Public Arts and Culture Advisory Council

PUBLIC ARTS & CULTURE ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING SUMMARY February 13, 2017 5:00 p.m. Members present: Chair Lindsay Brubaker – Niles Park District Janet Spector Bishop – School District 63 Mary Dowd Demas – Artist Debi Gajewski – Artist Susan Lempke – Niles Public Library Katie Schneider – Niles Chamber of Commerce and Industry Ericka Stoor-Burning – Artist Steven Vinezeano – VFW Staff present: Staff Liaison Cathy Spadoni Members absent: Michael Crisci – Niles Historical Society Cory Hance – Artist Dr. John Kosirog – School District 71 Carol Luc – Artist Rossana Macejak – Niles Sister Cities Staff absent: Mayor Andrew Przybylo Trustee George D. Alpogianis I. Call to Order Chair Lindsay Brubaker called the meeting of the Public Arts & Culture Advisory Council to order at 5:05 p.m. on Monday, February 13, 2017 at the Niles Administration Building, Room 218, 1000 Civic Center Drive. II. Approval of Meeting Summary Debi Gajewski made a motion, seconded by Steve Vinezeano, to approve the meeting summary of November 14, 2016. On voice vote, all concurred.  Public Arts & Culture Advisory Council February 13, 2017 III. Organization Representative Reports Niles Park District – Lindsay Brubaker reported that winter programs are up-and-running and spring programs will begin soon. School District 63 – Janet Spector Bishop reported that there are no arts and culture-related activities to report at this time. VFW – Steven Vinezeano reported that nothing is planned at this time, but he will coordinate with the library regarding Memorial Day activities in May and the Veterans History Breakfast in November. Lindsay Brubaker added that the Park District offers free mini-golf for veterans and current service members on Memorial Day. Artist Mary Dowd Demas reported that she is learning about Niles history. Artist Debi Gajewski reported on activities at the Niles Historical Center: the January luau was a great success; she will present a vintage hat fashion show and high tea on March 26; and she is working on other projects at the center. Niles Public Library – Susan Lempke reported that the library is hosting a pizza exhibit sponsored by the U.S. Pizza Museum. The newsletter will be out in March. Ericka Stoor-Burning is glad to be back in the country after having spent time in Spain and France. Niles Chamber of Commerce – Katie Schneider reported that they will award two college scholarships totaling $4,000 each to eligible high school seniors. The 2017 Night of Roses event will be on May 12; the Chamber is looking for nominations for eight awards (three business awards, five individual awards). IV. Old Business a. Farm on Franks The rental process opened on January 3 and will end on February 28. Five applications have been received to date. If there is not a substantial increase in applications, the Village will reach out to condos more vigorously and possibly open it to non-residents. b. Status of Master Plan Project i. Master Plan Logo - The Lakota Group created a Master Plan logo that they want used for all Master Plan communications. ii. Interviews and Focus Groups - According to the Lakota Group, the interviews and focus groups conducted on January 23 and 24 were productive. Lakota submitted a revised Project Schedule. Cathy Spadoni will speak with them to clarify the dates. 2  Public Arts & Culture Advisory Council February 13, 2017 The Community Workshop will be held on Wednesday, February 15. This has been announced at the Village Board meeting, put on the Village website and website calendar, included in the e-newsletter and on a slide on the cable channel. All Trustees and members of all committees, commissions and boards were invited. The Fitness Center sent invitations via their email contact list. However, the local newspapers did not publish the press releases in print or on their websites. V. New Business a. Appointment of Steven Vinezeano as VFW Stakeholder Steven Vinezeano is now the VFW representative, replacing Jim Kozak who resigned from the Council on November 16, 2016. b. Holiday Decorating Contest Cathy Spadoni presented plans for a residential holiday decorating contest to take place in December of 2017. The contest will provide six winners a total of $375 in prizes (gift cards). The Council discussed the various facets of the plan and will review it further before the next meeting. The plan will be amended per the suggested changes and will be brought before the Council at the next meeting. VI. Open Discussion -The Mayor will appoint (or reappoint) a chair to the Council in May. Members should think about who that person should be. -There has been little exposure of the painted snow plows because of the lack of snow this year. It was suggested that they be displayed at the 4th of July parade. -It was suggested that the Snow Plow Art project be conducted every other year. -The Village received a call from a woman looking to perform her one-woman show in Niles. She was told that the Council is working on a master plan and that, at this time, there is no forum for such a performance and that we would keep her information on file. -Debi Gajewski presented an idea for a project that would involve painting purses and raising money for women in need. She was asked to provide a detailed outline of the project at the next meeting. - The group discussed ways to build awareness of the Council in the community: yard signs, bumper stickers, signage at community events, a booth at events such as the Park District’s Pitch Hit Run Derby and the Village’s 4th of July parade, Bike Niles and Holly Jolly. There will be a lot of exposure when the Master Plan is completed and brought before the Board of Trustees for approval in June or July. 3  Public Arts & Culture Advisory Council February 13, 2017 VII. Public Comment Kathleen Gallegos of the Art Station Studio in Niles was present and expressed an interest in arts and culture in Niles. VIII. Next Meeting The next meeting will be held on Monday, March 13, 2017 at 5:00 p.m. at the Village Hall Conference Room 218. The Lakota Group is expected to present a summary report. IX. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Council, Janet Spector Bishop made a motion, seconded by Debi Gajewski, to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 6:13 p.m. 4