Minutes 05-14-20 Minutes of the Arts Commission Meeting
Held on Thursday, May 14, 2020, at 6:30 p.m.
Via Zoom Online Meeting
in Boynton Beach, Florida
Present:
Courtlandt McQuire, Chair Ms. Coles-Dobay Public Art Manager
Marcia Levine, Vice Chair Kathryn Matos, Assistant City Manager
Saddam Silverio Nicole Blanks, Public Art Assistant
Robyn, Lorenz
Clovis Moodie
Jehana Zell
Susan Oyer
Dario Ayala
Robyn Lorenz, Alternate
Martin Klauber, Alternate (arrived 6:53 p.m.)
I. Self-introductions
Chair McQuire started the meeting at 6:31 p.m.
Ms. Coles-Dobay introduced Kathryn Matos, the new Assistant City Manager. Ms.
Matos announced she was happy to join the City and was impressed with the robust
public art program the City has.
Chair McQuire welcomed Ms. Matos.
Il. Agenda Approval
Motion
Ms. Oyer moved to approve the agenda. Vice Chair Levine seconded the motion. The
motion unanimously passed.
III. Approve Meeting Minutes
A. February 13th, 2020, minutes
Motion
Mr. Ayala moved to approve. Mr. Silverio seconded the motion. The motion
unanimously passed.
Meeting Minutes
Arts Commission
Boynton Beach, Florida May 14, 2020
V. Informational Items from the Board
Vice Chair Levine spent a lot of time on resources people posted online from various
museums and art institution and art talks. There are so many cultural things that are
free without having to go all over the world. It has been really great.
Ms. Oyer thanked Ms. Coles-Dobay for posting an art feature a day, so people can see
or drive over to the different artworks in the City. She thought it was an outstanding way
to feature all the art the City has, great idea. Ms. Coles-Dobay advised it was a lot of
work and she thanked her assistant, Ms. Blanks. Ms. Blanks commented it was nice to
share the City's art with the community. Ms. Oyer thought it was great for the board and
she was going to take up the daily scavenger hunt. She thought after this was over, a
contest could be held to see who has the most pictures of the art. Ms. Coles-Dobay
advised she had some ideas.
Ms. Moodie appreciated the Reflection piece that was installed. She thanked Ms.
Coles-Dobay for the updates on its progress and advised she sees them often. She
thought it was a beautiful great place maker and she could not wait to see the rest of the
art work in the Town Square.
Mr. Silverio also liked the Reflections piece. He thought it looked phenomenal and was
anxious to see the rest.
Ms. Zell explained since they were all at home, the members could give each other
tours of all their artwork.
Mr. Ayala gave a brief tour of his art. Ms. Oyer also showed some of her art.
Chair McQuire commented it was wonderful seeing Ralfonso's work come to life and he
thanked Ms. Coles-Dobay for her work. He saw the final spindle placed on the top of
the piece and commented even his neighbors approached him about it and that the
piece is getting a lot of press.
VI. Announcements/Reports
A.AIPP Virtual Tour- Posted on AiPP social media beginning March 18.
Ms. Coles-Dobay explained they have been posting part of their collection and what
they have accomplished for the last 46 days. Boosting on social media and Instagram,
Twitter and people are learning about the art the artists, art and the program. The effort
was a good project and was a virtual tour of the City.
B.20/20/50 Artists Relief and Virtual Tour ,. ' t n- oa shcr° a °i t
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Boynton Beach, Florida May 14, 2020
Chair McQuire thought it was a really great idea that had a great response. Ms. Coles-
Dobay explained this was in response to looking on social media sites and how artists
responded to the pandemic. Artists connect to what they have been experiencing and
want to share it, but they cannot exhibit anywhere. An idea came to her how they could
help give a little bit of funding to help them through this period and promote them. Ms.
Coles-Dobay asked artists to respond and they sent information digitally. They gave
each artist $50 and gave Boynton Beach artists preference. As a result, Ann Miller
stepped up to fund the whole program.
C.20/20/50 Artists Connect to Community b s-/il w.bovn -b ism s
Ms. Coles-Dobay explained this item got other people excited and anxious to see what
would be done next. Vice Chair Levine wanted to sponsor something and what the next
thing they can connect to the community was, as people will be going out soon so they
had to determine what message to put out on the street and how the art connects to the
public. They issued a call to artists with a May 15th deadline, which was shared on
social media and within the city. They have nearly 30 submissions. Artists were
becoming aware of what the City was offering and it was a great opportunity for local
artists. Ms. Coles-Dobay explained the City was also engaging Third Street Signs, a
local sign business. When the art is received, Ms. Blanks lays out the art on the front
with the verbal message, which could say "grateful or kind", or "unity or love", and it is
printed on signs that are 24' wide by 18' high and it will say Boynton Beach art.org on
the back with the artist website. The signs will be done tomorrow. Next week they will be
printed and installed on the 22nd in high visible locations. Mr. Ayala agreed to help
install the signs.
