Arts, Historic Preservation and Philanthropy Committee
Regular MeetingColumbia, SC · October 10, 2023
Minutes
COLUMBIA ARTS, HISTORIC PRESERVATION & PHILANTHROPY COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2023
CALL TO ORDER
The Columbia Arts, Historic Preservation and Philanthropy Committee conducted a meeting on
Tuesday, October 10, 2023 at City Hall (Mayor’s Conference Room), Columbia, South Carolina.
The Honorable William Brennan, Chair called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m.
Attendee Name Title Status Arrived
Will Brennan Chair Present
Edward H. McDowell Member Absent
Tina N. Herbert Member Present
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Upon a motion made by Ms. Herbert and seconded by Mr. Brennan, committee members voted
unanimously to amend the agenda to add a presentation from Mr. Mark Rapp, Executive Director
for the ColaJazz Foundation.
PRESENTATIONS
1. Columbia Peace Pole Public Art Project - Mr. Skot Garrick, Strategic Initiative
Administrator
Mr. Skot Garrick, Strategic Initiative Administrator introduced Elaine Frick who represents the
Columbia Peace Pole Committee. In January 2022, there was a new Peace Pole structure
unveiled by Mayor Rickenmann in front of the USC Alumni Center. Ms. Frick is here today to
detail the plans and designs behind the Peace Pole, as well as some ideas of where it can be
installed once completed.
Ms. Elaine Frick, Columbia Peace Pole Committee proposed that the newest Peace Pole be
placed on city of Columbia property. She said there are 34 Peace Poles in the city at more than
20 locations. Through PowerPoint, she showed photos of other Peace Poles locally and from
across the globe. All funds have been raised for the next project. Several city parks have been
considered. The committee’s desire is for a large location that has access to parking and space to
host educational events. We are still taking donations. Our fiduciary agent is now the Central
Carolina Community Foundation and donations can be made through them.
Councilor Brennan asked about next steps.
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COLUMBIA ARTS, HISTORIC PRESERVATION & PHILANTHROPY COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2023
Mr. Skot Garrick, Strategic Initiative Administrator said the Columbia Peace Police Committee
has ideas about temporary installations at city of Columbia parks and then the artist will finish it
for permanent display. An essential part of the fundraising effort is the start of a continual
maintenance fund for the Peace Pole Project.
There was consensus of the committee to ask staff to bring back recommendations in terms of
Peace Pole art selection and art placement.
2. Review of 2003 Art Task Force Report - Mr. John Whitehead, Columbia Music Festival
Association
Mr. John Whitehead, Executive Director of the Columbia Musical Festival Association reviewed
the 2003 Art Task Force Report. He said the central element of the Art Task Force was to study
the feasibility for an artist driven revitalization of the North Main Corridor. It was desired by
every neighborhood but never implemented. The major component was the auditorium and
theatres that Columbia needed which still includes a 1,500 seat municipal auditorium, a 400 seat
black box, and a 500 seat performance space. The auditoriums and theatres that were already in
use were difficult to rent, too large, or too expensive.
There was a discussion about determining the need of demand, calibrating the strength of the arts
community in Columbia versus surrounding communities, updating outreach in collaboration
with USC and the Arts Commission, programming, and checking the status of projects that have
or have not come into fruition.
Councilor Brennan requested that Mr. Whitehead connect with USC and the Arts Commission to
determine what can be done to increase the core supporters of the arts.
3. Cola Jazz Update - Mr. Mark Kapp, Executive Director
Mr. Mark Rapp, Executive Director of ColaJazz presented an update on the mission, history, and
past and current projects for Cola Jazz. Our mission is to grow, support, and promote jazz in the
Midlands through events, education, recordings, resources, and advocacy to create a thriving
culturally rich community. Columbia is ready to lead the way when it comes to the arts. Since
2015, ColaJazz has worked tirelessly to establish Columbia as a premier jazz destination. Our
“Live in the Lobby” series with the Koger Center for the Arts presents our local and regional
musicians while supporting world-renowned guest artists from around the globe. Last year, we
presented “Take the A-Train to Soda City” and featured top NYC jazz artists. This season is
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COLUMBIA ARTS, HISTORIC PRESERVATION & PHILANTHROPY COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2023
called “NOLA to COLA”, featuring artists from New Orleans. Our next concert is on November
21, 2023 and features Don Vappie, a 2021 recipient of the Steve Martin Banjo Prize. The
Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis returns to the Koger Center on November
28, 2023. Other programs include the “Loft Lessons” and “ColaJazz Presents” in partnership
with SCETV. In 2022, ColaJazz impacted thousands of students through diverse education
programs. The annual ColaJazz Fest began in 2017. It provides a platform for artists, musicians,
and enthusiasts to connect, share their passion, and celebrate a shared cultural heritage. The
ColaJazz Fest boosts our local economy attracting tourists and generating revenue for businesses,
event staff and musicians.
Ms. Mary-Kate Korpita, Member of the ColaJazz Board of Directors said the ColaJazz Fest
becomes part of our city’s identity positively impacting its image and attractiveness on a far
broader scale. There’s a massive opportunity in the arts and culture sector and a massive
opportunity for our city to host a marquee ColaJazz Fest event. Let our city be a stage for
innovation, creativity, and the exploration and presentation of the BEST in the arts.
