Fine Arts Commission

November 10, 2021 Skokie Fine Arts Commission Meeting Summary I. Call to Order – at 7 p.m. by Chairperson Pam Garbarini; those present in the training room at Skokie Police Headquarters included Vice Chairperson Jeff Rhodes, Judy Levan, Doris Liberman, Sonya Osseny, Pamela Sloan, Mitch Thomas, Vassilen Vasevski, Sharon Vicker, Ellen Waxberg and Pamela Williams as well as staff liaison Ann Tennes. Commissioners Debra Hatchett arrived at approximately 7:30 p.m. All commissioners introduced themselves II. Artistic Excellence Awards – the commissioners discussed the group award nomination for Anatomically Correct, a non-profit arts organization founded and continued by Fine Arts Commissioner Debra Hatchett. After debating and discarding a notion that commissioners should be exempt from receiving awards, those present unanimously approved presenting the 2021 group Award for Artistic Excellence to Anatomically Correct. The commissioners then reviewed the four individual award nominations for Robyn Horwitz, Richard Lichtenstein, Jennifer Page and Andrea Siegel. After much discussion on all four nominations, the commission voted to give the award to Richard Lichtenstein. The awards will be presented at the December 2021, 8 p.m. Village Board meeting and Garbarini encouraged all commissioners to attend. It was agreed that the commission would review the award criteria at the May 2022 meeting prior to next year’s call for nominations. III. SOAR - Garbarini informed the commission that the March 2022 Students Outstanding Artist exhibit (SOAR) will be displayed at the Oakton Community College Ray Hartstein campus, 7701 Lincoln Avenue, Skokie. She and Tennes explained that the college is very enthusiastic to host the exhibit in the newly remodeled atrium/gallery space on the east end of the campus. Student artists and their families will be invited to visit the college anytime during March to view the student artwork. Garbarini provided the timeline of set up around March 1, inviting commissioners to assist, and take down around April 4. Hatchett, Garbarini and Vicker all contributed to an updated teachers list, and a letter will be sent to all Skokie art teachers and pre-school administrators during the week of November 15, 2021. IV. Open Discussion – Tennes outlined the upcoming meeting schedule that includes a presentation by Skokie Northshore Sculpture Park Board member Gary Newhouse at the December 8 meeting, tbd speaker on January 12, a working meeting to prepare for SOAR on February 9 and a presentation by Music Theater Works Managing Director Kyle Dougan on March 9. Tennes reminded all commissioners on the necessity to RSVP for meetings due to capacity limits on the Village Hall meeting rooms. V. Adjournment – the meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m. Upcoming meetings: December 8, 2021, January 12, February 9, March 9, April 13 and May 11 2022; location either conference rooms D/E at Village Hall or Skokie Police Headquarters training room.