Cary, NC 27511 

Attendance: Carl Regutti, Chair; Carol Aupperle; Adam Cave; Melanie Chernoff; June Finkbeiner; Luan Harmeson; Julia Kunkel Morrison; Marla Dorrell, Council Liaison

Staff: Lyman Collins; Nancy Novell; Vicki Hayes

Absent: Melanie Chernoff, Nick Merola

Guest: Laura Coats Harrar, Cary Visual Art, Inc.

I

Call To Order – Carl Regutti, Chair
Carl called the meeting to order. Carl announced that Holly Bankoski has resigned from the Public Art Advisory Board because of other commitments. Since the Board has no problem meeting quorum, Council will wait until the next Board is appointed in January rather than appointing someone for the interim period of time.

II

Minutes
Julia Kunkel Morrison moved to approve the minutes of August 5, 2003. June Finkbeiner seconded. The minutes were unanimously approved.

III

Public Art Ordinance

Update
Nancy said that the ordinance is still under review by staff and suggested that rather than setting up a specific timeline, she will continue to update the Public Art Ordinance sub-committee as information becomes available, so the sub-committee can keep the Board informed.

Discussion on Review Process in conjunction with Planning Department
Nancy Novell reported that this review process was in progress and should be ready to go to the next Council meeting for approval.

IV

Town Hall Campus Gateway Project

Update on potential public art projects
The Town Hall Campus sub-committee met with Bill Lawrence, Architect with The Smith Sinnett Associates, on August 28^th and reviewed site plans. The Public Art Advisory Board’s Town Hall Expansion sub-committee met at 5:00 today and discussed numerous opportunities for placement of public art. Nancy distributed copies of the site plans to each Board member. The intent of the sub-committee is to bring to the Board a detailed list of projects and for the Board to have input into identifying projects and finalizing priorities. Adam Cave discussed the fact that there are several entrances to Town Hall, and the possibility of mirroring the entrances for similarity, but having different artwork at each entrance. Carol Aupperle reported that the outdoor garden area appears much smaller than imagined before she saw it in person, and she suggested that everyone go and take a look at the site.

Discussion on prioritizing projects
Carol asked Nancy to arrange a walk-through with the architect to see the site and answer some of the sub-committee’s questions. A consensus on a meeting time is Monday, September 15^th at 4:00pm.

Update on scheduled visit by Catherine Widgery, Town Hall Gateway Design Phase artist
Laura Coats Harrar reported that Catherine would visit September 25th and 26^th. She will visit again in November for broader input to funnel into her design. February 15^th is the deadline for design completion. Carl asked Nancy to provide the Board with a schedule of her first visit.

V

Projects Pending – Action Items

Sears Farm Road Park – Sculpture by Russ RuBert
Nancy Novell reported that the model of the sculpture and information about its placement in Sears Farm Road Park was presented to area neighbors at the August 25^th Board meeting at The Reserve Club House. Julia Kunkel Morrison and Carol Aupperle were also in attendance. Carol reported that the neighbors were drawn in by the sculpture, but initially more interested in talking about the park, however, once they found out about the sculpture and its intent, they were very pleased that the sculpture was going to be a part of park. Nancy showed a photo of the benches the Town will provide to be incorporated into the sculpture area. There was a consensus that the benches would work well with the sculpture and help to serve as a gathering spot for the sculpture.

The committee convened into the Town Hall A lobby to view the model of the sculpture. Laura Coats Harrar made a presentation about the sculpture and extended the offer to donate the sculpture to the Town.

The artist is Russ RuBert who lives in Springfield, MO. He attended Kansas City Art Institute and is a member of the Board of Directors for the International Sculpture Society. The maquette represents the preliminary design and the artist will be adding another leg to the sculpture. His motive was to create an artwork that will be fun, exciting, and memorable for people. A description of the piece is the core of the sculpture is a 21-foot tall stainless steel structure with slender forms reaching upwards. The peak of this middle piece has an aluminum top that will spin in the wind or be accelerated by children who can move it by pushing a stainless steel dome at the lower center of the sculpture. Physically the sculpture design provides several ways for people to interact with the sculpture. Kinetic elements add motion, energy, and an exciting touch-and-response ingredient. Mentally the sculpture invites children to stretch their imagination. Abstract but reminiscent of other things, each viewer can explore his or her own ideas and creativity. The sculpture encourages an optimistic look upward. It suggests launching new ideas and reaching for higher goals. The sculpture environment is hoped to contribute to a stronger sense of community by creating a setting for friends and family to meet and share a little time together. The scale will be:

CVA voted to approve the purchase of the sculpture but not the benches designed by the artist. The three stainless steel benches designed by the artist would be available for $7,500, but due to CVA’s budget, they will not be included.

ACTION: Carol Aupperle recommended that the Town accept the piece for Sears Farm Road Park. Julia Kunkel Morrison seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

VI

Projects Updates

Balancing Act II
Nancy Novell reported that Council accepted Balancing Act on consent agenda on August 21, 2003. Carl Regutti asked what lessons were learned with this piece. Lyman said the Board did what they should have done: the Public Art Advisory Board gave a strong endorsement for the piece and when it was presented to Council, it passed with a unanimous vote. No further action by the Public Art Advisory Board would be needed to take place concerning this piece.

Carl Regutti added an agenda item : Bust of Walter Hines Page
Carl reported that Friends of Page Walker approved the bust could be brought out of storage and temporarily placed at Page Walker. He suggested its placement on Town Hall campus, but Lyman said due to construction, it wouldn’t be able to go on campus at this time. Staff will decide where to place the bust at Page Walker Arts & History Center; permanent placement here would also be appropriate, and Carl will help engineer the installation.

VII

Board Members – Reports from Representative Organizations

CVA
Laura Coats Harrar distributed CVA’s September Public Art Advisory Board report. (See attached) The Goodnight Education Program funds the Public Art in Residence Program and artists come to create public artwork with the community. Interested groups apply to CVA to work with an artist. CVA will be sending out a mailing to invite the community and inform them on how to apply.

Carol Aupperle suggested that a mosaic could be created and placed on the retaining wall near Herb Young Community Center. A class could be offered where children could make the designs and the artist could execute the piece. Carol suggested getting children in the community involved as much as possible.

FALC
Since Holly Bankoski was the Board representative to FALC, Carl Regutti will attend those meetings to report to the PAAB. Nancy distributed a postcard with information about the FALC’s opening reception at Jordan Hall on September 5, 7-9pm.

Other Organizations
No report was given.

IX

Old Business

X

New Business

XI

Adjourn