TOWN Of CARY Parks Recreation and Cultural Resources Department Public Art Advisory Board 2003 Minutes Tuesday, December 2 , 2003 Bldg. A, Front Conference Room 316 North Academy Street Cary, NC 27511

Attendance: Carl Regutti, Chair; Carol Aupperle; Adam Cave; Melanie Chernoff; Luan Harmeson; Julia Kunkel Morrison;
Staff: Lyman Collins; Nancy Novell; Vicki Hayes
Absent: June Finkbeiner; Nick Merola; Marla Dorrel, Council Liaison
Guest: Ella Williams, FALC
I		Call To Order – Carl Regutti, Chair
II		Minutes Carol Aupperle moved to approve the minutes of October 28, 2003 with corrections. Julia Kunkel Morrison seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
III		Town Hall Campus Gateway Project
		Update from Catherine Widgery’s seconded visit, November 19 – 21, 2003 Nancy Novell explained Catherine Widgery returned to Cary to present a follow-up to the first public meetings. Catherine shared her initial design concepts reflecting citizen input. Nancy asked the committee how they felt the meeting went. Julia Kunkel Morrison was very excited and thought integrating art over the entire campus was excellent. Julia would like to see Catherine embellish the pathways more. Luan Harmeson would have liked more than the 40 people, who attended, to hear Catherine’s ideas. The way she described the Town Hall Campus was wonderful. Lyman Collins explained staff will work on establishing a web page to show case her past works and provide citizens with the design ideas for this project. The only concern Luan had was the gateway piece being lost at the disorderly intersection. Carol Aupperle thought the design piece was a little stark and hopes Catherine will embellish the piece more. Carl Regutti was impressed with how she makes the most of her budget. Carol asked if we are still on track, so Catherine can design something on the glass bridge. Lyman explained at this time we still do not have enough information to determine this. Ella Williams, with the Fine Arts League of Cary (FALC) thought Catherine’s visit was exciting and that the columns will be a great surprise to everyone. Carol Aupperle asked if the meetings with Council members were productive. Lyman explained they were impressed and very positive about Catherine’s ideas. There were only two Council members who could not attend. Nancy Novell discussed the main areas that Catherine seems to be most interested in designing: the corner piece at Chapel Hill Road and Academy Street as well as plans to integrate artwork into the glass walls, acoustic panels in Council Chambers, interesting pathways within the campus, blue stone around the Town seal, and to create a park-like setting in the southwest corner of the campus. (See attached Phase 2 Progress Report)
IV		New Projects
		Benches for Sears Farm Road Park in the area with Russ Rubert’s sculpture Nancy Novell explained that the artist, Russ Rubert, feels the 3 benches he had originally designed should be included with the sculpture. He saw photos of the benches proposed by staff and the Public Art Advisory Board, but he still feels the benches he designed enhance and complete the piece. The cost of each artist designed bench is $2500. Sears Farm Road Park’s total budget for 3 benches is $2400. Cary Visual Art is prepared to purchase one bench and donate it to the Town; the artist is willing to donate one bench to the Town; and if the Town would purchase one bench, then the park would have 3 benches designed by the artist. ACTION: Carol Aupperle made a motion recommending the Town purchase one bench, assuming the artist donates one bench and CVA purchases one bench and donates it to the Town. Luan Harmeson seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
V		Old Projects
		USA Baseball Complex - Update Nancy Novell explained that the Artist Review Panel will meet early next year to begin the artist review. Carol Aupperle will chair the panel and Julia Kunkel Morrison will also serve.
VI		Board Members – Reports from Representative Organizations
		Cary Visual Arts (CVA) Nancy Novell distributed the following handout prepared by Cary Visual Arts (CVA) Permanent Exhibitions Chatham Gateway – CVA is working with property owner Curtis Westbrook on an easement for the sculpture. Once the easement is finalized, CVA will commission artist James Myford. Sears Farm Road Park – The sculpture was initially presented to PAAB separate from the benches. The Town of Cary had budgeted funds for the three standard benches to go at the sculpture site. Artist Russ RuBert feels the benches he initially proposed are an integral component to the overall artwork. CVA has approved funding in the amount of $2,500 for one bench with the understanding that the Town of Cary will fund one bench and the artist will donate one bench. CVA is working with the artist to ensure that appropriate safety requirements outlined by the Town of Cary are met. The sculpture design may require modifications to be placed into a playground setting. Town Hall Campus Gateway – Artist Catherine Widgery visited Cary in November. Approximately 40 people attended the second public meeting of the design phase. Catherine presented her initial design ideas for the corner piece at Chapel Hill Road and Academy Street as well as plans to integrate artwork into the glass walls, acoustic panels in Council Chambers, interesting pathways with the campus, blue stone around the Town seal, and create a park-like setting in the southwest corner of the campus. Catherine is working to create something that will become an image for Cary as well as something that people will want to come and see. Temporary Exhibitions Sky Sentinel was damaged during a recent wind storm. It has been taken down and a sign informing the public on the display. The artist Frank Holder is working with a local metal fabrication company called FABCO Industries to repair the artwork on site. Other Programs CVA will be partnering with the Fine Arts League of Cary to bring forth the 2004 Annual Spring Show. We have also approved a purchase award in the amount up to $1500 for the exhibition.
