CITY OF PEORIA, ARIZONA ACACIA ROOM November 14, 2006 A Regular Meeting of the Arts Commission of the City of Peoria, Arizona, was convened at 8401 W. Monroe Street at 5:03 p.m. Members Present: John Buonagurio, Maureen Flanigan, Virginia Wordsman, Marsha Hanson, Jane Brown, Dorthea Crooks Members Absent: Linda Ballance Other Municipal Officials Present: Grady Miller, Director of Communications & Public Affairs, Suzanne Stewart, Executive Assistant, Andre’ Licardi, Arts Officer Disposition of Absence(s): Approve the absences of Marsha Hanson, Jane Brown and Dorthea Crooks from the regular meeting held on September 12, 2006 Minutes: 1. Approve Regular Meeting Minutes of September 12, 2006: A motion was made by Commissioner Hanson to approve the minutes as written; the motion was seconded by Commissioner Wordsman. The minutes of the regular meeting of September 12, 2006 were approved unanimously. Note: The order in which the items appear in the minutes is not necessarily the order in which they were discussed at the meeting. Unfinished Business: 1. Discussion and possible action regarding potential purchase of art: Chair Buonagurio acknowledged there were no current actions to be taken on this item at this time. 2. Discussion and consideration in changing the 2007 Celebration of Artists Exhibit from January to March to coincide with the new Peoria Arts Festival. Chair Buonagurio wanted to discuss the pros and cons of moving the show to coincide with the Peoria Arts Festival. Mr. Miller shared his perspective with the commissioners regarding the benefits of moving the date of the Celebration of Artists Exhibit. The new Peoria Arts Festival will provide an opportunity for greater exposure of the artwork due to the increased amount of people and vendors. There will be live music and vendors on the City’s Municipal grounds. Mr. Miller said we plan to hold the 2007 Celebration of Artists Exhibit the week prior to the Festival. Mr. Licardi’ also reminded the commissioners that the school art event that is held at the Peoria’s Sports Complex during the same time and he believes it will increase the attendance at our event. Mr. Licardi’ stated that from his experience art shows have progressed by adding various events around the same time. Mr. Miller also believes the Peoria Fine Arts Festival will eventually spread over the City Hall campus and possibly into downtown Peoria and may run as long as two weeks. Commissioner Wordsman asked if the Celebration of Artists Exhibit would be held outdoors. Mr. Miller let the commission know that it will still be held inside. Mr. Miller also suggested sending out information about our exhibit in the near future to allow artists to prepare for the change in date. Mr. Licardi’ let the commissioners know that Saguaro Ranch is no longer having their art shows and that there will be many artists looking for new venues to show and sell their artwork which will also be beneficial for our show. Commissioner Hanson inquired if there were any other events taking place in the City that would distract from the show. Mr. Miller said that there was nothing taking place in March that he knew of. Commissioner Wordsman wanted to know if she could suggest some names of jurors for our show. Mr. Miller agreed that would be beneficial and we would discuss it in our January meeting. Commissioner Hanson made a motion to move the 2007 Celebration of Artists Event to March 2007. Commissioner Flanigan seconded the motion which carried unanimously. 3. Discussion and possible action regarding the placement of the Ann LaRose reproduction sculpture. Mr. Licardi’ visited the library manager’s to discuss a revolving art exhibit in the city libraries. The managers were very receptive to this idea. There is a place in the main library to display the Ann LaRose reproduction sculpture that the mananger’s and Mr. Licardi’ agree is aesthetic and practical. It would be placed in the foyer area. Commissioner Hanson made a motion to place the Ann LaRose sculpture in the foyer at the main library; Commissioner Wordsman seconded the motion which passed unanimously. New Business: 1. Discussion regarding the Peoria Public Art Master Plan Project: Mr. Licardi’ has started planning for the Master Plan Project. He has met with Glendale, Phoenix and Tempe art departments. Mr. Licardi’ informed the commission that the city will be hiring a firm to do a cultural inventory for the City of Peoria. Mr. Licardi’ discussed at length the benefits of the Master Plan and all the potential growth for the city and its art programs. Mr. Licardi’ discussed possible sculptural gardens and a list of various other possibilities for public art for the city. Mr. Miller let the commission know that Nancy Dallett will be the person who is conducting the cultural inventory for the city. 2. Discussion regarding potential public art apportionment for new city facilities Mr. Licardi informed the commissioners that he has been visiting several locations such as the libraries and Rio Vista Park for possible placement of art or sculpture. Mr. Licardi also discussed ways to purchase sculpture at a reasonable cost which would mean we could purchase a greater variety of sculpture. 3. Discussion and possible action on the possible purchase of art from Hank Richter the October One-Artist Exhibit artist Mr. Miller asked the commissioners if they would be interested in purchasing a commissioned piece of artwork from Hank Richter who was the artist in October for the city’s One-Artist Exhibit. The commissioners all agreed that they would like to purchase a piece for the city. Mr. Miller stated that he would get with staff and formulate a recommendation for our next meeting. Mr. Miller suggested providing pictures of Mr. Richter’s work at our next meeting as well, and a selection could be made at that time. Reports from Staff: 1. One-Artist Exhibit – Virginia Wordsman – Month of April Mr. Miller reminded the commission that Commissioner Wordsman would be our artist for our One-Artist Exhibit in April of next year. Commissioner Wordsman stated that she is looking forward to the show. 2. Friends of the Library Mr. Miller asked Commissioner Hanson about the “Friends of the Library” program as she has been involved with this program in the past. He suggested a book sale during the new Peoria Art Festival in the spring. Commissioner Hanson said she would contact the “Friends of the Library” and get information. 3. Peoria Pioneer Memorial Mr. Miller let the commission know that the installation of the Peoria Pioneer Memorial will be delayed until January due to some unforeseen circumstances with the artist. The foundry that Mr. Martinez uses is in the process of relocating. Mr. Miller also let the commission know that there has been some delay in the landscaping plans for the project as we do not have a contractor to do the work at this time. 4. December Meeting Mr. Miller suggested that we cancel our Art Commission meeting in December due to lack of items to discuss and the holidays. The commissioners were in agreement. Being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting was duly adjourned at approximately 6:12 p.m. ________________________ John Buonagurio, Chair _________________________ Suzanne Stewart, Executive Assistant Communications and Public Affairs