Minutes 11-14-19 Minutes of the Arts Commission Meeting
Held on Thursday, November 14, 2019
At Fire Station 2, Training Room
2615 West Woolbright Road, Boynton Beach, Florida
Present:
Courtlandt McQuire, Chair Debby Coles-Dobay, Public Art Manager
Marcia Levine, Vice Chair
Clovis Moodie
Robyn Lorenz
Jehana Zell (arrived 6:57 p.m.)
Saddam Silverio, Alt
Absent:
Bryan Pascual
I. Call to Order
Chair McQuire called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
II. Roll Call of Members
Self-introductions were made. A quorum was present.
III. Agenda Approval
Motion
Vice Chair Levine moved to approve the agenda. Ms. Lorenz seconded the motion.
The motion unanimously passed.
IV. Approve Meeting Minutes
A. October 10, 2019
Motion
Ms. Lorenz moved to approve the minutes. Vice Chair Levine seconded the motion.
It was noted there were minutes for August, September and October. Vice Chair
Levine moved to approve all three sets of minutes. The motion was duly seconded
and unanimously passed,
Meeting Minutes
Arts Commission
Boynton Beach. Florida November 14, 2019
V. Informational Items From the Board
Ms. Coles-Dobay explained Bryan Pascual is no longer on the Arts Commission due
to absences and Gina Burg, her assistant, resigned to take a full-time position. It was
hard to say how long it will be until they find a replacement. The City has a hiring
procedure and a job outline. Ms. Coles-Dobay explained she will make sure the
description is specific to what the job will be. All positions are published on the City's
website, other outlets and social media. She will also send it to the Board so the
members can forward it to those that may be interested.
Chair McQuire announced he went to the Aloft Hotel in Delray Beach. The rooms are
very different, funky and millennial. The pool table in the lobby is open to the public.
He thought it was a great addition to Delray. The bar has been very busy and he
advised tours are given and overall, it is a very artsy hotel.
Vice Chair Levine had a brochure about a Cornell exhibit that will end May 10th. She
announced she is taking classes at Art Sea Living, on Federal Highway. It is a terrific
studio. Mae Voles also has a studio and has fantastic classes. The classes are not
very expensive, and it is a great opportunity for groups. Vice Chair Levine would like
to see small businesses get business. It was noted former Board Member Barbara
Lentz used to be an Arts Commission member and she has a studio. Chair McQuire
noted Art Nest has painting parties. Adults participate a lot and attendees can bring
their own wine. It is a fun, funky place. The instructor teaches painting,jewelry making,
fabric making, fused glass and a wide variety of classes. She has wine parties, youth
art camps and after school activities. It was suggested she may be interested in
offering programs in the Cultural Center.
VI. Announcement/Reports
A. October 19, 6-9pm BBAD Art Walk "Deep Ocean - Shore Reef', Reef Institute &
Chasing Coral film
Chair McQuire announced the last art walk. Board Member Silverio attended and
thought it was great. He had a chance to watch some of the movie, and noted turnout
for the event was good. The event featured the Shore Reef. Ms. Coles-Dobay spoke
about the learning and research that Artist Amanda Johnson conducted to produce the
art. Now, the public could learn about the reefs in Boynton and enjoy the Deep Ocean
Shore Reef parking garage. The public is engaged with the project. They also showed
the Chasing Coral film at the Art Walk. It was shown on a 20' by 10' portable blowup
screen that the mayor purchased for the Boynton Beach Arts District. Ms. Johnson
had good conversations about the project.
Ms. Coles-Dobay inquired if the Arts Commission wanted to continue to participate in
the Art Walks and commented more Board members are needed to advocate for the
program. Ms. Coles-Dobay introduced Ms. Johnson to Jane Smith, from the Coastal
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Boynton Beach. Florida November 14, 2019
Star, who is keeping tabs on everything in the Town Square. Vice Chair Levine thought
if the mission of the Board is to get Art Commission's name out there, it was a great
opportunity, but did not know if it was beneficial if the long-range mission was to reach
art collectors and get people in art sales or public art. She liked they attended the
walks as it did create awareness, but they are not reaching upscale art. Delray Beach
has a better chance of reaching that goal. It was also noticed that the art walk
attendees shift during the Walks to a younger audience as the evening progressed.
VII. Project Updates/Approvals
A. City Hall Lobby black &white photographer review
Chair McQuire noted there was discussion at the last meeting of adding one or two
local artists. Ms. Coles-Dobay advised she contacted two artists. One question raised
for the black and white photo entries was why weren't other Boynton Beach artists
named. Three artists had been named who were: Tom Brewitz, Steve Anton and Bill
Combes. Ms. Coles-Dobay put together a request for qualifications for them to
respond. They received the same information and specifications the other artists
received, which requested unique pictures of Boynton Beach in a style similar to artist
Clyde Butcher. The overall objective for the entire lobby project was reviewed, which
should include diversity unique location, inclusivity initiatives and local artists. They
also included a call to emerging artists for art by the stairs. Prospective artists will have
to make sure they qualify, show they can do the job, show examples to ensure they
can satisfy the project and have the capability to produce high resolution imagery. She
sent the information which noted the deadline. The artists could drop box her the full-
size images so she could photo shop them to ensure they correct pixilation. Out of the
three artists, Tom Brewitz did not submit on time. Bill Combes and Steven Anton did
submit in time. She spoke with them, and learned Steve Anton withdrew his name from
the project.