		Fine Arts League of Cary (FALC) Ella Williams reported FALC had 20-25 members who were accepted into the State Fair Show. One member won best of show. Several members entered the Goldsboro show, which includes eight states and involves several hundred entries. We are still encouraging new artist to show and most are doing well. The committee is looking forward to new year and will hopefully have a web site and a volunteer database. Nancy Novell thanked FALC for providing wonderful refreshments for Catherine Widgery’s public meeting.
		Other organizations
VII		Old Business
VIII		New Business
	Capital Improvement Budget and Capital Improvement Plan Lyman Collins explained the Capital Improvement Plan is a 10 year plan that indicates where the Town’s priorities are. The Capital Improvement Budget is the money allocated each year to the plan. He explained that tonight he would like the board to prioritize ten of the major areas where public art could be incorporated. The Board was instructed to not think about budget or when the project would be accomplished, but to rate each project according to their degree of priority and interest. Lyman and Nancy Novell gave some details about the ten categories of projects and then the board ranked them from 1-10, with 1 point being the highest level of priority and interest. (Listed below are the projects according to the Board’s priority ranking)
	Potential Capital Projects with Opportunities for Public Art Prioritized by the Public Art Advisory Board at its 12/2/03 meeting (the lower the score the higher the priority) #1 (6 points) Town Hall Gateway and Campus Expansion: Major sculpture and integrated art as part of the current Town Hall expansion. #2 (20 points) Town Center Park: Planning is underway for a new park in downtown Cary located between Walnut Street and Park Street with some frontage on both Academy and Walker Streets. The initial designs call for a major arts theme for the park with areas for both temporary and permanent sculpture. #3 (21 points) USA Baseball project: New facility built as part of Thomas Brooks Park. Located in west Cary this will be a major training facility for USA Baseball and will be the US Olympics team training center and exposition site. #4 (25 points) Bond Park Boat House: Expansion of boat house facilities at Bond Park. Project includes demolition of current boathouse and construction of three new buildings to significantly enhance lake-front operations at Cary’s largest park. #5 (36 points) Greenway signage/trail heads and sidewalk connectors: This opportunity would include public art as part of an overall signage and trail head system for Cary’s greenways. Also includes using public art to designate sidewalk connectors which will provide linkage for greenway components. #6 (39 points) Middle Creek Park: Major expansion of this south Cary park will include major athletic fields, picnic facilities, trails and play areas. Master plan calls for this park to become a major metro park serving south Cary. #7 (41 points) Next Community Center: Master plan calls for six new community centers over the next twenty years. #8 (42 points) Traffic Roundabouts on East and West Chatham Street: Part of the Town Center Area Plan’s transportation improvements includes roundabouts for better traffic circulation. In addition, the circular design creates opportunities for public art placements. #9 (43 points) Bartley Park: New community park planned for south Cary located near the intersection of Penny and Holly Springs Roads. The master plan process is underway and potential feature include preservation of a 150 year old farm house, cultural/community center, as well as traditional park features such as trails, picnic facilities and athletics fields. #10 (57 points) Pedestrian bridges and underpasses: The expanded greenway system will include a variety of bridges and underpasses for provide great connectivity for all part of Cary. Lyman Collins explained there will be more refinement to the priority list as we move through the budget process.
	Donation for Stevens Nature Center Nancy Novell explained The Friends of Hemlock Bluffs Nature Center is requesting to purchase 3 pieces of outdoor garden art for the facility. The center had a yard sale and made over $2000 and would like to use $455 to purchase these pieces. The pieces are designed of metal and will rust in time, but the life span is about ten years. The pieces purchased would be owned by the Town. Carol Aupperle asked if the pieces were massed produced. Nancy explained everything is hand made and not mass produced. Photos of the works and their proposed placements on the site were reviewed. ACTION: Carol Aupperle motioned a recommendation that the Town accept the 3 pieces of garden art donated by the Friends of Hemlock Bluffs Nature Center. Adam Cave seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
	Nancy Novell distributed a handout called “A Guide to the Visual Artists Rights Act”. Lyman Collins invited the Board to the holiday tree lighting and the Page Walker open house. He also reminded the Board of the 9^th Annual Kwanzaa celebration scheduled for Saturday, December 27 from 1-6 p.m. at the Herbert C. Young Community Center. Nancy Novell reminded the Board the January meeting will be the 3^rd Wednesday of the month.
XI	Adjourn

