HomeMy WebLinkAboutArts Commission - 04/14/2008 APPROVED MINUTES
EDEN PRAIRIE ARTS & CULTURE COMMISSION
MONDAY,APRIL 14, 2008 7:00 P.M., CITY CENTER
8080 MITCHELL ROAD
PRAIRIE ROOM
COMMISSION MEMBERS: Ann Rorem, Chair; Heather Olson, Vice Chair; Ana
Armstrong, Farida Kathawalla, Rita McCormick,
Steve Mosow, Elizabeth Petry-Lee
STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES: Amber Mayer, Nicole Garbowicz, Katy Johnson
CITY STAFF: Sandy Werts, Recreation Coordinator
RECORDING SECRETARY: Katie Hood
I. ROLL CALL
Rorem called the meeting to order 7:03 p.m. Commissioner Olson was excused. Student
member Mayer was excused. Steve Steele and John Mallo, from the Veteran's Memorial
Committee, were in attendance.
II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL was added to VI. OLD BUSINESS.
MOTION: Mosow moved, seconded by Kathawalla to approve the agenda as printed.
Motion carried 4-0.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Kathawalla arrived at 7:06 p.m. McCormick arrived at 7:07 p.m. Mosow arrived at 7:08
p.m.
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MARCH 3, 2008 MEETING
MOTION: McCormick moved, seconded by Kathawalla to approve the March 3,
2008 minutes as printed. Motion carried 7-0.
B. APPROVAL OF ART CENTER TASK FORCE MINUTES OF MARCH 25,
2008
MOTION: McCormick moved, seconded by Kathawalla to approve the March
25, 2008 minutes as printed. Motion carried 7-0.
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April 14, 2008
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IV. PETITIONS, REQUESTS,AND COMMUNICATIONS
A. Veterans Memorial Sculptures
Steve Steele and John Mallo, from the Veterans Memorial Fundraising
Committee, were in attendance to discuss the possibilities for the Veterans
Memorial sculptures at Purgatory Creek Park. The Veterans Memorial
Fundraising Committee is recommending the statue with a soldier carrying a
soldier and the granite globe that is rested on water.
Mallo said the three flags poles at Purgatory Creek were installed on November
11, 2007. Around 350 people attended the event. The Veterans Memorial
Fundraising Committee is made up of 22 people. Around 12-14 people attend the
Veterans Memorial Fundraising Committee meetings. The Eden Prairie
Foundation receives the donated money raised for the memorial. Last year around
$100,000 was received from donations for the memorial. With the money, the
three flag polls were installed. The initial goal was to raise $300,000. An
additional $100,000 was donated by one individual, and another $100,000 was
donated by the State of Minnesota. To date over $300,000 has been raised. As
part of the donation by the individual, granite needs to be included in the face of
the plaque.
Purgatory Creek Park does not have the good soil to support the weight of the
sculptures. Extra money is being spent on studies for the soil. Styrofoam below
the base of the granite globe will help float/support the sculpture. There are two
proposals for the art work in the memorial: the globe and the soldiers. The first art
piece is one soldier carrying another soldier. The second part of the memorial is
world peace. The sphere is a globe made out of granite. It weights more than
20,000 pounds. The sphere floats on water and will turn on its axis. If the sphere
is touched, it will move. Within 20 minutes the sphere will turn back to its axis.
Petry-Lee asked what would happen to the water in the winter. Mallo said there
are two options. The first option is to pay for a heater which would cost$300 to
$400, and keep the water flowing all year. The second option is to take the water
out in the winter. The decision has been made to drain the water out every winter.
The system will be drained prior to Veteran's Day. For Veteran's Day, weather
permitting, the sphere memorial will be individually filled for the day. Mallo said
the sphere is too heavy for an individual to move it. Busack asked if the granite
will get stained by sitting in one spot during the winter. Mallo said he wasn't sure.
Rorem asked about the snow melting and getting under the sphere. Mallo said the
water can't get under the sphere. A grain of sand can't fit in the space in between
the sphere and the stand.
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April 14, 2008
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The memorial could be made in Germany, France or China, but it is more cost-
effective to have it made in China. Armstrong asked if there would be any
inscription on the globe. Mallo said right now it is unknown if there will be an
inscription on it. There are four walls and four quotations. There are two
quotations in the entryway. They are short on quotations for the peace section.
There is room to have quotations for peace. Kathawalla suggested having the
elementary, middle schools, and high school submit quotations. Mallo said the
Veterans Memorial Fundraising Committee came up with over 300 quotations to
start with. The ten were selected for service to country, and ten for world peace. It
was then narrowed down to 36 quotations. Mallo said the soldier sculpture might
be made by a Minnetonka company; they have made three sculptures around the
Twin Cities area. The company casts the clothes to get the sculpture. The
sculpture is made of bronze and weighs around 1,500 pounds.
