HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-13-2003 Approved HCAC Minutes •
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HERITAGE AN) CULTURAL ARTS'COMMISSION
MINCTES OF' NOVEMBER Z3 2003
The November 13, 2003 meeting of the Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission was called to order at 7:08 p.m. at
the Dublin Civic Center,Dublin, California,by Chairperson Fasulkey.
Pledge of Allegiance
Chairperson Fasulkey led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll Call
Commissioners Present: Acuff,Fasulkey,Lussie, White,Mack,Muetterties and Vonheeder-Leopold
Oral Communications-None
Approval of Minutes—October 9,2003
Cm. Lussie referred to page 3, the last paragraph. She pointed out that the Commission's discussion referred to
only"one" local newspaper and their lack of publicity.
Lynne Baer asked if she could make a correction to the minutes to a statement regarding Bray Commons.
Heritage and Cultural Arts Supervisor Theresa Yvonne stated that it would not be appropriate for her to make
corrections to minutes of a.meeting she did not attend, however could comment on the minutes as part of her
presentation this evening.
ONA MOTION BY CM. VONHEEDER-LEOPOLD AND SECONDED BY CM. WHITE, THE COMMISSION
VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 9,2003 AS CORRECTED.
Written Communications-None
Public Hearing-None
Unfinished Business
7.1 Senior Center Art—"Wisdom through the Ages"
Yvonne stated that one of the high priority goals for the 2002-2003 set by City Council was to commission Public
Art for the new Senior Center and that 1% was allocated for a Public Art component as part of the Senior Center
project. Request for Qualifications went out to artists to submit their work. The Senior Center Art Selection
Committee reviewed the proposals and selected Rowland Cheney's sculpture "Wisdom through the Ages" as the
finalist. Mr. Cheney has completed his model and Staff has made a visit to his studio and has approved the model
for completion. The sculpture is approximately 8'x 8' and will reflect the images depicted in the miniature
sculpture presented to the Commission. Staff recommends that the Commission carpool to the foundry in Rocklin
to tour the foundry and witness a portion of the pouring of the actual sculpture. The Commission concurred.
Yvonne stated that Mr. Cheney would contact her when the sculpture is ready to be poured, which should be in
March or April.
ON A MOTION BY CM. LUSSIE AND SECONDED BY CM. MACK, THE COMMISSION VOTED
UNANIMOUSLY TO ACCEPT STAFFS PRESENTATION AND APPROVE THE SITE VISIT TO THE
FOUNDRY.
New Business
8.1 Art in the Parks—Dolan Park
Yvonne reported that in September of 1993 the City Council gave conceptual approval to the Dublin Fine Arts
Foundation's proposed"Art in the Parks"program. Since that time,the Foundation has completed commissions in
Alamo Creek, Stagecoach,Mape Memorial, Kolb Park, and Ted Fairfield Parks, and a sculpture previously on loan
MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 13, 2003
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to the City and the Foundation was purchased by the Foundation and permanently installed at Shannon Park. A
commission for Emerald Glen Park is underway and scheduled for completion early next year.
In January of 2003, the City Council approved a request from the Dublin Fine Arts Foundation to commission art
for Dolan Park. A selection committee comprised of members of the Dublin Fine Arts Foundation Board and a
representative from the Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission and Parks and Community Services Commission
as well as community members reviewed the materials from nine artists. The Art Selection Committee for Dolan
Park selected four artists to prepare proposals and maquettes for the park artwork. The maquettes were placed on
display in the Civic Center Lobby. The public was encouraged to make comments regarding the pieces. At the end
of the display period the Art Selection Committee met,reviewed the public comments and selected the proposal by
artist Bryan Tedrick.
Mr. Tedrick proposes a work entitled " Dreams of Longing After Nothing". Yvonne introduced Lynne Baer from
the Dublin Fine Arts Foundation,who will present Mr. Tedrick's proposal.
Ms. Baer commented on the minutes of October 9, 2003, stating that the statement made under Art in the Parks -
Bray Common states that the Dublin Fine Arts Foundation along with representatives from the Commission will
serve on a Selection Committee. She felt that the statement should be corrected to say that this is a project from
and of the Dublin Fine Arts Foundation. It is not a City project. As the City is doing more public art, this
distinction needs to be made because the funding is different. The City of Dublin funds one-quarter of the project
costs and the rest the Dublin Fine Arts Foundation raises privately.
Baer stated that Dublin Fine Arts Foundation has already received permission from the City for Bray Commons.
