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HomeMy WebLinkAboutArts Commission - 11/25/2002 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE ARTS & CULTURE COMMISSION MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2002 7:00 P.M. CITY CENTER 8080 MITCHELL ROAD ATRIUM III COMMISSION MEMBERS: Susan Dickman, Vice Chair; Ann Birt, Cari Grayson, Steve Mosow, Todd Pernsteiner, Doug White STUDENT MEMBERS: Andrea Deanovic, Meghan Dunning, Andrew Krause COMMISSION STAFF: Tria Mann, Staff Liaison Peggy Rasmussen, Recording Secretary SUPPORT STAFF: Bob Lambert, Director, Parks & Recreation Services, Laurie Obiazor, Manager, Recreation Services I. ROLL CALL A. Introduction of Student Members Student members Andrea Deanovic, Meghan Dunning and Andrew Krause were introduced. Vice Chair Susan Dickman called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. Present: Commissioners Susan Dickman, Ann Birt and Steve Mosow. Absent: Commissioners Cari Grayson (excused), Todd Pernsteiner (excused), and Doug White (excused). Also present were Teri Kwant and Sharon Grossbach. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Because there was not a quorum, those present requested that Items D. through H. under Old Business be tabled to the next meeting. The agenda, otherwise, stands as published. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES —JULY 22, 2002 and SEPTEMBER 16, 2002 Because there was not a quorum, approval of the above minutes was tabled to the next meeting. IV. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS A. 2003 Arts & Cultural Commission Meetings A list of dates for 2003 was previously mailed to the commissioners. The meetings are on the second Monday of alternate months. Tria Mann corrected her phone extension to 8453. Arts & Cultural Commission November 25, 2002 Page 2 B. Arts Participation Project The Minnesota State Arts Board has a new Strategic Arts Development Initiative (SADI), funded through a grant from the Wallace Reader's Digest Funds. A two- day workshop for the metro region will be held January 10 and 11, 2003. Birt and Pernstiener have attended a training program. Mann said she plans to attend the workshop. C. New Member Orientation Booklet (handout to new Commission members) These were mailed to new members recently. D. Public Art Fact Sheet The Public Art Fact Sheet was previously mailed to members. Mann said this was put together by Mary Altman, Minneapolis Director of Public Art, and mailed to Eden Prairie to assist the City with its first arts project. Mosow referred to the mandatory ordinance for public art that some cities have, in which a percentage of the capital budget is set aside for public art. Mann said Eden Prairie does not have one, although it has been discussed. Kwant said most cities like Minneapolis and St. Paul devote one percent of the budget for any public building project to the arts. The Minnesota State Arts Board has a listing of artists, which is a good resource. Mosow asked if this commission could make a recommendation to the City about inquiring into adoption of an ordinance in the future. Mann said it would be appropriate for the commission to make a recommendation to the City Council for a discussion of an ordinance at one of its workshops. Mosow suggested adding this item to the agenda of a future commission meeting. V. OLD BUSINESS A. Approval of Mayor Jean Harris Memorial Design Mann pointed out that because there wasn't a quorum of commission members, the approval process would go to the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission on December 2, and the City Council on December 17, without formal approval of the Arts and Cultural Commission. However, Mann said she would find an appropriate way to let the Council know whether or not the commission members present are in favor of the design. She would also pass this information along to the others on the commission. The City Council can approve the design without a formal recommendation from the Arts and Cultural Commission. Sharon Grossbach, a member of the Design Ad Hoc Committee and a member of the original task force formed to develop a memorial, said the process followed was sound and included people who cared about honoring the memory of Mayor Harris. They wanted a tribute to her life, not a monument, and were thinking about it as an interactive expression that people could experience and visit, and leave with a message that was consistent with what Jean Harris believed in and what she stood for. They also wanted the artist to work with the landscape artist Arts & Cultural Commission November 25, 2002 Page 3 and designer so this memorial would last over time. The committee thought of possibly incorporating some writings from her, such as the ten dictums that guided her. The form and location was left open. Teri Kwant spoke about the form and concept of her design, and its location in Purgatory Creek Recreation Area. She said this has been her smoothest experience working with a group of people. The parameters were clear, and with those in mind she