Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department

Public Art Advisory Board

MINUTES

Wednesday, October 18, 2006
6:15 p.m.

Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources

Conference Room

316 North Academy Street, Cary, NC 27511

www.townofcary.org

Present: Carol Aupperle, Chair; Mathias Bishop; Ginger Hayes; Pat Hudson; Julia Kunkel Morrison; Carl Regutti; Smythe Richbourg; Ella Williams; Lejandro DeRamos, Teen Council Representative

Staff: Denise Dickens; Lyman Collins; Vicki Hayes

A. Call to Order – Carol Aupperle, Chair

The meeting was called to order at 6:15 p.m.

B. Roll Call

Noting those absent

Larry Schessel

Noting guests

Laura Coats, Cary Visual Arts; Matthew Carter, NC State student

C. Adoption of Agenda

Carol Aupperle requested the Community Tree Project be added under new business.

ACTION: Julia Kunkel Morrison made a motion to adopt the agenda with the addition of the Community Tree Project under new business. Pat Hudson seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

D. Minutes

Approval of DRAFT 20 September 2006 minutes

ACTION: Ginger Hayes made a motion to accept the September 20, 2006 minutes. Julia Kunkel Morrison seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

E. New Business

Board meeting dates/times for 2007

The Public Art Advisory Board meets the 3^rd Wednesday of the month at 6:15 p.m. The Board agreed the meeting date and time were good.

Discuss terms that will expire

Denise Dickens explained that Julia Kukel Morrison and Carl Regutti’s terms will expire in February 2007. They are both eligible to re-apply for a second term. However, Julia will not be re-applying for personnel reasons.

Ella Willams term will expire in February 2007, as well. However, because Ella is a part-time employee with the Town she will not be eligible to apply.

Larry Schessel has missed several meeting and can re-apply for a second term, but his work life has changed and he will not be re-applying.

This will leave three openings on the Board to fill. If you know of anyone that would be interested in serving, please direct them to Carol Aupperle, Denise Dickens, Lyman Collins or the website ww.townofcary.org. Also, they are welcome to attend the November meeting to see how the meetings are run. Applications are due December 1, 2006 and Council will make recommendations at the January 2007 meeting.

Community Tree Project

The Holiday Season is a time to celebrate peace, good-will and coming together. We invite your organization to join us as we create the first ever Town of Cary Community Tree. Located in the newly completed Town Hall, this tree will feature ornaments created by members of our community. We’re inviting schools, businesses, churches, non-profit organizations, groups and clubs to create an ornament that reflects the intent or purpose of their organization. It can be flat or chunky; painted or decorated with odds and ends; created from many types of materials. All the ornaments will be hung on the tree during the ceremony to light the official Town Tree on December 2, 2006.

Carol Aupperel asked if anyone was interested in taking this project on, if so please contact her. Vicki Hayes will email everyone the flyer with the ornament specifications.

Town Hall Campus - brainstorming

Denise Dickens explained there is a limited amount of money allocated for public art for the Town Hall Campus. Staff confirmed that the Board would like to see if Catherine Widgery would be interested in the project. Lyman Collins explained her designs are approved, but would have to be adjusted now that the campus project is complete. Lyman reported to the Board that he has talked with Catherine and she feels vested in her work and would like to be considered. Staff will pursue Catherine after the holidays before starting a search for another artist.

Denise explained that if we have to pursue another artist we should invite them to look at the campus and provided us with areas where they see potential for public art.

Carol Aupperle explained she had been talking with people that don’t visit the campus that often. They remember the center of Town, but have a difficult time identify the building. Men can find the building easier than women. Most of the people she talked with park in the lot before you get to Page-Walker Arts and History Center. There needs to be something on the corner identify where you are. When they enter the building, the first they see is the Council Chambers and the Finance Department and then nothing.

Carl Regutti explained he comes in from the parking deck. He explained when you come into the court yard area and see the fountain – it’s beautiful. The rise up to the Police Department should be filled with artwork. Carl has a new type of material (colored stainless steel) that he would like to showcase on the campus. He would like to discuss the issue further with staff.

Smythe Richbourg has no opinion, because he has not walked through the campus. Mathias Bishop wanted to keep it local and have a trade mark for the Town.

Pat Hudson would like to see something on the corner of Academy Street and Ambassador Loop. The majority of people come from that direction and there needs to be something there to let the public know where they are. Ginger Hayes felt the etching that says “Town of Cary” blends in with the building and people don’t notice it. She agreed with Pat that something like a fountain needs to be at the corner.

Ella Willams explained she comes in through the south entrance and feels it connects with the downtown area, more than the main entrance. She loves Catherine Widgery’s pinecones and huge glass pillars with etchings – this could eventually identify Cary.

Matthew Carter, guest NC State student offered a suggestion of using two hands either reaching out or inter-locking to show the Town supports the people. Julia Kunkel Morrison would like to see a mobile of some type in side the building and something on the corner of Academy and Ambassador Loop.

Denise Dickens suggested for the November meeting to have a walk through of the Town Hall Campus to begin at 6:00 p.m. The Board agreed that would be a great idea. We will continue to revisit this topic through February 2007. Lyman Collins will continue to talk with Catherine Widgery.

