TOWN OF CARY
Public Art Advisory Board

June 3, 2003

Town Hall Campus; Bldg. A
Front Conference Room
316 N. Academy Street
Cary, NC 27513 

Attendance:  Carl Regutti, Chair; Carol Aupperle; Holly Bankoski; Adam Cave; Melanie Chernoff; June Finkbeiner; Luan Harmeson; Nick Merola; Julia Kunkel Morrison

Staff:  Lyman Collins; Nancy Novell; Marla Dorrell, Council Liaison; Vicki Hayes

Guest:  Gail Taylor, PRCR; Karen Gray, Deputy Town Clerk

Call to Order - Carl Regutti, Chair

II

Introductions -
Carl Regutti welcomed the new Board Members to the first meeting of the Public Art Advisory Board. He requested the Committee give introductions and a brief description of their background. Carl thanked the Board Members for their time and support of the arts in Cary.

Overview of Town of Cary Boards – Karen Gray
Karen explained that as the Deputy Town Clerk she is responsible for eight Boards and Commissions. Each is unique in its size, meeting schedule, and specific function; however the overall mission is the same: To make Cary a place in which we can be proud to live, work and play. This Board is an interim Board and members will need to reapply in September. Initial terms will be staggered from one to three years to establish a regular rotation. Applications will be accepted each year from September 1^st through December 1^st. If members have any questions they should contact staff liaison, Nancy Novell. Also, if the Board decides to meet beyond the normal scheduled meeting date, the Board must give 48 hours notice to staff. A brochure was distributed detailing each Board and Commission. Members were also given a copy of the booklet, "Working with the Town of Cary," which details the role of volunteers. Members were encouraged to read the booklet.

Overview of Public Art Master Plan – Lyman Collins
Lyman explained that a copy of the Public Art Master Plan was in each Board Members’ notebook. Cary Visual Arts (CVA) was formed as a private, not-for-profit organization and began placing artwork throughout Cary. In 1998, Town Council adopted a Public Art Policy for the Town and began a formal process for accepting public art pieces. It was suggested that a comprehensive Public Art Master Plan be initiated. The plan would direct the implementation of Public Artworks in Cary for the next five years. PRCR was authorized by Town Council to select a consultant to proceed with a plan. The consultant selected was Jennifer Murphy with Citi Arts. Once Council adopted the plan, PRCR moved forward to hire a Public Art Coordinator. PRCR requested that Council approve an interim Public Art Advisory Board. The plan gives the Board framework to work with and has a very clear vision. This Board will work with staff to make recommendations to staff and Council.

Marla explained she is excited to have the Public Art Advisory Board together. Council would like direction from this Board on what types of art would be appropriate for Cary, where the pieces should be displayed and what the citizens of Cary desire. Marla said she is looking forward to working with the Committee and will provide assistance anytime.

Overview of Public Art Advisory Board mission and duties – Carl Regutti
Carl explained he had read over the Public Art Master Plan and encouraged the Board to do the same. It was suggested the following pages 7, 12, 13, 17, 55, 56, 58, 59, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66 be read because they make reference to the Board. Members are representing the community and need to have a team approach, even if there are disagreements along the way. Ultimately there needs to be a unified front. Marla explained that this Board is breaking new ground and that it needs to get information from the community so the public art will represent everyone. Marla encouraged the Board to talk with Council members and the Mayor about the progress the Board is making.

Luan wanted to know who has approved the pieces up to now. Lyman explained all pieces have gone before the Cultural Arts Committee for review and recommendation and then to Council for final approval. Julia asked how are the two Boards different and how will they work together. The Cultural Arts Committee’s role is to advise the PRCR Department on programs, special events and art in general. There will be a joint meeting in the future with the Board and the Committee.

Town Hall Campus Gateway Project and Integrated Art Work
Cary Visual Art (CVA) has proposed working with the Town to develop a gateway sculpture. The project is located at the corner of Academy Street and Chapel Hill Road on the Town Hall campus. CVA presented a concept of the gateway public art project to the Cultural Arts Committee for comments and feedback. The committee was supportive and gave suggestions regarding various design elements. CVA distributed nationally a Call for Qualifications to artists who have a background in such projects. There were over 100 applications received. Staff from the Cultural Arts Division as well as from the Planning Department reviewed the prospects and chose three artists. The artists gave 30-minute presentations of their visions and involvement with the community on this piece. Nancy gave a brief slide presentation showing examples of each artist, David Black, Thomas Sayre and Catherine Widergy, and asked for the Board’s feedback. Carol Aupperle felt the first artist, David Black, used good height and scale, while the other two artists were more natural and not as dramatic. Holly Bankoski thought all of the artists were exciting, but her favorite was the third, Catherine Widgery. Julia Kunkel Morrison liked the flow and feeling of the first. Adam like the way the first artist relied less on the environment. There will be one more meeting of the Town Hall Campus Gateway Committee next Monday at CVA to decide who will be chosen.

Sears Farm Road Park Sculpture
This park will be located off of Green Hope School Road on Sears Farm Road. The architect has envisioned it to be an art park designed for the neighborhoods. Cary Visual Art has offered to completely donate the piece. The artist is Russ RuBert. The piece is not yet constructed, but could provide symbolism for the neighborhood.

Development of Ordinance
An important task of the Board is to develop a Public Art ordinance for the Town. Nancy Novell will pull the information together to begin defining the ordinance. A projected date is August, so Council can review in September.

Selection of Vice Chair
Anyone who is interested in becoming Vice-Chair needs to email Carl. A decision will be finalized at the next meeting.

Establish Regular Meeting Date – Propose First Tuesday of Each Month at 5:30 p.m.
The committee discussed the date and time for the next meeting. Adam Cave has a work issue on Monday and Thursday evenings. The committee agreed the First Tuesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. would be best for everyone.

Corrections on Roster
A copy of the current roster was distributed and members made corrections.

Posting of Agenda and Minutes on Web
Marla asked how the information would be distributed to the Board. Lyman explained that the agenda will be posted on the web each month one week prior to the meeting and that the minutes would be emailed to each member for review. A hard copy will be available at each meeting. Once the minutes are approved they will be posted on the web.