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


MINUTES

Wednesday, May 18, 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; Luan Harmeson; Julia Kunkel Morrison; Carl Regutti; Smythe Richbourg; Larry Schessel; Ella Williams; Marla Dorrel, Council Liaison

STAFF:  Lyman Collins; Nancy Novell; Vicki Hayes

ABSENCES:  
Rajesh Patel

G
UEST:  Laura Coats, Cary Visual Arts and Julie Morrison, Cary
Visual Arts

A.    CALL TO ORDER Carol Aupperle, Chair

B.   
MINUTES
        Julia Kunkel Morrison moved to approve the minutes of April 20, 2005.  Carl Regutti
        seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

       
C.   
TOWN HALL CAMPUS GATEWAY PROJECT
   
    
·     Update on etching of glass for the Glass Walled Pedestrian Bridge
                Nancy Novell explained staff is continuing to work with the Town Engineer and the
                Town Engineer is working with the contractors.  Julia Kunkel Morrison asked when
                this project will be completed.  Nancy explained there is no set schedule at this
                time because details are still being finalized.  Nancy said she would keep the Board
                informed on Catherine Widgery’s next visit.


D.   
US1/64 PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE
      
·         Update 
   
             Nancy Novell distributed a copy of the staff report that will go before the Planning and
                Development Committee on
Thursday, May 19, 2005 at 12:00 p.m.  The pedestrian
                bridge has been designed and will be built over US1/64 and will be a highly visible
                identifying landmark for the Town of
Cary.  The bridge will extend from McDonald
                Woods
Park (north side of US 1/64) to an approximate location on the west side of the
                Wellington Ridge Condominium complex, which will provide a greenway connection to
                Kids
Together Park.  Because of its prominent location spanning a major traffic artery
                connecting Cary with Raleigh to the north and various communities to the south, this
                new bridge presents an outstanding opportunity for the application of a significant
                public art project.  The Public Art Master Plan adopted by Council on
October 11,
                2001
, included a number of goals which can be directly addressed in this project.
                These include:
                       
·    Use public art to enhance the identity of the Town;
                       
·    Contribute to the visual character and texture of the Town; 
                       
·    Use public art as a means to foster the community’s sense of spirit, pride,
                            and community values; 

                       
·    Recognize that the Town of Cary is a leader in neighborhood and community
                            planning initiatives and integrate public art into those initiatives; 
                       
·    Use the Public Art Program to provide opportunities to engage citizens in
                            public process in meaningful and responsive ways; 
                       
·    Enhance the individual’s experience of public spaces; 
                       
·    Make public art and artistic experiences available to the public and put art in
                            public view. 


                Nancy explained staff is recommending for Council to approve using $175,000 of
                existing funds from the pedestrian bridge project for this Public Art Project.  Carol
                Aupperle explained this is an excellent opportunity for the Board to express their
                opinions or those of your neighbors and  friends to Council on this project.


E.    CARY DOG PARK
       
·    Update on Sub-Committee planning meeting
   
             Nancy Novell thanked Carl Regutti, Smythe Richbourg and Ella Williams for sending
                information and contacts in regards to the Dog Park and artists who might assist with
                the project.  The Town is working on some issues with the site.  This project will be
                on hold for now until the issues are resolved so that the public art project doesn’t get
                ahead of the park development plans.

            
F.    OLD BUSINESS
       
·    Spring Daze – Briefing 
   
             Nancy Novell thanked the Board for volunteering at Spring Daze.  The Board felt the
                Pubic Art Collection poster should be updated before Lazy Daze.  Nancy explained
                she has spoken with Meredith Bridgers, Parks Recreation and Cultural Resources
                staff person, about assisting with improvements to the poster. Meredith suggested
                using the greenway map because it has major roads listed.  Nancy asked if Smythe
                Richbourg and Mathias Bishop would like to assist with updating the pictures as they
                are photographers, and both agreed.  Nancy suggested that they correspond by email
                about which sculptures they would like to photograph so there isn’t a duplicate of
                efforts.  Nancy mentioned printing a tri-fold brochure for Lazy Daze, however, it would
                need to be created in-house due to costs.  Carl Regutti suggested asking the
                Chamber of Commerce to help with the brochure.  Marla Darrell asked if a new picture
                of the dragon at Kids Together could be taken as there have been updates to the
                sculpture since the last published photo.  The Board asked if a banner could be
                printed for Lazy Daze.  Nancy said she will look into the banner. The Board
                requested that they not be in the corner.  Carol Aupperle said PAAB will have
                a stand alone booth that will be visible.  Carl felt the goal was to communicate to
                the public what Public Art is about.  Larry Schessel suggested having a big canvas
                that the kids could paint.  Carol explained Lazy Daze is a juried art show, so we
                need to wait until further planning for the festival has occurred before deciding on
                a hands on activity.


