04/13/2011
PUBLIC ART & DESIGN BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
April 13, 2011
Present: Josh Bomstein Chair
Howard Warshauer Vice-Chair
Alex Plisko Jr. Board Member
John P. Timberlake Board Member – arrived 2:16 p.m.
Judith B. Powers Board Member
Robert J. Entel Board Member
Absent: Sultana S. Volaitis Board Member
Also Present: Christopher Hubbard Cultural Affairs Specialist
Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter
The Chair called the meeting to order at 2:09 p.m. at the Long Center.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
2 – Approval of Minutes
– January 12, 2011
Member Powers moved to approve the minutes of the regular Public Art & Design Board
meeting of January 12, 2011, as recorded and submitted in written summation to each board
member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
3 – Old Business
3.1. Downtown Boat Slips (Clearwater Harbor Marina) & Promenade
Cultural Affairs Specialist Christopher Hubbard reported the Downtown Boat Slip
(Clearwater Harbor Marina) & Promenade Sculpture Selection Panel had reviewed finalists’ site-
specific proposals and selected Cliff Garten‘s concept, which they felt best integrated all aspects
of the site’s current, historical, and environmental uses. The 12-foot sculpture will be
surrounded by concentric circles and include a billowing sail, a scallop shell, full-spectrum LED
lighting, and will be installed on 10-foot earthen mounds, reflecting local Native American
traditions. The sculpture will provide educational opportunities via informative panels. More
research is needed regarding site preparation and the LED control box. The Coast Guard has
expressed support for the selection, which will be presented to the City Council in May for
approval. The project will take approximately a year to complete.
Discussion ensued in support of the selection, with comments that Mr. Garten had done
the most due diligence regarding the site, the nicest job fully developing the concept, and is well
versed on LED lighting, that the artist also is an engineer with a team of studio members who
can help complete the sculpture, and he served on the team that developed Pinellas County’s
master plan.
Member Powers moved that the Public Art & Design Board recommended approval of
artist Cliff Garten’s proposal for the harbor-front, promenade sculpture. The motion was duly
seconded and carried unanimously.
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3.2. Fire Station 48 Installation
Mr. Hubbard said the Fire Station sculpture was installed, temporary lighting was
repaired, and a landscape plan is being designed. Once the City extends the sculpture’s
electrical line, pavers will be laid around the base and connect with the sidewalk. Donor bricks
may be offered. The Fire Department could install a concrete panel or brass plaque should they
want it to be a memorial structure. A dedication will be scheduled when the site is complete.
Board members said they liked the sculpture.
3.3. FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation) US 19 Overpass Art (at SR 60)
Mr. Hubbard said the Selection Committee for the FDOT US 19 Overpass Art will meet
on April 21 to review site-specific designs by finalists Vicki Scuri, Philip Vaughan, Steven
Weitzman, and Karen Yank and select a proposal, which will be presented to the board.
Concerns were expressed that the project’s budget is only $45,000.
3.4. Clearwater Beach Lifeguard Stations
Mr. Hubbard said two lifeguard stations near completion and will be transported to sites
north and south of Pier 60 by the end of the month. The three stations will be designed to
represent the Everglades, South Beach, and seaside.
3.5. Chalk Walk
Mr. Hubbard said staff has discussed with beach representatives issues related to
hosting a Chalk Walk on Clearwater Beach during the weekend of October 26 – 28, 2012. The
beach Hyatt, SandPearl, Hilton, and Frenchy’s are interested in participating. Staff will meet
with TBBCA (Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture and the Arts) representatives to finalize
responsibilities and relationships of all event partners. The current organizer of the Hyde Park
Chalk Walk, also a TBBCA member, has resigned.
Mr. Hubbard said chalk art would be created in a linear pattern along the beach side of
Beach Walk, easy for visitor viewing. Artists will work on Friday and Saturday and judging will
occur midday Sunday; artists will compete for donated awards. The event should have a
minimal impact on the City. As TBBCA offers art scholarships, he suggested Pinellas County
School involvement would be advantageous.
Discussion ensued with comments that Clearwater Beach is an excellent location and
will attract a higher quality group of artists than Hyde Park. Support was expressed for the
event, with comments that participation and attendance will increase each year. It was
suggested the first event be considered “exploratory.”