Catherine Widgery

147 Route 6

P. O. Box 1227

Truro, MA 02666

December 2, 2003

Cary Visual Art and Town of Cary Progress Report Phase 2

In preparation for my November visit to Cary to present a more detailed and elaborated view of my proposed concept, I was in contact with the following sources for my research:

Shaub Dunkley- horticulturalist to the Town of Cary. He gave me long lists of the flora of the area and places where I might look for images.

The Department of Transportation for maps of the roadways throughout the history of Cary.

The Department of Geological Survey who sent maps of the geology of the region.

Numerous texts and web sites relating to fractal geometry, patterns in nature and architectural traditions

I worked up preliminary models and drawings of my proposed image on the site and in three dimension. I photographed these under different lighting situations to try to communicate the potential.

I then gathered my research material and put together a power-point presentation to communicate to the public and the parties involved what my concept would be.

I met with and presented my proposal to the following groups:

All the Town Council members but the mayor elect and the counselor for the town hall district.

Representatives from engineering, planning, maintenance and the building architects

The public at an open presentation

Representatives from Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources

Town Hall Campus Gateway Committee

Cary Visual Arts representatives

Two graphic designers

The response to my preliminary proposal was generally very positive and I was told to continue to pursue my approach to the design which I describe below:

A design which reflects the warm, embracing nature of Cary as well at the energy which flows out from Cary.

The importance of nature in Cary meant that I sought to find an image whose source is the natural world. I also wanted to find an image that is at once rooted in tradition and yet is interpreted in a way which reflects the high tech sophistication of much of Cary’s business.

I felt the design should be light rather than imposing and heavy and thus chose metal cloth as the primary material for the main Campus Gateway site. It allows light to penetrate it and can be seen through.

I have proposed a design which takes the traditional column and reinterprets it in metal cloth and then sets these columns in a pattern of intertwining spirals through which visitors can walk. This is a delightful environment for young and old to explore. Paths will define the original natural geometric pattern. A central area forms the focus of the design.

Other areas where I propose the pattern of intertwining spirals will be echoed include:

The southwestern corner of the campus where a low stone seating area is proposed.

The blue stone paving inside the new council chamber building will have a subtle pattern integrated into the stone by sorting the colors.

The acoustic wooden paneling in the council chambers will have the holes drilled with this pattern as a basic component.

The glass bridge with its continuation on the inside of the building would be etched with a simple, elegant version of the pattern.

Brick pathways may have some of the pattern incorporated in limited ways.

My budget to date for this second phase is as follows:

Travel - approximately $1400

Drawing and model preparation, computer assistance, research and materials $2600

Presentation and professional fees $2000