Public Arts and Culture Advisory Council

PUBLIC ARTS & CULTURE ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Monday, August 13, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. Members Present: Edward Eubank – School District 207 Janet Spector Bishop – School District 63 Debi Gajewski – Artist Michael Crisci – Niles Historical Society Susan Lempke – Niles Public Library Carol Luc - Artist Steven Vinezeano – VFW Post 3579 Kathleen Gallegos – Artist / The Artist Studio Marina Samovsky - Photographer Kim Wasilewski - Artist Members Absent: Chair Lindsay Brubaker – Niles Park District Michael Crisci – Niles Historical Society John Kosirog – School District 71 Alicia Bermes – Niles Chamber of Commerce Village Officials/Staff Present: Katie Schneider – Community Engagement Coordinator Village Officials/Staff Absent: Mayor Andrew Przybylo Trustee George Alpogianis I. Call to Order Chair Lindsay Brubaker was absent. Katie Schneider called the meeting of the Public Arts & Culture Advisory Council to order at 5:08 p.m. on Monday, August 13, 2018 in the Niles Administration Building, Room 218, 1000 Civic Center Drive. II. Approval of Meeting Summary Steve Vinezeano made a motion to approve minutes of the May 14, 2018 and June 11, 2018 meetings. Carol Luc second the motion, all were in favor. None opposed. Minutes approved. III. Organization Representative Reports Janet Spectator Bishop (School District 63) announced that school is starting Monday for District 63. Carol Luc (Artist) submitted a press release for the art benches; a nice article was printed in the Edgebrook Neighborhood paper. She also was selected to be one of the artists in the Mesa Arts Center in Arizona. She distributed a sample of the piece. Northern Illinois University hosted a  Public Arts & Culture Advisory Council, August 13, 2018 show called Golden to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their arts building. Carol was juried into that and will have a piece of art donated to them. Marina Samovsky (Photographer) started the project of documenting each artist at their bench. She noted that one of her photos was featured in the Costco pamphlet. Susan Lempke (Niles Maine District Library) reported on the Coming Together program for winter 2019 which will feature the Polish culture. The Niles Library will be putting together an art show of polish American artist. There is a kickoff event at the beginning of January and then a series of events through March across Niles, Skokie and Morton Grove that will encompass history, art, music, dance, and food featuring Poland. She welcomed everyone to contribute ideas or programs to be included in the program. Ed Eubank (Maine School District 219) reported that today was the first day for Maine East students and the new bell schedule. Hopefully for the next meeting he will have the hard copy of fall events. The school fall production is a play called The Compass about a girl who uses an app called the Compass to make all her decisions on life and the audience serves as the judges, it should be very interesting. There will be three performances. Kim Wasilewski (Artist) did not have any art related news at this time. Debi Gajewski (Artist) opened at the Bartlett gallery with her paintings. She is booked through October for her storytelling. She distributed cards for the Grove Christmas market. This will be the last show after 30 years. She is currently working on a painting for the Dole Mansion exhibit. She is also working on a piece for a plein air competition. Steve Vinezeano (Niles VFW) stated that there was no report from the VFW. Kathleen Gallegos (Art Station Studio) went to the Shriners Children Hospital on Thursday and did a painting program there. She also went to One Hope United and did a painting class with 40 kids. She is hosting an open BYOB Art Party and Glow in the Dark children’s paint party. Katie Schneider (Village of Niles) announced the three upcoming festivals at Golf Mill Park: Festival FM Radio Polonaise (August 10-12), Mera Pakistan Independence Festival (August 18) and the Maria SS Lauretana Festival over the Labor Day weekend. She distributed promotional flyers for the events. IV. Old Business a. Art Stop Bench Program Katie Schneider reported that there were 15 benches and three that are hanging at Village Hall on display. The program was featured on the front page of the Journal and Topics newspaper (a copy was distributed). Katie thanked everyone who walked it the 4th of July parade; the float had two benches on it and walkers passed out flyers promoting the program and the Arts feed. We held our Art Bench Launch Party, almost all the artist made it and representatives came from each elected official. Picture boards with the bench and artist info was featured at the event and she showed the Council at the