DRAFT MINUTES
SUNNYVALE ARTS COMMISSION
JUNE 16, 2004
The Arts Commission met in a rescheduled session in Council Chambers at City Hall, 456 W. Olive Avenue at 7:06 p.m. with Chair Beezley presiding.
ROLL CALL
Present: Chair Dane Andrew Beezley
Vice Chair Monica Draganowski Davis
Dixie Carney
Wallace Harper
Absent: Susan Buchs
Staff Present: Robert Walker, Director of Parks and Recreation,
Cathy E. Merrill, Assistant to the Director of Parks and Recreation Nancy Bolgard Steward, Superintendent of Arts and Recreation
Kristin Dance, Visual Arts Coordinator
SCHEDULED PRESENTATION
Farewell tribute to Chair Beezley – ending Commissioner term and serving as Chair for three of the four years. Deferred to end of meeting.
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS - None
CONSENT CALENDAR
1.a. Approval of Draft Minutes, May 26, 2004 Meeting
Vice-Chair Draganowski Davis moved, seconded by, Commissioner Carney to approve the May 26, 2004, Arts Commission Meeting minutes with the discussion on page 2, paragraph 5 being corrected to read:
Discussion followed regarding the Parks and Recreation Commission reducing their meeting times from twice a month to once a month and Commissioners’ concerns with removal of the Arts Commission by merging or combining it with the Parks and Recreation Commission.
Motion carried unanimously 4-0
Commissioner Buchs absent
CITIZENS TO BE HEARD
Chair Beezley opened the meeting for Public Appearances. There were none and the Public Appearances were closed.
PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS
1. Sunnyvale Senior Center – Soft Art Collaborative Project
Ms. Kristin Dance, Visual Arts Coordinator, presented the staff report that reviewed the process of developing a collaborative art project and the work the selected artist, Ms. Therese May, has completed to date.
Ms. May described the project noting that the photo transfers represent different facets of Sunnyvale’s history—orchards, fruits, animals, nature, public transportation and electronics. The completed quilt will be 3.5 feet wide by 14 feet long and comprised of specific patterned squares that senior participants can individualize with trim materials of their choosing.
Ms. May answered the Commissioners’ questions regarding the steps taken to prevent fading, recommendations for cleaning/general maintenance and the projected lifespan of the artwork.
Chair Beezley opened the meeting for Public Hearing.
Ms. Terri Baskins, a Sunnyvale resident, expressed her love of the Senior Center art that has already been commissioned and asked the Commission to consider her ideas for this artwork. She believes that the proposed tapestry is too elementary in design, the repetitious design is too confusing to the eye and that higher grade materials should be used because photos on fabric generally fade and crack within five years. She volunteered her time and talents to work closely with Ms. May toward a higher quality more sophisticated quilt project.
Chair Beezley thanked Ms. Baskins for her comments. There were no other appearances and the Public Hearing was closed.
Commissioner Carney, seconded by Commissioner Harper, to approve the Sunnyvale Senior Center – Soft Art Collaborative Project as presented by artist Therese May.
Discussion followed with Chair Beezley asking Ms. May to respond to the photo transfer process and other concerns Ms. Baskins raised. Commissioner Harper said the collaborative artwork project was selected as a process to engage Sunnyvale seniors’ participation while the project’s longevity and sophistication is secondary. Vice Chair Draganowski Davis commented the collaborative effort on the whimsical design is more of what the Commission was seeking for this artwork.
Motion carried unanimously 4-0
Commissioner Buchs absent
Chair Beezley thanked Ms. May and staff for their presentation.
2. Former Creative arts Center Gallery
Director Walker gave the staff report and reviewed FY2003-04 Budget cuts that eliminated just under $30,000 of staff time per year to support the Creative Arts Center Gallery Program. Secondary to that, a pending Capital Project of $15,000 to repair the original lighting deemed as unsafe was eliminated.
Ms. Steward, Superintendent of Arts and Recreation, gave a brief summary of past Creative Arts Center Gallery operation and addressed the visitors (mostly adults); the children’s program; agreement with the Euphrat Museum for three exhibits per year; the Sunnyvale Arts Club and Sunnyvale Photo Club annual shows, along with staff’s duties—set up/take down, working with groups, scheduling, curator, publicity, shipping and managing gallery docents.
