HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.18.2023 Cultural Arts Commission Minutes
MINUTES OF THE
CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION MEETING
CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
Thursday May 18, 2023
I. CALL TO ORDER: 6:44 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL:
Present: Commissioners: Boldenweck, Bond,
DeNatale, Luster, Maharaj, Mardahay, Pomposo
Absent: Commissioners: Bowen, Foley, Zelaya
Staff Present: Greg Mediati, Director of Parks and Recreation
Angela Duldulao, Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation
Erin O’Brien, Business Manager
Ercie Santos, Cultural Arts Specialist
Keren Solano, Administrative Assistant II
III. AGENDA REVIEW: N/A
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES of April 20, 2023:
Minutes for April 20, 2023 stand as sent. Passed by majority vote.
V. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION: N/A
VI. PRESENTATION: Jack Drago Cultural Arts Commission Youth Art Scholarship Recipients
Cultural Arts Specialist, Ercie Santos, introduced two of the three Jack Drago Youth Art Scholarship winners. She also gave a brief overview of their planned career goals. Gabriel Muñoz and Alexandra Jose both thanked the Commission for their award. VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Business Manager, Erin O’Brien, informed the Commission that staff reports will be
implemented in the meeting packet moving forward.
VIII. NEW BUSINESS 1. Subcommittee Regrouping Proposal
Business Manager, Erin O’Brien, proposed combining the Urban Arts Subcommittee and the Sculpture Subcommittee, as both subcommittee members overlap and have similarities in their projects. She informed the Commission that the subcommittee chairs would work as co-chairs.
The Commission agreed to have both subcommittees combined.
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The Commission discussed ideas for a new name for the newly formed subcommittee.
Business Manager, Erin O’Brien, suggested that the subcommittee could discuss its name at a future meeting.
Staff will refer to this subcommittee as the Public Art Subcommittee unless another name is otherwise identified. 2. Memorial Bench for Shane Looper
Business Manager, Erin O’Brien, informed the Commission that the Improving Public Places Committee (IPP) has decided to move forward with dedicating an artistic
memorial bench for former Cultural Arts Commissioner Shane Looper. IPP is seeking
artistic guidance from the Cultural Arts Commission for the design of the bench.
Director of Parks and Recreation, Greg Mediati, informed the Commission the typical budget for a memorial bench is about $2,500.
The Commission discussed options for the bench and determined it was best if Commissioner Boldenweck, Chair of the Sculpture Subcommittee, take the lead on
this project. Commissioner Boldenweck will arrange a future meeting with Parks
Manager, Joshua Richardson, to discuss options. 3. LPR Grand Opening Plan
Business Manager, Erin O’Brien, informed the Commission the Library | Parks and Recreation Center (LPR) will open in early fall 2023. She informed the Commission that City and Cultural Arts staff proposed showcasing two art exhibits, and a musical performance for the ribbon cutting celebration.
An exhibit by a solo artist would be located on the first floor. A call for entries will be
prepared. Notice will be sent to local artists.
The third floor Gallery Room would showcase two-dimensional and three-dimensional artwork created by Cultural Arts Commission artists. The exhibition would include statements by the Commission’s artists as well as highlighting the work of the Commission.
Business Manager, Erin O’Brien, announced that the Cultural Arts Program was
awarded $4,125 from the San Mateo County Office of Arts and Culture (SMCOAC)
and San Mateo County Arts Commission (SMCAC) Grant Program. This award will help curate the costs of proposed solo exhibits at the Library | Parks and Recreation Community Civic Campus.
Vice Chair DeNatale suggested inviting San Mateo County artists and Specialist Santos confirmed that she always sends notification about South San Francisco art
opportunities to the San Mateo County Office of Arts and Culture.
IX. SUBCOMMITTEES: 1. Strategic Vision
Vice Chair DeNatale informed the Commission the draft Public Art Master Plan will be presented to the Commission on June 15.
Business Manager, Erin O’Brien, informed Commissioners that the draft Public Art Master Plan will be included in the June 15 meeting packet. 2. Sculpture
Commissioner Boldenweck informed the Commission that she attended the Veteran’s
Memorial Stakeholder Meeting on April 25 to discuss the relocation of the Eternal Flame sculpture. She reported that positive feedback was received from the veteran community about the proposed plan.
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3. Urban Art
Chair Bond informed the Commission that the subcommittee is waiting to get a budget for the relocation of the Eternal Flame sculpture at Orange Pool in order to understand the remaining budget for additional art at the new Aquatic Center. She also explained the subcommittee wants to prioritize artistic lighting for the front signage of the new Aquatic Center. They are also exploring options for artistic concrete, similar to a Zen
garden and may consult with South San Francisco’s Sister City in Japan or a local Bay Area artist to discuss suggestions.
