HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-01-19 Public Art Commission Summary Minutes
MINUTES
PUBLIC ART COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
Thursday, January 19, 2017
City Hall Community Meeting Room
250 Hamilton Ave
7:04 p.m.
Commissioners Present: Jim Migdal, Ben Miyaji, Loren Gordon, Mila Zelkha, and
Nia Taylor
Commissioners Absent: Dara Silverstein, and Amanda Ross,
Staff Present: Elise DeMarzo, Public Art Program Director
Peter Castelino, Program Assistant II
CALL TO ORDER: Chair, Migdal called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.
AGENDA CHANGES, REQUESTS, DELETIONS – Staff requested Non- Action item IV to be
presented first, and Action Item II to follow up in addition to removing Item V as the presenter is
unavailable.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS – Jessica Brettle from the City of Palo Alto, Clerks Office thanked the
Commissioners for their service to the Public Art Commission, and spoke on the recruitment process for
other Commission vacancies.
Commissioner Taylor arrived at the meeting at 7:09 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: October 20, 2016 PAC Regular Meeting Minutes Moved: Ben Miyaji,
Second: Jim Migdal. All in favor. November 17, 2016 PAC Regular Meeting Minutes Moved: Ben
Miyaji, Second: Jim Migdal. All in favor.
STAFF COMMENTS: Staff reported on the California Avenue Project delays due to rain and updated the
Commissioners on the estimated time of competition. Staff also reported on the open call for the Junior
Museum and Zoo. Deadline for submission is February 1. Staff announced that artist Susan Zoccola was
in town that day to meet with the design team for the Charleston/Arastradero corridor project and tour the
site.
NON- ACTION:
4) 450 Bryant Street – Avenidas CEO, Amy Andonian presented the planned historic upgrades and
new addition to the current Avenidas Senior Center. The presentation included renderings of the new
addition to the current building, and the public atrium available for public art. Commissioners made
suggestions regarding artwork materials and cautioned staff to be aware of any sensitivities the
Avenidas community may have to sound, light or movement.. The Commission was enthusiastic
about the project and excited about the artwork in the atrium.
ACTION:
1) Election of Officers – Commissioner Migdal shared information about the different roles and
responsibilities of being the Chair and Vice Chair of the Public Art Commission. A straw poll was
conducted to either proceed or postpone elections due to the absence of two Commissioners.
Commissioner Gordon nominated Commissioner Migdal to Chair. Migdal accepted. Commissioner
Migdal nominated Commissioner Miyaji who declined the nomination. Voting took place and
Commissioner Migdal was unanimously elected to another term as Chair of the Public Art
Commission. Commissioner Zelkha nominated Commissioner Miyaji as Vice Chair. Commissioner
Miyaji accepted. A vote was conducted and Commissioner Miyaji was unanimously elected to
another term as Vice Chair of the Public Art Commission.
2) Donation of artwork by Christine Gray – Cubberley Artist Christine Gray is donating Totem
Cactus with Art, as she concludes her residency at the Cubberley Artist Studio Program. The artwork
will be part of the City’s portable collection installed throughout City facilities. Moved: Chair
Migdal moved to accept Cactus with Art, into the collection. Second: Vice Chair Miyaji. All in
Favor.
3) Birdie, Palo Alto Municipal Golf Course – Staff presented updated renderings of, Birdie by Joyce
Hsu who is the project artist by the Commission in 2014. With an adjusted budget in 2015, the
artwork is scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2017 on the Palo Alto Municipal Golf Couse.
Commissioners inquired about the material and location of the public art project in addition to
expressing great appreciation for the artist and her patience. Moved: Commissioner Zelkha moved to
approve the new renderings of Birdie and for the artist to proceed with fabrication. Second: Vice
Chair Miyaji All in Favor.
NON- ACTION:
5. Code: ART- Staff presented an update on the selection process for Code:ART, a three day festival,
June 1-3, 2017. Staff mentioned the project is still seeking funding for all eight projects but can
currently fulfill four. Commissioners inquired about the length of installation for some of the artwork
and Staff clarified that the installations are only planned for three days.
ANNOUNCEMENTS - none
FOR YOUR CALENDAR:
Next PAC Regular Meeting – 7 PM, February 16, 2017
MEETING ADJOURNED at 8:03 PM by Chair Migdal.