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Minutes 09-09-21 Minutes of the Art Advisory Board Meeting Held on September 9, 2021, at 6:30 P.M. In the City Commission Chambers, City Hall 100 E. Ocean Avenue, Boynton Beach, Florida Present: Courtlandt McQuire, Chair Glenn Weiss, Public Art Manager Marcia Levine, Vice Chair Kelli Drum, Board Member Clovis Moodie, Board Member Absent: Ace Tilton Ratcliff, Board Member Saddam Silverio, Board Member Ellen Jones, Alternate (Excused) I. Call to Order Courtlandt McQuire, Board Chair, called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m. Roll Call Self-introductions were made. A quorum was present. Ellen Jones requested a medical excuse. Excused Absence Requests Appointment of alternate(s) for absent member(s) Agenda Approval or Amendments There were no formal amendments, Mr. Weiss sent additional back up material for next year's programs. Motion Ms. Drum moved to approve the agenda. Ms. Moodie seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. II. Approval of Minutes Motion: The August 12, 2021 meeting minutes are approved as written or amended. (Ex. A). Meeting Minutes Art Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida September 9, 2021 Motion Ms. Drum moved to approve the minutes Vice Chair Levine seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. III. Informational Items from the Board Chair McQuire was excited to hear they are looking for a tech person to tweak the audio for Synesthesia. Mr. Weiss explained it was basically the software that controls Christmas tree lights and doors. Anyone can learn the software as it is not complex. Mr. Weiss reached out to the appropriate people to learn the software. Chair McQuire was excited to hear new sounds. IV. Announcements/Reports Boynton Beach Arts & Cultural Center Exhibitions A. MLK Student Showcase: August 27 — Sept 13, 2021 Chair McQuire announced the MLK Student Showcase. The exhibit will run until September 13th. He encouraged the members to share and engage the event via social media. It was a joyful night for the artists and their families. Mr. Weiss asked Cynthia Alexis to serve on the Board. She met Mr. Weiss last week. They discussed arts, and how Mr. Weiss was looking for Haitian, African and Caribbean cultural influences in art. Her mother owns St. Jacques Botanica. Artists come in and present their art, similar to a consignment shop, and they hold fund raisers especially for Haiti. She sent out supplies, food, and essentials and she takes some of their offerings and turns it into goods for them. She has been doing so for over 25 years. She wants to bring attention about what they do have to offer. Grants B. NEA ARP ($50,000) Submitted Chair McQuire announced the grant was submitted. Mr. Weiss just submitted the grant as an organization. Last year, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) had a huge drop in funding from $600K to just under $20K so he described the program and what they would do in the coming year. It went directly to the NEA as opposed to the next item. C. ARP Funding Proposal to City Commission: Grants to Artist/Fabricators. (Ex B) Mr. Weiss explained the City Manager is very disciplined ensuring the City's spending aligns with how the federal government wants the funds to be spent. He pointed out some 2 Meeting Minutes Art Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida September 9, 2021 municipalities were not. The American Rescue Plan (ARP) money has to deal with economic losses that took place during the pandemic. He noted artists sustained huge losses during the pandemic. The City does not have as many public artists as he would like. His collaboration is between the fabricators who also had a loss so hopefully they will support small scale metal fabricators, public artists and sign makers if the City Commission determines to move forward with this type of funding. Chair McQuire asked what kind of money they were discussing. Mr. Weiss requested five grants for$20K each. The artists fabricator would come back and ask what type of art they want and they would make it. It is an open process and it is a grant. The City would not own what they make. The work is displayed for a year and then it goes back to the artists. The art can be placed anywhere in the City, not just Ocean Avenue. The City has $14M, but a lot of the funds are going out to hard hit areas of the community and for rent assistance. The City Manager continuously encouraged Mr. Weiss to write the grant. The City Commission will make the decision in the end. V. Action Items Workplan Mr. Weiss suggested the Workplan be discussed under New Business and Projects. Purchase of Artworks from Kinetic: Frank Hyder(Ex C.) Mr. Weiss allocated $15K for purchases for this year. He explained if the Board wanted to purchase any of the artwork, it would be a recommendation to the City Manager to approve the purchase. Since it does not exceed $35K it doesn't have to go to the City Commission. Mr. Weiss spoke to several artists: Mr. Hyder has set a price of $13K for his work, Janis; Darren Miller, created the kinetic piece the Flame, which is $4K; Adrian Landon came down dramatically in his price, to $50K for his Mechanical Horse; He did not hear back from Rubem Robierb ("Rubem") regarding the Butterfly. He only got prices for the three pieces as they had the most interest. Vice Chair Levine asked if something was very inexpensive, if