Cary Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department
Public Art Advisory Board

MINUTES

Wednesday, June 15, 2005
6:00 p.m.

Temporary Council Chambers 
Herb Young Community Center
101 Wilkinson Avenue, Cary, NC
Web Site: www.townofcary.org

ATTENDANCE:  Carol Aupperle, Chair, Mathias Bishop,  Julia Kunkel Morrison, Carl Regutti, Smythe Richbourg,
Larry Schessel, Ella Williams, Marla Dorrel, Council Liaison

STAFF:  Lyman Collins; Nancy Novell; Vicki Hayes

ABSENCES:  Luan Harmeson, Rajesh Patel

GUEST:  Laura Coats, Cary Visual Arts and Pat Hudson, Cary Visual Arts


A.    CALL TO ORDER – Carol Aupperle, Chair
        ·         Recognition of Luan Harmeson
                 Carol Aupperle announced that Luan Harmeson would be leaving Board because she is moving.  Carol
              read the following for Luan:

             “Lately, we’ve heard a lot about the dollars and cents cost of many aspects of public art.  But perhaps
              we need to shift our focus to value…the value of the time, effort and expertise offered willingly by
              volunteers.  Tonight, I want to recognize the tremendous value of Luan Harmeson’s contributions to this
              Board.  Luan has been a part of both the interim and regular Public Art Advisory Boards.  She has
              volunteered to chair the artist selection committees for both the baseball park and the US 1/64 bridge
              projects.  In addition, she has donated much of her time to educating the public on public art and the
              Gates of Lights project.  Her comments and actions have been thoughtful and insightful, and her input
              will be sorely missed.  We cannot place dollar value on Luan’s tremendous contribution.  Perhaps it
              comprises a part of the greatest public artwork of all; the voluntarism that shapes our community.
              On behalf of this Board, thank you, Luan.”

B.    MINUTES
        ·         May 18, 2005:  Carl Regutti motioned to approve the minutes.  Julia Kunkel Morrison seconded the
              motion.  Motion passed unanimously.
       
C.    TOWN HALL CAMPUS GATEWAY PROJECT
        ·        Update on etching of glass for the Glass Walled Pedestrian Bridge
                    Nancy Novell reported Catherine Widgery is working with the sub-contractor and progress is being made.
              Carl Regutti asked if anyone would be documenting the progress of the glass as it is being etched.  Nancy
              said Catherine has to provide slides, but she would ask if Catherine could document her work in progress.

D.    US1/64 PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE
        ·         Update 
                  Nancy Novell explained Council has approved the staff report that was presented at the last Public Art
              Advisory Board meeting.  Council also approved the use of funds for $175,000.00 for this project. 
              Staff is in the process of developing the Call for Artists.  The bridge is already in construction; therefore,
              the artwork will need to be applied to the bridge. Carl Regutti wanted to make sure this project was a
              success  and that Council does not get negative feedback on this project.  He suggested opening the
              Call to Artist up to as many people as possible.  Carl suggested the first phase would be to apply and
              submit one to two drawings.  Then place the drawings on display in a public place without the names of
              the artist. Then provide information on the project to the public and ask for their opinions on each drawing.
              This would help provide staff and Council with feedback from the public. Ella Williams did not want to
              restrict how the artist presented their ideas.  Carl wanted to make sure any models artist used could be
              understood by the general public.  Ella asked if staff would consider placing the pieces at the Cary mall.
              Lyman Collins said staff would have to look at the logistics of moving the pieces.  Larry Schessel
              suggested having the information on the website.  Once the information has been compiled select 4 or 5
              artist to interview.  Carol Aupperle explained the Town has not placed the Call to Artist.  The information
              can be as descriptive as we need.  Lyman Collins explained the Call to Artist will be completely open
              and we can encourage artists to provide drawings.  Carl asked if he could be included when staff places
              the Call to Artist.  Carol asked if the Board would be interested in having a group brainstorm that would
              allow Council to see that we are working with them on this project.  Smythe Richbourg felt this being an
              application process the site drawings and specs should be included in the Call to Artist.  Carl felt the
              artist should be paid $2,000.  Lyman explained it was standard to pay $1,000.  Marla Dorrel said the
              entire project has a budget of $175,000.00.  The payment to the artist will come out of this figure.  Carol
              felt we should stay inline and be comparable with other places.  Lyman explained Nancy Novell has
              researched this issue and $1,000 is standard.  Lyman explained the artist panel will take into
              consideration all feedback that is provided by the public. 

