, row houses and churches could be considered as symbolic structures. . Symbolisms. It was suggested by the participants that information be included under the symbols such as peace, unity, love. Symbols included the following: .:. Independence and emancipation. .:. Ram's Horn. This image represented humility and togetherness. Ms. Coles-Dobay noted that at the last workshop, it was suggested wording be added to the base of the Butterfly Mandela. This might be an opportunity to add a word for each symbol on the base, while tying the symbols to the Butterfly Mandela. .:. Nathan Boynton and Flagler Railroad symbols. It was suggested by a participant that the Bahamians be included in the "beginning" as they migrated to the City in 1880. The participants agreed these symbols should be included and were very important. The workshop closed at 8:28 p.m. ') () J;l'L.-A. ~ Stephanie D. Kahn Recording Secretary 041310 11