Public Arts and Culture Advisory Council

PUBLIC ARTS & CULTURE ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Monday, March 12, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. Members Present: Chair Lindsay Brubaker – Niles Park District Janet Spector Bishop – School District 63 Steven Vinezeano – VFW Post 3579 Debi Gajewski – Artist Kathleen Gallegos – Artist / The Artist Studio Carol Luc - Artist Kim Wasilewski - Artist Susan Lempke – Niles Public Library Katie Schneider – Niles Chamber of Commerce Michael Crisci – Niles Historical Society Edward Eubank – School District 207 Members Absent: Cory Hance - Musician John Kosirog – School District 71 Village Officials/Staff Present: No staff member was present. Village Officials/Staff Absent: Mayor Andrew Przybylo Trustee George Alpogianis I. Call to Order Chair Lindsay Brubaker called the meeting of the Public Arts & Culture Advisory Council to order at 5:04 p.m. on Monday, March 12, 2018 at the Niles Administration Building, Room 218, 1000 Civic Center Drive. II. Approval of Meeting Summary Janet Spector Bishop made a motion to approve the February 12, 2018 meeting minutes, Carol Luc second the motion. All were in favor, none opposed. Minutes approved. III. Organization Representative Reports Susan Lempke announced that the Niles-Maine District Library was currently running their Baseball Exhibit. Next year will be the 60th anniversary of the library and they will work with the Historical Society to highlight the history of Niles as part of the celebration. Janet Bishop reported that School District 63 has launched their yard sign program and encourage school families to put on their lawns, take pictures and post to social media. She  Public Arts & Culture Advisory Council, April 16, 2018 also distributed their kindergarten sign up forms and mentioned that they are looking for a new principal at Gemini. She asked for help in promoting both. Steve Vinezeano reported that the VFW Post 3579 has their meeting that evening and that the group is working to be more active. Steve also reported on the Village side, that Katie Schneider was hired as the new Community Engagement Coordinator and will be the new staff liaison for the council. There is now an open position on the council where Katie had represented the Niles Chamber of Commerce. Kim reported that the Event Brite website for the Call for Artists Event had 214 views and Debi would have the confirmed reservations as of this point. Ed Eubank reported that Maine East closed Shrek on March 3, great crowds and experiences. The 20th Annual Art Exhibition was also a big hit featuring work from Gemini, Emerson and Chippewa. There are concerts this week at Maine East and in Park Ridge. New this year, is the “Of Time and Space” program for 3rd and 4th graders to learn about the big bang theory. High school students perform through music (school orchestra) while artists paint. The Creative Self Expression Show reception is at the Great Frame Up in Niles on April 3 and all are welcome to attend. Michael Crisci announced the Niles Historical Society will be celebrating the 200th Anniversary of Illinois. He distributed the print newsletter to the group. Tom Ferraro is now president of the Niles Historical Society and has many new ideas. There are also some building renovations being made to the third floor. Niles Park District is holding a fundraiser on Saturday, March 24 at Buffalo Wild Wings (Village Crossing). Spring and Easter events are underway. Saturday, April 14 is the Pitch, Hit & Run derby for a chance for kids to advance to regionals. The event also partners with the Library to promote their Baseball Exhibit. Katie Schneider reported that the Niles Chamber of Commerce is announcing their Night of Roses winners for this year. She listed the eight award winners and invited people to promote and attend the event. She noted that the Chamber is looking for a new Executive Director and the job description is available online. Lindsey also mentioned that they Park District is hiring for the summer. Kathleen Gallegos has a Glow in the Dark and BYOB at the Art Station Studio coming up later in March. Debi Gajewski has jewelry at the Bartlett Gallery and artwork exhibited in Bartlett. There is a reception at the Bartlett Village Hall on March 20 from 6-7 p.m. She sits on the Arts and Bartlett Festival committee; there is an event in June. She would like to share that information and her experience with our council for new ideas. She presented a check to WINGS and our council was recognized at their annual fashion show. They looked forward to working with us in the future. Page 2  Public Arts & Culture Advisory Council, April 16, 2018 IV. Old Business a. Master Plan Implementation – Benched Initial feedback showed confused over the name “Benched” and the committee wanted something more positive. Katie Schneider presented a draft of the application. The council discussed the timeline of the program. Public Works (on Touhy) will have a sample of the bench for us to see and we can get the dimensions, weight, etc. Carol Luc, Kathleen Gallegos and Debi Gajewski will join Katie Schneider on March 15 at Public Works. PW would prefer picking up the materials and delivering the bench backs to artists (assuming they are in the area). Lindsey confirmed that artists are only painting the back of the bench. Steve Vinezeano suggested that the bench seats (wood slats) may need to be painted by PW, the committee agreed to use a neutral color preferably light grey. Discussions also lead to whether or not artists could add to the piece (from the back of the bench or side). Currently the application read that all designs are subject to approval of the committee. The council agreed to leave it open and let artists be creative. Lindsey inquired about the stipend and should the council approve it. The item is already in the budget for Arts and Culture and will be submitted for approval of the Board of Trustees. The application would be available for the event on March 21 st. Katie Schneider also confirmed that artist would receive their stipend check after the benches were completed and delivered. Steve stated that we will promote all artists and designs at our Village Board meeting and with all village media tools. The council also discussed a party or reception for the artists with pictures of the benches blown-up (possibly give stipend checks at the event). Lindsey asked how we can promote our council (logo) on the bench. The council discussed a placard on the seat part (possibly the back) with artist name. We will discuss further when we have more detail of how the bench back sits in the bench. Katie asked the council to establish a timeline for the process. They agreed benches would be ready for the 4th of July Parade and artist would need 4 weeks to create. So the application deadline would be the end of April. The council clarified that you do not need to be a Niles resident to apply. The council brainstormed a new name and considered that it was a bench for sitting and waiting at bus stops and agreed to call it “Art Stop”. b. Report from “Call to Artists” Sub-committee Debi changed to the larger room at Amici’s and reported at that point we had 48 people registered, all from various artistic backgrounds. She ordered and will paint wooden pins for council members as name tags. Debi will give a head count to the restaurant; she will order pizza and pop. Katie Schneider will coordinate with Ross Klicker and the Mayor on making a presentation on the Touhy Triangle initiatives and how it pertains to Arts and Culture. We will Page 3  Public Arts & Culture Advisory Council, April 16, 2018 include a signup form to gather information and ask if they are interested in being part of an Art Guild here in Niles. Also Debi has asked for a bio from each person. We will have copies of the Master Plan available for people to view. Katie Schneider will create a one page hand out explaining our mission and ways to get involved. V. New Business Debi Gajewski asked about an auction project for the winter, possibly a recycled art theme. We also talked about other groups to raise money for in addition to WINGS. Lindsey wants to make sure we discuss at the next meeting as well as discussing Holly Jolly and Twinkle and Lights. VI. Open Discussion There were no discussions. VII. Public Comment There were no comments from the public. VIII. Next Meeting The next meeting will be held on Monday, April 9, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. at the Village Hall Conference Room 218. However there may be some scheduling conflicts. Katie will reschedule after she begins Mach 19th in her new role. IX. Adjournment Debi Gajewski made a motion, seconded by Kathleen Gallegos, to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 6:08 p.m. Page 4