The three finalists were Clyde Butcher, James Knill and Bill Combes.
The members reviewed the Library Lobby and a video of work by Clyde Butcher. The
Arts Commission could not use his work because the pictures were not Boynton Beach
images. The Selection Committee and the Arts Commission wanted the artist to take
photos specific to Boynton Beach.
A short video about Artist James Knill and his work was viewed.
(Ms. Zell arrived at 6:57 p.m.)
A short video by Bill Combs about him and his work was viewed.
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Arts Commission
Boynton Beach. Florida November 14, 2019
The Selection Committee wanted a recommendation from the Arts Commission which
artist to select.
Ms. Zell thanked Ms. Coles-Dobay for the extra work reaching out to the artists. After
brief discussion, there was agreement to recommend Bill Combes.
A. "Heartbeat" Fire Station public art panels status
Chair McQuire commented the Fire Department was very happy with the progress of
its public art. The members viewed images of the conceptual drawings that were
previously approved. The artist was Lynn Doyal. The Fire Department had a concern,
but Ms. Doyal worked carefully with Chief Joseph about which images to use, to ensure
all would happy with the results. The name of the work was Community Heartbeat. Ms.
Coles-Dobay explained the visuals should speak to and share with the community what
firefighting is about. The high-resolution images would be taken and printed on a
perforated window film and then installed on the fire station's windows. Ms. Moodie
wanted to ensure the pictures was representative of the City's culture and ethnicity.
There was agreement to move forward.
B. "Synesthesia" Interactive sounds review
Ms. Coles-Dobay curated many sounds and an audio file over to the artists. The file
contained the sounds of feet walking, kids laughing, musical instruments, the sound of
the ocean and sound of the wind. A video of the piece was viewed. She thought the
installation would begin the summer of 2020.
There was consensus that the Arts Commission was happy with the progress so far.
VIII. Intl Kinetic Art Exhibit and Symposium Review
A. Begin to submit artists/artwork information
Ms. Coles-Dobay advised she would keep this on the agenda until they received more
artist contacts.
IX. New Business
A. None.
X. Unfinished Business
A. AIPP booth and Board attend Oct. 19, 6-9pm, BBAD "Gratitude"
• Avenue of the Arts Color Effects with Cecilia exhibit promotion
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Boynton Beach. Florida November 14, 2019
Chair McQuire asked for volunteers for the October 19th event. Ms. Coles-Dobay
explained Artist Cecilia Lueza will attend the Color Effects reception and since she is
in town, she thought it would be great for her to attend the Artwalk to promote her work,
the Avenue of the Arts, talk with attendees and give a presentation. Most all of Ms.
Lueza's art is public art, although she does a lot of street intersection art pieces. At
the end of her presentation, she will show some of the Town Square art projects as
there is a connection between the Avenue of the Arts and the Town Square. There will
be art tours downtown. If attendees RSVP for the tours, they receive goody bags filled
with fun things to do in Boynton Beach as well as gift cards, discounts on framing and/or
purchases. The area businesses are contributing to the goody bags and the tours are
free, given by docents. November 30th was the first tour which was coordinated with
Small Business Saturday. The tours draw people to the area and contributes to
economic development.
Mr. Silverio advised he acts as a docent providing tours and he keeps the event
engaging. Attendees meet at Dewey Park and the tour follows the route shown in the
brochure. The next tour on is December 28th and the third Friday of every month
thereafter from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., commencing at Dewey Park. Ms. Coles-Dobay
also pointed out information about the sponsors was on the website and that the
members should look at the prices of the art since the Arts Commission receives a
commission on any art that sells. The docents talk about the rotating art and inform
attendees that there will be kinetic art next year. There was brief discussion about the
November 16th Art Walk. Chair McQuire would be at the event to set up. The artist
would be there and thought another person, such as a friend or relative would be
helpful.
He requested the members contact him if they knew someone interested in
volunteering. Brief discussion follows Ms. Lueza's images would look incredible on the
big screen. Vice Chair Levine agreed to volunteer for the December 21 st Artwalk.
Avenue of the Arts Opening Reception November 15, 5:30 - 7:30 pm
• Location
• Logistics
• Attendance
Chair McQuire announced the next day was the Avenue of the Arts Opening Reception
and the art stands out amongst the construction. Ms. Coles-Dobay put in a great deal
of work on the exhibit, which the members saw. She provided a logistics document.
The members had discussed the type of conversations to have with event goers. There
will be officials and one Commissioner, Ty Penserga, attending. There will be
representatives from the Film Commission, Cultural Alliance, some media companies,
social media influencers and quite a few collectors. Ms. Oyer also contacted quite a
few people. She thought the right people would be there as well as City staff. Parking
instructions and directions were all contained on the handout and Ms. Coles-Dobay
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Boynton Beach. Florida November 14, 2019
noted this was a rain or shine event. The food and beverage table in the courtyard is
covered. The golf carts will be on the side of Ocean Avenue, which will be used to
drive the avenue on a rotating basis. There will be three large parking areas blocked
off with a Police presence. Arts Commission members will be there and they should
wear their name tags as the members should try to promote the event.
XI. Future Business
None.
X. Adjournment
Motion
There being no further business to discuss, Vice Chair Levine moved to adjourn. Ms.
Ms. Zell seconded the motion. The motion unanimously passed.
Catherine Cherry
Jw.J
Minutes Specialist
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