Public Arts and Culture Advisory Council

PUBLIC ARTS & CULTURE ADVISORY COUNCIL APPROVED MEETING MINUTES Monday, January 13, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. Village Hall, 1000 Civic Center Plaza, Niles IL 60714 Members Present: Marina Samovsky – Photographer Steve Vinezeano – Niles VFW Post 3579 Susan Lempke – Niles-Maine District Library Carol Luc – Artist Kathleen Gallegos – Artist/Art Station Studio Barbara Karawacki – Niles Historical Society Janet Spector Bishop – School District 63 Members Absent: John Kosirog – School District 71 Ed Eubank – School District 207 Lindsey Brubaker – Niles Park District Debi Gajewski – Artist Alicia Bermes – Niles Chamber of Commerce Village Officials/Staff Present: Katie Schneider – Community Engagement Coordinator I. Call to Order: Katie Schneider called the meeting to order at 5:08 p.m. in the Niles Administration Building, 2nd Floor Large Conference Room. Chair Lindsey Brubaker was absent. II. Approval of Meeting Minutes Mariana Samovsky made a motion to accept the December 9, 2019 Minutes as presented. Carol Luc second the motion, all were in favor. None opposed. Minutes approved. III. Organization Representative Reports Carol Luc (Artist) – Carol has submitted two etchings in the Northern IL University Community College Student and Faculty Invitational from January 21-February 21, 2020. Susan Lempke (Niles-Maine District Library) – A Bulgarian art display is now at the Library. There will be a Bulgarian event with special guest Ivan Anchev, Bulgarian Consul General on Sunday. The display window in the common area is currently available for any interested artists or organizations. Contact Susan if interested. Steve Vinezeano (Niles VFW 3579) – There were no updates. Barb Karawacki (Niles Historical Society) – Veterans Day exhibits were set-up at the Library and Senior Center. She distributed a flyer for the Book Discussion on February 5 for Endurance: A Year in Space, A Lifetime of Discovery by Scott Kelly. The Book Discussion will be every other month in partnership with the Niles-Maine District Library. She also offered space in the Historical Society display case in the lobby. The son of Russell McAndrew, the graphic artist who did the All American City image, contacted the museum to see if he could donate work. The Historical Society Auditorium is available for meet or event rental. The museum is working on a St. Hedwig’s Orphanage exhibit. The Historical Society will be participating in the opening ceremony for Coming Together at Niles West High School, demonstrating how the role of women has progressed in the area. Kathleen Gallegos (Artist/Art Station Studio) – Will start up with the art classes at Shriners Children’s hospital at the end of January. She will also host a Glow in the Dark art parties at the Niles Senior Center. Janet Spector Bishop (School District 63) – The Gemini robotics team qualified for the First Lego League tournament. Gemini building renovations are finalizing and an open house is scheduled for March 3rd. Marina Samovsky (Photographer) – wrapped up her season of portraits for holiday cards and gifts. Katie Schneider (Village of Niles) – There are no current programs relating to arts and culture. IV. Niles Artisan Guild Debi Gajewski was absent. Katie Schneider commented that she had worked with Debi to confirm the Mad Hatters Tea Party at the Senior Center on September 12 and the Alice in Wonderland Art Exhibit in May at Farm on Franks. V. Old Business a. Twinkle and Lights Holiday Decorating Contest – The Council discussed the program this year and agreed to have a nomination form available next year (not an application), people can self-nominate of nominate any home that they think is outstanding. All homes will be considered. We will continue to have police and fire “scout” the area and make suggestions. We will also ask Trustees, and residents to do the same. Based on the 2020 calendar, we should aim to announce the winners on Monday December 21. Katie will write up a memo so we have for next year. VI. New Business a. Marina and Katie have continued to move forward on a photo project, which originally was A Day in the Life Of Niles, will now focus on food and family. Photographers will be used to highlight 6-10 ethnic families as they made a traditional meal or food to capture and tell the story of their culture. Once the photos are taken, we will build a story around global cuisines with local family traditions. These changes will still allow the project to focus on photography and culture with public displays supplemented with a book or calendar. All ethnic groups are welcome, Katie asked the Council for any suggestions of people that may be interested in participating. It was suggested that the public display could be on the wall around Village Hall that faces the building. b. Public Art Site Plan – The Master Plan was referenced for establishing existing sites in Niles that could accommodate or incorporate art. The committee suggested areas and created a map in 2017. Katie referred to the master plan that suggests Milwaukee Avenue between Seward and Monroe streets be created as an arts center. Kathleen Gallegos stated that she wanted to put her studio in that area because of the small storefronts and location. Steve suggested that the Council work with the new Economic Development Director to see if there is potential. VII. Open Discussion Steve Vinezeano mentioned that chair Lindsey Brubaker is getting married and potentially moving and this may be a good time to think about having a new chair of the Arts and Culture Council. Steve noted how great Lindsey had been to get this group going and really leading the Council in the first four years. The chair is responsible for running the meeting, keeping focused on the agenda. Any current members of the Council that are interested can talk to Katie for more information. There is also an open position for an artist, if someone is interested they should send a resume to Katie and she will forward to the Mayor for recommendation. VIII. Public Comment There was no public comment. IX. Next Meeting Monday, February 10, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. at Village Hall, 2nd Floor EOC Conference Room X. Adjournment Janet Spector Bishop made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 5:55 p.m. Kathleen Gallegos second the motion, all were in favor. Meeting adjourned.