gathered information and did some research. She talked to City staff and people in the community, and received good information from them about how they remembered Jean Harris. She met with Jean's family, which gave her intimate information that she found to be inspirational, and she watched a video Jean had made before she died. Kwant said that at the first meeting with the Design Committee they talked about the form the memorial would take and a location for it, and they looked at the site plan for the Purgatory Creek Recreation Area. One parameter was selecting a place in the park that will be constructed within the next two years, rather than five years. The DNR has approved construction of a walkway across a dike between two holding ponds, which will be dredged so one flows into the other and where stormwater will be filtered through vegetation and rocks. A bridge over the weir is planned to be built on steel pilings. After looking at all other site possibilities, it was decided one of the best locations would be along this walkway that can be seen from various vantage points within and outside the park. The form the memorial will take is a "gathering bridge", which would be a physical expression that parallels Dr. Harris's ability to bring people together as a human bridge. She connected people from different backgrounds and ethnicities. The bridge would be a very inspirational piece; it could provide both active and contemplative aspects. There would be room for some seating. The bridge becomes part of a larger path, which could be known as the Jean Harris Memorial Walk (both as an event and a place). The bridge might be called the Jean Harris Gathering Bridge and could be installed as soon as next fall. The bridge would be a steel structure, 10 feet wide and 10 feet tall, with a span of 45 feet. The concrete walkway would be a light buff color at one end and darker terra cotta at the other, and would meet in the middle with a circular design of raised steel, which resembles a wagon wheel with eight spokes. In the hub would be inscribed "A Tribute to Dr. Jean Harris 1931-2001." Laser-cut into the steel spokes are eight questions based on her ten "lessons of life", the dictums she lived by. Are you willing to take risks? Are you aware of your uniqueness? What has life taught you? What are you willing to contribute? When was your last large laugh? Are you doing your very best? Do you give all people a chance? Is there anyone you need to forgive? Along each side of the bridge, mounted atop 10-foot-high poles of tubular steel, there will be 19 clear glass 12" squares, etched with West African symbols and their meanings. Some of these are "Protect", `Befriend", "Adapt", "Persevere", Arts & Cultural Commission November 25, 2002 Page 4 and "Learn." Kwant envisions people stopping in the center of the bridge to look up at the symbols and down at the inscriptions in the circular design. Kwant showed that the cost of the bridge, as designed, would be about $156,590, including all of the time she would have in the project to the point of construction. Mann said there is no given budget for the project, but$45,000 for a conventional bridge already exists in the watershed district's budget. That would leave over $100,000 to be raised through a fund-raising effort. The commissioners were unanimous in approval of the design. Birt, Mosow and Dickman were on the commission's Design Ad Hoc Committee. Mosow said there was a strong sense of commitment and approval for this design at the committee meeting. Dickman said the committee was excited about the whole presentation. There are so many strong symbolic parts to it. Birt said having photographs of the model would be helpful in the fund-raising effort. Kwant said she usually has all her models professionally photographed. Mann liked the idea of using a bridge to represent what Jean Harris stood for. She never made herself stand out. It was all about bringing people together and communicating, and the bridge design reflects that. The symbols are a good teaching tool and everyone can benefit. The students were asked for their opinion of the design. Krause said he was very impressed with it. Lots of thought has been given to each element. The African element takes you beyond Eden Prairie. Krause said each individual will experience the bridge in a different way and it is a very interactive experience. Kwant said you might not see how it all comes together the first time you see it but you can come back again and find out more. Jean Harris liked Asian art and architecture. Mann said the presentation on the design would be made to the City Council on December 17. The staff will also ask the Council to consider a charter statement for a fund-raising task force to start raising funds in January. Construction could start as soon as next fall. The commission members would be informed if they need to come to the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources meeting on December 4 to indicate their support for the design. B. City of Eden Prairie's 2001 Strategic Direction