F. Old Business

Update Downtown Streetscape

Denise Dickens explained the Artist Information Package was posted last Friday. At this time she has received over 50 artists requesting an application. The goals of this project were discussed at the September meeting and below are the goals and highlights of the Master Plan:

Goals for Public Art within downtown Cary Streetscape:

· Create a welcoming and memorable sense of place – Cary’s downtown is Cary’s front porch.

· Consider integrated artworks of pedestrian scale.

· Consider Cary’s history and heritage – unifying design theme.

· Engage citizens and visitors – interactive and family friendly.

· Be sensitive to the needs of the disabled.

· Consider circulation requirements for Cary’s numerous downtown events and festivals and create gathering places.

· Respect inherent climate, maintenance and structural considerations for materials.

Downtown Cary Streetscape Master Plan Highlights:

· Establish pedestrian orientation.

· Provide sidewalks.

· Streetscape elements should look consistent and distinctive.

· Facilitate continued private reinvestments.

· Incorporate public art.

· Ensure public involvement, protect property rights.

The deadline for submitting an application is November 13, 2006. Carol Aupperle has appointed Smythe Richbourg as the chair of this committee. Carl Regutti and Ginger Hayes had volunteered to set on the committee, as well, but can not attend all three meetings. The meeting dates are November 17, 2006, December 13, 2006 and January 11, 2007 from 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Julia Kunkel Morrison volunteered to sit on the committee.

Update on US 1/64 Pedestrian Greenway Bridge, Walnut Street Park, Cary Dog Park

· The US 1/64 Pedestrian Greenway Bridge was approved and the project should begin in January 2007. By this time next year we should see artwork on the bridge. Carl Regutti asked if staff would document the phases of construction to use in the future.

· Walnut Street Park – Ms. Barbara Grygutis was the artist selected on this project and has jointed the design team. Ms. Grygutis arrived on Monday, October 9, 2006 for a public meeting held at Page-Walker Arts and History Center to gather community input. Staff has collected input from the community and sent it to the artist. Ms. Grygutis will be back in town for Cary Visual Art on December 5, 2006 for a lecture on her work. During this visit she will also be meeting with the Town staff and Landscape architect. TOC will not hold a public meeting during this visit.

· Cary Dog Park – The dog park workshop will take place on Friday, October 20, 2006 at the Herb Young Community Center. The time frame is late November or early December to see artwork in place. There will be a dedication, but a date has not been sent.

Review Public Art Advisory Board (PAAB) Goals

Denise Dickens explained she will prepare a report for Council reflecting the Board’s accomplishments under the current goals. She will write a draft report for the Board to review.

G. Reports from Representative Organizations

Cary Visual Art (CVA) – Pat Hudson

Art Crawl – CVA thanked PAAB for participating in the Art Crawl as well as the Town of Cary for providing tables, set-up, staging and amplification. The event was a success with about 250 attending. Approximately 60 people participated in guided tours of public art downtown. The festival also featured artist demonstration, children’s activities, live music, street performers and the silent auction.

Wishing Well Program at WakeMed Cary Hospital - The current exhibition was just installed and features 14 works by Cary High School students.

Miracle League Project – CVA is forming a committee to work on public art for the Miracle League Field at Adams Elementary School. Anyone interested in serving on the committee should contact Laura Coats at 531-9149.

West Regional Library – CVA will contribute funding towards a public art residency project at the West Regional Library. Artist Thomas Sayre will work with library staff and area students to develop an artwork for the interior of the recently opened facility.

Temporary Community Arts Exhibition “Take a Seat” – CVA is planning a themed exhibition of unique artworks suitable for functional seating.

Public Art in Focus Lecture – Artist Barbara Grygutis will present a lecture of her work Tuesday, December 5, 2006 at the Page-Walker Arts and History Center. The time is tentatively scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

10^th Year Anniversary Art Ball – Is planned for Saturday, November 4, 2006 at Prestonwood Country Club. All proceeds benefit public art and education programs in Cary.

Commemorative Artwork Raffle – CVA commissioned Jerry Miller to create an artwork that commemorates our 10^th Anniversary. Raffle tickets for a chance to win the original watercolor are available for $25 each.

Fine Arts League of Cary (FALC) – Ella Williams

Fall is a busy time for this organization, currently volunteers are receiving and preparing a Juried Photography Exhibit to be held at the Michael Le Cher Gallery with a reception on October 27, 2006 from 6:00 -9:00 pm.

FALC volunteer Kim Masellie assisted the Celebration of Children in the Arts held by the Cary Ballet, at the beginning of the month.

A very interesting program is scheduled for Thursday October 26, 2006 at 7:30 pm, presented by Professor John and Kitty Mecham. They will demonstrate Polaroid image transfer as an alternative photographic process. The public is invited.

The Annual Membership Exhibit, judged by Eric McRay will be exhibited at Page Walker Art and History Center starting November 4, 2006. A reception will be held November 12, 2006 from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.

FALC volunteers will be assisting Denise Dickens with the return of the Markham Canada, “ Spirit of Cary” art exhibit.

The Annual Dinner is to be held at the Cary Senior Center, Tuesday evening, November 7, at 5:30 pm

H. Public Speaks Out (opportunity for guests and members to address Board – limit 5 minutes per speaker)

I. Adjourn - time

ACTION: Pat Hudson made the motion for the meeting to adjourn and Julia Kunkel Morrison seconded. The meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.

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 of 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 Vicki Hayes with any questions about this agenda. The e-mail address is vicki.hayes@townofcary.org and the phone number is (919) 319-4560.