G.    NEW BUSINESS
       
·    Lazy Daze – Planning
   
             Please see above for information.

       
·    Discussion of Town art photos and possible brochure
   
              Please see above for information.

       
·    Sears Farm Road Park – Sculpture naming
   
             Nancy Novell explained the sculpture has been installed and continues to receive
                positive feedback from the neighbors.  PRCR Planning staff is continuing to work
                through construction issues that need to be resolved before the site is turned over to
                the Town, so a dedication has not taken place at this time.  Staff is hoping a
                dedication can be planned for this summer.  Also, this piece needs to be named.
                Russ RuBert, the artist, would like to have some input on this project.  If anyone
                would like to volunteer to brainstorm on how to coordinate the naming project,
                please contact Nancy.  Carol Aupperle wanted to think of how to get the kids involved
                on naming the piece, also, and feels this may provide “buy in” to the sculpture, which
                will get more people to help properly care for the sculpture.  

      
·     Smythe Richbourg on flickr website:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/tsmyther/
   
             Smythe Richbourg gave an overview of this website and how PAAB could benefit from
                its usage.  Smythe explained this website is free to view other photographs or upload
                you own pictures.  There are different categories that you can place the photos in or
                you can have your own page.  PAAB could benefit by placing photographs of the Town
                of   Cary  ’s public art on this site to be viewed by people around the world.  It would
                also allow us to view other states and countries public art for ideas.  Smythe said
                there would have to be guidelines set for this to work, but the benefits could be
                rewarding.

    
    ·    Creative Transportation Design Exhibition
   
             Nancy Novell explained the exhibition, On the Road Again…..Creative Transportation
                Design,
will be coming this summer to the Herbert C. Young Community Center .  The
                exhibition was developed by Jeff York, Director of Public Art & Community Design with
                the NC Arts Council and Dian Magie, Executive Director, Center for Craft, Creativity
                and Design in Hendersonville, NC . The show will hang from July 15, 2005 –
                September 15, 2005.  These pieces address how public art can be used in public
                transportation design.  Nancy asked if anyone would be willing to help her hang the
                show on July 11th.  There was discussion about having a forum with guest speakers
                and an opening reception prior to the July 28th Council meeting.  This would allow the
                Board to talk with Council members about the potential of public art while having great
                examples to see and show.  Marla Dorrel thought this was a good idea.  Smythe
                Richbourg suggested having representatives from surrounding communities attend.
                The Board suggested having the forum from 3:30 p.m. – 5:30p.m. followed by a
                reception in the HYCC lobby until 6:30p.m.


H.   
REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
      
·    Cary Visual Art – Laura Coats
                Report for the Public Art Advisory Board – May 18, 2005

               
Permanent Exhibitions
   
             CVA selected two paintings from the Fine Arts League of Cary Spring Show.  They
                purchased Oakwood Afternoon by Larry T. Dean and Still Groovin by Susan Hecht.
                CVA would like to offer the works as a donation to the Town of Cary for prospective
                placement at the Cary Tennis Center.

                Carl Regutti did not feel the Tennis Center was the best location for these pieces.
                Carol Aupperle explained this Board should not put strings on where to place the
                pieces donated by CVA.  Ella Williams thought the pieces could rotate for
                everyone to enjoy.

   
             ACTION:  Carl Regutti recommended the Town accept Oakwood Afternoon and Still
               
Groovin to be placed in a Town facility.  Julia Kunkel Morrison seconded.  The motion
                passed.


