HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/10/2013 - City Arts Commission - Minutes
City of Newport Beach
Newport Beach City Arts Commission
Thursday, January 10, 2013 – 5:00pm
Central Library Conference Room
Convened at 5:04pm
1) Call Meeting to Order:
Commissioner Smith called the meeting to order.
2) Roll Call:
Commissioners Present: Robert Smith, Carole Boller, Arlene Greer, Gilbert Lasky, Caroline
Logan, Rita Goldberg
Commissioners Absent: Christopher Trela
Staff Present: Mayor Nancy Gardner; Library Director Cynthia Cowell; Library
Services Manager Tim Hetherton; Cultural Arts Coordinator Jana
Barbier
Public Present: Bea Riley, Steve Moses, Jim Mosher, Joe and Adriana Gutierrez
3) Public Comments: Bea Riley noted that she was a 60-year resident of Newport Beach,
as well as an artist who loves history. Riley brought artwork by Scott Kennedy to the meeting,
stating that she was afraid the artist would not have an advocate to ensure t hat his work would
be collected in Newport Beach. Ms. Riley believed the work was very valuable to the City, and
suggested displaying his work at the new civic center. The work she had brought could be
available as a purchase by the Arts Commission. Ms. Riley noted that the work was valued at
$4,000. She also provided information on the framing and specific silkscreen processes and
noted that she would be available to discuss a purchase.
Mr. Mosher noted that the previous minutes represented Councilwoman Nancy Gardner as the
Mayor, when in fact the current mayor is Keith Curry. Mr. Mosher noted that the Deutsche
Bank-held artwork listed on the agenda for discussion was, in his opinion, not objective art and
also did not represent Newport Beach in any way. Mr. Mosher noted that Deutsche Bank was
spelled differently in several sections on the December 13 Minutes, and suggested changing
this for consistency; he also noted that Nancy Gardner’s name was spelled incorrectly.
Councilwoman Gardner noted that City Council would be meeting at Oasis Senior Center
Saturday for a goal-setting meeting. They would be discussing the idea of liaisons to
Commissions and noted that everyone was welcome to attend the meeting.
4) Approval of Minutes: It was MSP (Greer/Boller) to approve the December 13, 2012 Minutes.
5) Current Business:
A. Consent Calendar
1. Cultural Arts Activities – Staff provided updated report for Cultural Arts Activities in
December/January, 2013.
2. Correspondence and Press – Staff passed around current correspondence to the
Commission.
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At this time Commissioner Boller reported that she would be speaking about her trip to
Antibes the following Thursday at 6pm at the Newport Beach Tennis Club.
B. Items for Review and Possible Action –
1. Discuss Submitting a Staff Report to City Council for Acceptance of the Long-Term
Loan of Two Sculptures from Deutsche Bank:
Commissioner Smith stated that he had spoken with Deutsche Bank about the
possibility of proceeding with one sculpture rather than two, which they were amenable
to. He also asked about installing one of the pieces outdoors, and that was not
acceptable. Commissioner Smith indicated that there was no place to install either
sculpture currently. He also discussed the new addition to the library and a display
area, but noted that if a piece were put into storage, and then eventually not accepted
by the Library Board, it would be difficult. One option Commissioner Smith suggested
was that if the Commission was still interested in one or both pieces in another six to
eight months, they could reconsider the offer.
Discussion ensued and Commissioner Goldberg noted that she was happy to receive
offers of loans and donations of art, but that the “fire sale” approach did not resonate
with her, and suggested in the future not putting the cart before the horse.
Commissioner Boller noted that she truly felt that the installation of these sculptures
was not timely and that timing is most critical. Commissioner Lasky agreed with
Commissioners Goldberg and Boller. Commissioner Logan noted that she hoped these
figurative pieces would not go away, and expressed concern that the works would be
disappearing.