The selection was placed on-hold due to the fact that there are no residents as of yet to represent the neighborhood
surrounding the park. Placing the selection on-hold would eliminate the problems that occurred with Ted Fairfield
Park,where a lot of comments were received from the residents that moved in after the art piece was installed.
Baer reported that the Selection Committee selected a sculpture by Bryan Tedrick. The sculpture is entitled
"Dreams of Longing After Nothing". The piece will be made of steel measuring approximately 12 feet high with
over 7 feet of clearance from the ground, and designed to rotate 360 degrees and tilt 25 degrees from the center
axis. The piece can be described as sort of a weather vane and will shift in the wind. When the models were on
display in the Civic Center, the Dublin Fine Arts Foundation invited Police and Public Works to go over some of
the safety issues of the art piece. The fact that the piece is far off the ground would make it difficult for someone
to grab and hang onto it. The committee spent a great deal of time addressing safety issues. The artist has a
similar sculpture at a skateboard park in Stockton and they have not had any problems with it. Baer referred to a
map of Dolan Park and Cm.Acuff pointed to the location as verbally directed Ms.Baer.
Cm. Acuff stated that the sculpture would be visible from the surrounding areas of the park, particularly the
sidewalk areas used for walking and jogging. The Committee was initially split 50-50 between the proposal
submitted by artists Laurel and Bryan Tedrick. There was concern that the Laurel's castle would over time,
become outdated. After discussion everyone felt comfortable with both proposals but selected Bryan Tedrick's
sculpture.
Yvonne reported that the total cost of the artwork is $20,000 and will be paid for by the Dublin Fine Arts
Foundation and the City will contribute one-quarter of the project cost, or $5,000. The Parks and Community
Services Commission will review the artwork at their November 17 meeting and the City Council at their
December 2 meeting.
Cm. Mack asked if the sculpture would weather over time. Baer stated the Committee had this concern also.
Mr. Tedrick does not want his sculpture to rust and therefore will powder coat it. The sculpture will therefore
remain steel colored to reflect the light.
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Cm. White asked if the sculpture is intended to be a tree branch. Baer stated that the artist intended the piece to be
abstract to allow for the viewers interpretation.
Cm. Mack stated that she is concerned with bird droppings on the sculpture. Baer stated that it is going to happen.
Cm. Acuff pointed out there are a lot of trees and bushes in the park where the birds will probably congregate, but
some may perch on the sculpture. Baer stated that Public Works was involved in the process and believe that they
can maintain the sculpture as needed.
Cm. Fasulkey stated that she would be curious as to how the sculpture would look when it moves. Baer stated that
the 14-foot long sculptural arm would move with the help of ball bearings. Because of its size, it would move
slowly in the wind.
ONA MOTION BY CM.ACUFF AND SECONDED BY CM. VONHEEDER-LEOPOLD, THE COMMISSION
VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO APPROVE THE ARTWORK BY BRYAN TEDRICK AS SELECTED BY THE
DOLAN PARK SELECTION COMMITTEE.
8.2 Classic Affair Event
Yvonne reported that the "Classic Affair" is a cultural arts event designed to showcase local artists and give the
City of Dublin a more formal special event. Although the event was created as a"kick-off'to the Summer Concert
Series, it has transformed into more of an art exhibition and musical performance. The event was first held in June
of 2001 and was again held in June of 2002 and May of 2003. The event has featured gourmet food, wine and
champagne tasting, instrumental music, and an exhibition of local artists. This past year the City partnered with
the Dublin Senior Foundation to coordinate a silent auction to benefit the Foundation and generate more interest in
the senior citizen population.
After three years, attendance at the event has remained low. Additionally interest in the event by artists and
sponsors has declined. The event has generated a significant cost to the City, averaging $79 over the past three
years. Despite committing significant Staff time and general fund money to support this event during the past three
years, Yvonne stated that Staff does not believe the event has the necessary community support to be a successful
event for the City and recommends canceling the event in the future and exploring other venues to more effectively
expand appreciation of cultural arts in the community. This report was also presented to the Parks and Community
Services Commission at their October 20`h meeting and they concurred with Staff's recommendation to cancel the
event.
Cm. Lussie stated that when the survey was done, country music was way on top and classic music was on the
bottom. We keep giving the community classical music when they don't want it. We need to give the community
something they want.
Cm.Acuff stated that the band at this years event was jazz and it was very good.
Cm. Lussie stated that last time she suggested that we do the event as a benefit, which we did. But the turnout for
the event remained low.
