Homer Public Arts Committee
Thursday, May 15, 2008 11:00 am
Cowles Council Chambers
Meeting Synopsis

 

Session 08-06 a meeting of the Public Arts Committee was called to order by Chair Newby at 11:30 am on May 15, 2008 in the City Hall Cowles Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer Alaska.   Workshop extended from 11:00 to 11:30 am


Present: Chair Angie Newby, Gaye Wolf, Karin Marks, David Anderson, and Trina Fellows

Staff:  Dru Corbin

Absent:  Hope Finkelstein

APPROVAL OF AGENDA  - amended agenda to add/modify Pending Business:

1.       #5 add Term Dates 

2.       #6 Poopdeck Trail Sign

 

APPROVAL OF SYNOPSIS APRIL 24, 2008 meeting - approved

 

VISITORS:  None

 

PENDING BUSINESS

1.      Nomar art Wall-budgetary request

Hope Finkelstein, Homer Council on the Arts, has requested funds of $1,500 for HCOA to facilitate the refurbishment of the mural in front of Nomar by Tom Reed.  It was discussed and decided that more clarification is needed on exactly what fixing and maintaining the existing mural includes. Does it include additional figures?  If so, who decides what goes up? Or is it just cleaning up what is there? Some would like more figures like a commercial fisherman that represent all areas of life here in Homer. The City maintains the wall already, what other maintenance would be performed? Gaye will contact HCOA to for clarification. 

 

2.       KBCS sign-recommendations for location and other thoughts

It was decided that the Public Arts Committee identify ownership of the signs at the pullout at Baycrest Hill and research relocating those signs elsewhere. Once ownership has been identified then we pursue the idea of altering the Welcome to Homer Sign. Gaye will check with chamber. 

 

3.       Inventory of buildings for Public Art

Dave completed the airport waiting on pictures, Angie has done Public Works and will do Port and Harbor next week. The other facilities have been done. A professional photographer or the newspaper in exchange for story material can do photos later maybe.

 

4.       Status of website

The website is built and ready to go. Photos will be used on the website with the catalog information.  Inventory forms should be in by the end of next week. The site should be up and running soon so when it comes to budget time, there is something to show what the PAC is doing with the allocated funds this year.

 

5.       Recruitment of new member and terms

Mike Yourkowski resigned from the committee. Rachel Livingston said to keep her posted, but she is unable to do it at this time. Gaye and Hope are trying to get in touch with Debbie Poore.  Feel free to recruit. Gaye will inquire at the Pratt. If someone is interested they need to stop at the clerk’s office and ask for an application to sit on a committee. Term dates: everyone is up April of 2009. A recommendation was made to stagger terms.  We may need to come up with a written recommendation and present to council.  Dru will check on protocol. 

 

6.  Poopdeck Trail

The Public Art Committee would like to go on record agreeing on the handling of the trailhead signs.  The City should repair them, now that they own them. This fix would be just enough to make them workable and presentable with minimal repair. This temporary fix would allow the PAC time to look at a long-range plan including a common theme for all trailhead makers including consideration of withstanding the elements and vandalism. The desire is a well thought out, better-designed situation for all trailheads.

 

NEW BUSINESS

1.      Discussion of PAC budget

The original budget was $4,000, paid out was advertising for the art selection for Town Center.  The current balance is $3,753.82.

 

2.       Should we be moving forward on publication of public art after inventory is done? Associated costs?

Michael Armstrong has already approached Karin regarding the city’s public art.  Having public art that is visible might be nice to be in the visitors’ guide, there is also a walking map that might work. Some items may not be costly. The existing walking map may have a cost involved for the little square of advertising but it might be well worth the $350 to be on the map that is already being used for walking.  We only have a few pieces of art outside that people can look at, without going into offices and we could work on it for next year without spending the money on a rack card.  Karin will follow up with Michael.

 

3.       Developing, collaborating or encouraging another agency to take on a similar “Salmon on parade” type public art summer project

Tammy Hagerty doesn’t have a problem with vegetation changing on Pioneer Ave as long as it goes through proper channels.  It could be an art corridor coupled with ARTrageous.  Anchorage has been very successful with its salmon on parade idea.  The reason for its success is it is an area of 450,000 people and strong corporate base. Homer Chamber of Commerce Seafarer’s Festival tried to bring in the “Extra Tuff” element were artist-decorated boots for auction as a fundraiser. They have had a tough time.  The idea is good, but not sure if Homer has the ability to jump in and be supportive where you have a quality product at the end. We need to remember that people are coming from all over the world and fabulous ideas also need quality workmanship.  We need to be careful what we are presenting. People are used to having things laid out almost Disney-like, little places created to look like something.  We are the real thing and people are not used to that.  We have to be careful what we present if we are going to advertise as an art capital.  If we don’t do something well, maybe we shouldn’t do at all. Population and lack of corporate support are dynamics that may not work in Homer.  There may be something that works in Homer, but not sure what that is. Banners on the streetlights are good. The Chamber has “possession” of some of the street but the majority is in the hands of Public Works. This project is worthy of consideration and move to table to later time. Revisit in July or August.

 

COMMENTS OF THE AUDIENCE - none

COMMENTS OF THE CITY STAFF – Letters went out to artists who responded to the RFP for Town Center thanking them for their participation. Nametags will be ordered for the committee members.

COMMENTS OF THE CHAIR – Angie really appreciates the time put for worksessions. They are long meetings but very valuable. She is constantly gratified at all the creativity that comes out of this group. .  

COMMENTS OF THE COMMITTEE – Karin-see you next month, Gaye-same, Trina-will finish the art cataloging, Dave-no comment.

ADJOURNMENT - Meeting adjourned at 12:10 pm

 

NEXT REGULAR MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR:  June 19th 11:00 am worksession 10:00 am

June 19, 2008 11:00 am - Workshop June 19, 2008, 10:00 am. All meetings in Council Chambers