MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
PUBLIC ART TASK FORCE
A Regular Meeting of the Public Art Task Force was held this date in Council Chambers at City Hall. Chairperson Jean Trammell called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m.
I. ROLL CALL
The following Task Force members were present: Chair Jean Trammell, Vice Chair Shaun Graser, Fran Valencic and Ex-Officio Council Member Kit McKeon. June Wood and Julia Hyman were absent.
Also present: Historical Resources Director James Hagler and Recording Secretary Susan Schult.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Graser moved to approve
Minutes of the Regular Meeting held
III. NEW
BUSINESS
1. Election of Chair and
Vice Chair
Ms. Trammell queried the task force on
nominations. Ms. Valencic nominated
Mr. Graser to serve as Vice Chair of the Public Art Task Force.
Mr. Graser nominated Ms. Trammell to
serve as Chair of the Public Art Task Force.
Seconded by Ms. Valencic.
SEEING NO OTHER NOMINATIONS, MR. GRASER WAS ELECTED VICE CHAIR AND MS. TRAMMELL WAS ELECTED CHAIR OF THE PUBLIC ART TASK FORCE.
With consent of the task force Ms. Trammell reordered the agenda.
1. Beauty
and the Bench Placements
Ms. Trammell briefly described the task force’s process on this program
and welcomed Alan Sloan.
Alan Sloan, Senior Friendship Center, proposed a separate Venice area
call to artists to fill the slots for bench demands, explained the task force
would do the jurying to appoint an artist from the local community, and noted
most of the current painted benches have been placed. He requested to observe
the jurying stating some designs or methods are not feasible, for example, air
brushing benches. He submitted a call to artist form for the task force to
complete, and suggested the board publish a call to artists and review and
judge the entries to move forward.
Discussion followed regarding publishing the call to artists, whether
it should be initiated by the task force, perhaps involving the
Mr. Sloan stated they have tried to work with
Discussion continued regarding art courses and students at State
College of Florida, galleries in town, doing a press release to the newspapers,
making this a fun project, number of benches the city may need, not placing
benches in the historic district, requirements for bench placements, number of
bus stops in the city, cost to sponsor a bench, payment to the artist, cost of
the benches, 100 benches already placed with 60 benches being sponsored or
sold, and this program being a fund raiser for the Senior Friendship Center.
Mr. Sloan talked about the benefits of the program and noted the bench
painting could begin in April.
2. Naomi Voit Public Art Donation –
Council Presentation
Mr. Hagler reported on council action taken at the last meeting,
stating council approved the acceptance of the artwork upon the completion of
the art policy. Ms. Schult read the council motion to accept the artwork at a
later date.
Discussion ensued regarding contacting Ms. Voit and copying Ms.
Trammell on the communication, the status of the policies and procedures, how
the city will accession artwork, the policy needing city attorney review, the
bequeath happening upon Ms. Voit’s death or moving to an assisted living
facility, and accepting the artwork before a site is determined.
3. Public Art Locations
Ms. Trammell reviewed previous task force discussion and action on possible locations, and mentioned the triangular shape in front of Luna’s Restaurant.
Discussion followed regarding development of John Nolen Park, location of the park, the vision for an historic educational walkway at the park, having a statue of John Nolen in the park, placing art in the Arboretum and outside school campuses, having five places in the city to display children’s artwork that would rotate among locations, public art on the north side of Venice Avenue near Centennial Park, concerns with public art in parks where children play, strategic placement of art, having artwork visible from the street, and placing art along the Venetian Waterway Trail, Legacy Park, Tramonto Vista Park, and Myakka River Park.
Discussion
took place regarding the beauty and the bench program, council approval,
suggested scenes, getting locations from staff on suitable bench locations,
maintenance of benches, and a potential bench site in the
Public art locations, policies and procedures, the art policy, length of the process to secure artists and designs, and the beauty and the bench program artist selection.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before this Task Force, the meeting was adjourned at 4:17 p.m.
(Approved by the
Chair and Recording Secretary at the