HomeMy WebLinkAboutAugust 1, 2016 Minutes
Minutes: Art in Public Places Board Retreat Meeting
Monday, August 1, 2016, 8:30 a.m., Grand View, Lionshead Welcome Center
AIPP board members present: Julie Hansen, Nancy Lassetter, Michael Kurz, Bill Pierce, Kara
Woods, Amanda Zinn
AIPP Board members absent: Patricia Donovan
Others present: Molly Eppard, AIPP Coordinator
1. Approval of minutes from July 11th meeting.
2. No citizen input
3. Memorial sculpture - Mr. Bill Rey/Claggett/Rey Gallery & Mr. Roger Tilkemeier
Bill Rey introduces himself and his involvement in Vail arts. Roger Tilkemeier presented the
concept to memorialize Vail founder Pete Siebert and the pre-Vail Valley ranchers to Bill. He
was enthusiastic to participate. He comments this educational sculpture will make a connection
between the ranching families who homesteaded and secured the water rights in the valley
which ultimately made it possible to create Vail as a ski resort town. Bill recommended artist
Herb Mignery who is an established 80 year old artist to Roger to explore this concept. The
artist is highly regarded with numerous commissions. A bronze model of a previous work is
displayed during the presentation to show the quality of his work and patina. A clay model of the
proposed sculpture is on view for the AIPP board during this presentation. This is a study for
“Pete’s Dream” representing Siebert with a camp tender on horseback. The ranchers would
interact with Seibert to discuss the vision and land. The likeness of Seibert will be researched
carefully and ultimately signed off by his family. The base will be at ground level versus
elevated. Molly reminds the board of the process and criteria for accepting works of art to the
TOV’s collection. In this case, it would be a donated work of art as they are planning to privately
fundraise in order to have the work created. In consideration of the commissioned sculpture on
the agenda, Molly advises the AIPP board to focus on the program, artwork, and artist criteria
into as it pertains to the donation:
The intention of the program is to assemble a collection of works of art in public places which is
educational, attractive to residents and guests, and of an overall aesthetic quality equal to the
excellent international reputation the town enjoys as a resort.
Program Objectives:
Establish a public art program that is unique to Vail and therefore has a primary
responsibility to the community.
Enhance the beauty of the Vail community by placing quality visual art in highly
accessible and visible public places for residents and guests to enjoy.
Develop a diverse, high quality public art collection. The overall program shall strive for
diversity in style, scale, media and artists. Exploratory types of work as well as
established art forms shall be encouraged.
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Provide an effective process for selecting, purchasing, commissioning, placing, and
maintaining public art projects that represent the best in aesthetic and technical quality.
Create a framework for a sustained effort to develop public art in the Vail community.
Develop a strong public education effort in order to stimulate discussion and
understanding about the visual arts.
Provide a public art development process that encourages and is supportive to artists
who wish to work in the public realm.
Encourage support for and inclusion of public art projects in private sector development.
Artwork Criteria:
Quality and Innovation: The consideration of highest priority is the inherent artistic
excellence and innovation of the artwork.
Timelessness: Each artwork should be viewed as a long-term acquisition that should
have relevance aesthetically to the community in future years. Due to the high visibility of
public art by residents and guests who frequent public places, artworks should be
selected that reflect enduring artistic quality.
Compatibility with Site: Works of art should be compatible in style, scale, material, form,
and content with their surroundings, and should form an overall relationship with the site.
Permanence: Works of art shall have structural and surface soundness, and be resistant
to theft, vandalism, and weathering. Artworks shall not require excessive maintenance or
repair costs. Artworks that require frequent maintenance are discouraged.
Public Safety: Artwork shall not create inordinate safety problems or liability problems for
the general public or Town of Vail.
Professional Artist:
The public art project shall be designed by an artist that meets at least two (2) of the
following criteria, provided that emerging artists who demonstrate a high level of
competence, ability to create unique artistic enhancements, understanding of mediums and
relationship of artwork to the site may be acceptable at the discretion of the AIPPB.
The artist has obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts or Master of Fine Arts from an accredited
college or university.
The artist has exhibition experience in a professional context (i.e., galleries, museum, art
centers, or other exhibit venues).
The artist has received peer recognition such as honorable mentions, awards, prizes,
scholarships, appointments, or grants.
The artist is pursuing his/her work as a means of livelihood and/or a way to achieve the
highest level of professional recognition.
The artist's work has been discussed in a published writing.
The artist's artwork has been held in public or private collections.
