Public Arts and Culture Advisory Council

PUBLIC ARTS & CULTURE ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, November 10, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. Electronic Meeting Members Present: Steve Vinezeano – Niles VFW Post 3579 Janet Spector Bishop – School District 63 Lindsey Kmetty – Niles Park District Carol Luc - Artist Kathleen Gallegos – Artist/Art Station Studio Barbara Karawacki – Niles Historical Society Alicia Bermes – Niles Chamber of Commerce Marina Samovsky – Photographer Susan Lempke – Niles-Maine District Library Members Absent: John Kosirog – School District 71 Ed Eubank – School District 207 George Alpogianis – Niles Sister Cities Debi Gajewski – Artist Village Officials/Staff Present: Katie Schneider – Community Engagement Coordinator Guests: Joseph Steinfels – VFW Post 3579 I. Call to Order: Chair Lindsey Kmetty called the meeting to order electronically via Zoom audio/visual conferencing at 3:01 p.m. on Tuesday, November 10, 2020. II. Public Comment The electronic meeting is open to the public. The public may submit public comments in advance either by email, phone or voicemail. No public comment was submitted in advance of the meeting. No public comment was made at the meeting. III. Approval of Meeting Minutes Janet Spector Bishop made a motion to accept the October 13, 2020 meeting minutes as presented. Marina Samovsky second the motion, all were in favor. None opposed. Minutes approved. IV. Organization Representative Reports Marina Samovsky (Photographer) – Continues photo shoots for commercial products and fall family photos. Janet Spector Bishop (School District 63) – District 63 is reverting to e-learning following an emergency Board meeting last week. This includes childcare programs. The District will consider re-opening after January 18, 2021. Katie Schneider (Village of Niles) – Instead of the annual Holly Jolly Fest, the Village and Park District is sponsoring a Jolly Drive Thru where registered families can drive in their car through Civic Center Plaza to see the Village Christmas Tree, holiday lights, decorated vehicles, costumed characters like Elsa, Olaf, Mickey and Minnie and of course Santa. It is a free event. Lindsey invited organizations and businesses to include coupons or give-aways in our goodie bags. Joseph Steinfels (Niles VFW Post 3579) – VFW will not be holding many of their usual year-end celebrations and events. They will have a live ceremony at the Veterans Waterfall to commemorate Veterans Day. It will be live on Facebook and later run on the Village cable channel. The Post is collecting for their food drive and they are a collection site for the Marine Corps Toys for Tots. Drop off is at 6839 Milwaukee Avenue. Susan Lempke (Niles-Maine District Library) – For Veterans Day, they are disappointed not to host their annual Veterans lunch but will have a virtual concert instead. They are still open with restrictions and continue to monitor State guidelines. . Alicia Bermes - (Niles Chamber of Commerce) – Asked for assistance promoting their “15 for 15” restaurant program and the Niles Township Take-out Tuesdays where 10% of proceeds from eight local will give to the Township. They are offering a photo contest for the cover of the Niles Community guide, now called a magazine. Twelve businesses will be participating in Make Niles Shine program and will be decorating their business for the holidays. Kathleen Gallegos (Art Station Studio) – Art lessons and classes are busy which is a good sign, all are virtual or private classes. She has hired an art student to assist with the increase in business. Barb Karawacki (Niles Historical Society) – Staff continues to build the Nick Blase Law Office exhibit and St. Hedwig’s exhibit. Board president was able to secure photos and audio of Mil Run, they are working on digitizing old performances. Lindsey Brubaker (Niles Park District) – In addition to the Jolly Drive Thru, the Park District is offering a drive-in movie night at Notre Dame, they are looking at pods sports leagues for football and basketball with limits. Carol Luc (Artist) – she continues to teach and participate in exhibits, nothing new from the last meeting. V. Niles Artisan Guild Debi Gajewski was absent, there was no update report. VI. Old Business a. Bus Benches – As discussed at the last meeting, five benches will be redone this year, artists will receive $200 stipend and reimbursement of supplies up to $100. Katie is finalizing the application and should be ready to launch for the December meeting. b. Twinkle and Lights – Final details were discussed. Three prizes will be given – First ($100), Second ($50), and Third ($50), these will be determined by the Council judges. The Council is adding a “People’s Choice Award” so that people can vote on Facebook. A house cannot win more than one prize. Once the top three are awarded, the next set of nominees (top 5-10) will be posted to Facebook for voting at 8:00 a.m. on December 21, the photo with the most “likes” at 8:00 p.m. will be the winner. Council members will visit homes on December 21 to give a yard sign and gift card to first, second and third place for a photo and promotion. VII. New Business a. Abraham Lincoln Art Bench unfortunately was badly damaged. The Council agreed to reach out to the original artist to see if he can redo the artwork. If he is not able or interested, we will reach out to another artist. Steve suggested that Bob Pilat at PW would have that information, Katie will follow up. VIII. Open Discussion There was no open discussion. IX. Next Meeting The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 8, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. The group discussed and decided that 4:00 p.m. was an easier time for some, so moving forward meetings will be 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. and continue with electronic meetings. Katie will update the calendar invites. X. Adjournment Steve Vinezeano made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 3:39 p.m. Carol Luc second the motion, all were in favor. Meeting adjourned. Minutes submitted by: Katie Schneider, Community Engagement Coordinator