Cm. Fasulkey felt if we go with country music, the event would need to be renamed. We just need to go back to
the"think tank"and come up with something that will draw the community.
Yvonne stated that we have had country music as part of the concert series and it is not one of the most well
attended concerts.
Cm. Acuff stated that the event this year should have been more successful. The library was a great venue and it
was held indoors, so weather was not an issue. - •
Yvonne stated that after three years,typically an event should be breaking even in cost.
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Cm. Muff asked,what is the cost per person for the concerts.
Yvonne stated that it is harder to figure cost per person, as we do not sell tickets for the concert. Staff assesses the
number of people that attend the concerts and would estimate about$9.00 per head.
Cm. Lussie asked, what was the original purpose of this event. Yvonne stated that it was to kickoff the summer
concert series.
Cm. White stated that she attended the last two classical events and thought it was really a lovely event. The food
is great. If after three years the event is not breaking even, then we should cancel it and restructure it. Maybe
calling it a"classic"event is a turn-off for some people.
Cm. Vonheeder-Leopold stated that this was the first year she attended the event. She liked the fact that the event
was indoors and did not have to battle with the weather. She took her son and his wife so that they could see the
new library. There was not much space for seating. Once dinner was over and they had talked to a few people
they knew,there was not a lot to do. There was not very much art to look at and not many people danced.
Cm. Fasulkey stated that the schools do wonderful fundraisers. Certainly a city of this size can come up with
something.
Cm. Lussie stated that she attended the opening of the Regal Theatre and they had tents with food and wine, free
movies and popcorn. It was great.
ON A MOTION BY CM. MUETTERTIES AND SECONDED BY CM. MACK, THE COMMISSION VOTED
TO CANCEL THE CLASSIC AFFAIR. IN FAVOR—5/OPPOSED I (ACUFF)
Other Business
Brief INFORMATIONAL ONLY Reports from Heritage and Cultural Arts Commissioners and/or Staff
Yvonne reported that 35 people attended the,Day of the Dead Workshop at the Heritage Center. Twenty-seven(27)
were pre-registered and the others were walk-ins. The event included active crafts, story telling and refreshments.
Volunteers included Joe Sibilla, Pam Harvey, Wendy Turbock, Bridget Abrahamson, plus five teens from the
Volunteer Center. The event got some good press in the Tri-Valley Herald, Valley Times, display ad and calendar
listing in the Contra Costa Times,Valley Times and our Activity Guide.
Cm. Lussie stated that she noticed an advertisement of the Day of the Dead Workshop in Diablo Magazine.
Cm. Lussie reported that she received a call from Chris Richardson from Livermore who asked her to be on a
round table. Livermore is considering establishing an art council. They will also have representatives from
Walnut Creek and San Ramon. She stated that she plans to benchmark some of the ideas they may come up with
and bring them back to the Commission.
Cm. White asked if everything is still on schedule for the underpass art ceremony.
Yvonne stated the lighting for Amador Valley Boulevard has been completed but PG&E has not hooked it up.
Staff is waiting to get clearance to move forward. The dedication ceremony is tentatively scheduled for Saturday,
December 6 at 10:00 AM. If it does not take place in December, it will not happen until spring 2004. She will
keep the Commission posted. The Commissioners all concurred that the lighted underpass on Dublin Boulevard
looks great.
Cm. Acuff reported that the Oakland Museum magazine did an exhibit on the Day of the Dead. She felt that we
did an excellent job on our exhibit at the Heritage Center compared to the Oakland Museum that has a lot more
resources. While in Albuquerque, New Mexico she picked up a collectors guide put out by their Convention of
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Visitors Bureau. The guide shows all their public arts projects in color. This is the kind of publicity we can look
forward to in the future. She proposed that a plaque be placed somewhere in the Heritage Center in memory of
Donna Miller. Ms. Miller should be recognized for her dedication for preserving the history of Dublin. She was
really one of the founders of the Heritage Center and worked hard with so much perseverance to pull together
many resources that set the groundwork for what the Heritage Center is today.
Cm. Vonheeder-Leopold stated that the Dublin Historical Preservation Association is going to be doing something
along those lines. Marie Cronin is also supportive of doing something.
Cm. Fasulkey felt that it would be appropriate to send a donation to John Knox Presbyterian Church,where Donna
had dedicated a great deal of her time.
Adjournment
Being no further business,the meeting was adjourned at 8:19 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Char J.Young 111 Administrative Technician
APPROVED:
/ l
Chairperson
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