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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08 18 2022 Cultural Arts Commission Minutes MINUTES OF THE CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION MEETING CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO Thursday August 18, 2022 Teleconference Meeting I. CALL TO ORDER: 6:30 p.m. II. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners: Boldenweck, Bond, Bowen, DeNatale, Foley, Maharaj, Mardahay Absent: Commissioners: Ramos Staff Present: Greg Mediati, Director of Parks & Recreation Angela Duldulao, Acting Deputy Director of Parks & Recreation Erin O’Brien, Business Manager Ercie Santos, Cultural Arts Specialist Gabriella Firpo, Administrative Assistant III. AGENDA REVIEW: N/A IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES of June 16, 2022: Minutes for June 16, 2022 stand as sent.  Motion to approve by Commissioner Boldenweck  Followed by a second from Commissioner Maharaj V. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION: N/A VI. PRESENTATION: 1. Award Finalists “Handcrafted with Love” – Art and Craft Show (Cultural Arts Specialist, Ercie Santos)  Specialist Santos presented Paul Tanti as the 1st place award finalist in 3-Dimensional Art and 2nd place in Best in Show for his piece “Pirate Ship.”  Paul Tanti spoke with the Commission about his art piece and answered questions. VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 1. Public Art Master Plan (Business Manager, Erin O’Brien)  The Public Art Master Plan consultants will be hosting a table at the “Movie Night in the Park” where they will launch a community survey and offer a fun craft to get the community engaged.  They will also be hosting a table at the “Concert in the Park” event in September and the “Día de Muertos/Day of the Dead” art show in October.  Business Mgr. O’Brien informed the Commission that the public will have access to the survey in various forms such as newsletters, social media posts, and online links. Cultural Arts Commission Minutes of August 18, 2022 Page 2 VIII. NEW BUSINESS:  Election of Officers  Due to the recent resignation of Commissioner Campagna, Commissioner Foley nominated Vice Chair Mardahay to be elected into the vacant chair position and Commissioner Boldenweck seconded that motion.  Roll Call Vote Results | Commissioner Mardahay elected as Chairperson. (AYES: Boldenweck, Bond, DeNatale, Foley, Maharaj, and Mardahay. ABSENT: Ramos)  Chair Mardahay nominated Commissioner Bond for the Vice Chair position and Commissioner DeNatale seconded that motion.  Roll Call Vote Results | Commissioner Bond elected as Vice Chairperson. (AYES: Boldenweck, Bond, DeNatale, Foley, Maharaj, and Mardahay. ABSENT: Ramos)  Utility Box – Paradise Valley  Deputy Director Duldulao shared some background about the redesign of the Paradise Valley Utility Box that was previously approved by the Commission in 2019.  Director Mediati shared that city staff and community members are working together on the redesign of this area.  Public Comments: i. Sonni Goya expressed his support for the new utility box design. ii. Elmer Madrid spoke on behalf of the South San Francisco Golden Gate Lions Club to express their group’s support and offered to help. iii. Vice Mayor Nicolas spoke in support of the community to redesign the Paradise Valley Utility Box and the surrounding area.  2023 Art Show Schedule  Commissioner Bond asked that city staff send a reminder to the Subcommittee heads so they can coordinate for next year's shows.  Commissioner DeNatale explained that in order to produce these events, a higher level of in-person commitment from Commissioners is needed as well as the possibility of having in-person meetings again.  Director Mediati explained to the Commission that there are many variables that contribute to why meetings have stayed virtual, noting that technology in some spaces would not accommodate the hybrid in-person and virtual option. Currently, city wide all boards and commission meetings remain virtual, but he will keep the Commission updated if anything changes.  Commissioner DeNatale also clarified that his proposal for 2023 was a banner exhibit up and down Grand Avenue. The exhibit would showcase pride in all forms such as civic, self, or any other form they are proud of. Action: Commission to finalize the media of choice for the 2023 Art Shows at the September meeting.  Commission Recruitment  Business Mgr. O’Brien spoke with the Commission about the process of recruitment and opened a discussion to determine if the Commission’s preference would be to lower the number of members to nine commissioners or keep the current number of eleven commissioners.  