Fine Arts Commission

April 13, 2022 Skokie Fine Arts Commission Meeting Summary I. Call to Order – at 7:08 p.m. by Chairperson Pam Garbarini; those present in conference rooms D/E at Skokie Village Hall included Commissioners Mira Chander, Debra Hatchett, Sonya Osseny, Mitch Thomas and Ellen Waxberg. Village staff liaisons Ann Tennes and Enkhnasan Taylor also attended. II. Guest Speaker – Gary Newhouse, Skokie Northshore Sculpture Park – Newhouse provided an overview of the park’s history and those serving on the board of directors, including Hatchett. He explained that many of the 70 current sculptures are on loan from artists and need constant maintenance and upkeep, with reports from the public about vandalism, wear/tear or damage greatly appreciated. The park is funded by the Village, Illinois Arts Council, Niles Township and private donations. He stressed the need for board members and docents to conduct tours. Tennes invited Newhouse to send information about park news/events and the summer 2022 tour schedule for inclusion in SkokieNews. III. Program Recap – all present expressed positive comments about the 2022 SOAR exhibit at Oakton Community College (OCC). Garbarini thanked those who assisted with exhibit set up and tear down, and thanked Taylor for assisting with supply packets. Everyone enthusiastically supported approaching OCC about having the 2023 SOAR exhibit in the same space. Garbarini mentioned that Skokie Summer Scenes, the 2022 Skokie Through the Lens photo exhibit, was launched this week with photo submissions accepted through August 31. Tennes thanked the commissioners who offered to jury the submissions. IV. Upcoming Projects – Tennes reported that she had a very positive meeting with the Sketchbook Brewing Company team and that they are very interested in partnering with the commission on a storytelling program later in 2022, most likely in late fall. A special meeting or sub-committee meeting might be needed during the summer months to plan this project once a date is set. Tennes also advised that the Midwest Clay Guild in Skokie invited the Fine Arts Commission members to the studio, with more information on the group’s spring event forthcoming. Waxberg said that she would like to visit there and other arts organizations in the community over the summer, possibly with a fellow commissioner, and it was agreed that the May 11 meeting would include a brainstorming session about places for commissioners to visit during the summer recess with the intent of bringing information back to the commission when meetings resume in the fall. V. Open Discussion – Hatchett told the commissioners about her involvement with the community’s Juneteenth 2022 celebration planning, and that she is organizing an art exhibition by student and adult Black artists for the Devonshire Cultural Center from mid- June through late July. VI. Adjournment – the meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m. Upcoming meeting: May 11, 2022; conference rooms D/E at Skokie Village Hall, 5127 Oakton Street, Skokie, Illinois 60077.