HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/14/2011 - City Arts Commission - Minutes(Item 1)
City of Newport Beach
Newport Beach City Arts Commission
Thursday, April 14, 2011 – 5:00pm
Central Library Friends Room
Convened at 5:03pm
Call to Order and Roll Call:
Commissioners Present: Robyn Grant, Chair, Carole Boller, Gil Lasky, Wendy Brooks
Rita Goldberg, Secretary, Chris Trela
Robert Smith arrived after the meeting started
Commissioners Absent: None
Staff Present: Cynthia Cowell, Library Services Director; Jana Barbier, Cultural
Arts Coordinator; Dave Kiff, City Manager
Public Present: Eric Longabardi, reporter from the Newport Beach Independent;
Carmen Smith
Public Comments: None
Approval of Minutes: It was MSP (Brooks/Lasky) to approve the March 10, 2011
minutes.
Continued Business:
Staff Report /Calendar/Correspondence – Reviewed and filed.
Correspondence/Press – Reviewed and filed.
Committee Updates –
Staff reviewed a budget worksheet prepared for the meeting, listing the expenses and revenue
for 2010-11 that pertained to the Arts Commission. Discussion ensued as to using remaining
funds before the end of the fiscal year and included ideas such as another Shakespearean
group’s performance, and an art program at Oasis.
Commissioner Boller thanked everyone for their hard work and participation in the Newport
Beach Art Exhibition and Sale. Boller had several receipts from the event that were given to
staff for reimbursement. She noted that the award winner’s artwork would be on display at
Oasis Senior Center for the next couple of months. Commissioner Goldberg noted that the
artists want an extra confirmation next year that they are on the roster for the exhibition.
Commissioner Brooks noted that she would forward her contacts at Bristol Farms to
Commissioner Boller for next year’s reception supplies.
Commissioners discussed the Lenahan Estate artwork and mentioned that they had discussed
putting some of the artwork for sale at the Arts Foundation’s Art in the Park event. They
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discussed who would operate a sales booth and whether to hand out information on the artist.
Seven to fourteen pieces in the Lenahan collection were set aside for cleaning and framing and
Arts Commissioners had decided to locate a suitable art conservator to provide estimates for
the work. Commissioner Brooks noted that she had additional resources for an estimate.
Discussion ensued as to what the commissioners should tell the conservator. Commissioners
asked that this topic be agendized for the May meeting.
New Business – Report and recommendation on artist/artwork RFQs for a Ronald Reagan
Centennial Memorial Sculpture. Commissioner Boller talked about the review of the fourteen
submissions for this sculpture and noted that artist Miriam Baker had been selected
unanimously by the Arts and Parks Beaches, and Recreation ad hoc committees, as well as the
Reagan Centennial Memorial donor group. Boller noted that Miriam Baker would be able to
work with the donor group to make any necessary changes. Boller noted also that Baker’s
busts of Reagan were striking. She stated also that Baker’s work could be viewed on Balboa
Island.
It was MSP (Boller/Smith) to recommend artist Miriam Baker to create a Ronald Reagan
Memorial Sculpture.
Art Commissioners provided City Manager Dave Kiff with a recap of their discussion
regarding the Ronald Reagan Centennial Memorial Sculpture; and the selection of Miriam
Baker, by 7-0 vote in favor, by the Arts Commission.
Commissioner Smith discussed art in public spaces and wanted to keep the commission up to
date on the OCMA collaboration. He talked about an OCMA retrospective on Siah Armajani
and noted that the museum was hoping for a financial commitment to purchase an initial
work for the Civic Center. Smith had gone on to discuss this with the Arts Foundation
members and they voted unanimously on April 13, 2011 to provide $15,000 for art in the civic
center park. Commissioner Brooks stated that local artist Tony DeLap should be considered
for a piece at the center.
Commissioner Goldberg gave a brief recap on performances scheduled for summer.
Future Agenda Items – Quotes on costs for curatorial services for selected Lenahan
watercolor paintings.
Commissioner Announcements – Commissioner Boller brought a brochure from the City of
Laguna Beach on public art that she shared with the commission. Boller announced that she
would be away from June 6 – November 26.
Adjournment – Meeting adjourned at 6:21p.m.