HomeMy WebLinkAboutArts Commission - 07/26/2004 APPROVED MINUTES
ARTS & CULTURE COMMISSION
MONDAY,JULY 26, 2004 7:00 P.M. CITY CENTER
8080 MITCHELL ROAD
PRAIRIE ROOMS A & B
COMMISSION MEMBERS: Susan Dickman, Chair; Lois Larson,
Steve Mosow, Vice Chair, Heather
Olson, Ann Rorem, Soni Styrlund
COMMISSION STAFF: Sandy Werts, Staff Liaison
Peggy Rasmussen, Recording
Secretary
SUPPORT STAFF: Bob Lambert, Director, Parks and
Recreation Services; Laurie Obiazor,
Manager, Recreation Services
I. ROLL CALL
Chair Dickman called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m. Commissioners Rorem and
Styrlund were absent.
II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION: Mosow moved, seconded by Olson, to approve the agenda as published.
Motion carried 4-0.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF JUNE 14, 2004
MOTION: Mosow moved, seconded by Larson, to approve the minutes of the Arts &
Culture Commission meeting held on June 14, 2004 as published. Motion carried 4-0.
IV. OLD BUSINESS
A. Recommendations for Arts Promotion Brochure
Several members of the Commission had brought lists of businesses that relate to
the arts and that might be interested in advertising in an arts promotion brochure.
Werts made copies of Dickman's list for the others. Werts asked Dickman to e-
mail the list to her. She would then e-mail it to the other Commissioners, and
they can insert the names of businesses they have come up with that are not on
Dickman's list, with each Commissioner using a different color code, and e-
mailing their lists back to Werts.
Werts showed a copy of the arts information booklet put out by Lakeville. The
city was able to get more than enough sponsors to put out a very attractive
publication. However, it was noted that some advertisements overpower the arts
information on the same page, and Werts suggested that the Commission might
ARTS & CULTURE COMMISSION MINUTES
July 26, 2004
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want to put all the ads at the back of the book. There is a calendar of events listed
in the middle of the book.
Werts said Eden Prairie's Community Theater has selected the production and
dates for the winter show, and the school district also knows the dates of events
for the coming school year, so those could be included. Dickman pointed out that
having a print deadline motivates advertisers to get their material in. It was
agreed that the goal is to have a brochure ready for printing by the end of the year.
B. Eden Prairie International Festival
Werts distributed flyers advertising the International Festival, which will be held
on Saturday, July 31. The City hopes people will come to the festival and learn
about the various cultures of the immigrants living here. She said it has been
difficult to pull together. However, she believed the performing groups that are
scheduled are very good. Some immigrant groups will have displays. Rey
Azteca restaurant in Chanhassen is supplying Mexican food, and Deli Manjoo
from Mall of America will have a variety of items. There will also be food from
Nepal and Somalia.
Larson inquired if this will be an annual event if it goes well. Werts said the
committee hopes that the immigrant population might take it over another year.
V. NEW BUSINESS
A. Brainstorm Ideas for Art Programs at the Purgatory Creek Recreation Area
Werts explained that she is responsible for programming in the open-air pavilion
of the recreation area and asked for ideas from the Commissioners. Following are
some of the suggestions;
• Place luminaries along the paths and have moon walks.
• Offer bird-watching walks.
• Entertainment such as Shakespeare in the Park, mimes, modern dance groups,
singing groups and jazz groups (possibly from the high school).
• Summer and/or fall solstice dance.
• Pumpkin carving contest(have an expert show how to do it).
• Ice carving contest.
• Kite flying.
• Classes in stamp art, greeting cards, gardening and terrariums.
B. Brainstorm Ideas for Art Programs at the Riley-Jacques Farmstead
Werts is also responsible for programming the renovated barn during the spring,
summer and fall. Following are some of the suggestions offered by the
Commissioners;
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July 26, 2004
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• A barn art contest, using various venues.
• Entertainment, such as groups playing acoustic instruments.
• An art show, perhaps just Eden Prairie artists.
• "Bike to the Barn", a bike trip using the railroad right-of-way trail.
• `Barn Again" exhibit, a traveling Smithsonian exhibit of renovated barns.
C. Eden Prairie Reads Planning Committee
Werts explained that the City is a sponsor of this program, and would like a
Commissioner to attend one of the planning meetings. It would be good to have
the committee aware of the Arts and Culture Commission. There are expected to
be one or two planning meetings before the kick-off for the program at the end of
October. The book selected is "Neither Wolf Nor Dog"by Kent Nerburn.
None of the Commissioners were able to attend the committee's next meeting at
3:00 p.m. on August 3. Dickman said she would ask Commissioner Rorem if she
would be able to attend.
D. Selection of Representative for City and School Facility Use Advisory
Committee
Werts explained that this position needs to be filled now because the next meeting
of this committee is in October. The committee's mission is to advise the School
Board and the City Council regarding City and school facility usage. The group
generally meets twice a year, in October and March. Commissioner Mosow has
attended some meetings in place of the previous representative, and volunteered
to be the new representative from the Commission.
VI. REPORTS OF STAFF AND COMMISSIONERS
A. Upcoming Dedications of New City Park Facilities
Werts said the events are open to the public and everyone is welcome. The
Commissioners will be receiving invitations to some of them.
• Fredrick-Miller Spring—Tuesday, August 3rd, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Richard T. Anderson Conservation Area — Tuesday, September 7t1i, 6 p.m. to
6:30 p.m.
• Purgatory Creek Recreation Area—Saturday, September 18d', 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
• Riley-Jacques Farmstead — Sunday, September 26d', 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The
program after the dedication is to include the folk singer Pop Wagner, clog
dancing, blue grass music, a threshing demonstration, wagon rides and pony
rides. Cider from a cider press will be available to drink.
B. Jean Harris Gathering Bride Dedication
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July 26, 2004
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The dedication is on Saturday, October 9"', 10:30 a.m. There will be speeches
and a ribbon-cutting ceremony and reception.
C. Summary of Annie Get Your Gun
Werts reported the musical was very successful. Although the weather was cool,
there wasn't any rain, and the attendance for the six nights was approximately
4,200.
The play generated $5,268 in "pass the hat" donations, an average of $1.25 per
attendee. Activity fees brought in $500, ads another $150, and the Fuddruckers
fund raiser brought in $200. Total revenue was $6,118. Werts said that expenses
will exceed $13,500, with a few outstanding bills yet to pay.
D. Eden Prairie Players 2004-2005 Plans
The first event is Cemetery Walk on October 16, followed by the murder
mystery/dinner theater at the J.R. Cummins Homestead on November 4-5 and 11-
13. The Advisory Committee will select either Murder at the Banquet or The
Real Inspector Hound.
The Winter Play is "I Remember Mama" February 18, 19, 25, 26, and 27. For the
Summer Musical in June, the Advisory Committee will choose among the
following shows: The Pajama Game, How to Succeed in Business Without Really
Trying, and Mame.
Werts said the Advisory Committee usually meets the first Monday of the month,
and it would like to have a representative from the Arts and Culture Commission.
Mosow said he believed it would make more sense to have the Chair of the Eden
Prairie Players Advisory Committee sit in on the meetings of the Commission
rather than one of the Commissioners go to their meetings.
MOTION: Mosow moved, seconded by Larson, to ask the Chair of the Eden
Prairie Players Advisory Committee to attend Arts and Culture Commission
meetings as an ex officio member of the Commission. Motion carried 4-0.
VII. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Olson moved, seconded by Mosow, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried
4-0. Chair Dickman adjourned the meeting at 8:30 p.m.