Julie asks whether AIPP would be responsible for maintenance. Molly confirms the work would
become a part of the collection as a donation, so we would be responsible for maintenance
and upkeep. Julie wants to ensure that the bronze is of maximum quality. Molly remarks that
she asked Bill to specifically discuss the professionalism of the artist who they selected. The
board reviews the CV, accomplishments and career of the artist. Bill confirms quality and
legacy is a part of the pride of Mignery’s work. He comments that the unexpected educational
component of this work is significant to both guests and residents. It serves to educate the
public about the history of our town. There was an incredible history pre-Vail significant to the
valley and if it were not for the homesteaders, as highlighted in The Book of Lena, the ski
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resort may not have happened. Molly comments that location will be discussed with Town Staff
at a later date. After today, the decision will be brought to Town Council in a work session.
They need the town’s approval prior to any fundraising efforts are made. Roger introduces
himself to the board. He comments that this is not a new idea, but had informally suggested it
25 years ago. After returning to Vail after 13 years in Santa Fe, he wanted to resurrect the
idea. He has been involved in the ranching business for 30 years and was a property owner of
13 acres in East Vail in 1963. What existed in the valley prior was a sheep pasture and one
could never conceive to what it is today. He doesn’t want to let this part of Vail’s history pass
without people knowing about the history of the valley pre-Vail. The sculpture would tie
together the history of the valley with what Pete Seibert ultimately made possible. Pete was a
good friend to Roger. He comments that Pete Seibert, Jr. is grateful and supportive of this
project. The location at the entrance to Vail Village becomes the museum without walls. Idealy
placed in proximity of the Ski Museum and 10th Mountain Division Memorial, it would nicely tie
the history of the valley. Molly discusses the various handouts including a description of the
project, artist resume, as well as Roger’s resume. Amanda asks the board to address the
project. Nancy is in full support. Kara agrees. She especially likes the educational component
of the work. Amanda asks about scale. Bill comments it is approximately 9 feet tall and 1 ¼
life-size. Julie also supports the work and the location they are proposing. She addresses
some concern about the late night happenings at the transportation center. Bill comments that
it will be sturdy since it is a good quality metal and should be reinforced with steel. Roger
comments that the Circle-K brand will be on the horse. It is the Kiahtipes the family brand who
were the Greek sheep farmers in East Vail. Bill P. remarks he has spoken with Pete Jr. about
the project and if there is a way to include his late son’s name on the work. Bill R. remarks that
this is something that can be subtly included to provide comfort to the family. Roger is working
on the explanatory plaque for the work. Michael is happy to see this project and that it is as
close to reality as we can make it versus being allegorical. He thinks it is important to preserve
this part of Vail’s heritage and a great tribute to Pete. We are fortunate to have Roger
spearheading this project and can certainly work on the installation logistics. Amanda thanks
the board for their comments. It is a unanimous motion to accept the sculpture with the location
to be determined. Julie motions to approve the sculpture as presented. Michael seconds the
motion. The entire board is in favor. Molly remarks that she will discuss the board’s approval
with the Town Manager and next steps. Molly asks about the timing of the project from
fundraising to execution of the work. If it goes as planned especially with the old guard support,
it hopefully can be ready for installation early June 2017 for this one of a kind piece. Molly
comments that she was immediately taken by this project. It exhibits a great touch of humanity
to the community, when many believe Vail is a corporation and not a community. It is a good
reminder about the importance of history in the valley and its preservation which is vital to the
resort community. Bill agrees and that the timing is right as the old guard of the community
should be recognized. Julie likes Pete’s orientation in gesturing towards the mountain. The
cost will be approximately $350,000. Molly thanks Bill and Roger for coming before the board
today.
4. Vail ART Pass event dates:
August 1 – Vail Symposium – Degas lecture – discount provided via Vail Symposium to
members.
August 12 – 21 – BRECKENRIDGE- BIFA (Breckenridge International Fine Art Festival)
Tour of creative arts district. Molly suggests that we wait to tour possibly during Snow
Sculpting Championships versus BIFA.
ART Pass participation in 8/25 – cocktails and canvas at the amphitheater cost of $20
versus $40 to be supplemented by Vail ART Pass.