     ·         Appointment of Artist Selection Panel Chair
             Carol Aupperle explained that Luan Harmeson had agreed to Chair the artist selection panel.  However,
            Luan is moving and will no longer be on the Board.  Carol asked if anyone would like to volunteer for this
            position.  With no volunteers, Carol said she would Chair the artist selection panel.  Smythe Richbourg
            and Julia Kunkel Morrison said they would like to be apart of the panel.  It was decided that Carol would
            be the Chair and Smythe would sit on the panel.

E.    SEARS FARM ROAD PARK SCULPTURE - Nancy Novell
        ·         Sculpture Naming 
                   Nancy Novell explained a date has not been set for the dedication of this park.  Russ RuBert has prepared
              a statement, please see below:

              “Time is an ethereal yet constant element in our lives.

              While building the sculpture I thought about the visual and physical manifestations of time that make up
              our existence, and the inevitable mathematical progression of the journey.

              The concept of primal numbers and progressions play into the shapes in the sculpture.  Three – a prime
              number – three legs, three arms, three balls.  Three – the number of spheres and nine the number of
              rings inside each sphere.  Nine- a square of three – the addition of the progression of shapes.  Eighty-one
              – a square of nine – the total of shapes in the Sculpture.  A perfect mathematical exponential progression.

                 Three and nine, or thirty-nine, the number of major rendezvous steps some scientists believe life has made
              to reach this present state of reality.

              While putting patterns and swirls on the surface of sculpture, I thought about many things such as; the
              expanding orbit of the universe for billions of years, our global weather patterns, even about recent signs
              life on Mars, and the origins of life in general.  Dim and distant beginnings in a microbial past which
              somehow have resulted in human self-awareness and a growing understanding of the universe.

              Aristotle himself would envy the amount of knowledge the average schoolchild possesses.

              So as children spin and experience the Sculpture, they think about far more than I can possibly imagine.

              A small window into their minds can be glimpsed by asking them to suggest names for the Sculpture.

              Some of those names are:
              Twirling Time                                   Trisphereatops                           Extreme Man
              Orbital Al                                         Astropod                                   Seeking - Reaching
              The Universal Revolver                      Time Drill                                   Kinetic Cary
              Smoothment Pyramidal                    Tryclops                                    Cumulus
              Cyclone Charlie                               Meet in the Middle                     Curvaceous Cary
              Severed Spine                                 A Dream Walking                       Sit-n-Spin
              Ad Astra Per Aspra                          May Pole                                  Three Wishes
              Whirl Your Gig                                 Three on Three                           3 Legged Benji
              Infinite Ladder                                  Elements of Three                      BOB
              Tri-na Turn-er                                   Bowlegged Universe                   Curvey-licious
              Solar Scoop                                    Triple Dipper                              Curvaceous Kiss
              Gray Matter Whirl                            Cosmos                                    Hershey’s Kiss
              Synergetic                                       Tyrone                                      The Onion
              Apex of the Universe                        Cary Whirled                             Organic Onion
              Sparky                                            Earth Station Calling Mars          Whizzemheim
              The Fleeting                                    Orbis                                        Whirled Peace
              Funion                                            The Fun Ride                             Try Spinner
              The Trilaterial Commission                The RuBerts Ride                       Kinetic Cary May
              Pole                                               Fun Spinner                               La la Land Spinner
              Trigladitor                                       Catapang                                   Space Spin
              Curvy Cary with Ringlets                   Every Cloud Has A Silver Lining”

              Nancy Novell explained no one has shown interest from the Board to sit on the naming sub-committee.
              Carol Aupperle suggested seeking outside people with the community to assist with this process. She
              said she knows someone who might want to help and asked if there was an age group we should target.
              Nancy will contact Carol to discuss further.
            
