HomeMy WebLinkAboutJanuary 9, 2017 Minutes
Minutes: Art in Public Places Board Meeting
Monday, January 9, 2017, 8:30 a.m.
Town Council Chambers
AIPP board members present: Patricia Donovan, Julie Hansen, Nancy Lassetter, Bill Pierce,
Kara Woods
AIPP Board members absent: Michael Kurz, Margaret Rogers
Others present: Molly Eppard, AIPP Coordinator
1. Approval of minutes from December 5, 2016 meeting.
2. Citizen input.
3. Vail storm sewer educational art installation. Pete Wadden, Watershed Education
Coordinator, Community Development, Town of Vail
Molly introduces the presenter Pete Wadden and Kristen Bertuglia from the TOV’s
Environmental Department. Molly informs the board of the possible collaboration
between the departments for an educational installation about storm sewers and the
Gore Creek within the community. Pete presents a power point about the issues
pertaining to education about storm sewers in the TOV. The Gore Creek has been
determined an impaired waterway by the state due to the declining aquatic insects in
the creek. He reviews the dangerously low insect numbers along the creek within the
TOV. He touches on improvements we have made over the years for protecting storm
run-off. We would like to educate people about the difference between sealed sanitary
sewers which go through sanitation treatment versus unfiltered storm sewers (open
grates) which flow directly to the creek. Some items which went down TOV storm drains
included cooking grease, paint, window cleaner, pumpkins, hot dogs, and cement. The
message is to raise awareness. The concept would be to draw visual attention to the
storm sewers by having artist create fish images of the 5 trout species in the creek. He
shows examples of art installations around storm drains in other towns and remarks we
can have something more elevated and related to our species. The installation could be
accompanied by informational signage and articles in the Vail Daily. He shows an artist
from Montana who paints striking abstracted images of trout species. He comments that
Molly discussed looking more towards Colorado-based artists for the project. We have
looked at a non-slip decal for the application of the images to the pavers as the pavers
cannot be painted. Charlie Turnbull has approved this decal as a method for placement
on the pavers. Pete comments that the decal duration is three months which is what
their goal is for the project. Julie asks if they have a way to measure if a program like
this will make a difference. He doesn’t think we can establish a clear baseline, but
hopes it will cause awareness. She asks which storm drains are problematic. He
comments that they are aware of some of these drains. Molly comments Charlie
Turnbull recommends we focus on locations where special events take place in core
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areas of the village like GoPro, Taste of Vail, Farmer’s Market, etc. Molly recommends
we also look at popular summer park locations like the Ford Park playing fields and
BBQ areas. He remarks often times at the end of events, people dump waste into the
sewers. Pete thinks the high volume of special events during the summer is their goal.
Molly comments that GoPro is June 8 – 11, so this would be an ideal launch for the
project. This is one part of a larger campaign in the education of the storm sewers.
Molly comments that the art may be able to be incorporated into the informational
signage/sandwich boards around these events, not only for visibility to spectators, but
reminders to participants. Kara remarks about Vail Resorts’ “Skicology” program for kids
where the kids would look for hints about nature on the mountain. There could be a
treasure hunt as well for kids. Molly comments the card could be interactive and a take -
away to entertain the kids with coloring. Pete would like for it to be incorporated into the
art walks and Walking Mountain’s tours as well. Molly comments a budget needs to be
determined before a call is made to artists. Nancy and Kara like the idea. Bill likes the
idea, but not the examples shown in the presentation. He thinks the Montana fish
painting is too aggressive. Julie comments while education is important for the youth, it
needs to really focus on the offenders during the special events. There should be direct
language to the vendors on the signage during these events. She supports collaborating
on this project. Molly remarks we do not want it to look cartoonish or amateurish. She
thinks we should reach out to the local artists and schools with the call to artists as well.
Pete comments we should look at 5 species for the project. He needs to get the cost for
the production of the decals. Molly concludes that we will develop it a bit more and
come back to the next meeting. Pete thinks it will be $15,000 - $20,000 for the project
from which the education budget can cover a good portion. The plan is to reach out to
local schools about this opportunity.
4. Winter programs review:
Paper Lantern Project, Workshops, Winter Solstice Lantern Walk & Vail Winterfest Ice
Theater.
Molly will meet with TOV staff internally next week to recap the Lantern Walk events.
She thanks the board for all of their help. The lantern project and walk could not have
been as successful as it was without this help from the board. It was the most
successful it has ever been and we have finally achieved the quality in the proje ct we
have been envisioning for the past few years. We have great photos from the events.
Molly hands out a copy of the “thank you” ad which appeared in the papers with images.
Molly hands out the budget and breakdown of expenses for these projects. AIPP o nly
spent $174.00 on the lantern walk because Doe Browning’s donation of $3,000.00
covered it ($3,174.00 total expenses). We should be proud of producing such a
successful event for so many participants within this budget. She is glad we went
forward to separate the Lantern Project from the tree lighting, so it could be at the level
and standard AIPP and our sponsor expect. The Tuesday evening workshop had 50
participants which is 40 more than in past years. It was lively and filled primarily with
guests and some residents. Julie and Kara compliment this festive workshop and
comment everyone seemed in good spirits. Molly comments that she saw many of the
participants at the lantern walk. Trish compliments that the Wednesday workshop went
well. She thought it was interesting to see what people wanted from the workshop –
either they stayed the duration or made a lantern quickly. She remarks that Helen did a
nice job of wrapping up the workshop and getting people to the bus taking them to the
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walk. Julie also enjoyed the workshop even though she was covered in glue by the end.