Consensus was to support a Chalk Walk event on Clearwater Beach in fall 2012.
3.6. Paul Owens Training Facility at Carpenter Complex
Member Timberlake chairs the Selection Committee for the artwork of Paul Owens at the
Phillies’ Paul Owens Training Facility at Carpenter Complex. As planned, the artwork will be of
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pedestrian scale; its location has not been determined. Finalists have been provided
photographs and information on Mr. Owens and his careers. They are working on the
proposals, which the Selection Committee will consider on May 25, 2011.
3.7. Sculpture360 on Clearwater Beach
Mr. Hubbard said the board had favored expanding Sculpture360 to Clearwater Beach
and anticipated that the program, featuring six sculptures each year, would begin in March
2012. He said $5,200 was set aside for public artwork when the Life Guard Tower project
surpassed $500,000. He anticipated additional funds can be raised from beach businesses
and/or the Clearwater Beach Chamber of Commerce. Concrete footers for the beach
sculptures are estimated to cost $3,000 plus a $1,500 contingency. The annual honoraria will
total $12,000.
Member Warshauer moved to recommend that funds for public artwork from the life
guard tower project be set aside for Sculpture360 on Clearwater Beach. The motion was duly
seconded and carried unanimously.
It was recommended that beach businesses be approached to support a sculpture, at a
cost of $2,000 annually.
3.8. Restoration of Bansemer “Birds” at MSB Garage
Mr. Hubbard said he had spoken with artist Roger Bansemer, who now lives in St.
Augustine, Florida. Mr. Bansemer has offered to restore the 24 bird murals he created at the
MSB (Municipal Services Building) garage for $425 each plus materials. He did not oppose a
local artist doing the work. If only one side of the double-sided murals is repaired, 12 paintings
would be restored.
Discussion ensued with comments that having Mr. Bansemer, a hometown artist, restore
the paintings will protect the art’s integrity and provide an interesting story for the media. It was
noted that the art program, which sets aside maintenance funds, did not exist when these
murals were created in the 1980s. It was suggested the artwork may last longer with new
coatings now available. It was requested that staff contact Mr. Bansemer to determine the cost
of materials.
Member Warshauer moved that the Public Art & Design Board recommended having
Roger Bansemer restore the 24 bird murals at the MSB garage and for staff to determine the
cost of necessary materials. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
4 - New Business
4.1. Private Development Update
Mr. Hubbard said activity has begun at the Strand site on Cleveland Street and
development in Park Place is under consideration. No movement is occurring on the property at
the intersection of Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard and Belcher Road.
AND
4.2. Public Development Update
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Mr. Hubbard reported the Public Art Discretionary Fund balance is $208,676.98.
Reserved funds total $104,404 for the Downtown Boat Slips (Clearwater Harbor Marina) &
Promenade sculpture and $8,000 for Sculpture360: Season IIII, leaving an available balance of
$96,272.98. Private development has slowed. Cleveland Streetscape money will be used to
add small mosaics to the obelisks facing Cleveland Street at Myrtle Street. An additional
obelisk with mosaics is planned for the east end of Cleveland Street. A new facility, to be
constructed on Court Street west of Missouri Avenue, will replace Downtown Fire Station 45.
4.3. Life Guard Tower 0: See Item 3.7 for related information.
5 - Items not on the Agenda
5.1. Proposed Donation
Mr. Hubbard reported that local artist Clayton Schwartz proposed donating a sculpture,
at least 16 feet tall and funded by a private party, to a local municipality if it is placed in a highly
visible location. The only space available in Clearwater would be trail heads.
Discussion ensued with comments that the artist could make this offer to a private firm,
and concerns expressed regarding quality issues, that other artists deserve the same
opportunity, the art may not fit into the City's master plan, and it is necessary that a selection
process for donated art includes advertising and competition. It was suggested a five-year loan
be considered. Consensus was to follow the Sculpture360 process for art donations.
Mr. Hubbard reported TBRPC (Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council) had awarded
Clearwater's Sculpture360 a 1St place trophy for the Sports, Culture, and Recreation category.
6 - Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 3:15 p.m.
Next Meeting -Thursday, June 16, 2011
Member Warshauer reported he will be unable to attend the June meeting.
"'c Art & Design Advisory Board
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