HomeMy WebLinkAboutDecember 7, 2015 Minutes Minutes: Art in Public Places Board Meeting
Monday, December 7, 2015, 8:30 a.m.,Town Council Chambers
AIPP board members present: Julie Hansen, Kathy Langenwalter, Michael Kurz, Amanda Zinn
AIPP Board members absent: Cookie Flaum, Bill Pierce, Kara Woods
Others present: Molly Eppard AIPP Coordinator ________________________________
1. Approval of minutes from November 2 meeting.
2. No citizen input.
3. Ford Park Portal Update, Andy Dufford Chevo Studios Denver
Andy recalls the last time he was present at the board meeting and when they discussed the range of
monuments to assist in identifying and finding of Ford Park. Today he will present the next level of the project.
We have walked the sites and come up with a more formal tally and map where we think the portals should
exist. While many of us are familiar with the park, we want to help the newcomers locate the park and discover
its amenities. We want to create an identity for the park. Andy begins his power point presentation. Today we
will look at sites, levels of complexities, quantities and associated costs. Andy shows an early map which
identified the parameters of the park. He then shows his map which goes further into identifying the park.
Level A: Largest entry features which include a combination of materials and are designed to foster
social interaction or be visible from passing vehicles, includes metal detailing and illumination. Price
range: $100,000. 5 Locations: Vail Valley Drive at Nature Center Bridge Path, Vail Valley Drive at
Manor Vail, West Betty Ford Way (this especially needs better messaging between vehicular and
pedestrian entry), Concession Stand, East Betty Ford Way which could potentially be a meeting or
gathering place. Andy then shows images of the existing conditions and discusses the potential for
improvement especially in the orientation of the signage. Examples: Antler Gate/Hideaway Park in
Winter Park, CO. Continuum sculpture/seating in Santa Cruz, CA. With these examples he shows the
complexity in engineering in regards to installation.
Level B: Mid-sized monuments associated with other entry points or paths to the park. Price range:
$40,000. 6 locations: Vail Valley Dr. at South playing fields, Nature Center sign replacement, Manor
Vail portal, Creek Walk at the Covered Bridge, Vail Valley Dr. and park entry (possible c). Andy then
shows images of the existing conditions and discusses the potential for improvement. Examples:
Season Cycle (seating with relief carvings, Broomfield, CO; Kiva (marker, seating, m edallions) Denver,
CO.
Level C: Markers that include smaller stones set at grade, sandblasting on existing features, etc. these
markers often identify a route to the park and encourage visitors to continue on the right path. Price
range: $1,600. 11 to 13 locations: Route/mileage markers along Vail Valley Dr. from south playing fields
to Nature Center Bridge path (qty. 2), route/mileage markers along Manor Vail path (qty. 2), entry
marker at park entry landscape bed along Manor Vail Path (qty. 1), route/mileage markers along Creek
Path from Covered Bridge to park entry (qty. 4 – 6). Andy then shows images of the existing conditions
and discusses the potential for improvement. Examples: Boulder Creek Trial (bronze inlay, sandblasted
details) and Ridgeline Trail Marker, Centennial CO.
This is where we are now with this integrated system of markers bringing people to the park and extending
those amenities. In looking at the figures, this package is much more than the $250,000 and closer to
$800,000. We are now in the stage of phasing and funding. We need to examine how best to move ahead. He
then asks for questions. Julie comments that she thinks he is on the right track, but it is more costly than
anticipated. Michael comments that we may need to f ind more key points and scaling down the amount of
markers. He is not impressed with the entry at Manor Vail by sandblasting the curb. He thinks we should drop
some of the incidentals and focus on the more key entry points. He likes the natural and unobtrusive forms and
quality of the markers overall and remarks that Andy has a great grasp on the artistic design. Molly asks for
comments from Todd Oppenheimer and Greg Hall as well. As staff, we may revisit the fine details and cull
down some of the locations and further examine the levels for the markers. Todd thinks Andy did a very good
job with his presentation. Todd comments that the project previously was $1,000,000 and it was earmarked
and reduced as a future project. Now that the park has matured we have a better understanding of the park’s
needs for entry markers. This can now be a thoughtful process. Greg Hall comments that it is a combination of
looking at the previous budget and whether it is something that can be phased or refined. We need to look at
the way finding blades where we can examine the package. The streets may already be covered. We can look
and refine the package along with the way finding and presenting to the AIPP and then to Council. It is a
comprehensive program which will need to be addressed. Kathy clarifies that these are the big picture markers
and not what is within the park. She thinks we can get rid of the mid-way markers. She wrestles with the most
visible monument markers being $100,000 and spending too much on two monuments not that far from each
other. She thinks we need to look at smaller entry features versus the grandiosity of the presentation. She
wants to look more conservatively at it as a package. Todd remarks that with all of his time in Ford Park, he
often encounters people who give up finding the park and in some cases they are actually within the park and
turn around. Most often it is once they enter and they give up finding the BFAG. She asks if the maps will
supplement the blades which will assist the public. Greg thinks we need to look at the overlay with the way
finding program. Andy discusses the use of a consistent identity creating a sense of orientation. Each round is
refining and integrating. Now we will look hard at how the way finding will integrate. We will also take the
comments and look at things which may be at both a high and lower level than where they should be. At every
level of design we will knit it together. Kathy would like to see an overlay of the way finding in conjunction with
the mapping and portals. Molly asks the board where they feel the most monumental sign should be located.
