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MINUTES OF THE
CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION MEETING
CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
Thursday November 19, 2020
Teleconference Meeting
I. CALL TO ORDER: 6:31 p.m.
II.ROLL CALL:
Present: Commissioners: Boldenweck, Bowen, Campagna, Hobson-Coard,
Foley, DeNatale, Looper, Ramos
Absent: None
Staff Present: Sharon Ranals, ACM/Director of Parks and Recreation
Greg Mediati, Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation
Angela Duldulao, Recreation Manager
Ercie Santos, Cultural Arts Specialist
Susan Filereto, Administrative Assistant
III. AGENDA REVIEW:
Chair Looper asked that Subcommittee agenda item 2. Future Public Art Plan be moved as
the first item under Unfinished Business per a request made by Vice Chair DeNatale. Vice
Chair DeNatale clarified his intent was to list the Future Public Art Plan subcommittee report
as the first item under Subcommittees moving forward.
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES of October 15, 2020:
Minutes for October 15, 2020 stand as sent.
V. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION:
Manager Duldulao recognized Risha Bond as a soon-to-be Commissioner once she completes
her paper work.
VI. WELCOME NEW COMMISSIONERS RAUL RAMOS AND RISHA BOND
Manager Duldulao invited Commissioner Raul Ramos and Ms. Risha Bond
to introduce themselves.
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Page 2
Commissioner Ramos stated he has a background in marketing and communications, and has
lived in South San Francisco for 20 years. He believes his marketing background will benefit
the Cultural Arts Commission. He also stated he wants to give back to the community.
Ms. Bond stated she has worked in South San Francisco for ten years and has lived in South
San Francisco for six years. She commented that she is very excited about the public art
projects that will be happening in South San Francisco.
Chair Looper welcomed Commissioner Ramos and Ms. Bond to the Cultural Arts
Commission.
VII. PRESENTATION OF DIA DE MUERTOS / DAY OF THE DEAD VIRTUAL
ART EXHIBIT FINALISTS:
Specialist Santos introduced three of the five Art Exhibit Finalists of the first Virtual Day of
the Dead Art Exhibit:
Jacqueline Quintanilla for her entries F,
strd
1 & 3Place in 3-Dimensional, respectively;
rd
Entropy for her entry , 3 Place 2-Dimensional; and
st
, 1Place 2-Dimensional and Best of
Show.
All the artists expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to celebrate the Day of the
Dead virtually.
Specialist Santos invited the artists to participate in future art shows.
Chair Looper thanked the artists for coming and invited them to stay for the meeting if they so
choose. Chair Looper also welcomed the artists to join the Commission if they are South San
Francisco residents.
VIII: UNFINISHED BUSINES:
1. 2021 Art Exhibits and Dates:
Chair Looper and Vice Chair DeNatale discussed whether or not the Future Public Art Plan
subcommittee report would be presented under Unfinished Business. Vice Chair DeNatale
clarified his request to place the Future Public Art Plan subcommittee report as the first item
under the Subcommittees section of the agenda, not under Unfinished Business. Chair
Looper confirmed that this change would be made on the next agenda.
Chair Looper proceeded with Unfinished Business and the 2021 Art Exhibits and Dates.
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Page 3
Specialist Santos thanked the Commission for completing the 2021 Goals Questionnaire
and gave a brief background of the survey process. Specialist Santos stated the upcoming
delay caused by the pandemic and continued uncertainty about 2021, the first part of the
two-part survey was distributed to Commissioners. The goal is to select the 2021 art exhibit
schedule and confirm the dates. The confirmation of the exhibit schedule dates is necessary
in order to lock the room reservations for the possibility of in-person art shows. In addition,
the art show schedule is included in the Parks and
Events brochure due to be released soon.
Specialist Santos stated there were eight respondents to the survey. Manager Duldulao
shared the survey on her screen so Commissioners could review the results. Specialist
Santos requested the Commission decide on the March and April art show because it occurs
in the first quarter of the new year. She added that pre-covid, the show that customarily
occurred was the Youth Art Show, presented in partnership with the South San Francisco
Unified School District. Specialist Santos commented that with the current covid situation,
she does not believe the school district will be able to participate to the same extent next
year.
Chair Looper commented that the Commission could possibly do some other type of show
rather than a Youth Art Show.
