HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-08-17 Public Art Commission Summary Minutes
MINUTES
PUBLIC ART COMMISSION
MEETING
Thursday, August 17, 2023
Community Meeting Room & Virtual
7:00 p.m.
Commissioners Participating: Hsinya Shen, Ben Miyaji, Nia Taylor, Loren Gordon, Lisa
Waltuch (joined the meeting at 7:06 pm and participated
remotely under “just cause”)
Commissioners Absent: None
Staff Present: Elise DeMarzo, Public Art Program Director
Nadya Chuprina, Public Art Program Coordinator
CALL TO ORDER – Chair Shen called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
AGENDA CHANGES, REQUESTS, DELETIONS – None.
PUBLIC COMMENT – None.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES - PAC Regular Meeting July 20, 2023 Moved: Commissioner Miyaji;
Second: Commissioner Taylor. All in Favor.
STAFF COMMENTS – Staff updated the Commission on the completion of a repair project for a neon
sculpture titled Excel by late artist Brian Coleman. The refurbished artwork was reinstalled on the façade
wall of the Palo Alto Art Center. Staff also provided a status update on the ongoing refurbishment project
for the sculpture titled Wild by Beth Nybeck. The artwork was temporarily removed from Hoover park for
repairs and will be reinstalled in September. Staff also announced two upcoming creative community
engagements with King AIR artist Kirti Bassendine to take place at Rinconada Library on Aug 24 and 30
to engage community members in conversations about housing, belonging, and equity in Palo Alto as part
of the artist’s residency project.
ACTION:
1. Code:ART 2023 – Staff updated the Commission on the development status of Code:ART. The
collateral materials for the festival were sent to print, and staff is working with artist teams and
event coordinator on various aspects of the event planning. Staff shared volunteer opportunities
for PAC members to participate in the festival including coordinating downtown business
partnerships, leading public tours, staffing event information table, and taking public surveys.
Staff requested that Commissioners contact staff to confirm their availability and coordinate dates
and times for their participation. Staff requested that the PAC approve funding in the amount of
up to $7,000 from the Public Art Fund to support the festival during October 12, 13, and 14th.
Moved: Vice Chair Gordon approved the funds to support Code:ART. Second: Commissioner
Miyaji. All in Favor.
2. Public Art Commission Members – Commissioners led a discussion regarding Public Art
Commission member number and reviewed the draft letter to City Council requesting that the
Commission to be restored to seven members. Chair Shen summarized the draft letter.
Commissioners discussed the reasons behind the request including a high volume of current and
upcoming projects and commissions, issues with quorum that may impact these projects, the need
to have more diversity and community representation on the Commission, and importance to
preserve institutional memory and continuity essential for multi-year public art projects. Moved:
Vice Chair Gordon moved to approve the draft letter to City Council and requested that the final
letter to list Commissioners’ names and terms. Second: Commissioner Miyaji. All in Favor.
COMMISSIONER REQUESTS: None.
CALENDAR: Next PAC Regular Meeting – September 17, 7 pm at City Hall Community Meeting
Room.
MEETING ADJOURNED: at 7:27 by Chair Shen.