September – DENVER – Week of September 12. Possible tour could include:
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Denver Art Museum: Women of Abstract Expressionism, through September 25, 2016
Denver Art Museum: Rhythm & Roots: Dance in American Art, through October 2, 2016
Denver Botanic Gardens – through October 2, Stories in Sculpture: Selections from the
Walker Art Center Collection
5. I-70 design & budget update – Molly Eppard & Tom Kassmel – TOV
Molly and Tom update the board on the design development of the I-70 public art component
with Gordon Huether Studios. The proposal for the project was approved in March/April. Molly
explains that this time frame of design development demonstrates the scope of this project, the
many entities involved, and thus issues developed during these design stages. Molly reminds
the board of the model which was presented during the proposal and that it was created on an
even grade. Molly shows the board the studio video which illustrates the slope along the
frontage road towards the west as presented by Gordon Huether. The height the studio
imagined for the wall at the eastern side in looking at in the video is not CDOT compliant. The
crash compliant height of the wall must be 34 inches at minimum versus the 18 inch start of the
wall the studio envisioned. We are now at a point to bring these development changes to the
AIPP board. Molly shows drawings from the studio with their proposals and engineering
drawings from design engineer. The stone wall, if level as proposed by studio, is going to
obstruct the view of the creek and the parallax motion will be lost with the increase in the height
of the wall. The grade is 1 and 2 % down towards the west. Molly and Tom along with former
board member Kathy Langenwalter have examined options with Gordon Huether Studios to
address some of their considerations for the slope of the South Frontage Road and how that
would affect the mountain-scape screen. The studio prefers to install the screen on a level stone
wall surface. Internally it was decided this will not work aesthetically, as the stone wall would
have to be quite tall at the western end to keep it level. Rather, the direction was given to follow
the slight slope and install the screen accordingly within the inset. With this change, the studio is
going to have to account for additional labor and installation costs. Therefore the studio is
proposing reduced footage for artistic screen to account for this cost increase. The artist change
order would reduce the wall to 98 feet from 130 to stay within budget because of more labor and
fabrication is required than originally envisioned. Greg Hall has also scrutinized the budget very
thoroughly requesting a detailed cost breakdown. The second option is to increase the budget
by approximately $54,000 to include an additional 32 feet. Tom explains the engineer design
drawings which show where exactly the 98 feet of the art screen would be in the plan. With the
inset, the parallax will still be present in the art and it will be less dense. The art would look
crooked with perception if it is level versus following the contour of the sidewalk. The board
agrees with this decision. Julie asks about budget dollars. Molly comments that if AIPP would
like to increase the size of the wall it would be best to use AIPP funds versus requesting for
more funds from Council. If the board feels it is worth it to extend the wall by 32 feet for $54,000
then the monies can be requested from the AIPP fund with asking permission of the Council to
use the funds. Amanda does not think the extra footage is worth $54,000 and the affect will
remain in the 98 foot wall. She asks for other board comment. Michael would like to have the
monies requested to increase the footage. Molly reminds the board it is a board request and
they would have to request for the additional monies in a town council meeting. Amanda
comments that the monies could be thoughtfully applied towards other projects. Kara comments
while it is disappointing, she does not feel it is necessary to spend $54,000 to increase the wall.
Bill asks if it can be stepped. Tom comments that we did look at that option, but it would be
closer to four or five steps of approximately 6 inches which would be an entirely different look.
Nancy feels it will be fine at 98 feet and still be impactful as a work of art, as does Kara. Julie
thinks that we should use the funds to increase the footage of the wall. Bill agrees with Julie.
The board is presently at 3 and 3 as a board member is missing. Amanda asks for Molly’s input.
Molly comments that the panels are broken in 8 foot increments and perhaps that $12,425 could
be an option. She comments that it is a drive-by experience. Molly asks the board to make their
decision with the pros and cons, as we do not have another month to delay the design process.
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Michael remarks in that case to proceed with the 98 foot wall. Julie asks about the blue tiles and
if we remove the tiles would that be a cost savings. Molly comments that was asked of the artist
and it was not well received and it was commented that it is then “design by committee.” Molly
explains that art isn’t typically assessed by linear foot versus working with a contractor in looking
at detailed cost discussions. At this stage 4 vote not to use the additional funds and 2 would like
to use the funds. Molly will ask the studio about the 8 additional feet at $12,425 feet. The board
motioned that they would like to vote to use these funds if possible to increase the length by 8
additional feet (1 panel). Molly thanks the board for their direction and Tom for his diligent work
on this project. The art will be the last part of the project with installation at end of summer early
fall of 2017.
6. Coordinator Updates
Tiny Cinema – He would be able to return August 22, 23, 24, 25. Molly thinks September
will be too quiet. The board likes the idea of complimenting it with the canvas and
cocktails on Aug. 25. Molly confirms it would be placed on the International Bridge.
Art Walks – Continue through August 31 – 45 people on last tour. The average
attendance in August has been 40 people per tour.
Vail 50th Picnic – Tuesday, August 23rd at Donovan Pavilion from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. We
are working with Natalie de Stefano to paint canvases with iconic images of Vail.
Relocation of Time Trial Wheel - There may be possibilities to integrate it into the
improvements of the East Vail interchange. The berms are going to be beautified with
plantings. The trail is going to be realigned to the road to create more wetland to protect
the creek. There is an existing parking lot where many bikers park off of Bighorn. It
already serves as a meeting area for bikers riding up Vail Pass. It is very visible and
interactive. It is where the time trial would pass in the future, as well as many other bike
races in East Vail. The board thinks it is an interesting placement for the sculpture and to
explore it with CDOT as a possibility.
Meeting adjourned.