Chair Beezley inquired about the status of art work displays in the Senior Center hallway or space in the Sunnyvale Historical Museum, as discussed in 2003 when the Creative Arts Gallery Closure was being considered.
Chair Beezley suggested offering space to the Sunnyvale Art Club and issue keys to allow them to open and close the gallery. Some local artists have to pay for display space. He suggested making the lighting repairs and then renting the facility to recoup the estimated $15,000 electrical repairs.
Commissioner Carney was concerned with the legality of running the Creative Arts Center Gallery as a co-op.
Commissioner Harper suggested grant monies be used to pay for the custodial operation of the Creative Arts Center Gallery. Staff commented that on-going funding is the issue.
Discussion followed with Director Walker emphasizing the need for City Council’s approval through its Study Issue process if staff is going to research a variety of options under which the Creative Arts Center Gallery might be reopened.
Commissioner Draganowski Davis asked if an electrical contractor could volunteer his services to repair the outdated, dangerous Creative Arts Gallery lighting with no charge to the City.
Staff reminded the Commission that a Study Issue is the process to use regarding the Creative Arts Center Gallery issues.
Chair Beezley requested staff to develop a Study Issue paper to explore reopening the Creative Arts Center Gallery.
Chair Beezley opened the meeting for Public Hearing.
Mr. Bob Obrey, President of the Sunnyvale Photo Club, regrets the Creative Arts Center Gallery closure especially for their club’s annual show. He stated he has shown his personal photos at the Senior Center where he set up and took down two separate displays in the room where the Digital Club meets. In response to Chair Beezley’s question regarding increased club membership if the gallery were opened, Mr. Obrey replied that digital technology is changing the field of photography.
Mr. Bruce Davis, Director of the Arts Council of Silicon Valley, stated he assisted the City with the Cultural Arts Sub-Element of the General Plan. He stated every other city has public space for artists to exhibit their work but noted that neighboring cities were also cutting back arts programs. San Jose cut staff the then out-sourced the management of their Theatre and Convention Center with Labor Union support through a development agreement. He offered other suggestions—fees, naming opportunities, foundation support, etc., all of which takes work with the energy of volunteers and some staff. In response to Chair Beezley’s question, Mr. Davis stated the Arts Council of Silicon Valley would not be a source of capital. He closed his comments stating the shortage of gallery space in Sunnyvale directly impacts future artists, especially those at the high school level. The Palo Alto Chief of Police indicates arts programs are part of the solution to gang involvement in our communities.
Ms. Lucy Marcoux, President of the Sunnyvale Art Club, stated she is saddened by lack of City support for display space where they held the show, advertised, set up and took down the displays and manned the show. Currently, they display artwork at Borders, Sunnyvale Library and neighboring cities. The Sunnyvale Art Club is willing to help reopen the Creative Arts Center Gallery.
There were no other appearances and the public hearing was closed at 8:32 p.m.
Staff will draft a Study Issue paper regarding the Exploration of Reopening the Creative Arts Center Gallery.
Chair Beezley requested an agenda item for the next meeting: “Updated Sunnyvale Art in Private Development and Art in Public Places Brochure.” Chair Beezley volunteered to photograph the artwork featured in the brochure.
NON-AGENDA ITEMS AND COMMENTS
Vice Chair Draganowski Davis, Commissioners Buchs, Carney and Harper presented out going Arts Commissioner Dane Andrew Beezley with a book on film and a book on the worst movies.
Ms. Merrill stated staff would defer their recognition of out going Arts Commissioner Dane Andrew Beezley to immediately follow the adjournment of the meeting.
INFORMATION ONLY ITEMS
Ms. Merrill reminded staff of the upcoming events:
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Name the Sunnyvale Plaza Contest, ends August 11, 2004 at 5 p.m.
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July 4th State of the City Event, Washington Park, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
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July 7th Dedication of Sunnyvale Plaza, Downtown, 5:30 p.m. Vice Chair Draganowski Davis volunteered to distribute contest forms at the event.
P&R PR – June issue of the Department’s newsletter
Miscellaneous Items of Interest
Moved by Vice Chair Draganowski Davis, seconded by Commissioner Carney to adjourn the meeting.
Motion carried unanimously
4-1 Commissioner Buchs absent
Adjournment: 8:50 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted by,
Cathy E. Merrill, Assistant to the Director
Parks and Recreation Department
Reviewed by,
Robert Walker, Director
Parks and Recreation Department