Julie thinks the Vail Valley Drive and concession area on Frontage Road. Julie comments that we should have
the mile markers indicated on the Creek Walk signage. Amanda agrees. She also comments that she does like
the seating area for the East Betty Ford Way area as a meeting point. The board thanks Andy.
4. Winterfest with ice sculptor, Paul Wertin
Paul Wertin presents his revised drawings and some diagrams for orientation of the theater, as well as design
elements. Molly comments the IT department is researching the AV equipment and investing in it versus
renting equipment. Paul comments this is year it will be our 4th year and we have direction from Molly as to
what we would like to do. This year the chairs will be oversized “Alice in Wonderland” inspired. Molly
comments that she wants the theater to be an interactive installation. She wants people to be able to take
photos during the day in the chairs, as well as in the evening. This will be the first time that we can encourage
people to sit on the ice. Paul shows examples of the curtains that Molly suggested around to frame the screen.
This will actually be quite a bit of ice, so we may want to revisit this concept with another decorative feature.
We look at the decorative features from the last theater. Paul shows some sketch examples of alternatives.
Molly remarks that a relief would be a nice decorative feature with a stage frame. The board agrees that this is
a good direction which is clean. Kathy comments to take away the mountain carving and have a decorative
element. Molly remarks that we can look at Art Deco design for the ornamentation around the theater. Amanda
asks about the light within the ice. Paul remarks that the chairs will have a static light and the light on the
theater will be from the projector. Paul shows the scales of the various chair designs. We have discussed 5
chairs, but can look at 7 if we remodel the screen. We can put a few chairs together and create a seating
couch. We will order cushions with leashes for the ice chairs, so that they will stay put. Amanda agrees that we
should look at the geometric designs and tying the seating with the screen. The board wants the chairs to all
be different. These sculptures will be very stout and sturdy. Kathy asks Paul to make sure the seats are low
enough for children. The board likes the tall backs of the chairs. Paul will be working off of his own ice
production. With some of these alterations we can do 7 chairs and making a sofa. Perhaps a double settee
plus 5 chairs will be fine with seating. These will be art pieces in themselves. We now look at the diagram for
orientation. The board likes the screen placement, but would like to see all of the chairs around the ice theater
and not in random locations. Molly comments that the installation should be all about the ice theater and not to
have chairs behind or randomly placed. We will confirm the projection distance. The installation will begin on
the 17th. He will have to rush to have it completed by the 23rd. He would like to have the screen up by the 20th
with the chairs at a second phase by the 29th. Kathy comments that in the minutes it said the 23rd. Molly
confirms that is the date which we have publicized for the opening of the ice theater and we will need it in
before New Year’s. Paul will look at his notes, but Molly comments that we can discuss this when we look at
our calendars. Molly confirms that the special events permit which was amended is the 23rd for completion as
she is getting licensing for holiday cartoons. Molly remarks she thought that is why he wanted to start early on
the 17th. Michael comments that the 23rd is ideal. Molly will also look through her notes regarding the calendar
with Paul after the meeting. The board will work with Paul so that he feels comfortable with the timeline. The
budget for ice is $20,000. The title is Vail Winterfest Ice Theater presented with Triumph Partners. The board
accepts the proposal.
5. Paper Lanterns & Tree Lighting
December 20th is the tree lighting. Friday, December 18th we will have the workshop with the Alpine Arts Center
from 4:00 – 6:00. Molly will install the lanterns at the bus shelter that day as well with Rick Gregory. On Sunday
the workshop at the library is 1:30 – 4:30 with the tree lighting and lantern walk following. We have RSVPs so
far for both workshops. Molly asks the board to participate in helping to distribute lights and lanterns at the tree
lighting. The walk will be up Bridge Street to Checkpoint Charlie with a fire truck taking Santa away.
6. Welcome Center Art by Paul Vexler
We started at 5:30 a.m. with the install this morning. The town of Vail’s facilities and streets assisted this
morning with the installation. It is going smoothly. The new mayor will say remarks at the event. Molly reviews
the run of show with the board for the reception tomorrow at the Welcome Center with the artist. We have had
about 50 RSVPs for the event. The Board is pleased with the installation and that the banners will be removed
from the space.
7. Selection of finalists for I-70 Underpass
Molly comments that any stipend for artists will come from the art allocation. We will want to decide an amount
for each of the finalists. In speaking with Tom Kassmel it is premature for the artists to visit Vail at this time.
They can view the roads on CDOT cameras. They can also look at web cameras for Vail. Molly will put the
guidelines for the finalists to be approved by the board. Molly will confirm with Tom a time frame. It will be best
to get an artist on board sooner than later. There is nothing for the artists to see on site now. They will be
working from the models and videos. The board nominates the three finalists selected: Gordon Huether, Adam
Kuby and Vicki Scuri. We need the artists to design a proposal and to present it in person. We have identified
the north and south locations. The stipend for each artist will be $2,000.
8. Coordinator updates
The board selects the painting with second most votes to go in place come January 11 at the fireplace
within the library.
9. Meeting adjourned.