Commissioners spoke in favor of keeping the eleven members and opening the recruitment process. Cultural Arts Commission Minutes of August 18, 2022 Page 3 IV. SUBCOMMITTEES 1. Strategic Vision Public Art Master Plan  Commissioner DeNatale updated the Commission about the timeline for the Public Art Master Plan Consultants and what is expected from the Commission members.  He also mentioned the end of phase one, the research phase, is near. The next phase will be focused on community engagement which will include focus groups and surveys.  Phase three will include a synthesis and plan outline. The last phase will be for writing and redefining the master plan.  Commissioner DeNatale clarified that the survey is open to any person who works, lives, or spends time in South San Francisco. If the Commission has any input, they can reach out to the consultants or email him directly. Banner Proposal  Commissioner DeNatale spoke about the ongoing conversation the committee has been having in regards to a potential banner display along Grand Avenue to celebrate Pride month. He explained that they are working with City staff to gather facts and further explore the possibility. 2. Sculpture  No update. 3. Urban Art  Business Mgr. O’Brien explained that the city is in contact with the artist for the “Doors of Avignon” so he can weigh in on what happens to those pieces but unfortunately, they are very worn.  Director Mediati informed the Commission that bistro lighting will be installed in the Grand Avenue Breezeway.  Commissioner Boldenweck and Commissioner DeNatale asked questions about the design of the area and Commissioner Boldenweck will follow up with Director Mediati about some previous pieces that were suggested for that area. 4. Youth Art Programs  Fundraiser (August 28, 2022)  Commissioner Bowen shared information about the Cultural Arts Summer BBQ, on Sunday, August 28 from 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the Joseph Fernekes Building. This event is free to the public and they can purchase lunch if they wish to. She also went over the event’s schedule so that all Commissioners and staff were informed.  Commissioner Bowen also reminded the Commission about the need for volunteers and how many people are roughly needed for this event.  The event will feature vendors from the community, a silent auction, a menu curated by Commission members, an exhibit of work from the 2022 Youth Scholarship recipients, and interactive activities at each table.  Commissioner DeNatale informed the Commission that all funds from this event go towards the Jack Drago Cultural Arts Commission Youth Art Scholarship. He also explained the layout of the event. 5. Handcrafted Art & Craft Show (July 15-16, 2022) Cultural Arts Commission Minutes of August 18, 2022 Page 4  Commissioner Bond informed the Commission that the exhibit featured 32 submissions by 18 artists plus 13 special submissions by Commissioners and guests bringing the total to 45 pieces of artwork exhibited.  Entries by eight artists were awarded by the guest judge Natalie Esfahanian who is a local artist with a Master’s in Fine Arts. Ms. Esfahanian enjoyed the process and was grateful to be a judge.  90 visitors signed the guest book and there was a pop-up by the Public Art Master Plan Consultants. 6. Day of the Dead Art Show (October 14-15)  Commissioner Boldenweck shared that the call for entries is up on the city website. Flyers will be distributed at “Movie Night in the Park” to promote the event. More updates will follow after the subcommittee meets. 7. Performing Arts  Commissioner Maharaj informed the Commission that there are vacant positions on this subcommittee. He would like to see if some of the ideas regarding performing arts in South San Francisco could be revisited and possibly made a reality after having to put some ideas on hold. 8. Community Engagement  No update. X. ITEMS FROM COMMISSION: N/A XI. ITEMS FROM STAFF: 1. Concert in the Park (September 24, 2022)  The concert festivities will take place from 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Family and friends of all ages are welcome to enjoy live music, food trucks, games, vendor booths, and performances from city classes. 2. Movie Night in the Park  Encanto will be played at the Martin Elementary School ballfield on Friday, August 19. 3. Fall Class Registration  Resident registration for classes began on Monday, August 15 and non-resident registration will begin on Monday, August 29. XII. CORRESPONDENCE: Provided by Specialist Santos. XI. ADJOURNMENT: Chair Mardahay adjourned the meeting at 8:24 p.m. Next Meeting: September 15, 2022 Respectfully submitted, Gabriella Firpo Administrative Assistant