VII. Project Updates/Approvals
A. International Kinetic Art Biennial
Chair McQuire reviewed, this event has taken off with Ralfonso's piece Reflections
which marks the gateway to the Town Square. The event is around the corner and
members need to get the word out and communicate it is upcoming.
• "Reflections" Kinetic Art installation (emailed May 5 9:18am)
The members viewed a short video of the Reflections pieces being installed. Mr. Ayala
thought it would be great to have up lights and that it would be a central spot for events,
and for people to congregate. He noted, in comparison with the aviation industry, which
uses metal and turbines, every blender or grinder was similar to how these pieces
move. Ms. Coles-Dobay explained the foundation was installed, and will have seat
walls. The art was installed and the up-lights will be installed next week. She noted
there are 10 up-lights and then the plaza will be poured. The copy they have on the
website says "Meet me at the Kinetic." and it will be the place to meet and greet in Town
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Square and then go hang out, read, eat lunch or go to a concert. It is the gathering spot
for people coming to the Town Square area. The public can sit below the sculpture and
see a different view point of the art as the art changes every day, it reflects the Kapok
tree and the stately City Hall Building. It has a tree shape, so the three elements work
well together and there will be landscaping around it. The video was taken by Jeff
Alderman, who is filming an Art Adventures of Palm Beaches segment. The pandemic
held up the filming, but it will air in October, in time for the Kinetic Art will be on the
Avenue. It will be aired on PBS and in 450 hotels in Palm Beach County for Discover
the Palm Beaches. It is funded by Adventures in PB, the Cultural Council and the Art
Hive Girls do the hosting. Ralfonso is one of the features on the show. Ralfonso worked
in collaboration to get the video shot so all can use it. They will send it out to the media
next week along with some beauty shots of the artwork.
(Martin Klauber joined the meeting.)
B. May 19/20 Fire Rescue window artwork installation
Chair McQuire explained the Arts Commission selected the artist, Lynn Doyal, and it is
coming close to installation time. Ms. Coles-Dobay explained it is being installed for the
Town Square next week. Shadow Graphics printed the images and is preparing if for
installation it, you can see the building with the big one on it. When you walk into the
lobby it will be on the three main lobby doors. You will see the visuals from the outside
and when walking into the building you can see outside the lobby doors
VIII. New Business
A. Accept donation of two Conrad Pickel artworks
Chair McQuire noted the two Conrad Pickel artworks which were donated. Mr. Pickel
lived in the area in the 80s. The donation was a charcoal self-portrait and a submission
of a projected water tower which took the piece to the next level. There was supposed
to be a restaurant and art gallery, with stained glass windows. The images are very
creative and historical pieces and it was great donation from this woman.
Ms. Oyer announced she knew Conrad Pickel as a child and advised he came to
Boynton Beach in 1970. He created the largest stained-glass piece in the world in
Chicago and Boynton Beach has had several retrospectives of him, including from the
HRPB. He pushed unsuccessfully to have his water tower piece installed through the
City Commission, and wanted to pay to have the water tower made into a restaurant.
He was not only a stained-glass artist and there is a color named for Conrad Pickel
called Conrad Pickel Blue, but a painter and sculptor as well. The child sculpture in the
cemetery is a Pickel piece as was the stained glass in the mausoleum. JNS Auto Repair
also has Pickel art on their roofline, and they are very proud to have artwork on the
building. The Historic Resource Preservation Board had given tours also. It is on the
tour as well as a church in West Palm Beach. It is a shame the Pickel celebration died
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out over the last two years. He is the most well-known stained-glass artist, and he lived
here for years.
Motion
Ms. Oyer motion to accept. Vice Chair Levine seconded the motion. The motion
unanimously passed.
Ms. Oyer thought it was very nice of Ann Miller, a long-term supporter of the AiPP
program, to donate the art. Ms. Miller has volunteered for every kinetic event and been
active in the program. She attends most events and has been at the different art walks.
IX. Unfinished Business
A.City Hall Lobby art update
The members viewed a PowerPoint of the art and signage when entering the City Hall
Main Lobby. All of the art was approved and photographs by artist Bill Combes was
selected for the main wall. The objective was to procure new artwork for City Hall
because what the City had in its collection was not to the scale of the building. Artists
received stipends to create large scale mark-ups. The project is not an Art in Public
Places.project as the stipends were funded through the City team, comprised of E2L
and City management, but the Arts Commission is managing and implementing the
project. Mr. Klauber asked about the rectangular area to the right of the stairway and
above and learned black and white Library signage for the upper library exterior lobby
was planned. Brief discussion followed Boynton Beach has many unique eco systems.
The artwork depicts Ocean to Everglades, ocean mangrove, Scrub and Everglades and
the Scrub. A second set of photographs depicted the Oceanfront Park in Boynton
Beach, a different angle of the mangrove area on Intracoastal, the Scrub and the
Everglades from Loxahatchee Preserve, which is still Boynton Beach. Members were
asked to make comments, which Ms. Coles-Dobay would convey to the stakeholders at
the meeting the next day. It was noted Chair McQuire also was on the City Team so the
Arts Commission had representation.
