APPMIN 11 04 1996REGULAR MEETING OF THE
ART IN PUBLIC PLACES COMMISSION
NORTH CONFERENCE ROOM
November 4, 1996
3:00 P.M.
This regular meeting of the Art in Public Places Commission was called to order by Chairman
Walling at 3:10 p.m., who asked Commissioner Shamis to lead the flag salute. Chairman Walling
asked for the roll call:
ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Judi Cothran, Sharon Kennedy, Michelle Klein,
Elaine Reynolds, Rosita Shamis, and Chairman Walling.
It was moved and seconded by Commissioners Kennedy/Klein 1:o excuse
Commissioner Davis. The motion carried unanimously
Staff: Community Development Director Jerry Herman and Executive
Secretary Betty Sawyer.
II. CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA: Confirmed
III. PUBLIC COMMENT: None
IV. CONSENT CALENDAR:
A. Minutes -Commissioner Shamis asked that the Minutes of October 7, 1996, be
amended. Staff stated the minutes were being withdrawn, as they had not been
edited. They would be resubmitted at the next meeting of the APP. Commissioner
Kennedy/Shamis moved and seconded that the minutes be held over to the next
meeting. Unanimously approved.
B. Financial Statement -There being no questions or changes, it was moved and
seconded by Commissioners Reynolds/Shamis to accept the Financial Statement as
submitted. Unanimously approved.
C. Department Report -Community Development Director Jerry Herman explained why
the Agenda format had changed. He further explained that the City Council was
restructuring the all the City Commissions. Discussion followed rel;arding the
restructuring of the Commissions.
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Art in Public Places
November 4, 1996
V. BUSINESS ITEMS:
A. Proposed Artwork for the La Ouinta Carwash:
Chairman Walling gave the background of the project and introduced artists
Marcia Gibbons and Mike Teague who were present to explain their
proposals for the Carwash.
a. Ms. Gibbons explained her design was a the mural that would take up
the majority of the parapet (336 sq. ft.) She would leave a. one foot
border around the parapet and may enlarge it to a 1.5 foot border.
The mural is currently 28 feet by 12-feet. She would like to have the
La Quina High School and Middle School art teachers recommend
students to work with her. She would start with the High School
students who would do the transferring of the design onto the grid.
Then she would bring in the Middle School students to work on the
design and allow the High School students to teach them. She had no
predetermined number of students that could work on the project. It
would be whoever the teachers would want to send. They would be
involved in the actual process from the beginning up the firing of
preparing the tiles.
b. Ms. Gibbons stated she would like to be in control of the pt•oject and
the design. As to the drawing itself, it would be a black. and white
picture that depicts man striving to make a place in the desert and the
natural elements he would be confronted with. This is depicted in the
mural by the use of cars and tumbleweeds. The project would cost
approximately $10,000 and would not include the installation. The
length of time it would take to complete the artwork would depend on
when the project was started. The time period depends on whether or
not it is during school or summer. Commissioner Reynolds asked if
any of the students summer vacations would cause any problems.
Commissioners stated most students stay for the summer.
c. Ms. Gibbons stated that in order to do the project she would need a
retail building that would have enough space with lightiing. Water
was not necessary, but would be nice to have.
d. Commissioner Shamis stated she preferred the pencil drawing, but
would like the cars to not dominate the picture. She asked why Ms.
Gibbons had chosen black and white rather than doing it in color.
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November 4, 1996
Ms. Gibbons stated .that she currently was working witli black and
white and thought there was so much color at the Shopping Center
that this would be a departure causing it to stand out. Color may
make it appear to be a billboard instead of artwork. Commissioner
Shamis stated she was glad to see that students would be involved in
the project.
e. Chairman Walling asked what the installation costs would be. Mike
Teague stated about $3,000. Discussion followed regarding the costs
of installation.
Commissioner Kennedy asked whether the students would be
receiving any payment for their work. Ms. Gibbons stated. that it was
her impression that the Commission would like to have it be an
educational process and due to the costs involved, students would not
be paid for their work.
g. Commissioner Shamis asked that the final design be submitted to the
Commission for approval. Ms. Gibbons stated that was no problem.
h. Chairman Walling stressed that the picture/design not denote the
Carwash or advertise the business. If this became an issue would she
be able to convince the City Council that the design had nothing to do
with the business. Ms. Gibbons stated there would be no way of
determining the model or make of the cars in the drawing. The cars
would be generic in a sense and the artwork itself dealt with contrast;
black and white, the natural and the man-made, and the ~var to tame
the desert, but, most important, it would be the common experience
we have all have with living in the desert -the attack of the
tumbleweeds.
I. Commissioner Kennedy asked about the issue of liability when the
students are involved. Ms. Gibbons stated this was a c;oncem for
anybody involved in the process. The City would have to see that
insurance was provided.
Commissioner Shamis asked if the School District would have a
building suitable for Ms. Gibbons to use. Staff would research the
issues.
k. Chairman Walling asked Ms. Gibbons when she be able to give the
Commission a definite cost for the project, including the installation.
Ms. Gibbons stated about two weeks.