it would be in the running for purchase. Mr. Weiss explained what exists. It is a $4K price from the artist. The Board spoke about the Frank Hyder piece and if there has been any structural or quality issues that Mr. Weiss may be concerned with. Mr. Weiss replied there is no damage or issues with the piece. The piece is made from translucent fiberglass as there is a light inside. There is potential with any work, depending on where it is placed, that the red can fade, but the piece can be repainted. It was noted the piece gathers water along the bottom of the base and they to make sure the base looks better all the time. Vice Chair Levine explained when she joined the Board, Ms. Coles-Dobay was the Public Art Manager, the City purchased items. She did not understand the process, but was aware public art suddenly appeared. Vice Chair Levine announced she loves Frank Hyder's pieces. She met him when she worked at the Cornell Museum and the museum displayed many of the Janis pieces. The work is multi gender with a great message of 3 Meeting Minutes Art Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida September 9, 2021 renewal. She owns other pieces by Frank Hyder. He is a prolific artist and Janis is one of the pieces he has done over many years. He gave the City a great price. She likes the Lloyd Goradesky piece, but it is too expensive. Mr. Hyder reduced the price from $14K to $13K. They are all outdoor public art pieces and they are all over the world. Vice Chair Levine thought Janis should stay here, because when they have concerts and events at night at the amphitheater Janis would be glowing. She told Mr. Weiss she hoped the Art Advisory Board budget could accommodate acquisition of the piece, and if not, she and her friend Ellen would donate and get investors to raise funds to purchase the piece. Ms. Moodie queried what the total budget to purchase art was and during what time period. Mr. Weiss explained the general annual budget is $96K in Mr. Weiss's proposal. He reviewed the budget. Any purchase would come from the artwork purchase line item having $15K in it. He noted the Art in Public Places budget is still in the red. If it goes forward, the City Manager and City Commission will loan them the money. Chair McQuire thought some of the funds could be moved. Ms. Moodie commented there were other pieces the Board was contemplating acquiring. They are looking at the Flame and Butterfly. Lloyd's piece was $175K. The Butterfly is $150K and Rubem said he would come down, but Mr. Weiss thought he would still be reducing the price $75K. Mr. Weiss did not see construction projects coming and those projects are what fund the Art in Public Places budget. Vice Chair Levine thought if there are hard costs on project, they do not really know what the costs are. They can take funds from those line items for pieces they know what the cost is. She thought by shaving costs there would be funds to buy something else. The Board still does not know what a mural program will cost. She reiterated if needed, she would put in $4K towards the $13K for the Janis piece. Ms. Moodie asked what will be on the Avenue when they remove the kinetic pieces and where will the money come to support that. Mr. Weiss showed her the budget, but it will change in the next fiscal year to remove the pieces. Mr. Weiss thought there would be $22K. Chair McQuire explained last year kinetic cost significantly more. Mr. Weiss the art is not all kinetic. The Board agreed to pay $12K to bring the Mechanical Horse and the Board incurred a repair cost for the Rubem's work. The kinetic work will run from January to March. There is a small budget for promotions which would include exhibition brochures, Avenue of the Art brochures, and smartphone tours. Mr. Weiss reviewed the total budget, including the art repair budget, which was low. (Vice Chair Levine left the dais at 7.07 p.m.) Chair McQuire commented there were three pieces before the board to purchase. It would be brought to the City Manager. If the Board wants to buy it and if it is not over a certain price, the Board could spend the funds from their own budget to buy it. The three pieces were the Flame by the Old High School; the Butterfly and the Janis Project. The Butterfly would not be acquired as it's close to $100K. the Flame and work from the Janis 4 Meeting Minutes Art Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida September 9, 2021 project are realistic. Chair McQuire thought the Flame does not work where it is, it is a giant sub-strait piece. He likes the idea that the pieces can move and the same issue with the Janis project. The Mechanical Horse is $50K. Chair McQuire thought the cost was prohibitive. Mr. Weiss noted the City Manager likes the Mechanical Horse. He queried if she came up with funds, if the Board be interested in acquiring it. Chair McQuire did not, but if she advises she has the funds, the Board could vote on it. He did not think they needed to vote on the piece. The Board then has the Flame and Janis to decide. (Vice Chair Levine returned at 7:11 p.m.) Mr. Weiss hoped next year, they will start in May to develop the budget. This was his first time doing it and they didn't go through that type of project. Ms. Drum wanted to more about Janis as she was aware that as an artist, hard acrylics and resin in the hot Florida sun discolor quickly. She wanted to know how much would it be to repaint and how long