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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCPAAC Minutes 03.21.231 Carmel Public Art Advisory Committee (CPAAC) Meeting Minutes – Tuesday, March 21, 2023 Carmel City Hall Caucus Room Call to Order Committee Co-Chair Julia Saltsgaver called the meeting to order at 6:01 PM. Attendance Members Present in Person: Julia Saltsgaver, Karen Poyser, Jill Reese, Cathy Strawn, Luci Snyder, Bill Cooler and Dru Doyle. Members Present via Microsoft Teams: Donna Tutwiler Members Not Present: Kelvin Okamoto earlier resigned from this Committee and to date has not been replaced by Tim Hannon, his Council representative. Additional City Representatives in Person: Henry Mestetsky, Redevelopment Director, and Sue Wolfgang, City Clerk. Minutes The Committee briefly discussed that the minutes from the November 15, 2022, meeting looked different because Jacob Quinn prepared them rather than previous CPAAC administrator, Holly Harmeyer. With no corrections made, Julia Saltsgaver asked for a motion to approve the minutes from the November 15, 2022, meeting. Bill Cooler moved to approve; Karen Poyser seconded. Minutes were approved (7-0). Luci Snyder abstained since she did not attend the meeting. Discussion of “My Sixteen-Year-Old Jazz Dreams” (Intake Form - 02/13/2023) Ms. Saltsgaver asked Henry Mestetsky to present on this project. He explained that Carmel considers itself a living museum of Seward Johnson (SJ) pieces and looks at them as a draw to Carmel shops and businesses. He said the original three pieces were initially on loan to the City but were purchased a year ago by the Carmel Redevelopment Commission (CRC). He said it has always been the Mayor’s wish to acquire all six pieces in this collection, and this was a chance to complete the entire set. Discussion was held regarding the cost of the first three SJ sculptures, and the Committee determined they cost a total of $276,000. Ms. Saltsgaver noted that with the cost of the final three pieces, the total would be around $720,000. Dru Doyle asked if the sculptures would be lit at night. Committee members discussed, and Mr. Mestetsky concurred, that it would depend upon the location and how much ambient light was 2 available. Mr. Mestetsky advised that most of the SJ pieces are not individually lit, but it is something to take into consideration. Mr. Cooler noted that these pieces have been moved around in the past, but Mr. Mestetsky indicated it is the Mayor’s desire to have all six in a permanent, landscaped, protected area that would be somewhere within the Center for the Performing Arts campus, but an exact location has not been determined. Ms. Poyser asked, since there was not a quorum for the CPAAC’s February meeting, whether the time had passed for members to give input on the project. She also asked about the Committee at least having input on the location. Ms. Saltsgaver asked Mr. Mestetsky if the pieces had been purchased. He advised the CRC entered into a contract to purchase the pieces, and one of the provisions of the contract is that the purchase is subject to review and a nonbinding recommendation by the CPAAC. If the CPAAC’s positive recommendation, or the Mayor’s decision to acquire the work regardless of the CPAAC’s negative recommendation, is not granted, the CRC may terminate the contract. Mr. Mestetsky highlighted the Mayor’s acquisition process compared to that used by the CRC. Because the CRC can enter into a contract for art purchases only when it is voted on at a public meeting, and because the matter still has to go before the council, sometimes the press (The Current) will write a story about it before the CPAAC is notified. Mr. Mestetsky also advised that there is no retainer fee kept by an artist if a contract does not move forward. Ms. Saltsgaver said she hopes the City understands that it is disconcerting to read about a project in the newspaper before the Committee has heard of it. Ms. Saltsgaver advised Mr. Mestetsky that he may have to use a different timeline, depending on the type of art, so there is some ability for the CPAAC review process to still work, even if it is only a potential purchase - the Committee could still review it. Discussion was held regarding the belief that the Committee has never really had the opportunity to full review and respond on an art project, no matter what entity it came from. Mr. Mestetsky advised that he would be apprehensive having public discussion about potential art pieces that the CRC has not approved. Ms. Poyser asked if the CPAAC could have received an email at the same time or an hour before it was published in the newspaper. Ms. Saltsgaver recognized that Mr. Mestetsky is constrained regarding communication due to the provisions of the CRC, but she indicated there are other entities on behalf of the City that have not submitted timely. She noted the CPAAC is not blaming Mr. Mestetsky for these other entities and the Committee appreciates Mr. Mestetsky allowing the members to have that discussion. Ms. Saltsgaver concluded by saying that the Committee now has a better understanding of the process the CRC, Mr. Mestetsky and his staff have to take in this regard. 