HomeMy WebLinkAbout8.3 Heritage and Cultural Arts Annual Rpt AGENDA STATEMENT
DCITY OF HERITAGE AND CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION
UBLIN MEETING DATE: November 13, 2014
SUBJECT: Heritage and Cultural Arts Annual Report
Prepared by Ann Mottola, Heritage and Cultural Arts Manager
ATTACHMENTS: None
RECOMMENDATION: Receive Report
FINANCIAL STATEMENT: None
DESCRIPTION: In the past year, the Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission has
provided insightful input regarding the cultural programs and historic assets within the City. These
recommendations have been incorporated into Staff work plans to accomplish a number of projects. The
following is a list of the projects completed during calendar year 2014 as well as those scheduled for
completion during calendar year 2015.
Public Art
• Emerald Glen Recreation and Aquatic Complex: In April 2014 a joint meeting of the Parks and
Community Services Commission and the Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission was held to review
artist Todji Kurtzman's proposal, "The Spirit of Alamilla Spring," for the Emerald Glen Recreation and
Aquatic Complex. The proposal was recommended to the City Council by a unanimous vote of both
Commissions; and approved by City Council in May 2014. The artist has begun fabrication on the
project and is scheduled for completion in spring 2016.
• Essex Properties (Private Developer): Artist Eric Powell completed installation of the public artwork,
"Wellspring," September 2014. The sculpture is located at the Connolly Station luxury apartments on
Golden Gate Drive at St. Patrick's Way.
• Fallon Sports Park: On November 1, 2014, a Council-appointed Public Art Selection Committee
recommended Heath Satow's proposal "Elatus" for the Fallon Sports Park Public Art Project. The
artist will be presenting this proposal to a special joint meeting of the Parks and Community Services
Commission and the Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission on Monday, November 17, 2014.
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• Public Art Inventory and Maintenance Plan: Staff is negotiating a contract with a Public Art
Conservator to inventory and create a maintenance plan for the public art collection and historic
plaques. Work on this project will be complete in Fiscal Year 2014-2015.
Historic Programs
• Conservation Assessment: In July, 2014, Commission asked Staff to provide a more detailed report
of the findings in the Conservation Assessment reports by Conservator Niccolo Caldararo and
Architectural Historian Roger Klum, who visited the Heritage Park and Museums in July 2013 to
conduct a conservation assessment. A more detailed report will be presented at the December 11,
2014 meeting of the Commission.
• Camp Parks: The City is in the process of negotiating a Memorandum of Understanding for the use
of the Camp Parks Visitor Center as a Military History Center. Concurrently, Staff is meeting with
firms who responded to a Request for Proposals to create an interpretive master plan and exhibit
design for the Camp Parks Collection. Interviews with firms will be complete by December 2014. It is
anticipated a contract will be awarded in January 2015. Progress on the MOU is dependent on the
U.S. Army.
• Cemetery Expansion: A study will be completed in December 2014 regarding renovation and
expansion options for the cemetery at the Dublin Historic Park and Museums. It is anticipated
design and construction documents for Phase I of the improvements will be completed during Fiscal
Year 2015-2016.
• Exhibits:
• January 2014: "Keep Calm and Merry On: Holidays on the Home Front" (This exhibit opened
December 1, 2013 and ran through January 12, 2014.)
• March 2014: San Ramon Women's Club Exhibit
• May 2014: "100 Years of Service, A Visual History of the Dublin Library"
• September— November 2014: "Gone But Not Quite Forgotten:A Visual History of the Original
Santa Rita Jail"
• Programs:
• Spring Faire — Saturday, May 10, 2014: The event featured Parisian themed music, food and
entertainment including an antique French barrel organ. The Lamorinda Petanque Club
demonstrated the popular French past time of petanque (similar to bocce) throughout the
day. Other popular attractions included a 20-foot tall replica of the Eiffel Tower, Parisian-
themed photo booth, croquet play on the lawn area and children's arts and crafts activities.
Approximately 1200 people attended the event.
• Hands on History: Saturday October 25: This event took patrons back in time for an afternoon
of learning and family fun. Entertainment was provided by the Museum's resident Bluegrass
Jammers. There was also a 'medicine show' by Dr. Solar, who presented family entertainment
experience from his self-contained, solar powered thespian's gypsy wagon. Guests also had
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the opportunity to churn butter and ice cream, make apple pie and juice, wash laundry, and
pan for gold. Approximately 500 guests attended the event.
o Holiday Teas — Saturday and Sunday, December 6 and 7: This popular event has sold out for
the past two years and has been expanded to two seatings. The tea takes place in the Sunday
School Barn. Patrons will enjoy an array of traditional sweets and dainty tea sandwiches, and
hot tea. Following the tea, guests may tour the Kolb House, decorated for a Christmas farm
morning.Total capacity is 60 guests per seating.
Cultural Programs
• "Dublin CRUSH," an exhibit of love letters, hand-crafted valentines, short stories, photographs,
poems, and essays about the people, places and things that are loved within the City of Dublin, was
held February 9 — March 3, 2014. The exhibit included a total of 50 unique works from 43
contributors, ranging in age from 5 to 79.
• Arts Grants: In May 2014, Commission reviewed several mechanisms for an Arts Grants program.
Commission recommended: (1) a cultural arts surcharge; (2)funding campaign to include both public
and private participation; and (3) a non-monetary grant of resources (marketing and promotions;
exhibit, program, event or performance space at a park or facility). These options will be reviewed by
Council in early 2015.
• Cultural Arts Resource Database: In September 2014, Commission provided input on a campaign to
seek applications from local artists, musicians, artisans, cultural specialists, who wish to be included
in the Cultural Arts Resource Database. This database will be inclusive of artists residing or located
within the City of Dublin as well as those that serve the City of Dublin, and will be used to identify
resources that can support existing programs and potential future programs. Staff is working with
the City Public Information Officer to coordinate release of this campaign in January 2015, when City
promotions and program advertising is less saturated.
• Multi-Cultural Performance: Multi-cultural performance was ranked as a priority of the
Commissions during a discussion of Performing Arts programming in August 2013. This has resulted
in a commitment to feature multi-cultural performers on the Main Stage at "splatter." This year's
multi-cultural performer line-up included: Mariachi Mexicanismo. Bay Area Hula, Tatsumaki Taiko
and Duniya Dance and Drum Company
• Cultural Art Classes/Art Instructors: Commission has provided regular feedback on the Contract
Class Program and encouraged Staff to pursue more cultural arts programming. In the past year, five
new artists were added to the roster of Contract Class Instructors. These instructors do not reflect
franchised art programs, but are individual artists teaching art. Dublin resident artists include:
sculptor Eric Haggin, mixed media artists Shweta and Parag Agrawal, and painter Zina Kassab. Tri-
Valley artists include: ceramicists Adrianna Ayala and Erin Davis; and musician Mark Stoebe.
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