Artist Carly Mejeur took a nautical map and customized it, showing what is important
and unique to those areas. She paints watercolor onto the map, which shows the inlet,
water tower, borders, what is under the water and what is relevant to this area. Ms.
Coles-Dobay noted Ms. Mejeur is very connected to the ocean community and has
conducted research to ensure the information on the map is correct. Included was the
MV Castor wreck, a popular diving spot and location that has attracted giant grouper.
The map also shows the green turtles, and the horizon line with the tower, a frigate
seabird, a boat catching fish and sailfish under the water against a sunset colored sky.
Ms. Coles-Dobay explained the colors will be more intense and the art will be above a
double door, that will be very visible. Her map signifies the community. There will also
be a library-branding concept. The south side first floor had signs and lighted artwork to
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mimic sea life under the water. Her map signifies the community. Ms. Coles-Dobay
showed the members where the Library signs would be located.
Another artwork was a 15' long by 4' high painted die cut metal wall sculpture that was
the symbol in Gregg shorthand for "Creative Community". A textured painting to go with
it has lots of layers of color, Gregg shorthand, cursive writing and braille.
Two large custom canvasses 8 'wide by 12' tall will be installed on the south and north
sides of the lobby elevators. They are both more modern artworks that covey the
feeling for Diversity and Sub Tropic. Craig McInnis artwork portrays a feeling of
diversity and inclusiveness in the City and artist Tiffany Beasi's artwork conveys the
sub-tropical place where Boynton Beach is located. Mr. Klauber asked if the pieces
would be framed and learned they would be gallery wrapped straight to the wall. The
nautical map would be framed. Creative Community will be gallery wrapped. Chair
McQuire asked if all the pieces will have a placard with information about the piece and
the artist. Ms. Coles-Dobay confirmed all the artwork always has a placard.
Chair McQuire thought information about the Bill Combes pieces would be educational.
When the City Hall celebration opens on July 21St, the artists will attend . Ms. Mejeur
plans to have a table to sell prints and bring the community she is connected to, such as
fishing, or diving surfing or even charter boats to the event. During the COVID
shutdown, the parks were closed for a while, and Bill Combes, had to get special
permission to enter the County parks to get his shots. By sharing this project with many
communities and organizations, Ms. Coles-Dobay explained they are very excited about
it and by being involved in the process all are looking forward to attending the opening
and promoting the new City Hall lobby artworks. Ms. Coles-Dobay explained
Loxahatchee would love to come and that is another community that will be present.
They are very excited about it and there is excitement brewing by having interactions.
Chair McQuire was impressed with all of the artwork and liked the first grouping of Bill
Combes photos better than the second. Ms. Coles-Dobay thought Option A would
translate better. Ms. Moodie was excited about the photos of the Scrub area and being
partof this. In the 80s and 90s, her family was very involved in saving the Scrub as
there were plans to develop the land. They would go to City Hall with cards and signs
urging the state, city and county to develop a plan to buy the property and she was
happy. Chair McQuire commented he is in the park all the time and it is a great place to
find solitude.
There was consensus to move forward with the work and it was coming together nicely.
The hard work has been done, and they are nearing the finish line. Ms. Moodie was
glad they had the chance to tour the City Hall because it gave her better understanding
of the placement of the items. Ms. Oyer was not sold on the two modern pieces and
she had previously objected to them. Mr. Klauber agreed. He though the diversity
would be more forthcoming and less abstract and it has to be a clear message. Mr.
Ayala agreed with Chair McQuire and thought with having to identify with ethnicity, the
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painting by Mr. Craig McInnis seemed molecular. Chair McQuire explained the
concepts were approved in January or December and now they are in the execution
stage. Everyone has different taste in art. Art is interpreted by the viewer. He thought
contemporary art is interpreted and a lot can be read into it. He thought it would not
overwhelm people, and thought it was the right art for the right environment. He thought
it would be an eye catcher and may be the first piece everyone sees. It is the artists
interpretation.
X. Future Business
A. June11th High Ridge Country Club Public Art, 2400 Hypoluxo Rd.
Ms. Coles-Dobay recommended the members visit the location to view the art. She
hoped to review it at the next meeting.
B. June 11 t" Taco Bell mural concept for review have a call to artists and 21 artists
submitted.
Ms. Coles-Dobay explained the call to artists was issued and Vice Chair Levine was on
the selection panel. Taco Bell Corporate and the local franchise were working on this
and shortlisted four artists. The artists will have their Zoom meeting tomorrow with Taco
Bell to obtain a better understanding of their concept, and then present it to the
members. Corporate is in California and the local franchise operating in St. Petersburg
is excited and like the idea they are trying to engage local artists.
C. Art exhibits for Cultural Center
XI. Adjournment
Chair McQuire thanked all for attending the meeting.
Motion
There being no further business before the Board, Ms. Oyer moved to adjourn. Mr.
Ayala seconded the motion. The motion unanimously passed. The meeting adjourned
at 7:52 p.m.
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Catherine Cherry �.
Minutes Specialist
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