HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril_7_2014_Minutes Minutes: Art in Public Places Board Meeting
Monday, April 7, 2014, 8:30 a.m.,Town Council Chambers
AIPP board members present: Cookie Flaum, Kathy Langenwalter, Jen Mason, Dana Patterson, Bill Pierce,
Wendy St. Charles, Kara Woods, Amanda Zinn
AIPP board members absent:
Others present: Molly Eppard AIPP Coordinator, Margaret Rogers – Town Council Rep
1. Swearing in of returning and new board members by Town Clerk, Patty McKenny:
Cookie Flaum, Kathy Langenwalter, Bill Pierce, Kara Woods and Amanda Zinn. Julie Hansen to be sworn in at
May meeting.
2. Introduction of all board members
Introductions are made by all of the board members, Town Council Representative Margaret Rogers, and AIPP
Coordinator Molly Eppard on behalf of the new members. Margaret explains that she is a communication
device to and from the Council to the AIPP board. She explains that she serves as a resource to the board.
She is not a voting member and her presence does not count towards the quorum. The remaining board
members introduce themselves and interest in serving on the AIPP board. Molly passes out the AIPP strategic
plan that was adopted in 2001 to all of the board members for review. Molly thanks the new members for their
participation on the board.
3. Election of officers
Bill nominates Kathy to chair the board with a second from Wendy. The board is all in favor. Cookie is
nominated to be vice-chair of the board by Kathy with a second from Jen. The board is all in favor.
4. Approval of minutes from March 3 meeting
Molly clarifies cv to mean curriculum vitae which she will amend in the minutes.
5. Citizen input
Karl Krueger informs the board about a charity event for the education foundation of Eagle County. The
event called Project Funway will take place on April 26 at the Westin in Avon. He describes the
challenge of the event as a dress building competition and invites AIPP to participate. He has a
mannequin to show the board a dress he created for a previous Project Funway. He distributes flyers to
the board with details.
Karl then discusses a concept of creating snow sculptures with a structure made of found branches as
support. As a result of his polar bear projects, he is interested in pursing more snow sculpture projects.
He is experimenting with found branches/wood so that the exposure of the artifice after the snow melts
becomes a part of the project. The exposure of the wooden structure is a part of the artistic experience.
He would be interested in having the creation of the project be observed on site by spectators. He has
two examples that he shares with the board. The first is of a male figure and the second is of a horse.
He would be interested in having the project take place within the town of Vail. He would like to have a
figure placed on top of the horse. He mentions Carrie Fell and her work being selected for 2015, so he
thinks there might be a tie in with her subject matter. He tells the board that he would like to explore this
project with the board. Kathy explains since this is citizen input they cannot have action on the
presentation. She welcomes comments from the board. Bill asks if he has any locations in mind. Molly
mentions that the snow is really starting to melt along the Gore Creek Promenade. Bill does not think
that there is enough snow in the village for the project at this time in the spring. Bill asks if this should
be an item on the May agenda. Molly explains that she offered that as an option to Karl because she
only heard from him this morning. Karl remarks that he wanted to speak today because he recognizes
that the snow is starting to melt and to also discuss Project Funway. Molly’s concern with the timbers
alone as the armature of the horse is very reminiscent of Deborah Butterfield’s work. AIPP would want
to be mindful of this close representation. She suggests that he explore a different type of animal
because Butterfield is known for her sculptures of horses created from found wood. Wendy confirms
that the scale is life size of the horse. Karl thanks the board.
6. Temporary Art Placement (TAP) at Vail Public Library review and summer exhibition
Molly reviews the program for temporary art placement above the fireplace for the new AIPP board members.
She introduces Lori Barnes who is the head librarian at the Vail Public Library. Molly describes the anonymous
voting process. AIPP is working with the library to have a community exhibition in August for those who have
submitted their works for consideration above the fireplace. After the first review, AIPP with the library decided
to make it a project open to Eagle County artists. Lori comments that it has been a huge and successful
partnership between AIPP and the library. Molly shows the board the three submitted works for consideration.
There is an image, title, medium and size on the powerpoint slides. The artist’s names are not on the slides as
to have the review process be anonymous and based solely on the artwork. The powerpoint begins by showing
images of the three previously selected works. The works for consideration today are: Image #1 - I70 View (fall
color against snow on Vail Mountain), photograph on canvas, 20 inches high x 30 inches wide; Image #2 -
Colorado River, 2013,oil on canvas, 20 x 24 inches; Image #3 - Winter Whispers, watercolor, 28 inches high x
35 inches wide – framed. Molly reviews the images again for the board. Lori asks if artists are able to send in
previously submitted work. The artists are welcome to repeat their application. Kathy remarks that she would
truly like to see the works resubmitted. She comments that the votes are generally so close and it would be
worth it for them to resubmit their work. Molly remarks that she does encourage the artists to reapply. She
hopes that the community exhibition will give the artists more encouragement. Wendy asks about the first
round having so many applications and if it was because it was a call open to artists outside of Eagle County.