It was MSP (Smith/Boller) to “go back to Deutsche Bank and report that since all
interior spaces at the Civic Center/Library addition were under construction, that the
timing was not right to accept the sculptures”. Commissioners Boller, Goldberg, Logan,
Lasky, and Greer voted “aye”. Commissioner Smith abstained.
2. Discuss “Lone Sailor” Bronze Sculpture Suggested Donation to City of Newport Beach:
Chair Smith discussed the offer of a 7’ tall bronze sculpture titled “Lone Sailor” that was
being offered to the City. Chair Smith asked Commissioners Logan and Secretary
Boller to meet with the owner of the work to discuss the specifications and report back
to the City Arts Commission at a future meeting.
3. Discuss Formation of Study Committee to Review Potential Public Art Sites:
Commissioner Smith discussed the formation of a “study committee” or “task force” for
the review of potential public art sites. Discussion ensued regarding the name of the
committee and developing material for an effective policy with input from other boards
and commissions. Commissioner Logan was in complete agreement with Chair Smith
and noted that other committee members’ input would be very valuable. Questions
arose as to how to proceed with such a committee and Library Director Cowell noted
that she would obtain clarification on the Brown Act requirements.
C. Monthly Reports –
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1. Art in Public Spaces/Historical Preservation Committee – Commissioner Smith did not
add an additional report, but noted that he would be meeting with Sara Bancroft, of the
Orange County Museum of Art, on January 18.
2. Fine Arts Committee – Commissioner Boller stated that the Fine Arts Committee would
meet with staff to discuss logistics for the Newport Beach Art Exhibition and Sale, taking
place on Saturday, April 13, 2013. Commissioner Greer reported that the Hilbert
collection was scheduled for installation at the library.
3. Performing Arts Committee – Commissioner Goldberg stated the performing arts
committee would be meeting with staff to review band submissions and to discuss dates
and parks for this summer’s Concerts in the Parks series and Shakespeare in the Park
festival.
4. Museum Tours – Commissioner Goldberg asked staff how many people had signed up
for the Norton Simon tour; staff responded about 10. Commissioner Boller shared that
she was not impressed with this exhibition. Commissioners discussed methods for
increasing attendance to this event, including an ad in The Daily Pilot. It was suggested
that a commissioner attend a City Council meeting to publicly announce the opportunity
to attend this event.
5. Arts Foundation Liaison Committee – Commissioner Greer reported that the foundation
members would be meeting next Tuesday. The group is working on Art in the Park
2013; and would have a “night at the gallery” in mid February at the Irvine Museum.
The foundation’s meetings were moved to the third Thursday of the month beginning in
March.
6. Publicity Committee – No report
7. Budget Committee – Commissioner Lasky noted that there were no changes since
December. Library Director Cowell noted that department directors were instructed to
submit a flat budget in 2013. Cowell encouraged everyone to put together a wish list,
with a definite plan for what additional funding would be used for.
8. Cultural Arts Grant Committee – Commissioner Greer noted that there was not much
new to report; Commissioner Goldberg attended “The Nutcracker” put on by Cultural
Arts Grant recipient, Festival Ballet Theatre, and noted that it was a pleasure to see
where the grant money goes.
9. Master Plan Committee for Visual & Public Art Installations – No additional report
6) City Arts Commission Announcements or Matters Which Members Would Like Placed
on a Future Agenda for Discussion, Action or Report (Non-Discussion Item) –
7) Public Comments on Non-Agenda Items – Mr. Mosher reminded the Arts Commissioners
that they could go to City Council for advice and also that they get their power through the
people – and serve as a conduit for the arts, and library matters. Mr. Mosher expressed
concern that members of the public are not invited to speak on each agenda item as it comes
up. Mr. Mosher noted that he’d seen the “Lone Sailor Statue” in Long Beach.
8) Meeting Adjourned 6:04pm - It was MSP (Lasky/Boller) to adjourn the meeting.
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Approval of Minutes:____________________________________________________________