HomeMy WebLinkAboutArt In Public Places Board - Minutes - 12/19/1996Lincoln Center
Council Liaison: Will Smith
CRB Liaison: Karen Warren
and Recreational Servi•
Staff Liaison: Ellen Martin
Chairperson: Jane Liska-Smith 498-0483 ext. 26 (w) II
Vice Chair: William Cordiner 484-1183 (h)
MEMBERS PRESENTS William Cordiner, Libby Dale, Deanna Harpham, Jim Lynxwiler, Susan
'Sternlieb, Joe Vansant
• MEMBERS ABSENT: Jane Liska-Smith
STAFF PRESENT: Ellen Martin, Joy Vernon
I. Call to order 4:00 p.m. - Mr. Cordiner
II. Consideration of the agenda - no changes
III. Approval of minutes from the meeting of November 21, 1996
Mr. Vansant moved to approve the minutes as submitted
Ms. Sternlieb seconded
Approved unanimously
IV. Citizen Participation
None
V. Senior Center Donation Presentation
Bill Wrage, the artist; Milt Schneider, the donor; and Stan Ulrich and Jack Curfman from the Senior
Center were in attendance for the presentation of the possible art donation to the Senior Center. Ms. Martin
passed around slides of Mr. Wrage's previous work while Mr. Wrage discussed his proposal. He will make
a hand -carved wooden totem pole that would be dedicated to Native Americans. The Native American
student group at CSU would participate in the dedication, providing a traditional drumming ritual. The
. totem pole would have a golden eagle with its wings closed on top and would have busts of Indian warriors
417 West Magnolia • Fort Collins, CO 80521-2646 • (970) 221-6735 • FAX (970) 484-0424
below. Mr. Wrage commented on the historical significance of totem poles, and believed that his work
would encourage interest in and promote understanding of Native American history. A video was shown of
Mr. Wrage's totem pole at CSU, including a newsclip that showed the Native American drumming ritual
that was performed at the dedication of that piece.
After discussing his proposal, Mr. Wrage entertained questions from the board. The Senior Center
will pay or arrange for the transportation of the wood to Mr. Wrage's home and then to the Senior Center
and will also pay for the labor for installation. The donor, Mr. Shneider will pay for the wood pole,
concrete, and I-beam support. The proposed location of the finished piece would be between Rolland Moore
Park and the Senior Center, about two to three hundred feet from the Senior Center. It could be seen from
the Senior Center patio with a view of the foothills behind it. The piece has already been approved by the
Senior Center Visual Arts Committee and staff. Different methods of support that would not be affected
adversely by weather and that would not detract from the visual appearance of the pole were discussed; Mr.
Wrage's suggestion of putting a slot in the back of the pole for a support rod and/or an I-beam. The pole
would also rest on a concrete base, so that water would not rot the wood. To further prevent weathering,
metal parts would be painted and the wood should be treated with a linseed oil and turpentine mixture. This
could be applied in any convenient way, such as spraying on or brushing on the mixture.
The board requested further information for the next board meeting: 1. The board requests that the
involved Native American group be invited to the next meeting. This board's interest is to insure the piece is
historically accurate and not racially offensive. 2. The board needs more details on the structural
considerations of the project, specifically safety concerns and installation. 3. The board needs site specifics,
including a scaled map of the area and the exact placement of the piece. It was approved unanimously to
fulfill these three requirements before voting on the proposal.
VI. Minutes Discussion
Ms. Martin summarized the discussion from the last meeting, and Ms. Sternlieb reiterated her
concerns for Mr. Lynxwiler, who had not been present at the previous discussion. The primary concern was
that thorough documentation of the board meetings would be needed in case of legal problems. It was
suggested that the City Attorney's Office could be involved in assessing and guiding in that situation. Mr.
Lynxwiler and Mr. Cordiner stated that the assessment forms for accepting art were adequate in terms of
keeping records of art purchases, funding and donations, the instances where controversy would most likely
arise. It was also suggested that the board restructure the meeting format itself to allow for more systematic
and efficient discussion, rather than trying to reorganize the minutes.
VII. Timberline Extension Discussion
Ms. Martin showed a video of an aerial view of the proposed area for the extension. A general
discussion of the project took place.
It was stated that citizen concerns were that the art and the extension look natural. The following
brainstorming suggestions were made for possible inclusion of art: natural seating areas or other utilitarian
art around bridge; art that would enhance the road itself; a single piece such as a statue at the bridge in what
would become the median between the four lanes; tree guards; banners along the stretch of the road; and
light fixtures. Mr. Cordiner suggested that this would be an opportunity to commission a major work, one
that if chosen carefully and placed appropriately would still have a natural look. Another option would be to
have work that would extend along the length of the road. In addition to placement of the art, the board
discussed how to incorporate the art into the growth of the project. The extension will be built in phases,
•first two lanes and eventually expanded to four lanes. Medians that will not be present when the two-lane
road is built will eventually be available as locations for art. The bridge would also be a potential location to
incorporate art. It was suggested that the board might visit the site at an upcoming board meeting.
VM. Educational/Outreach Activities
Ms. Martin passed around a hand-out that Mr. Breimhorst had prepared, detailing a suggested
reception and open house for Art In Public Places and which included ideas for board education at special
meetings. The suggestions were well -received by the board and it was decided that the open house should be
done in conjunction with the Timberline Project, when the prospectus for that project becomes available. It
was also suggested that door prizes and a suggestion box be available at the open house to encourage
attendance and participation. The board decided to go ahead with the special meetings, and to start to plan
them at a later date.
IX. Staff Reports
Plans for refurbishing the City Hall Sculpture will be updated when details on the costs involved
become available.
The APP section of City Line is up and running, and will be updated as needed.
The Fort Collins Museum has acquired a permanent art piece. The board questioned if this piece
was purchased with donated funds. The Art In Public Places Board is required to approve donated items that
will be seen in public places.
X. Other Business
• At this time the two citizens who came in late were invited to make their presentations to the board.
Jim Haire and Tim Foltz were in attendance. Mr. Haire provided a list of places where information
on competitions could be posted to help publicize the program, including gallery spaces, schools and art
supply stores. Mr. Haire was also interested in the Timberline project and suggested that the artwork be
extended along the length of the road because it will become an arterial traffic route. He also thought that
this would be a good opportunity to place art along the bike trails.
Mr. Foltz, a local artist, was concerned that the Art in Public Places program be a localized program.,
and limited to residents of Larimer County. He was interested in having projects that would bring in artists,
students, and kids to work together. He suggested a method of selecting art to be purchased whereby the city
has an art show at which citizens may vote on the piece to be purchased.
XI. Adjournment 6:30 p.m.
Ms. Dale moved to adjourn.
Mr. Vansant seconded.
Approved unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
'V&y-�'54
Joy Vernon
Secretary
• Lincoln Center