MOTION: Mosow moved to support the concept of the sculptures for the
Veteran's Memorial, seconded by Kathawalla. Motion carried 7-0.
Mallo said the goal is to be done with the memorial by Veteran's Day. Veteran's
Day will be celebrated November 11, 2008.
B. Art on City Walls—School District Art Show K-8
C. Poetry Night Open Mic
A flier for the Poetry Night Open Mic was included in the Commission packet.
The Poetry Night Open Mic is Monday, April 21 at 7:00 p.m. The event will be
held at the Eden Prairie Library and hosted by writer David Salmela. Original or
favorite poems can be read. Werts said seven to thirty-five people have attended
in past years.
V. EDEN PRAIRIE PLAYERS and COMMUNITY BAND UPDATE
A. Update on Current projects of the Eden Prairie Players
1. Cancellation of Summer Music Revue
Werts said this year's show has been cancelled. The decision was made
before auditions. The preparation for the Summer Music Revue would
take too much time. The Music Man or another kid-friendly show may be
chosen for next year.
B. Update on current projects of Community Band
Werts said the fliers for the summer schedule and the Jazz on the Prairie festival
have been made.
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April 14, 2008
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VI. OLD BUSINESS
A. 2008 Work Plan- Approved Plan
The Arts and Culture Commission Work Plan was reviewed. Werts said number
five and number seven will be correct to clarify the statements. The a. and b. were
separated to update the work plan to be listed in order of date. Number seven was
updated to "Offer the first Artist Network even by November 1, 2008" from
"Offer the first event by November 1, 2008".
B. Revision of Art Resource Directory/Artist Network
The Commission discussed a copy of a script for use while calling the artists. In
addition to the script, the addresses of the artists should be obtained for a thank
you to be sent to the artists. If the artist's email is not in the directory, an email
should be obtained during the phone conversation. The Edina Art Center, the
Minnetonka Center for the Arts, and the Bloomington Art Center will be moved
from the Arts Resources in Eden Prairie to the regional section. Mosow will make
the phone calls for page 61. Kathawalla will make the phone calls for the first
column on page 63. McCormick will make the phone calls for the second column
on page 63. Petry-Lee will make the phone calls for page 64.
C. International Festival
Werts said one more person is needed to serve on the committee. The committee
meets five—seven times through August 2008. There are no dates set yet. Werts
said the International Festival is the second Sunday in August. Armstrong is
interested,but it depends on her schedule. Petry-Lee can help,but hesitates to
serve on the committee due to her schedule.
VII. NEW BUSINESS
A. Art Center Task Force
A photo of the Arts & Culure Commission was taken. A copy of the Art Center
Operations Recommendations/Guide was passed out to the Commission.
Rorem said potential Art Center was being discussed with the City Council
members prior to the City Council meeting, so they are all prepared prior to the
City Council meeting. The first action is for the City Council to approve the
packet. The second action is for the City Council to approve the building.
Kathawalla said someone approached her about having music at the Art Center.
Werts said they could write a proposal and send the proposal and a resume to
Werts. Werts said the proposals will be considered. Werts said some
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April 14, 2008
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modifications will be made to the building. Petry-Lee asked if bids will be taken
or if there is a contract within the city. Werts said it depends on the job. A bid is
not necessary unless the job is over a certain dollar amount.
Werts said a recommendation should be made to the City Council to be presented
to the meeting on Tuesday, April 15 about the Art Center Task Force Report.
Art Center Task Force Report Recommendation
The Arts and Culture Commission recommends the City Council accept the
donation of the Sampson building to use as an art center and adopt the
recommendation and operating concepts contained in the Art Center Task Force
Report.
MOTION: Kathawalla moved, seconded by Mosow to accept the
recommendation as written. Motion carried 7-0.
B. Visit to Glass and Pottery Studios
Werts said Tom Rine offered to give a tour of local glass and pottery studios. The
Commission needs to give Rhine dates for the tour. Werts said a van can be
arranged for transportation.
The first suggested date is Monday, May 12 at 6:30 p.m., the night of the May
scheduled Arts & Culture Commission meeting. The second suggested date is
Monday, June 9, the night of the June scheduled Arts & Culture Commission
meeting.
VIII. REPORTS OF STAFF AND COMMISSIONERS
The Boards and Commissions Banquet will be on April 28, 2008.
Werts said current board and commission members are thanked for their service and
members who have completed their term of service are recognized. Werts asked for the
RSVP cards to be returned by Monday, April 21.
Old copies of the roster were collected and updated copies of the roster were distributed.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Armstrong moved, seconded by Kathawalla, to adjourn the meeting. Rorem
adjourned the meeting at 8:43 p.m.