HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-03-17 Public Art Commission Summary Minutes
MINUTES
PUBLIC ART COMMISSION
MEETING
Thursday, March 17, 2022
Council chamber & Virtual
7:00 p.m.
Commissioners Participating: Nia Taylor, Loren Gordon, Hsinya Shen, Lisa Waltuch, Ben
Miyaji
Commissioners Absent: none
City Council Participating: Lydia Kou
Staff Present: Elise DeMarzo Public Art Program Director
Nadya Chuprina, Public Art Program Coordinator
CALL TO ORDER - Chair Taylor called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
AGENDA CHANGES, REQUESTS, DELETIONS – None.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS – None.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES - PAC Regular Meeting February 17, 2022 Moved: Commissioner Miyaji,
Second: Vice Chair Gordon. All in Favor.
STAFF COMMENTS - Staff updated the Commissioners on the open call for artists for the ArtLift
Microgrant with the application deadline on March 312022.
ACTION:
1. Adoption of Resolution – Commissioners reviewed the resolution authorizing the use of
teleconferencing for the Public Art Commission meetings during Covid-19 state of emergency.
On September 16, 2021, the Governor signed AB 361, a bill that amends the Brown Act, effective
October 1, 2021, to allow local policy bodies to continue to meet by teleconferencing during a
state of emergency without complying with restrictions in State law that would otherwise apply,
provided that the policy bodies make certain findings at least once every 30 days. Moved:
Commissioner Miyaji moved to approve the resolution authorizing the use of teleconferencing for
the Public Art Commission meetings. Second: Vice Chair Gordon. All in Favor.
SPECIAL ITEM:
2. Joint meeting with the Human Relations Commission (HRC) – HRC staff liaison Minka Van
Der Zwaag conducted roll call for the HRC Commissioners. PAP staff provided a background
summary of the King Artist Residency, including the timeline and scope for the for the artist call,
artist selection process, and introduced Rayos Magos as the selected artist-in-residence. Staff
provided a summary of the initial conceptual proposal for the residency project. Artist Rayos
Magos made a presentation to the PAC and HRC members to introduce his refined residency
project titled Rituals of Resilience. The artist presented the project goals, community partners,
community engagement strategies and upcoming art workshops. The final artwork at King Plaza
will be informed by community feedback and storytelling about culture, identity, belonging,
mental health and resilience in Palo Alto, with the special focus on amplifying voices of Latinx
and BIPOC community members and mental health service providers. Commissioners
commended the artist on the well-thought-out project and meaningful and inclusive community
engagement.
ACTION:
1. Collection Care – Staff provided background information about the series of frescoes by Victor
Arnautoff titled Modern and Ancient Medicine on the façade of the Roth Building. The frescoes
which are part of the City’s permanent collection of public art require protection during the
upcoming construction project at the 300 Homer Ave site which will accommodate the Palo Alto
History Museum after the construction project. PAP staff reached out to ARG Conservation
Services to provide an updated detailed protection report for the frescoes. Staff requested that the
PAC approve allocation of funds in the amount of up to $5,500 to engage ARG to prepare the
protection plan. Moved: Commissioner Shen moved to approve the allocation of funds. Second:
Commissioner Waltuch. All in Favor.
3. New Acquisition of Artwork - Staff provided an overview of Cubberley Artist Studio Program
artist Harumo Sato’s statement and artwork titled Night Parade of a Hundred Souls offered for
donation to the City’s public art collection. Staff made a recommendation to accept the artwork
donation. Moved: Vice Chair Gordon moved to approve the gift of the artwork to the City’s
collection. Second: Chair Taylor. All in Favor.
4. PAC Workplan 2022 – Commissioners and staff reviewed the draft Workplan, collectively made
some edits to the draft copy. Staff agreed to prepare and send the finalized approved Workplan to
City Council for review and approval in April. Moved: Commissioner Shen moved to approve
the updated PAC 2022 Annual Workplan. Second: Commissioner Waltuch. All in Favor.
ANNOUNCEMENTS – none
CALENDAR: Next PAC Regular Meeting – April 21 at 7 pm (hybrid) at City Hall Council Chambers.
MEETING ADJOURNED at 8:37 pm by Chair Taylor.