do the other pieces last before they discolor or have any other issues with quality. Vice Chair Levine stated she put the City or the Art Advisory Board purchasing this since January, and this is the first time it has come up on an agenda, since kinetic and Frank Hyder came. They had time to have Mr. Hyder talk to the Board, present his work and she thought to be debating whether the fiberglass artwork fades, and she expressed it is a public art piece that will not fade. The piece is worth way more than $13K that he is going to Vice Chair Levine for the City to purchase was nuts, but they could have Mr. Hyder speak to his art, and all the art speak to the art that is here, and she believes it is a great price and a great prolific artist. To have Mr. Hyder give him more of his art, when there are other things and other pieces have a friend in the City like Mr. Hyder who is in Miami would be really great. She thought a fast vote would be great and hoped the vote would be yes as it would be terrific, but on these merits, it would be great, but they had so much time. Chair McQuire did not know that before the agenda, he did not know it would be a topic to vote on. They did not have a lot of time to consider it. When looking at it in context with the budget, he thought it was probably what some people might be thinking about. (Ms. Moodie left the meeting at 7:17 p.m.) (Ms. Moodie returned to the meeting at 7.19 p.m.) Chair McQuire suggested someone make a motion. He thought Vice Chair Levine might want to detail how the purchase would work, or not and leave it straight out of the budget. Vice Chair Levine noted she may want to donate a portion of the purchase. Chair McQuire thought it was important, that the motion detail what funds are coming from where to purchase the piece. Vice Chair Levine asked if the Board discussed transferring funds among the budgeted line items. Chair McQuire responded there was not. The budget is a guideline. The Art Advisory Board budget is in a lump sum in the proposed budget. The City Commission maintains a consistent $20K budget amount for the AAB. 5 Meeting Minutes Art Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida September 9, 2021 Motion Vice Chair Levine moved the City purchase the Janis public art sculpture priced at $13K Vice Chair Levine will put in $4K and her friend Ellen will put in $500, resulting in a cost of$8,500 for the City to acquire the Janis Piece. The motion died for lack of a second. Chair McQuire commented there were funds for the Flame piece. It was known The City Manager liked the Mechanical Horse and may budget for it. He asked if anyone wanted to purchase the Flame piece. There was no response. He announced the Art Advisory Board is not purchasing any works for the City. Approve Call to Artists for Quantum Eco Park Design Team (Ex D.) Mr. Weiss commented at the last meeting, the Board reviewed potential projects. He noted there were a few proposals he brought forward to work with public works as a way to get artist ideas to influence the design of things and social connections in the City at a low price. The City is about to sign a contract with a landscape architect to move ahead and the idea is to find an artist to work with them as soon as possible. Mr. Weiss explained it could result in a pathway that looks like a snake, or how a clearing could be made for people to enjoy. Mr. Weiss was looking for the members to vote on the issue. Chair McQuire likes that it incorporates nature and it is off the beaten path. It is a place to find art unexpectedly. It would give the artist the ability to have some freedom. The budget is low. The Board would see it progress, and the artist's ideas would be shown to the Board. Ms. Moodie asked what is the Art Advisory Board responsibility. She looked at language from page 1, which states the first phase idea should be acceptable to the design team, public art manager, Director of recreation and parks and he City Manager's office. She asked if the Art Advisory Board have any role or responsibility in this project. Mr. Weiss responded they did. The Board has to approve the art ideas, but it also has to satisfy those other people. Mr. Weiss will have to release it immediately and try to get applications in within 30 days. They want to finish the design by spring. Then the project would be bid. Chair McQuire stated their budget is so small, but they should try it. He has been on the Board for a while and he never saw art for parks. Motion Ms. Moodie moved the Art Advisory Board accept the Scope of Work for the Quantum Eco Park. Ms. Drum seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Ms. Drum would volunteer to offer her visual talents. Chair McQuire stated in the past, there were occasionally steering committees and a member of the Board could meet with the artist. 