01/15/2008
PUBLIC ART & DESIGN ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
January 15, 2008
Present:
Josh Bomstein
George Ann Bissett
Mark Flickinger
Davida Milne
Alex Plisko Jr.
Howard Warshauer
Chair
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Vice-Chair
Absent:
John Timberlake
Board Member
Also Present:
Carlen Petersen
Margo Walbolt
Christopher Hubbard
Marsha Beall
Councilmember
Cultural Affairs Manager
Public Art Specialist
Staff Assistant
The Chair called the meeting to order at 2:04 p.m. at the Municipal Services Building.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
2 - Election of Officers
Ms. Walbolt called for nominations to elect a new Chair and Vice-Chair.
Member Plisko moved to re-appoint Member Bomstein Chair and Member Warshauer
Vice-Chair. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
3 - Approval of Minutes - October 16, 2007
Member Flickinger moved to approve the minutes of October 16, 2007 as submitted to
members. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
4 - Old Business
a.) Private development status
Mr. Hubbard discussed private development projects:
The Residence Inn, 940 Court Street was the first private development to participate
in the City of Clearwater's public art program. Their public art design for a "water
feature" in the lobby has been previously approved by the Board and is in project
stage.
Oak Cove, 210 S. Osceola Avenue -In lieu of an on-site public art project, the
developer has opted to donate approximately $92,000 to the Public Art Fund.
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Mr. Hubbard continues to monitor the progress of potential projects on the horizon. He
recently met with the developer of the Clearwater Centre, 1100 Cleveland Street. The name of
this project will be changed to The Strand at Clearwater Centre. The proposed public art project
on this site will be an interior lobby art piece that will be monitored by security personnel during
the day and have a display light on it at night.
Member Warshauer recognized that as the country has headed into the new millennium
public art programs across the nation are expanding their scope of reach as well as their
definition of public art. "Green" has become a buzzword for builders, planners and architects.
He would like this to become a strong emphasis on local public art projects.
Chair Bomstein recently visit Chicago and discovered a public art project called "Cool
Globes". The exhibit featured over 1 00 sculpted globes, each five feet in diameter, displayed
along Chicago's lakefront. Artist use a variety of materials to transform a plain white sphere to
create awareness and provoke discussion about potential solutions to global warming. Chair
Bomstein suggested the Cleveland Street bollards could provide a similar opportunity.
Member Flickinger advised that the Pinellas County Cultural Affairs Department under
the guidance of the Public Art and Design Committee issued a Call-to-Artists to participate in a
new environmental sustainability project at the Florida Botanical Gardens.
Discussions ensued. Ms. Walbolt encouraged having the City of Clearwater and Pinellas
County co-sponsor a roundtable session during which community members and local artists
share ideas for environmentally sensitive business practices, as well as strategies for developing
and marketing green products. Ms. Walbolt will research this idea and give feedback at the
February meeting.
b.) Fire Station #48
1. Call to Artists
"Call to Artists" packets went out nationwide for artists to register interest in being
considered for a commission of a site-specific piece of public art at the City's new Fire Station 48
Training Facility. A postcard was developed as a communication tool to advise artists of the
status of their submissions. The "Artist Selection Committee" will ultimately select the artist.
2. Artist Selection Committee
Below is the slate of nominees for the Artist Selection Committee for Fire Station #48.
Chair Bomstein read the names of the nominees and called for a vote.
Chair:
Arts Professional:
Arts Professional:
Project Rep:
Community Rep:
Advisor (non-voting):
Advisor (non-voting):
Alex Plisko (PADB)
Barbara Hubbard
Eric Higgs
Fire Division Chief Robert Weiss
Steve Klein
Richard Allison- P&R Landscape Coordinator
Doug Swartz - Fire Lieutenant
Member Warshauer moved to accept the submitted names as stated. The motion was
duly seconded and carried unanimously.
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c.) Imagine Art Downtown Charettes
Ms. Walbolt updated members about the Downtown stakeholders' public charette
"Imagine Art Downtown" which was held November 8 at 6:30 p.m. at the North Greenwood
Recreation and Aquatic Center. The focus was on the Cleveland Streetscape Medians and
Bayfront Promenade. There were over 30 participants from various backgrounds and
professions. Additional charettes were presented to the City Planning Department, Clearwater
Arts Foundation and Downtown Development Board. Some of the concepts that emerged from
the meeting included: portraying the city's history (past and present), musically themed medians
and a rotating outdoor sculpture exhibit. The title of the program remains under discussion.
Members were encouraged to submit their ideas to Ms. Walbolt.
5 - New Business
a.) Cleveland Street Medians - Rotating Sculpture Exhibition
Mr. Hubbard has spent considerable time exploring other communities to further
understand how their outdoor programs function. Mr. Hubbard submitted a proposal for the
Cleveland Street rotating sculpture exhibition to explain further details on the benefits, budget
and timeline of the program. DDB and Cultural Affairs will fund the first exhibition. The first year
cost would range from $15-$20,000. That price would include fabrication of concrete pedestals
for artwork, artist honorariums, installation, insurance, promotion and advertising. Funding
should be confirmed by the end of January 2008, and then a "Call to Artists" will be sent out via
Public Art networks. An "Artist Selection Committee" will be necessary to decide on the
sculptures. Members can email their nominees to Ms. Walbolt.
PADS will meet on Tuesday, February 19 at 2 p.m. to formally vote on the
nominees for the Cleveland Street Median "Artist Selection Committee". Also at that
meeting, the recommendation of the Station #48 Selection Committee will be presented
for approval.
b.) Clearwater Bayfront Promenade Project
The City plans to build 129 boat slips, a promenade, a boardwalk and a fishing pier near
downtown's Coachman Park. The funding for the boat slips has already been approved through
a city-wide referendum. Since the PA funds are coming from the Boat Slips project, the artwork
will progress depending on the allocation of funds and the time frame for project completion.
However, Mr. Hubbard stated the additional funds from Private Development could be used to
support the artwork on this site.
c.) Upcoming City Building Exhibitions
Jan3-31:
Paintings by Gus Ocamposilva - "Together Forever", City Hall Lobby
Jan. 21:
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Celebration, 8a.m. - 2 p.m
Location: Martin Luther King Jr. Rec Center & Coachman Park
Jan. 29:
Jan. 31:
Clearwater Chorus Auditions at REH, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m
United States Coast Guard Band at REH, 7:00 p.m
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Thru-Feb. 22: Davida Milne Exhibition, Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce
Thru-Feb.: Paintings by Liz Minor, CL Main library - Osceola & Carnegie Galleries
6 - Items not on Aqenda
The FITS Magazine was distributed to members. Ms. Walbolt noted the first page was
dedicated to arts and culture in Clearwater. Included in the guide is a Community Events
section highlighting upcoming exhibitions.
7 - Adiourn
The meeting adjourned at 3:10 p.m.
The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 19, 2008, at 2:00 p.m.
Municipal Services Building, Room 130.
Ch ir
Pu lie Art and Design Advisory Board
Attest:
l', ".j \.,
I
Marsha Be'all, Staff Assistant
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