Commissioner Campagna commented that there is an opportunity to do a different type of
Youth Art Show and shared several ideas. His suggestions included working with the after
school programs, picking a particular theme, involving middle and high school students, and
doing a small virtual art show. Commissioner Campagna expressed his willingness to work
with the afterschool programs and pick up art if needed.
ACM/Director Ranals stated that the Parks and Recreation Childcare Program is currently
operating remote learning hubs and that the Boys and Girls Club could be invited to
participate as well.
Specialist Santos stated that the shows for the latter half of the year, July 9-10 and October
9-10, can be decided at the beginning of 2021. The consensus by the Commission was to
save the dates and wait until the beginning of next year to decide on these future shows.
Specialist Santos stated the second question was regarding the Fundraising BBQ. She
reported that it is usually held on the third or fourth Sunday in August at the Joseph A.
Fernekes Recreation Building. Specialist Santos stated the responses were evenly split as to
whether to hold the Fundraising BBQ. She added that the Commission is not obligated to
continue this event or keep the date.
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Chair Looper stated that the Commission can make a decision next month depending on
what the Fundraising Subcommittee comes up with.
Vice Chair DeNatale suggested that the Commission reserve the date now while waiting for
direction from the Fundraising Subcommittee. Commissioner Campagna agreed since the
Fernekes Building gets booked very quickly.
Consensus from the Commission was that they would hold the third Sunday in August for a
possible fundraising event.
2. Caltrain Public Art Selection Committee
Chair Looper reported that four Commissioners were interested joining the Caltrain Public
Art Selection Committee: Commissioner Campagna, Vice Chair DeNatale, Commissioner
Hobson-Coard, and Commissioner Foley. Commissioners Bowen and Boldenweck were
not interested.
Chair Looper explained the selection process for identifying the Caltrain committee
members at random by putting the names of interested candidates in a basket and assigning
them a number. She then had Commissioner Bowen and Commissioner Boldenweck pick a
number. Commissioner Bowen picked number three, and Commissioner Boldenweck
picked number one. The committee member candidates with those corresponding numbers
were Commissioner Foley and Commissioner Campagna.
The Commission congratulated them. Commissioner Campagna stated they will represent
the Commission well.
IX. NEW BUSINESS:
1. December Meeting
a. Alternative Date
Chair Looper asked that the December meeting date be changed from the third
Thursday of the month to the second Thursday of the month, which would be
December 10. There was a discussion and the consensus of the Commission
was to have the meeting on December 10.
b. Election of Officers
Chair Looper stated that the election of officers usually occurs in January. She
suggested that the Commission elect the new officers in December. After a
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short discussion, the consensus of the Commission was to elect new officers in
December.
X. SUBCOMMITTES:
1. Future Public Art Plan
Vice Chair DeNatale stated that the Public Art Survey was published in
newsletter. The survey has received a total of 88 responses. 35% of the responses
were from individuals ages 19-29 years old, and 17% were from ages 60-69 years old.
Vice Chair DeNatale asked fellow Commissioners to share the survey with their
contacts, community members, churches, etc.
Vice Chair DeNatale reported that the survey has been updated in Spanish and that it
will be available through the end of the year. Vice Chair DeNatale stated that the
subcommittee will consider issuing a new survey quarterly. Initial survey results
should be available early in the first quarter of the year.
Vice Chair DeNatale reported that survey feedback indicates the community would
like to see more of the follow public art themes: diversity, culture and heritage,
murals, sculptures, and more art in parks and playgrounds.
Commissioner Campagna stated he would like to reach out to local youth groups, like
the South San Francisco Youth Art Commission and Change SSF to get their
feedback. He asked if there was a community liaison. ACM/Director Ranals
saying that the group is referred to as the Youth Advisory Committee, and stated that
Executive Assistant Marie Patea is the liaison for the group. ACM/Director Ranals
stated the Youth Advisory Committee meetings are held every other Saturday at 10:00
a.m. and that she will be attending the meeting this coming Saturday. ACM/Director
Ranals stated that she will mention this topic at the meeting. Commissioner
Campagna thanked ACM/Director Ranals and stated he would follow up with her by
e-mail.
Commissioner Campagna invited the Commission to share any questions they would
like him to ask during his outreach to youth groups.
ACM/Director Ranals reminded the Commission that a Public Art Master Plan has
been approved and funded. She added that staff will be issuing a request for proposals
from firms that specialize in doing Public Art Master Plans and that it would be linked
to the General Plan.