F.    MACGREGOR VILLAGE PUBLIC ART– Laura Coats, CVA check out CVA’s website
        ·         Review proposed public art to be purchased by the Board of MacGregor Office Park and placements of
              each sculpture at MacGregor Office Park (Paradox, Metamorphosis, and Red, Yellow & Blue Seed Pods
              – see photos attached)

                  Laura Coats with CVA showed a PowerPoint presentation of the pieces of work that are being purchased
              by MacGregor Office Park and the proposed site where each piece will be.  Paradox will need to be
              repainted before installation.  Marla Dorrel explained this is an area where the art work would draw your
              eye to the location.

              ACTION:  Julia Kunkel Morrison made a motion to support Paradox being placed at the proposed site.
              Smythe Richbourg seconded.  The motion passed unanimously.

              Red, Yellow and Blue Seed Pods will be located on the property as Paradox.  The Board felt the vibrant
              colors of this piece near Paradox would make this area more attractive.  Larry Schessel asked about the
              landscape and how this piece would be set-up.  Laura Coats explained CVA did not place restriction on how
              the piece would be set.  CVA has discussed a straight line or diagonal line.  The landscape in this area is
              sloped so the three pieces would be at different heights.

              ACTION:  Larry Schessel made a motion to support Red, Yellow and Blue Seed Pods at the proposed site.
              Julia Kunkel Morrison seconded.  The motion passed unanimously.

              Metamorphosis will be a temporary to permanent installation because there is a buyer in Virginia.

              ACTION:  Smythe Richbourg made a motion to accept the piece on a temporary to permanent position for
              one year depending on the buyer in Virginia.  Julia Kunkel Morrison seconded.  The motion passed
              unanimously.

G.    CVA DOWNTOWN TEMPORARY ART EXHIBITION '05-'06 - Laura Coats, CVA
        Preliminary Review
        Laura Coats presented a PowerPoint presentation on the downtown temporary art exhibition.  She explained the
        presentation will cover what CVA would like to bring to Cary, as well as alternate pieces.   Carol Aupperle was
        glad to see that CVA had chosen pieces with color this year.  Laura said CVA has selected pieces that have a tie
        to North Carolina.  

H.    PAINTING DONATION BY DAN KELLY – Nancy Novell
       Carol Aupperle said because of time this topic would be tabled to next month.

I.    CREATIVE TRANSPORTATION DESIGN EXHIBIT – Nancy Novell
       ·         Review details of exhibit and accompanying CD with images of public art
               Nancy Novell distributed several handouts about the creative transportation design exhibit.  Carol Aupperle
              suggested having an open house to coincide with the Council meeting.  Nancy will check to see if copies
              can be made of the CD.  Carl Regutti thought a 10 minute presentation prepared by Nancy would get
              everyone ready.  Carol asked if Nancy would continue to prepare 10 minute presentations each month
              as a standing agenda item.  Nancy agreed said that she could do this.

J.    LAZY DAZE – Nancy Novell
        ·         Photos for poster update
                   Nancy Novell identified the pieces that needed to be photographed.  Smythe Richbourg and Mathias
              Bishop will coordinate together on who will take which photographs. 

        ·         Volunteer schedule
                  Carol Aupperle explained Lazy Daze is fast approaching.  A schedule of when volunteers will be needed
              is being passed around.  The shifts are in two hour blocks, except the first shift which will be three because
              of setting up the booth.

K.     OLD BUSINESS

L.     NEW BUSINESS

M.     REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
         ·         Cary Visual Art – Pat Hudson
               Report to the Public Art Advisory Board, June 15, 2005
                ·         Balancing Act II at SAS Soccer Park – CVA is working on scheduling a dedication date with the
                         Town of Cary.
 
                     ·         CVA plans to dedicate the artwork by Russ RuBert in conjunction with the grand opening of Sears
                        Farm Road Park.  The sculpture will be named with input from the community.

                     ·         Public artist Andrew Leicester will present his lecture entitled Surviving Public Art - The Trials and
                        Tribulations of Working in the Public Realm on Thursday, June 23^rd 8:00 p.m. at the Cary Chamber
                        of Commerce.  No matter what an artist creates for the public realm it always seems that someone
                        objects vehemently to the artwork. Over 30 years of making public art, Andrew Leicester has tried
                        numerous strategies for soothing the effect that his work seems to have on each and every community.
                        Andrew Leicester will discuss his controversial projects and provide some intriguing and amusing
                        examples of the public reaction.  The lecture is presented to the public free of charge and is
                        co-sponsored by the Town of Cary.

