HomeMy WebLinkAboutJanuary 8, 2018 Minutes
Minutes: Art in Public Places Board Meeting
Monday, January 8, 2017, 8:30 a.m.
Town Council Chambers
AIPP Board members present: Susan Bristol, Patricia Donovan, Julie Hansen, Nancy Lassetter, Bill Pierce,
Margaret Rogers, Kara Woods
AIPP Board members absent:
Others present: Molly Eppard, AIPP Coordinator
1. Approval of minutes from December 4 meeting.
2. No citizen input.
3. Vail Winterfest Ice Theater / Lantern Workshops and Walk Review
Molly updates the board on the status of the ice theater. We have the seating and lighting now installed. We do
not have the remaining four entry point sculptures installed. Given the lack of snow it has been challenging for
the installation. Molly asks for feedback from the board whether the remaining sculptures should be installed
given the temperatures. It has been a very popular activity this season. Bill comments there is always a crowd
at the site. Margaret asks if we can deduct the four entry sculptures if he has not yet created the works. Julie
suggests asking where the status is for the sculptures and whether he has started sculpting. The board agrees
not to install new work if he has not begun. Molly comments we would need to make an addendum to the
contract. Molly explains about the signage of “No Coins on the Ice.” This is something which started at the
sculpture by the covered bridge. Last week she had to remove many coins which started showing up on the ice
theater. The coins on the screen will ruin the projection, so while the signs are not attractive they have worked.
She has not had to remove any coins since we installed the signs. We have also added some sand to the area
for traction. We did drape the ice one Saturday morning to protect it from rain. Molly will go back to Paul to see
where he is with the remaining sculptures.
The lantern workshops were very popular again. The Alpine Class had 31 lantern makers with 45 total people.
Participants seemed to enjoy the class as it was very festive, all ages, and lots of families and repeat guests.
Tricia Swenson did a great video on the class and the lantern walk for the Vail Daily. The artist at the library
workshop thought it went smoothly. She commented it seemed to have fewer people than last year -
approximately 150. The library was not pleased with the clean-up efforts of the workshop. They felt the artist
should have stayed longer for the clean-up and break-down. Trish and Nancy comment that the library was in
pretty good shape by the time they left. They commented that they asked for more trash bags to a staff
member of the library and they were directed to just pile it. More trash bags would have been helpful. Molly
comments we can reach out to the custodians when this workshop is taking place to request a thorough
cleaning afterwards. It was suggested the class take place from 1:00 – 4:00 to ensure a better clean up and
allowing enough time to get to the lantern walk. Susan comments that she thinks it is a very hard project. A lot
of people were having a difficult time. Margaret remarks that it went well. She comments any problems with
clean up can be easily addressed. Trish also comments she thought people were struggling a bit as well.
Nancy comments that at 4:45 it seemed fairly clean and the breakdown of the tables and chairs was
completed. Julie thinks it needs to be more simplified. While the papers are very pretty she wonders if we
should change the project. Julie comments that the schools did a great job with their lanterns and we should
look at some of those examples. Molly agrees it is a complicated craft which can certainly be simplified for all
age participation. There was excessive use of glue which made it messy. Molly thanks Kara and her team of
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volunteers at the walk. Barrett Woods, Celia Barry and Jessica were a great help. We also had help from Jenn
Bruno’s children and a few of their friends. They arrived early to pass out the pre-made lanterns, lights, blinking
lights etc. We found people were very curious about the give-aways. Molly and Kara discussed moving our
station to the right of the big tree for the lantern hand-outs. It will give us more structure and room, as opposed
to being under the bus shelter. The bus shelter sees a lot of traffic between the bus and people going to
Starbucks. We should have a couple of tables by the tree with the TOV table cloths to give it more structure.
We can still mingle with handouts, but it will be in a more controlled setting as well as drawing people to the
entertainment. Molly met with our sponsor Doe Browning after the walk to review the project. She was very
pleased and thinks it has become a special holiday tradition in Vail. She suggests having a welcome
table/information by the bus stop to educate people about the event. The music could be from 4:00 – 5:00. She
thinks that Santa’s early arrival was a special moment for him to mingle with the guests. We should also have a
sandwich board about the run of show of event with our acknowledgements to the sponsors and artists. She
thinks we can limit the remarks during the gathering time. Molly comments that White Bison was a great
partner for the cookies and hot chocolate. We are happy to work with them again next year and we have
already discussed how to improve it for next year. Julie thought the music/entertainment was great. She thinks
we need to have music between the covered bridge and Gorsuch. Molly comments we did have music, but it is
a challenging zone because it is already loud with guests and music piping out from the shops. Julie comments
that perhaps we reorient the screen, as the back of the screen is as visually interesting. Molly comments we
have looked at several orientations and possibilities over the years. We need to consider the layout in regards
to sun and shade. The school participation was great this year. The VMS art teacher did a great job with her
classes. Nancy comments Vail Christian also participated. We did receive a complimentary email from Kim
Langmaid on Town Council. Molly thanks the board for their help in making a great lantern walk this year.