   
             Balancing Act II at SAS Soccer Park – CVA is planning a dedication for the piece
                sometime in early summer.


   
             Other Projects and Updates
   
             Public artist Jim Gallucci will present his lecture, The Past: A Gateway to the Future,
                on May 24th at 7 p.m. at the Page-Walker and History Center.  His talk will focus on
                the resurgence of public art in the 21st century and the revival of popular 19th century
                materials and influences in public art.  The event 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 exhibition
                is scheduled for May 21st to July 9th, with a reception for the artists and their families
                on June 18th.  CVA is planning a silent auction of some of the artwork during the Art
                Crawl event in the fall.

   
             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.

   
             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 placement.

   
             Laura explained a private citizen is interested in another piece from the temporary
                exhibit.  Carol Aupperle asked if this would be a private purchase and if so, would it
                have to be approved by this Board.  Nancy Novell explained that if the sculpture is in
                the public view, the Town would need to receive a Public Art Placement Request
                Form.  This would allow the sculpture and site to be reviewed by Planning for any
                safety issues, visual obstructions, etc. before the placement of this piece.

   
             ACTION:  Carl Regutti recommended giving provision to CVA to continue their work
                with this private citizen.  Julia Kunkel Morrison seconded.   The motion passed
                unanimously.

   
             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 placement 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 – Discussion was held until next
                month’s meeting as Raj Patel was not in attendance. Carol Aupperle wants him to
                be in attendance for this discussion.


   
             Laura Coats introduced Pat Hudson as the new representative from CVA. 

       
·    Fine Arts League of Cary – Ella Williams
   
         FALC has added Whole Foods to its exhibit schedule which now includes: Crepes and
            Coffee, Mr. Toads, Glenaire, Heartfields, and Cary Ballet as ongoing places in which
            member artists can exhibit monthly throughout the year bringing art to the local
            community.


   
         We now have 15 registered for the Susan Sarbuck Workshop to be held in Cary in
            October.  The artist has a 20 student limit on her classes.

   
         Two open studios mentored by Fine Arts League of Cary artists are going strong and
            adding new people every week.  One at the Senior Center and the other meets every
            Wednesday at Jordan Hall Arts Center.


   
         We have volunteers serving on the Markham committee and expect to have more when
            the time comes for shipping and labeling tasks.

   
         Mark Crummett, a FALC member, has volunteered for the Dog Park committee.

   
         We are in desperate need for a small space to hire someone as a temp for two days a
            week to do some of the duties our members are finding too burdensome.  Anyone,
            knowing or having suggestions, would be greatly appreciated at this time.  We feel
            that will solve the problem of someone coming forward to take on responsibility for
            the elected board and officer positions that are soon coming up.

   
         The Thursday evening program at 7:30 in JHAC this month will feature Cynthia
            Mollenkopf.  Cynthia is a fiber artist and will demonstrate and speak of her art and her
            experiences. This program is open to the public.

       
·    Other Organizations

       
·    Ethics Guidelines
   
         Carol Aupperle explained Board members have received a letter from the Town
            addressing the Town’s Ethics Guideline in the mail today, and she was unclear on what
            this meant.  Marla Dorrel asked the Board to read over the guidelines and ask questions
            to her or Nancy Novell.  Carl Regutti explained he was an artist who had been contracted
            with the Town to sculpt different pieces in the past.  If he wanted to apply to do a project
            in the future would that be a conflict of interest.  Ella Williams with the FALC asked if she
            should not vote on matters that would enhance FALC.  Marla felt the Town Attorney
            should talk with the Board members about their concerns


I.    ADJOURN


The Town of 
Cary is committed to providing all citizens with the opportunity to participate fully in the public meeting process. Any person with a disability who needs an auxiliary aid or service in order to participate in any meeting may contact the Town Clerk at least 48 hours prior to the meeting. The e-mail address is sue.rowland@townofcary.org; the phone number is (919) 469-4011; the TDD number is (919) 469-4012.

Please contact the Vicki Hayes with any questions about this agenda. The e-mail address is vicki.hayes@townofcary.org, and the phone number is (919) 469-4061.