Public Arts and Culture Advisory Council

PUBLIC ARTS & CULTURE ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING SUMMARY November 13, 2017 5:00 p.m. Members present: Chair Lindsay Brubaker – Niles Park District Janet Spector Bishop – School District 63 Debi Gajewski – Artist Kathleen Gallegos - Artist Cory Hance – Artist Dr. John Kosirog – School District 71 Steven Vinezeano – VFW Mr. Kim Wasilewski – Artist Staff present: Staff Liaison Cathy Spadoni Members absent: Michael Crisci – Niles Historical Center Edward Eubank –District 207 Susan Lempke – Niles Public Library Carol Luc – Artist Katie Schneider – Niles Chamber of Commerce and Industry 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, November 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 Dr. John Kosirog, to approve the meeting summary of October 16, 2017. On voice vote, all concurred.  Public Arts & Culture Advisory Council November 13, 2017 III. Organization Representative Reports Niles Park District – Lindsay Brubaker reported on upcoming Christmas activities, including the Holly Jolly Market & Tree Lighting that will be held at Oasis Fun Center, and on the grand opening of the new Park District facility on Caldwell. School District 63 – Janet Spector Bishop reported that the Niles-Maine District Library will display all entries of the winter card contest and will host the Gemini Show Choir. The Gemini Jr. High School Band will perform at the Holly Jolly Market. Artist Kim Wasilewski had nothing to report. Artist Debi Gajewski reported on upcoming projects: the Grove Store, Polar Express, “Purse”ue Your Dreams, and sketching for the Illinois’ 200 Years exhibit. Staff Liaison Cathy Spadoni reported that new Council members must complete Open Meetings Act training and E-Ethics training.  She distributed the 2018 meeting schedule.  Nick Wyatt, Staff Liaison to the Village of Skokie Fine Arts Commission, was unable to attend this meeting but will hopefully speak to the Council at the December 11 meeting about the process of securing art for public display.  At the December meeting, the Council will consider cancelling the January 8 meeting due to a scheduling conflict. School District 71 – Dr. John Kosirog reported on upcoming concerts, the new 3-year strategic plan, the new playground, and Early Childhood programs. Artist Kathleen Gallegos reported on upcoming arts projects. VFW – Steve Vinezeano reported on the Veterans Day ceremony on November 11. IV. Old Business a. “Purse-ue Your Dreams” Charity Auction Update Debi Gajewski reported that preparations are ongoing for the event. Volunteers include Kim Wasilewski, Steven Yasell and Jill Renninger. Debi has sent invitations to the Village Trustees, the Chamber of Commerce and Wings’ corporate office. The “Demon Strings,” the chamber strings group from Maine East, will perform during the reception from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. Lot 14 will conduct the auction. Refreshments will include wine or a wine-type punch, non-alcoholic punch, vegetables, cheese, fruit, cake and coffee. The purses will be on display at the Holly Jolly Market. b. Twinkle & Lights Contest Update Cathy Spadoni reported that 3 applications have been submitted to date. The judges – Debi Gajewski, Kathleen Gallegos and Carol Luc – will review the entries on December 9 and 10. Public Works made the six yard signs that will be awarded to the winners. Cathy will get the gift cards. The contest will be announced at the November Board meeting and will be in the Winter Focus on Niles newsletter. Applications will be available at the Holly Jolly Market. 2  Public Arts & Culture Advisory Council November 13, 2017 c. Master Plan Implementation Nick Wyatt, Staff Liaison to Skokie’s Fine Arts Commission, was unable to attend this meeting to provide information about the process of identifying and securing outdoor art. He has been invited to the December meeting, but has not yet confirmed his attendance. The Council discussed the process of creating a budget for fiscal year 2018/2019 and determining what and where the first public art installation will be. A variety of ideas were presented, such as an art piece in front of Village Hall, a statue at Dutchman’s point (Waukegan and Milwaukee), Little Free Libraries, and benches. Event space was also discussed. It was determined that the Council should focus on three projects: 1. a “Call to Artists” to build a database of local artists The “Call to Artists,” which is a budgeted event, will be planned by a subcommittee made up of Debi Gajewski, Kathleen Gallegos, and Kim Wasilewski. Planning should begin now, with the event to be held in March of 2018. It could be advertised in the spring Focus on Niles newsletter. The subcommittee was asked to report back in December on a plan to move forward with this meet-and-greet. Information needed includes where to get the benches, how to transport the benches to the artists, who will install them, will Niles Public Services be involved… All benches should clearly indicate “Niles” and or the Arts & Culture logo. Benches can be placed in front of schools, parks, Village Hall, or in front of local businesses in collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce, perhaps with business sponsorship. 2. a small around-town art installation such as benches Benches, painted by local artists, placed around town (perhaps replacing existing benches) was a favorite project idea because the benches can be put in many locations, they provide photo ops, are practical and can be utilized. This project should be incorporated into the “Call to Artists” to generate real interest. 3. an event such as an art fair Once a database is established and a venue is secured, the Council can plan a larger event that would include mediums other than painting – such as photography, sculpture, music – to show we are an eclectic council. 3  Public Arts & Culture Advisory Council November 13, 2017 V. New Business a. Approval of Expenditure for Mrs. Claus Sponsorship at Holly Jolly in the Amount of $193.82 Steve Vinezeano made a motion, seconded by Janet Spector Bishop, to approve the expenditure of $193.82 to purchase coloring books and crayons for Mrs. Claus to distribute to children in line to see Santa at the Holly Jolly Market on November 25. On voice vote, all concurred. VI. Open Discussion None VII. Public Comment Steven Yasell of Niles supports the bench project. He encourages installing a mural on the overpass at Dempster and Milwaukee that would tap into Niles history. Matt Federico, a local sculptor, commented on cultural diversity outreach and shared ideas for public art. VIII. Next Meeting The next meeting will be held on Monday, December 11, 2017 at 5:00 p.m. at the Village Hall Conference Room 218. Guest speaker Nick Wyatt, Staff Liaison to the Skokie Fine Arts Commission, will be present. IX. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Council, Debi Gajewski made a motion, seconded by Janet Spector Bishop, to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 6:08 p.m. 4