The commissioners had asked staff to gather resources and further information on Art in Eden Prairie. The City Council adopted Vision 2001: A Strategic Direction in January 1999. This was mailed to the commissioners prior to the meeting. Mann said staff is in the early stages of organizing a Strategic Planning Commission and will be seeking input and direction from the City's boards and commissions. The Arts and Cultural Commission should be asking the City what they want the Commission to look at in terms of Art in Eden Prairie. The Strategic Plan is also an important tool for budget purposes. Arts & Cultural Commission November 25, 2002 Page 5 C. Art Center Survey and Proposal Mann said City staff member Laurie (Helling) Obiazor did the Art Center Survey in 1993. The Eden Prairie Foundation also gathered information for the survey and helped to organize a "Center for the Arts" organizing committee, which worked on a needs assessment. The Foundation hired a private consultant in 1994 to assist the Center for the Arts Committee in determining an organizational structure and preparing a proposal to the City for an Art Center. In February 1995, the City's Arts Commission accepted staff's recommendation that the greatest potential for a community-supported Art Center is with a private Arts Council. The Council approved the staff recommendation; therefore, the Eden Prairie Art Center Proposal was not accepted. Mann pointed out that this background information about what has been done in the past was provided the commissioners to help them formulate opinions and set goals. It could assist them in making decisions and recommendations to the City Council in the future. Krause asked what was the primary reason the Art Center Proposal didn't get approval. Mann replied there were several reasons: financing, finding space for an Art Center, and who would run it. A plan was put together to show how it would operate. The staff was looking at property by Staring Lake Park. Dickman said things have changed considerably since 1993. There might be totally different results if a survey were done today. Krause said there should be more interest now because the community's population is larger. Mann said the Minnesota Regional Arts Council contacted her regarding arts in the community. She will send them information based on the background documents she gathered for the Commission, and they will be putting it into a database. Mosow asked if there is a process to set priorities for work the Commission might do. Mann replied it might be good to have that dialog with the City Council and have them give direction and guidance as to where the Commission should be going. Birt said there were planning sessions in the past where priorities were set. This idea of an Art Center has always been there. Mann said it is important to ask the Council for direction. She recommended asking the Council to have a working session with the commissioners. Strategic planning will be formulated from there. She offered to ask the Council to do that. VI. NEW BUSINESS A. Resisnation of Chair, Dianne Fesler Mann explained that Dianne Fesler moved out of the state. A motion would be needed at the next meeting to ask Commissioner Dickman to chair the meetings Arts & Cultural Commission November 25, 2002 Page 6 until March 2003. On the third Tuesday in March, the Council appoints new commission members. VII. REPORTS OF STAFF A. Verbal Report on Community Theatre's Fundraiser Event Mann said the fundraiser was a huge success and they definitely want to do it again. The whole concept was well received by the 40 people who attended in addition to the actors from the theatre. The actors did an excellent job of performing. The food was very good and the silent auction went well. Each of the 10 items auctioned was valued at $100-$150, and all made that value or went over it, taking in over $1,000. They made $200-$400 profit. A date for next year will be set soon, so there will be more time for promotion. Having the fundraiser at the restaurant was limiting, so staff has talked about having it at the City Center in the Garden Room and holding it in the evening rather than Sunday afternoon. They could still partner with the Girarrosto Tuscano restaurant. B. Community Theatre Auditions, December 9 and 10 at the Senior Center, by Appointment Only "Arsenic and Old Lace" is being performed February 14-16 and 21-23. Tickets are $6 in advance and $8 at the door. For Senior Citizens, tickets are $5 in advance and $6 at the door. C. Community Band's Holiday Concerts 1. Mall of America, December 14, 11:00 A.M. The concert will be performed in front of the Sears court. 2. Eden Prairie Hiizh School Auditorium, December 15, 700 P.M. D. Art on City Walls Mann said she is in the process of accepting applications now, and by mid- December she will have the list of artists ready. She takes Eden Prairie artists first and then by date of application. The quality in the last two-three years has been outstanding. VIII. ADJOURNMENT Vice Chair Dickman adjourned the meeting at 9:04 p.m.