                    ·         Wishing Well Young Artists Exhibit at WakeMed Cary Hospital – The next reception for the artists and
                       their families will be on June 18^th.  New artwork will be installed on July 9^th.  CVA is planning a silent
                       auction of selected artwork during the Art Crawl event in the fall.  Auction proceeds will be used, in part,
                       to fund scholarships for students to attend art classes.

                    ·         CVA is working with MacGregor Office Park to assist in bringing temporary and permanent artwork to the
                     development.  The Board of MacGregor Office Park has selected two works (Paradox by Michael
                     Jacobson and Red, Yellow, and Blue Seed Pods by Frank Holder) from CVA’s current temporary
                     exhibition for purchase.  The business Withers & Ravenel is interested in exhibiting Metamorphosis by
                     Marvin Tadlock on a temporary basis with an option to purchase. [see attached]

                    ·         The Temporary Exhibitions sub-committee is currently reviewing artwork for the next temporary exhibition
                     in Cary.  Interested artists or volunteers are invited to contact the CVA office at 531-8149 or
                     cva@caryvisualart.org.  The exhibition will be located in the Town Center area, with particular emphasis
                     on  Academy Street.  The committee is also considering an installation by artist Patrick Dougherty in
                     2007.

                    ·        The West Cary Proposed Site Committee is researching approaches for permanent public art at the
                     corner of Chapel Hill Road and Maynard.  The committee is seeking additional volunteers.  If you are
                     interested, please contact the CVA office at 531-8149 or cva@caryvisualart.org.

                ·           The CVA Discovery Committee researches artists, artworks, and sites for public art in Cary.  The
                     committee, composed of 12 voting members, advises the CVA Board of Directors about placements and
                     acquisitions.  Meetings are held once a month on Mondays at 4:00 p.m.  Visitors are welcome to attend
                     the meetings.  If you would like to attend the meetings, please contact the CVA office at 531-8149 or
                     cva@caryvisualart.org.

        Public Art in Residence (PAIR) Program Update
        The PAIR program will bring artists and community groups together in a collaborative effort to create public art.
        CVA will launch the program this year.  We have compiled a community mailing list of approximately 450 contacts
        and an informative PowerPoint presentation.  If you are interested in learning more about the program or would like
        to be added to the community mailing list, please contact the CVA office at 531-8149 or cva@caryvisualart.org.  A
        full copy of the program guidelines and procedures is available on the web at www.caryvisualart.org. 

        Purpose and Goals
        The purpose of the Public Art In Residence (PAIR) program is to promote public art as a vehicle for exploring
        community identity, contemporary issues, and the creative process.    The program provides a venue for
        community participants to express their ideas, experiences, challenges, and successes through public art. 

        Goal One: Foster connections between art and the everyday lives of community members.
        Objectives:  Increase the diversity of public art available in Cary
                        Integrate project installations and artwork elements into daily life.

                        Create a diverse range of opportunities for Cary residents and visitors to encounter the Public Art In
                        Residence program.

        Goal Two: Develop a broader base of support and appreciation for public art.
        Objectives: Expand awareness of Cary Visual Art and public art within the Cary community and neighboring areas.
                        Develop resource materials documenting the Cary Public Art In Residence program.
 
                        Enhance civic pride and feelings of community ownership.

        Goal Three: Encourage community expression through public art. 
        Objectives: Involve new art audiences.
                        Develop opportunities for community participation in the public art process.

                        Foster an informed and thoughtful community dialogue about visual art.

• Fine Arts League of Cary – Ella Williams

The Fine Arts League Program to be presented this month on June 23^rd is guest artist and member Rocky Alexander who will demonstrate techniques of different brushes with Daler-Rowney paints.

In July a member Meera Goyal will demonstrate the ancient art of Batik.  Meera received her art training in India and has been a valued member of FALC.

Last month Cynthia Mollenkopf’s demonstration in her art medium was extremely interesting and well received.

These demonstrations are aided by a new overhead mirror that the league was able to purchase.

The Fine Arts League is still looking into the possibility of having a permanent home.  It has always been a dream to combine this with a Gallery.

I hope you enjoy this month’s newsletter which will tell you more about us and many of our members.

• Other Organizations

N.                 Adjourn