meeting. Katie will work on a promo piece for pick up on the PACE Free bus. Katie has put together a Story Map which is a mapping program with each bench Page 2  Public Arts & Culture Advisory Council, August 13, 2018 location, a photo and artist bio which will be available on our website shortly. Katie showed the (offline) version. Marina is taking photos with each artist at their bench, and Katie will swap them once she has completed. Once ready we will promote in the Village e-newsletter and social media. Katie and Steve looked into placing a promotional piece on the bench front to promote the Arts and Culture Council and the artist. But it was more expensive than expected. They are still exploring some options and will see. b. Recycled Art Program Debi reported that the subcommittee met and would like to have on a Saturday in February, before Valentine’s Day and call it “Love Your Community – Recycle, Reimagine, Repurpose”. They are looking for a place to display the art pieces and then host a reception with drinks and appetizers. Artists would receive part of the money raised and the rest could be donated to the food pantry. Artist would have to apply and they would be juried for a space. c. Art Guild The subcommittee discussed having an art fair in the spring with a butterfly launch festival. Debi did a survey (using Survey Monkey 19 responses out of 60) to artists and responses included significant interest in jewelry shows, festivals, art shows, holiday shows, galleries, pop exhibits, gardening, theater, plays and art. They would like to have an event at Golf Mill Park on a Saturday in early June with food trucks, music and entertainment, kid’s arts and crafts, face painting, plant and gardening sales, plus art vendors to sell their work. Kim shared a video of a butterfly launch and other festivals with costs and logistics. Art vendors would pay for a space and people could purchase butterflies for the launch. Steve loved the idea and asked that we set up a meeting with the sub-committee. The next step will be to get an approval from the Park District to use the park. It was suggested that the event be planned for the summer of 2020 and possibly outsource it. The Council discussed and decided that since there is a group of artist able and willing to put the event together, then June 2019 is plausible. Kathleen mentioned that the Chamber of Commerce has expressed an interest in working with the Council to put a large event together. All agreed to move forward and explore the butterfly art fair for 2019 but then there would not be a recycled art program. The first meeting on the art guild will be on Wednesday, September 6 at 7:00 p.m. at the Art Station Studio. Debi will gage interest at the meeting for this event and see who is willing to volunteer. d. Katie reported that moving forward, the Council will focus on one major project each year (like the art benches), plus support the Art Guild to host a Butterfly Art Fair and continue to host Twinkle and Lights. V. New Business a. As a project for 2019, the Art and Culture Council will focus on putting murals up around town. One possibility being the Fire Department on Cumberland. Another suggestion is the Page 3  Public Arts & Culture Advisory Council, August 13, 2018 bicycle path above Caldwell and Oakton Street, although that space is owned by the County and would be more difficult to get approval from. b. The Council will again host Twinkle and Lights this year. The application and information from last year was distributed. Kathleen suggested that one change for this year is to stipulate that houses can only win one award. VI. Open Discussion Debi Gajewski suggested that the Niles Historical Society should host cultural events in their building. Since the NHS has a new Board of Directors and is hiring a new part time person, it would be a good time for these types of changes. VII. Public Comment Two Niles residents attended the meeting. Jean Kuna commented that it was a wonderful meeting and so good to hear that there is so much activity. She does think that a place, an arts building, should be a priority, possibly the former Riggio’s restaurant space. Steve Vinezeano stated that with changes at the Historical Society that there is more potential to use that building for designated art space and displays or galleries. In the mean time we can explores opportunities to put art exhibits up in public buildings. Carol Luc distributed a flyer on the Skokie Art Guild, its meeting times, membership and dues. VIII. Next Meeting The next meeting will be held on Monday, September 10, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. at the Village Hall Conference Room 218. IX. Adjournment Debi Gajewski made a motion, seconded by Janet Spector Bishop, to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m. Page 4