Should we consider that requirement restriction? Molly comments that even though the number of applications
have decreased, the quality of the work is still very good. At this time she thinks it is a nice local art initiative
and we may want to maintain that for a bit longer. Lori comments that the Eagle County initiative may be
reevaluated, but also thinks it is a nice local project at this time. She questions the length of display for this
selected artist as August will be slated for the community exhibition. This showing above the fireplace is
supposed to be up only until July 11, so we will have a two week lag time. Kathy comments that we can select
a work for above the fireplace for the submitted works for the community room. She then comments that from
the August show we can have a work selected as a “people’s choice” for the next round of display at the
fireplace. Molly reviews the three submitted works again for the fireplace placement. The board votes and
selects Charmayne Bernhardt’s Winter Whispers for the fireplace placement. Molly now reviews the other
artists who also submitted. Kathy thanks Lori for the Friends invitation and comments that it was a wonderful
event that she and Dick enjoyed. Lori would like to have a reception to celebrate and draw public recognition to
this initiative. Molly passes out an invitation and event from the paper artist Helen Heibert to the board and
Lori. We have talked to Helen about doing more projects with her at the library. The board discusses the group
show and having a reception during the month of August to recognize the artists. Lori confirms that it will only
be the Eagle County artists who submitted and perhaps the first artist represented by Cogswell if it is still
available.
7. Coordinator/collection updates
Return of Clip Man by Don Wilson took place on March 20. The public works facilities crew were
incredibly helpful in having the work collected by the artist.
Cleaning the bronze sculptures by Deb Bakal will take place on May 20 & 21. Molly informs the board
that Mr. Fritch’s Einstein Bench was damaged by a vehicle. It will have to go back to the foundry for
repair. The work is not owned by the town of Vail. Molly and the streets crew assisted Mr. Fritch in
moving the work against a store front, so it is further out of the traffic lane. Margaret asked about the
cameras in reviewing the truck who might have hit it. Molly informed Mr. Fritch that he should file a
police report for the incident.
Molly informs the board of a proposed Rembrandt etching exhibition (July 30 – August 14) in the Grand
View organized by Starting Hearts. The works which have been on view at the Vilar are a part of the
Mower collection. Molly explains that we are not the organizers of the exhibit, but it is Starting Hearts
with the Mowers. It will serve as a fund raising mechanism for Starting Hearts. She believes that they
are going to hire security 24/7 for the duration of the exhibit. Molly confirms that she is helping Lynn find
a suitable space within Vail, it is not an AIPP event. Margaret states that the town attorney will have to
sign off on a contract that is critical so the town has zero liability. If AIPP does offer sponsorship we will
need to be free of any liability as well and having another layer in the contract should Molly assist with
the install and de-install of the artwork as a town employee. Molly explains the uv tinted windows and
the blackout shades to the board. The gallery hanging system is optimal for the hanging. Kathy agrees
that the Grand View agreement should have a waiver that the town does not hold any responsibility for
art being displayed in the room. Molly explains that this may be a great opportunity to finally use the
space in an artistic capacity. Margaret asks if the Vail Symposium will be hosting a lecture. Molly
confirms that the Mowers had mentioned the Symposium when she met them. It will be a very busy
time for the arts in Vail.
Kathy suggests that AIPP look into dressing up the windows in the dark entry of the eastern lower level
of the Lionshead parking structure. Molly mentions that she will discuss it with John King.
The board would like Molly to go back to Karl to ask him to bring concepts that are more conducive to
the season with more of a lead time for planning. They believe it could be a good interactive project, but
it needs to be more in synch with the season.
Molly and Kathy are still working on the edits for the Public Art Collection Map.
Kathy explains that Julie Hansen, the third new board member, will be at the May meeting. Kathy
suggests that the board become more participatory and active in the Art in Public Places program.
Molly reiterates that as well. She asks board members to bring ideas, introduce new interesting artists,
or programs, etc. The board questions if we can revisit making more artistic bike racks. Kathy would
like for the board to go on an art walk as one of the meetings. She would like us to look at the June
meeting for a tour. Bill asks how we are going to distribute the public art maps. The maps will be at both
welcome centers, town municipal building, some concierges, etc. Bill also suggests framing the maps
for the welcome centers. Kara also suggests having the town hosts pass out the maps. Molly confirms
that the map is only town of Vail owned public art. Molly will ask if we can have them in empty news
rack stands.
Meeting Adjourned.