Chair Bond informed the Commission that the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for murals will be posted on callforentry.org (CaFé) on Friday, May 19. The Request for Proposal (RFP) to be prepared tentatively in July.
4. Youth Art Programs
Jack Drago Youth Art Scholarship
Commissioners Luster, Maharaj, and Pomposo each shared their personal
experience with presenting the scholarship to the selected awardees at their high school awards night.
Specialist Santos announced the scholarship awardees will be recognized at the upcoming City Council meeting on Wednesday, May 24 in the Council Chambers at the Municipal Services Building (MSB) at 6:00 p.m. She also informed the
Commission that their artwork will be displayed in the atrium window at the MSB
and it will also be showcased in a virtual exhibit. 5. Fundraiser
BBQ Fundraiser (August 27)
Vice Chair DeNatale announced their subcommittee is in the process of setting up a meeting date. He also informed the Commission that the BBQ Fundraiser date has been locked in and is schedule to take place on Sunday, August 27 at the Fernekes Building.
6. Day of the Dead Art Show
Commissioner Boldenweck stated she is waiting to see the exhibit area for the Day of
the Dead art show. Business Manager, Erin O’Brien, explained that Commissioners will have an opportunity to view the space during the upcoming LPR tours. Commissioners will be notified of potential tour dates during the month of June.
Chair Bond suggested the possibility of incorporating a fall theme along with the Day
of the Dead art show. She expressed that the Day of the Dead has a limited audience
and fall themes are universal. Chair DeNatale and Commissioner Boldenweck
commented that adding a fall theme dilutes the cultural significance of the program.
Subcommittee Chair Boldenweck expressed a preference is to stay with the original
concept, but will consider the suggestion depending on the space. 7. Performing Arts
Cultural Arts Activities Grant
Commissioner Maharaj informed the Commission there were a total of 11 applications that were received. He explained the subcommittee thoroughly reviewed all applications and he presented their recommendation to the Commission. He explained the awardees will have a year to use the money they
are awarded.
Recommended Awardees: Qureshi and Stoneman, Brightsity.com, Amir Esfahani,
Italian American Citizen’s Club, Kaululehua Hawaiian Cultural Center, Mexican
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Folklorico Dance & Cultural Awareness Class, Oceanica Ballet, South San
Francisco Lego Fest, Sur San Francisco Unidos
Chair Bond recommended the City Attorney review the eligibility of a couple of the applicants and activities that will be offered.
Vice Chair DeNatale asked what happens if an awardee cannot continue with their proposed activity. Business Manager, Erin O’Brien, explained that the
Commission can explore other options such as awarding another group.
Chair Bond motioned to award the 9 selected applicants recommended by the
Performing Arts Subcommittee, pending City Attorney feedback on the eligibility of two of the groups. Followed by a second from Commissioner Boldenweck.
Roll Call Vote Results | The Commission approved to award the Cultural Arts Activities Grant to the 11 participants recommended. (AYES: Boldenweck, Bond, DeNatale, Luster, Maharaj, Mardahay and Pomposo. NAYES: None ABSENT:
Bowen, Foley, and Zelaya).
New Project Proposal
Commissioner Maharaj informed the Commission the subcommittee is exploring the option of having artists perform once a month at the South San Francisco Farmer’s Market. This would serve as a pilot program for a potential music festival in the future.
Business Manager, Erin O’Brien, will meet with the Farmer’s Market manager to
discuss the setup for a performing artist. She also informed the Commission the
stipend to the performing artist would be paid from the Cultural Arts Program’s budget. X. ITEMS FROM COMMISSION: N/A
XI. ITEMS FROM STAFF: 1. Funding Review
Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation, Angela Duldulao, informed the Commission she is working on a new format for the budget report. 2. LPR Tours
Business Manager, Erin O’Brien, informed the Commission that City staff will be reaching out to them to schedule tours of the LPR for the month of June.
3. Upcoming Events
Specialist Santos announced there will be a Memorial Day Ceremony at Orange
Memorial Park on May 29, at 10:00 a.m. She also announced the summer Parks and
Recreation Activity Guide is now available if Commissioners are interested in recreational activities. She also informed the Commission about the South San Francisco Rotary Club fundraiser on July 28 at the Basque Cultural Center. A portion of the proceeds will be given back to the organizations that attend.
XII. CORRESPONDENCE
The correspondence was posted by Specialist Santos at the meeting and she informed the
Commission it would also be emailed to Commissioners following the meeting. XIII. ADJOURNMENT Chair Bond adjourned the meeting at 8:26 p.m.
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Next Meeting: June 15, 2023
Respectfully submitted,
Keren Solano
Administrative Assistant II