4. Red Sandstone Elementary School Garage Project
Molly reviews the updated documents from TAB associates. Molly has since met with Greg Hall about the
project. She reviews some railing options, exterior wall options, and stand alone areas as potential for
integrating public art. Molly points out the grade which we need to consider, as well as some landscaping. The
curved portion of the railing does have the potential for damage due to snow plows. We could look at railing on
the top decks of the structure. There are also railings in the stair towers. Molly reviews some safety concerns
for example they not want children gathering around the garage. We should look at exterior versus interior
locations for art. The west facing wall is a possibility if you look at the upper levels. She reminds the board that
snow storage is planned for this site. Bill remarks that we should also look at the entrances to the garage as
well to make it more visually interesting. He agrees that there is a lot of railing, so it may be a strong possibility.
Molly comments there may be some cost savings if we look at railings. Margaret reminds the board there may
eventually be another story to the garage. Bill asks if we should look at placing art closer to the school. Kara
comments we want to be mindful of the children and how they are experiencing the area. She looks at potential
safety concerns for the kids in particular areas. Molly asks the board for direction in identifying locations for the
RFQ. The board would like to look at the trapezoid land area. Trish comments she thinks we need to look at
our goal. If it is something more publicly visible, we need to look at the garage as a project. Is it functional or
just show? Susan and Margaret move to look at the trapezoidal land area. Trish comments our budget is
limited and this is an opportunity to integrate the art, similar to the I70 project which has been very well
received. She thinks we should look at enhancing the structure as a good use of our efforts. Bill thinks we
should look at enhancing the garage itself too. Trish comments we need to be mindful of the budget and how
far we can go with integrating art. The budget is $105,000, but this does not include the contingency. Molly will
look at developing a broader RFQ. She can identify potential locations and we can reevaluate once we have
submissions of portfolios. Molly will look at public art at parking structures to share with the board. Molly will
have a RFQ for the board to review and approve at the February meeting. Kara comments we need to see
what artists present versus directing them to create something specific. The board moves we prepare an RFQ
for the RSES garage project. Julie asks board members to walk to the site and view the area from the
pedestrian bridge between now and the February meeting.
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5. Golf Course Clubhouse report
There is an onsite stakeholders (VRD, AIPP, TOV) meeting on Wednesday. We will look at the budget and
determine priorities for the reception and public areas. We can reexamine the TV and credenza. A TV
lift/credenza at the base of the stairs is not an ideal location given access to the railing. We need to ask how
necessary that TV is to the space. We are going to reevaluate the project before proceeding with Zehren’s
proposal. Molly comments on the Nordic area spaces. There is a wall outside of the changing area which
would do well with art, but not the hall itself. This area is not visible during the summer months though. Julie
comments we need to confirm the budget.
6. Coordinator updates
Patrick Dougherty update – We are finalizing the contract with the artist. The next several months are
critical for the planning and success of the installation. We need to look at the schedule, volunteers,
harvesting willows, press, marketing, etc. Molly has a conference call with Rick Herwehe from A Cut
Above Forestry to discuss working on the project and the willow gathering at the Leadville Ranch. Molly
is trying to work with Vail Resorts and the USFS. Kara asks for parameters for volunteers.
Art Walks – 1st and 3rd Wednesdays through April 4th. 20 people attended the first walk. Molly
comments the importance of our programming for our guest experience.
Press releases for Kagan and Mai Wynn…in progress
Meow Wolf has announced Denver was selected for their next location. It is significant for the state’s art
industry.
Molly gives the schedule of the Breckenridge Snow Sculptures - January 16-21 | Technical Week |
Watch how the blocks are built - January 22-26 | 2018 Sculpting Week | Watch the blocks transform
into art during the five days - January 25-29 | Viewing Week
Kara tells the board about Project Funway - Saturday, February 10th - 6:00 pm Dining, Drinks & Silent
Auction. 7:30 pm Runway Shows Begin. The participants cannot use fabrics with their designs. The
monies go to Eagle County Schools. The board comments there may be interest in sponsoring a design
next year for the event. www.efec.org
Julie is going to step down as chair of AIPP as she has work commitments which will prevent her from
giving enough time needed for chair. Kara is going to serve as chair while Julie will be co-chair.
Meeting adjourned.