6 Meeting Minutes Art Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida September 9, 2021 VI. Old Business Review of Workshop and Approval of Outline for City Commission Report (Ex. E) Mr. Weiss read his recap of the workshop as contained in the meeting materials. Chair McQuire thought the Art Advisory Board recommendations and goals would be presented to the City Commission. Web presence should be much weightier. He thought to have a separate website or micro site that feels more artistic. Ms. Moodie thought the language is general in scope and it may be inclusive of strategies. She thought in the future they can delve into the aspects of what they are covering. For the purposes of presenting it to the City Commission, it may be better to keep it broad. Mr. Weiss explained there will be a discussion about how much the public art website can deviate from the existing website. They use a software called Drupal, which is a system like Word Press. There are templates in Drupal, which could be dropped in. Ms. Drum has built three different website all in Word Press and she volunteered to use those services if there were no funds. Ms. Moodie objected to the word "all" and leave the word "existing" on C3 on Exhibit E of the draft recommendations. VII. New Business Workplan and Projects for FY 22 (Ex F) Mr. Weiss reviewed what was in the art budget: Kinetic close-out, Avenue of the Arts, Art Center gallery exhibitions and to find a way to collaborate on events as much as possible, such as with the MLK and Pride events. They are trying to collaborate with the schools and enhance their online presence. There are specific new art programs. Mr. Weiss is finishing up the mural proposal, and the ordinance change, which he recommends they spend $20K on it. Chair McQuire recalled the initial funds did not come out of the AiPP budget, it came from the City. He requested when he presents the mural program to the City Commission, he asked for funding. Ms. Drum noted Eugene Fagan appeared requesting the Art Advisory Board assist with painting a pumphouse. He had indicated they were willing to offer to buy paint and additional murals. Mr. Weiss responded they could reach out to them (the Boynton Beach Greater Foundation)when they want to paint murals, but the specific project Mr. Fagan was referring to was located on county property. Mr. Fagan was willing to work with the Art Advisory Board on other projects. Mr. Weiss confirmed they would. Mr. Fagan sits on the Foundation Board and is also a member of the Recreation and Parks Board. He is a strong supporter of the community. They may help the county and Mr. Fagan find an artist if they want to move forward with painting the pumphouse at the Inlet. 7 Meeting Minutes Art Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida September 9, 2021 Mr. Weiss was working on Forest Hills Park mural with the Florida Department of Transportation sound wall mural. He noted someone made a commitment to donate trees to the site. Chair McQuire was familiar with the park as he lives nearby and stated it is a very cool park. The playground from the former Kingdom Park was replicated and painted at this location and will feature a low mural on the sound wall. There are similar parks going up on a larger scale in Palm Beach County. He commented the wall has the potential to create something really impactful and it is well needed for this area. The City will sign an agreement to work with Charlene Farrington of the Spady Museum to work with the Black Community to identify the significant historic events within the Black Community that should be honored and part of a formalized trail. It is part of the diversity program. Ms. Farrington identified some individuals and would work with many other members of the black community as a facilitator. There will be Eco Park enhancements. It was an idea the Public Works Department forwarded to him. Chair McQuire thought this project spoke to him. He asked if this was part of what would be presented to the City Commission, although it could be. He wanted to ensure whatever artwork and photography they create be made into a documentary and shown in the amphitheater. He is a producer and director and he noted they have a video person and hearing workers talk adds another layer to the work. They could create their first docuseries or documentary for the City and it could be hot. He thought the workers would have a lot of interesting things to tell and have probably seen it all. Mr. Weiss explained other items included in the budget were when sidewalks are repaired, they include certain features. He referenced the project by Lucy Keshavarz which included imprints or stencils in the sidewalk at the Old Dixie Eco-Walk. He asked the members if the Conrad Pickel wanted to continue recognizing him on an annual basis. Tours of his work were held with the Historical Society. The Cultural Center suggested projecting images on the back of the cultural center, which would cost about $4K. He reviewed possible future projects and advised what was not listed in the handout w updating the guidelines. In the past, Mr. Weiss had written guidelines for developers, but not for the public sector which details more about how the Board operates. VIII. Public Comments IX. Future Agenda Items • Diversity in Public Art Program • Future Art Events: Guided Tours, Zoom Talks, Monthly Art Walk, Etc. • Digital Interactive Tour and Map like Otocast • Coordination of Public Art on Boynton Beach APP • Continuous Social Media and other Marketing of Pubic Art Chair McQuire reviewed the above items. 8 Meeting Minutes Art Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida September 9, 2021 Mr. Weiss stated there is an open house for the Arts and Cultural Center on the 18th in the afternoon and that night is the opening of the Art District. X. Adjournment There being no further business, Ms. Drum moved to approve. Vice Chair Levine seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8:02 p.m. Catherine Cherry Minutes Specialist 9