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ACM/Director Ranals commented that the General Plan process includes discussions
of an art district in South San Francisco, maybe in the Linden area, and favorable
zoning for artists in below market rate studio space.
ACM/Director Ranals commented that the Public Art Master Plan is being funded by
the General Plan budget, which is funded by developer fees and is separate from the
Chair Looper commented that the Public Art Master Plan is not something new.
ACM/Director Ranals responded that Council had not considered the Public Art
Master Plan until the Commission brought it to their attention.
Commissioner Foley asked if the 1% fee for art has officially passed. ACM/Director
Ranals stated that the fee has passed, but it has not yet gone into effect because there is
a waiting period. ACM/Director Ranals explained that the fee is not for residential
projects. The fee is for commercial projects and developers can choose to spend 1%
of their construction costs on public art, or pay 0.5% of their construction costs into
the public art fund. ACM/Director Ranals gave credit to Councilmember Matsumoto
for her support of the art initiatives.
2. Sculpture
a. Sphere
Manager Duldulao reported that the Parks team will install the Sphere and Giraffe
sculptures between December 7 and December 18.
b. Giraffe
ACM/Director Ranals stated the Giraffe donation was taken to the City Council
meeting on October 14 and that the donor asked that the donation be accepted as
an anonymous donation. The Giraffe donation was accepted by City Council.
ACM/Director Ranals reported that a concern arose at the City Council meeting
regarding the durability of the Giraffe sculpture and commented on concerns that
the sculpture could be vulnerable to being damaged given its pedestrian accessible
location in the Sculpture Garden.
ACM/Director Ranals reported on a plan to change the location of the Giraffe
sculpture to the area at the corner of Westborough and Camaritas, where the Yomu
sculpture is located, because both sculptures are similar in style and material.
Chair Looper asked if the proposed change of location is due to a safety issue.
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ACM/Director Ranals stated that the new location does not have much pedestrian
access and there is also a synergy between the two pieces.
Vice Chair DeNatale stated that though the Giraffe sculpture is made of the same
material as the Yomu sculpture, there is no relationship between the two
sculptures. Vice Chair DeNatale commented on the need for a Public Art Master
Plan to strategize the placement of art so not to place art that has no relevance to
the community or history of the community.
Vice Chair DeNatale stated that there is a lot of art along Westborough, and if the
community wants more art in that location, he challenges the Commission to find a
new location that makes sense.
Ms. Bond commented that the piece has a whimsical feel to it and though she does
not have a specific location in mind, she believes installing it at a school or
playground in a secure area would be nice.
Vice Chair DeNatale stated that playgrounds and parks were one of the areas on
the survey where residents wanted to see more art.
Commissioner Foley and Commissioner Campagna agreed with Vice Chair
DeNatale comments.
Commissioner Campagna commented that the purpose of the survey is to help the
Commission be more intentional about where art is placed in the City.
Commissioner Campagna also commented that he appreciates the gracious gift
that was made by the donor and their support of the Commission over the years.
Commissioner Ramos asked if there was a map of targeted locations for art work
or of existing art
art. ACM/Director Ranals responded that there is a map of existing art work and
emphasized the purpose of the Public Art Master Plan is to assist with identifying
locations for new art work.
ACM/Director Ranals suggested that the Giraffe sculpture could be considered as
temporary art and could temporarily be placed at the Westborough location to see
how the public reacts.
There was further discussion by the Commission. Vice Chair DeNatale
commented that the Commission could vote on whether or not to move the Giraffe
to the new location. Chair Looper stated that the Commission has already voted
on the location, and that it is up to City Council to decide on the placement. Vice
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Chair DeNatale commented that although the donation was anonymous, past
meeting minutes identify the donation as coming from a councilmember.
Commissioner Bowen asked if the Giraffe piece could be made more durable so it
could be installed safely in the Sculpture Garden.
Commissioner Foley asked if there was a map of all the existing places where art
could be installed. Specialist Santos stated there was a list that has been reviewed
by the Sculpture Subcommittee.
ACM/Director Ranals suggested that the Commission revisit the selection of a new
location at the December meeting.
ACM/Director Ranals addressed
Giraffe sculpture could be fortified so it could be placed in the sculpture garden.
Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation Mediati responded to Commissioner
fortifying the Giraffe. He stated that there might be
cost considerations if the fortification materials is more than the value of the
sculpture. In addition, fortification work would delay the installation to January.
Commissioner Boldenweck suggested Sellick Park as a possible location.
There was further discussion that the Sellick Park location could work because it
was in a park and could possibly be placed in a planted area where the sculpture
would be more secure.
ACM/Director Ranals stated that staff will agendize the new location of the
Giraffe sculpture for the December meeting.
3. Art Show 2020
a. Virtual Day of the Dead/Día De Muertos
Commissioner Boldenweck reported the Virtual Day of the Dead show was
very successful. There were 19 artists who participated; a third were artists
and the rest were
from all over the Bay Area. There were a total of 39 pieces - 30 were 2-
dimensional and nine were 3-dimensional. The judge was Evangelina Portillo
stndrd
and she awarded a 1, 2 and 3 place award, and a Best in Show.
Commissioner Boldenweck stated community comments were very positive.
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Specialist Santos reported that she conducted an informal survey of the artists
who participated and the overall comments were positive and very
complimentary. Specialist Santos was very pleased with the feedback and will
be moving forward with the 2021 Virtual Photography Show.
Manager Duldulao thanked Specialist Santos for her efforts in putting this
show together, noting the challenges of working under modified office
conditions.
Chair Looper thanked Commissioner Boldenweck and Specialist Santos for the
work in putting this event together.
4. Photography Exhibit 2021
Commissioner Hobson-Coard reported that she is working on entry
requirements and the exhibit will be done similar to the Day of the Dead
exhibit. She stated that she will have more details at next meeting.
5. Fundraiser
Commissioner Bowen reported on the idea of hosting a virtual jewelry auction.
She stated that her family owns a jewelry business and displayed several
pictures of donated jewelry items that could be sold at the auction.
Commissioner Bowen invited Commissioner Hobson-Coard to speak on her
idea of an auction item. Commissioner Hobson-Coard stated that Jeannette
Holt started South City Rocks, where Jeanette and others paint rocks and place
them throughout the community. Once someone finds a painted rock, they can
keep it or replace it with another painted rock. Commissioner Hobson-Coard
stated this was started to bring positivity to the current pandemic situation.
Commissioner Hobson-Coard suggested that the auction include these painted
rocks.
Commissioner Bowen invited comments from the Commission. Vice Chair
DeNatale expressed support for the idea.
Commissioner Bowen mentioned that
completed a jewelry auction and it was very successful.
There was further discussion by the Commission that a jewelry auction would
work. Consensus of the Commission is to do a jewelry auction with the
painted rocks. It was brought up that the painted rocks could attract children.
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Commissioner Bowen made a motion to do a Virtual Jewelry and Painted
Rock auction. Vice Chair DeNatale seconded the motion. It was unanimously
approved.
ACM/Director Ranals reminded the Commission that the Youth Art
Scholarship is solely funded by fundraising efforts.
6. Other Subcommittee
N/A
XI. ITEMS FROM COMMISSION:
N/A
XII. ITEMS FROM STAFF:
Manager Duldulao reminded the Commission that the Gardiner Park Mural Survey that was
emailed by Deputy Director Mediati needs to be completed by November 30.
Manager Duldulao reminded the Commission of the opportunity to register for the Virtual
Fun Run through the end of Sunday, November 22.
Manager Duldulao also informed the Commission of the Winter Wonderland event through
the month of December, and the Wreath Workshop on December 6 at the Joseph A. Fernekes
Recreation Building.
ACM/Director Ranals commented that herself and Chair Looper will make a how-to video on
making a wreath for people who have never made one before. ACM/Director Ranals stated
that the Wreath Workshop is a fundraising event for Improving Public Places (IPP).
ACM/Director Ranals stated that Chair Looper and Commissioner Boldenweck will be
making all the bows for the wreaths as they do every year.
Specialist Santos mentioned that the RFP for the Caltrain Art Project is on the Cultural Arts
website under Current Opportunities for Artists.
XIII. CORRESPONDENCE:
Specialist Santos stated correspondence was mailed out with the packet
XIV. ADJOURNMENT:
Chair Looper adjourned the meeting at 7:58 p.m.
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Respectfully submitted,
Susan Filereto
Administrative Assistant
Next Meeting: January 21, 2021