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November 4, 7996
1. Mr Mike Teague presented his proposal consisting of two colored
drawings. Mr. Teague stated he proposal would not involve as many
students in the design or construction of the artwork. The dimensions
of the mural would be 10-feet by 20-feet using 6-inch tiles. He
would use his students from Amistad High School as they were
students from all over the Valley including La Quinta. He went on to
explain that the students at Amistad were the "at risk" students from
all the schools in the Valley. He would use no more than 12 students.
Regarding the artwork, he determined that the site ~/as a busy
highway and therefore there was no ability to tell a story or draw
attention to it. Therefore, he wanted to do an art piece that was big
and bold and easily recognized.
m. Commissioner Shamis asked if the color would be the background
and the object drawn in black. Mr. Teague stated that was correct.
It would blend with the surrounding colors.
n. Commissioner Cothrun questioned the students involvement in the
research. Mr. Teague stated they would be instructed on the use of
tile.
o. Commissioner Klein asked if the picture was true to size. Mr. Teague
stated it was.
p. Commissioner Kennedy asked if staff had researched the artbank for
other artists who also worked in tile. Staff stated the only names that
were found were of those represented.
q. Mr. Teague stated he may use the students in the creation of a the
border for the design.
r. Chairman Walling thanked both artists for their time and. designs.
s. Commissioners discussed whether or not the location was worthy of
artwork.
t. Commissioner Shamis stated she thought having students involved in
the project was important. She preferred Ms. Gibbons's design as it
appeared to be more artistic.
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Art in Public Places
November 4, 1996
u. Commissioner Klein stated_her concern that Ms. Gibbons's design
may be viewed as a commercial design. In dollars and cents the
Carwash's contribution to the APP Fund was a small amount and she
was concerned with singleing out a particular business for the
placement of artwork. Would other businesses want the same
treatment?
v. Chairman Walling stated he thought this was a good motivation to
have other businesses want the same. If they want art we' 11. do it for
them as well. Any person can offer a building site. What is
interesting is the multitude of art all over the City. If enough of this
is done, it will cause a conscienceness throughout the Ci1:y.
w. Commissioner Reynolds stated that publicity will be goodl for the art
program. The Carwash is a visible site and it might bring a new
attitude toward art.
x. Commissioners discussed with staff suggestions on how they could
present the design to the City Council without going Chrough the
formal process. It was thought that by giving the City Council the
opportunity to view the artwork over a period of time might be more
beneficial. Following discussion, staff was directed to hang the two
pictures, along with an explanation of what the designs, in the
Council waiting area.
y. Commissioner Kennedy stated she liked the idea that there would be
artwork at both ends of the shopping center.
z. Chairman Walling asked if the Commission was in favor of the
project. Commissioner Klein stated she thought it was a good idea
and the involvement of the students important. However, she felt that
Mr. Teague's artwork was is too commercial and not original in its
design.
aa. Following discussion, it was moved and seconded by Conmiissioners
Shamis/Cothrun to continue this item to the next meeting.
Unanimously approved.
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Art in Public Places
November 4, 1996
B. La Ouinta Art in Public Places List of Community Art Sites
Staff explained that in formulating a list of sites for artwork throughout the
City, it became apparent that a budget was needed to give priority to the
different locations.
a. Commissioner Cothrun asked if the original list of sites was
available. Following discussion, staff was directed to prepare and
update the old list and continue this subject to the nerd meeting.
Members would receive the old list with their next agenda and they
were to Formulate a program where artwork should be placed along
with a proposed budget.
C. Student Creative Recycle Art Program Gallery
Staff informed the Commission that the project had been brought to staff for
consideration by t]re Commission. Based on the criteria for the expenditure
of APP Funds, it was determined that the project would not qualify.
2. Following discussion, the Commission recommended the program. to the City
Council for their review and consideration.
D. Video on the City of Brea's Artwork
Commissioner Shamis explained that she had spoken with the City of Brea
regarding their art program and had asked that they send a copy of their video
on their artwork. Staff explained that the video had not arrived and they
would try to have it for the next meeting.
VI. CORRESPONDENSE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL: None
VII. COMMISSIONER ITEMS:
A. Student Gallery -Staff explained that they had met with the art teachers from the
three schools in La Quinta. In that meeting Mr. Mike Teague explained the "Student
Gallery" design as recommended by the Commission. He then ini.°ormed the
Commission that the teachers had requested that the wall not contain the: individual
art frames, but leave the wall plain. Therefore, he was submitting a design for a
corner treatment utilizing a fabric on the wall. He explained that the corner design
would be constructed out of/z" birch to create a very subtle effect. The; teachers
preferred the raised and painted lettering for the "Student Gallery". The border was
to be made out of birch wood that would be sanded and painted a wash color.
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November 4, 7996
B. Temporay Art -Staff stated that the Commission would need to meet with the City
Attorney to discuss the newest information regarding court cases on terporary art.
Discussion followed regarding temporary art programs. Commissioners determined
that a special meeting could be held on Wednesday, December 4th at 2:00 P.M. Staff
was to see if this date was convenient for the City Attorney.
VIII. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
A. Progress on the Temporary Art Program
1X. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Klein/Shamis to
adjourn this meeting of the Art in Public Places Commission to a regular meeting of the Art in Public
Places Commission on December 9, 1996, at 3:00 P.M. Unanimously approved. This regular
meeting of the Art in Public Places Commission was adjourned at 4:43 P.M.
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