08/27/2015 Public Art and Design Board Meeting Minutes August 27, 2015
City of Clearwater
City Hall
112 S. Osceola Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33756
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Meeting Minutes
Thursday, August 27, 2015
4:00 PM
MSB, 100 S. Myrtle Avenue, Parks & Rec Conference Room
Public Art and Design Board Special
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City of Clearwater
Public Art and Design Board Meeting Minutes August 27, 2015
Roll Call
Present 6 - Chair Alex Plisko, Vice Chair Neale A. Stralow, Board Member
Karen Cunningham, Board Member Jerri Menaul, Board Member
Suzanne Ruley, and Board Member Eric Seiler
Absent 1 - Board Member Judith B. Powers
Also Present: Christopher Hubbard — Cultural Affairs Specialist, Patricia O. Sullivan —
Board Reporter
1. Call To Order
The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. at the Municipal Services
Building.
2. Approval of Minutes
2.1 Approve June 11, 2015 meeting minutes
Member Stralow moved to approve minutes of June 11, 2015 Public
Art and Design Board meeting as submitted in written summation.
The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
3. Citizens to be Heard Regarding Items Not on the Agenda: None
4. New Business Items
4.1 Board review and approval of sculptures selected for Sculpture360 Season VII to be
installed in the 400-600 blocks of Cleveland Street between July 2015 and March 2017.
Cultural Affairs Specialist Christopher Hubbard reviewed the history of Sculpture360
and presented Selection Committee finalists: 1) "Slices of Heaven 1"by Craig
Berube-Gray, 2) "Mountain Landscape I"by Hanna Jubran, and 3) "Leap"by
Claudia Jane Klein and alternates: 1) "The Loadstone"by Luis Fernandez and 2)
"Wheel"by Claudia Jane Klein.
Mr. Hubbard said all of the sculptures are available. The City Council will consider
the board's recommendation on October 1, 2015. Following approval, staff will
contact the artists, contract the sculptures, and install them as soon as possible.
Member Ruley moved to recommend approval of sculptures
selected for Sculpture360: Season VII to be installed in the 400 —
600 blocks of Cleveland Street between July 2015 and March 2017.
The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
4.2 Board review and approval of sculpture selected for permanent installation at the
Clearwater Main Library courtyard.
Mr. Hubbard said the budget for the Main Library sculpture is $50,000. A permanent
sculpture will soften the look of the library's courtyard. The Selection Committee
chose 3 finalists from 24 applicants. Based on renderings of a $34,000 sculpture by
artist Douwe Blumberg, the Committee recommended commissioning Mr. Blumberg
to create a sculpture tailored specifically for the site. Mr. Blumberg's first rendering
was a tree with a seat and leaf canopy that resembled a Tiffany Lamp. The
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City of Clearwater
Public Art and Design Board Meeting Minutes August 27, 2015
Committee preferred a whimsical tree shaped like a Live Oak with forked branches,
no seat, no features that could be pulled or yanked off, and incorporating the colors
of sunset. Staff sent photos of Live Oaks and Gulf sunsets to the artist. The Library
was interested in holding Story Time next to the sculpture. Mr. Blumberg was
creating a new design.
In response to questions, Mr. Hubbard said nearby walls should provide the
sculpture with sufficient protection from hurricane force winds, the Engineering
Department will review site wind loads. The lowest "tree"branch will be at least 12
feet above the ground. The artist will recommend a cleaning schedule for possible
acrylic "leaves."Concern was expressed that branches should be high enough so no
one can be boosted up to climb on the sculpture. Concern was expressed that
acrylic was a soft material subject to mildew buildup and it was suggested that
acrylic glass would be preferable, especially in an enclosed area beneath an
overhang. Support was expressed for using an aluminum/magnesium alloy material
to construct the trunk.
Mr. Hubbard said the City Council would consider the board's recommendation on
October 1, 2015. He said the library will hold a workshop re design and materials.
Member Seiler moved to recommend approval of contracting artist
Douwe Blumberg to design and create a sculpture tailored for
permanent installation in the Clearwater Main Library courtyard.
The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
4.3 Staff update on progress of art project entitled "Accumulate" by artist Aaron Stephan at
Fire Station 45
Mr. Hubbard provided background and an update re public art project 'Accumulate,"
which will be installed in the 2-story glass atrium at Fire Station 45 on Court Street.
The Engineering Department will identify the attachment point on the ceiling which
will carry the weight of the art project and mechanism that will lower the art for
maintenance. Staff has reached out to the Chihuly Museum maintenance supervisor
for input re dusting and maintaining glass sculptures. Staff also is determining a way
to replace glass balls when it becomes necessary.
4.4 Staff update on progress of public art project entitled "Middens" by artist Cliff Garten at
Clearwater Harbor Marina
Mr. Hubbard reviewed the history of the public art project "Middens,"by the
Clearwater Harbor Marina. Staff used citric acid passivation spray to remove rust
oxidization deposits from the sculpture during its first month on site. The broken
control panel for the sculpture's LED lights was under warranty and will be replaced.
Several additional inspections were scheduled. The sculpture has been well
received. A dedication with the Clearwater Arts Alliance will be scheduled.
4.5 Staff update on progress of public art project entitled "Untitled" by artist Joan Weissman at
Countryside Branch Library
Mr. Hubbard said the art project, a terrazzo floor at the Countryside Library's main
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City of Clearwater
Public Art and Design Board
Meeting Minutes August 27, 2015
foyer, features an organic feel and looks beautiful following its final polish and
varnish. A nearby plaque identifies artist Joan Weissman, who was working on a
title. Board members were invited to the dedication ceremony on October 17, 2015.
5. Director's Report
In response to questions, Mr. Hubbard will check with Public Communications re a
promotion strategy for the Centennial sign on the Causeway. Its LED lights can be
programmed and its logo will be changed in 6 months.
Public Art funding for the construction project at the Fire Station on SR580 will be
moved to the Public Art discretionary fund.
Mr. Hubbard discussed the City of St. Petersburg mural art program. If approved, the
Planning and Development Department would oversee a similar program in
Clearwater, with the Public Art & Design Board reviewing and vetting submittals. A
pilot program may begin in early 2016; several sites have been selected.
6. Board Members to be Heard
It was suggested the City develop and retain intellectual property rights for a
prototype of a shelter that features an artistic, iconic, and architectural design
associated with Clearwater and could be reproduced at bus stops and along trails
throughout the City. Mr. Hubbard said PSTA (Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority)
had asked the City for money for bus shelters. FDOT (Florida Department of
Transportation) did not budget for shade shelters or other fixtures on Courtney
Campbell Trail. Parks & Recreation Department was developing a trail head parking
lot with a shade shelter on McMullen -Booth Road. It was commented that Morton
Plant Hospital also could incorporate the design on its campus. Mr. Hubbard
discussed the project that built the popular beach lifeguard towers.
7. Adjourn
Attest:
Member Menaul said General Electric indicated it would plant trees to line the road
in front of its facility.
Board Members complimented Mr. Hubbard for his professionalism, promptness,
and excellent communication with board members.
The meeting adjourned at 4:37 p.m.
Boar • Reporter
City of Clearwater
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Chair, Public Art & Design Advisory Board