3 Ms. Saltsgaver said the Committee needed to be specific about the “My Sixteen-Year-Old Jazz Dreams” submission, so members spoke one at a time: Jill Reese While Ms. Reese agreed art enhances lives and encourages visitors to the shops, she does not believe it has to be three more SJ statues. She finds them too whimsical and said the City has too many of them. She requested that these last three be the end. She would like to see more variety and believes variety would even more greatly enhance shopping. Karen Poyser Ms. Poyser stated she and her friends do not care for the SJ statues and referred to them as catalog art. She believes Carmel can do better and, because she feels cost is not a problem, she would like to see more commissioned pieces. She said she listened to the last CRC meeting and was disappointed that everyone was positive about the statues, and no one said the City had enough of them. She also said that since these statues seem important to the Mayor, and because of all he has done for the City, she would have voted for them, even though she does not think they are great for Carmel. She finished by voicing concern over potential vandalism to which Mr. Mestetsky replied that there is at least one camera on all SJ statues and vandalism is typically caught. Cathy Strawn Ms. Strawn said she understands why the Mayor wants to put all six of the SJ statues together, and while they are not her favorite, she realizes the statues appeal to visitors in town and a lot of people take pictures with them. She indicated she hopes there will not be a lot more SJ statues coming, but because she understands that these are all part of a single collection, she would vote in favor of it. Luci Snyder Ms. Snyder stated that, while these statues may not be the world’s best art, they are exceedingly popular. She believes Carmel’s art falls into three categories: 1) pieces that people want to take pictures with; 2) the four pieces on 96th Street related to the automobile industry and support economic development – hopefully keeping those companies along 96th Street from moving farther north; and 3) those pieces that are unique from an artist. She said that since art is in the eye of the beholder, there must be enough variety so people know Carmel is making an effort. Bill Cooler Mr. Cooler indicated he appreciates the classical nature of the SJ statues and the history behind them. He believes they have a place in Carmel and adding the three additional pieces in this collection makes it more grand. However, he stated he has seen enough of this type of work and wants to see more creative and individually commissioned pieces. Dru Doyle Ms. Doyle said she likes these SJ statues and thinks they are perfect for the Palladium area. She said she realizes the six pieces were created to be together, and believes they are a little more sophisticated than catalog art because of what they meant to Seward growing up. She 4 indicated she would be in favor of the three new pieces strictly because she believes they tie in with the music of Carmel and the Performing Arts Center. Donna Tutwiler Ms. Tutwiler noted that, outside of New Jersey, Carmel is the largest holder of SJ statues and she thinks it is a nice distinction that the City has such a large collection. She stated she also worries about vandalism and is happy that members of Carmel Street Department have been trained on how to paint and repair them, but she hopes it does not become too expensive over time. Ms. Tutwiler finished by saying she really likes the art going up in Carmel, but there should be more of it and more written about it. Julia Saltsgaver Ms. Saltsgaver said she agrees the City is at a point of saturation with the SJ statues, and she expressed concern that some of them are becoming dated, particularly those that do not depict a classic point in time. But she stated she does think the six statues together will be a nice addition to the Palladium area. However, she requested that no more SJ statues be added moving forward, and stated she wants more of a mix of art, as well as more commissioned art pieces. Follow Up Ms. Reese asked Mr. Mestetsky where the SJ statues are cast. He said they are made from scratch at the atelier in New Jersey. Ms. Reese stated her internet research shows most are actually cast in China and Seward Johnson is a wealthy heir to Johnson & Johnson. She also asked if there is evidence that the SJ statues are wildly popular. She indicated that she does not think anyone can assume their level of popularity, or the popularity of any other City art, without metrics. She advised if the City ever wants to have a public art master plan done, metrics are something they would want. Ms. Poyser stated she was under the impression at one time that the SJ collection would be limited to the Arts & Design District and that when City Center was built, the City would get more unique, commissioned, sophisticated art for that area. Vote Ms. Saltsgaver asked for a motion. Mr. Cooler moved to approve the acquisition of the three additional SJ statues; Ms. Poyser seconded. The motion passed unanimously (8-0). Ms. Poyser asked if they could give suggestions on location. Mr. Saltsgaver stated she wants to give deference to City staff expertise regarding where they will be safe and well lit. Mr. Cooler asked Mr. Mestetsky about the merit of adding a stage for the six statues. Mr. Mestetsky indicated that if the Mayor wishes to have a stage, there will be a CRC vote to that effect. 5 The Committee chatted briefly about the positive feedback regarding mosaic panels being installed on the City Center Parking Garage. Mr. Mestetsky advised the panels would be completed in the near future. Adjournment Ms. Saltsgaver adjourned the meeting at 6:54 PM.