There was a discussion about the differences between the marquee Greenville JazzFest and
ColaJazz, the future of the festival, and funding mechanisms for the current ColaJazz concerts.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 1:59 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:
Erika D. Moore Hammond, CMC
City Clerk
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Agenda
COLUMBIA ARTS, HISTORIC PRESERVATION & PHILANTHROPY COMMITTEE
MEETING AGENDA
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2023
The Columbia Arts, Historic Preservation & Philanthropy Committee will conduct a meeting on
Tuesday, October 10, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at City Hall (Mayor's Conference Room), 1737 Main
Street, 2nd Floor, Columbia, SC 29201. Members of the public may view the meeting online at
www.columbiasc.gov. Please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (803)545-3045 or
cityclerk@columbiasc.gov if you have questions regarding the meeting.
The Honorable William Brennan, District III
The Honorable Edward H. McDowell, Jr., District II The Honorable Tina N. Herbert, District I
Prior to entering the meeting please turn all electronic communication devices to the silent, vibrate or off
position. All presenters are asked to speak directly into the microphone for recording purposes.
CALL TO ORDER
PRESENTATIONS
1. Columbia Peace Pole Public Art Project - Mr. Skot Garrick, Strategic Initiative
Administrator
2. Review of 2003 Art Task Force Report - Mr. John Whitehead, Columbia Music Festival
Association
ADJOURNMENT
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Packet
COLUMBIA ARTS, HISTORIC PRESERVATION & PHILANTHROPY COMMITTEE
MEETING AGENDA
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2023
The Columbia Arts, Historic Preservation & Philanthropy Committee will conduct a meeting on
Tuesday, October 10, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at City Hall (Mayor's Conference Room), 1737 Main
Street, 2nd Floor, Columbia, SC 29201. Members of the public may view the meeting online at
www.columbiasc.gov. Please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (803)545-3045 or
cityclerk@columbiasc.gov if you have questions regarding the meeting.
The Honorable William Brennan, District III
The Honorable Edward H. McDowell, Jr., District II The Honorable Tina N. Herbert, District I
Prior to entering the meeting please turn all electronic communication devices to the silent, vibrate or off
position. All presenters are asked to speak directly into the microphone for recording purposes.
CALL TO ORDER
PRESENTATIONS
1. Columbia Peace Pole Public Art Project - Mr. Skot Garrick, Strategic Initiative
Administrator
2. Review of 2003 Art Task Force Report - Mr. John Whitehead, Columbia Music Festival
Association
ADJOURNMENT
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MEETING DATE: October 10, 2023
DEPARTMENT: City Clerk
FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk
SUBJECT: Columbia Peace Pole Public Art Project - Mr. Skot Garrick,
Strategic Initiative Administrator
FUNDING SOURCE &
ORIGINAL BUDGET:
ATTACHMENTS:
#a: Peace Pole Project Meeting Memo (PDF)
Updated: 10/6/2023 11:43 AM Page 1
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1.a
CITY OF COLUMBIA
City Administration/Operations
Assistant City Manager Henry, M. Simons, MHA
1111 Recreation Drive, Columbia, SC 29203
Phone: (803)545-3110 or (803) 545-3088
Memorandum
To: Councilman William Brennan, Chair, Mayor Pro Tem Edward H. McDowell,
Councilwoman Tina Herbert, Arts, Historic Preservation & Philanthropy Committee
From: Skot Garrick, Strategic Initiative Administrator
Subject: Columbia Peace Pole Committee
Date: September 21, 2023
Representatives of the Columbia Peace Pole Committee welcome the opportunity to speak with
the Arts, Historic Preservation & Philanthropy Committee to discuss their proposal to construct a
new Peace Pole sculpture for placement in a City of Columbia Park.
Having completed a Peace Pole sculpture which was designed by a local artist and dedicated in a
City of Columbia space in 2022, the Columbia Peace Pole Committee has now raised funds and
commissioned an artist to design and construct a new Peace Pole, with hopes that upon
completion it can be placed in public view at a City of Columbia park.
According to the Peace Pole Committee, in 2019 a Columbia city council member suggested their
committee place a Peace Pole sculpture on the grassy median in the 900 block of Senate Street in
the Vista, near the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. In 2020 the committee received
the City’s permission and worked with One Columbia to commission artist Eileen Blyth, who
designed and constructed the Peace Pole, which was dedicated by Mayor Rickenmann in a
January 2022 ceremony.
The Columbia Peace Pole Committee has now commissioned award-winning Columbia ceramic
artist Olga Yuhkno to create the new Persimmon Peace Pole, which would be a hand-sculpted
ceramic and concrete sculpture using an intricate three-dimensional mosaic, incorporating the
message “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in multiple languages. Upon completion next spring, they
envision an installation that will also include a bench, steppingstones, and an interpretive sign
created by the artist placed in prominent public view at a City of Columbia park.
Skot Garrick
Strategic Initiative Administrator
Skot.garrick@columbiasc.gov
(803) 318-0024
Packet Pg. 3
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MEETING DATE: October 10, 2023
DEPARTMENT: City Clerk
FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk
SUBJECT: Review of 2003 Art Task Force Report - Mr. John Whitehead,
Columbia Music Festival Association
FUNDING SOURCE &
ORIGINAL BUDGET:
Updated: 10/5/2023 6:02 AM Page 1
Packet Pg. 4