Molly thought the run of show went well given the number of guests at approximately
500. Trish asks if Molly was overwhelmed. Molly comments that she was, but Kara, her
daughter and Todd O. came to the rescue. They helped assemble over 100 lanterns,
transport everything to the site, and get the pedi-cab decorated. Molly recognized Todd
and Mike Griffen for their help to the TOV and both received $100. Molly comments it
was hard to hear the Dickens Carolers and would inquire about amplification for the
future. Molly explains many of the carolers weren’t able to make it at 4:40 p.m. because
of work, so more joined as the walk continued. She thinks a 1 foot high riser stage
would be necessary in the future as well. She questions if this is something which
should be present for the duration of the holidays for carolers, similar to what Beaver
Creek has during the holidays. She remarks that most of the events on the Holidaze
itinerary were the AIPP programs. We will need to have more organized photography
with Santa. Julie suggests we have Santa present a few times after the theater opens
for photo opportunities. Trish comments that the bones of the program are in place, we
just need to make some tweaks to improve it. Some tweaks may just be timing. She
thinks the carolers weren’t utilized to their fullest. Kara compliments Tricia Swenson
being the emcee of the event. She kept people moving and engaged guests and Molly
with questions. Kara remarks it made it feel like a program as we continued to walk
through the village. There might be some conflict with the amplification of the ice theater
with the carolers at the end. They may be better staged by the stairs. Molly asked the
amplified music to be turned-off by the local restaurants during the opening. Julie thinks
we should explore louder music for next year. Trish compliments Molly for putting all of
the pieces of these events very well. The board motions to have a gift card presented to
Molly. She thanks board, but remarks it isn’t necessary and probably not appropriate.
The board is very pleased with the success of the winter programs.
5. Rod Kagan sculpture donation for consideration
Molly passes out a hardcopy book of the artists work. She would like the board to take a
look at the book to get a better understanding of the artist’s body of work. Molly asks the
board if they are still mostly interested in the totems by the artist. Trish clarifies that the
work is donated and TOV is responsible for installation. The prices on the sheet reflect
the value of what the donated sculpture would be. Julie asks Molly if she has identified
sites. She comments that they did not give any parameters for location. Julie thinks we
should look at the East Vail intersection improvements. She would like the board to give
direction on whether to pursue the donation. Trish asks the protocol of donations in the
bigger scheme of what we want the art in Vail to look like. She is uncertain if it is what
fits into the scheme or not. She thinks it is a generous donation, but is it in reaction
versus pursuit. Molly comments that each donation which comes before the board is
determined on a case by case situation. The board needs to assess the career and
quality of the artist, including public and private collections, along with exhibition history
to Vail’s standards. The caliber of the artist’s CV should be considered when looking at
donations. Aesthetically she comments that a diverse collection is something to be
considered. In looking at two recent donations, the Einstein bronze bench versus the
steel Tobolowsky are very different. The works were accepted for a variety of reasons
determined by the board. We have also said no to donations. Some examples are of an
artist without much exhibition and collection history of note, while another was going to
take a very large footprint for the entire installation. Julie asks Molly for her opinion
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about these particular works. Molly likes his distinct style and that he has a reputable
presence in the western states, but not as much in Colorado. She remarks on Kagan’s
exhibition history and collections. Molly asks the board to decide if they would like to
accept a work in the collection versus focusing on the location at this point. Kara
remarks that it is consistent with the program in looking at the breadth of the collection.
Julie would question why we would ever pass this particular donation. Molly remarks
that we should look to accepting art similar to how it is in code for the private
developers. The board accepts the donation of a totem installation by Ron Kagan.
6. Coordinator Updates
Molly asks the board if they would like to have the ice screen rebuilt given the
rain which has damaged the screen. It would be in the range of $3,000 - $4,500.
Molly comments the chairs will be fine. The board directs Molly to discuss our
options with Paul. The board would like to keep it running if possible.
Art Walks – 1st & 3rd Wednesdays…We had 10 on the first walk.
Alpine Arts Center – Grant to have more consistent programs – brings prices
down to $20 from $40 pp.
Molly asks if the board is interested in ART Pass events – Breck Snow Sculpting
Week is January 28 - February 5th, 2017.
Seibert Memorial – Total now is just $3,750. There are some promised large
donations which haven’t arrived.
Banner Bag Sale – made @ $1,500
7. Golf & Nordic Center Site Visit – Greg Hall, Director Public Works, TOV
Greg Hall tours the board through the new Golf & Nordic center clubhouse. The budg et
for the public art is $75,000 including any contingency. The board focuses on the first
impression spaces upon entering the public / event gathering spaces. The board also
focuses on the out of proportion light fixture in this entry area. Molly comments that the
event space and entry points to the space truly need some attention. She comments
that there were light artists who submitted for the Vail Village Welcome Center we may
want to revisit. We can also determine the budget in specific areas. For example, $xyz
towards the lighting element and $xyz towards specific walls identified in these areas.
She comments that the light would also be visible as you approach the clubhouse which
would be nice for hosts of events directing to that southern part of the building. The
board agrees to focus on these locations with the eventual call to artists.
Meeting adjourned.