ARTS ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Meeting of Tuesday, 06 November 2007

Mansfield Community Center (MCC) Conference Room

MINUTES

1. The meeting was called to order at 7:05p by Acting Chair Jay Ames. Members present: Jay Ames, Leon Bailey, Kim Bova, Scott Lehmann, Blanche Serban. Members absent: Anita Bacon, Joan Prugh. Others present: Irmgaard Rees, Jay O’Keefe (staff, from 8:15p).

2. The agenda was reordered to accommodate Ms. Rees, who outlined her proposal for an exhibit of found-object art. Her presentation is summarized in item 7a below.

3. The minutes of the 09 October 07 meeting were approved as written.

4. 2008 Meeting Schedule. The state Freedom of Information Act requires that meeting dates for 2008 be filed with the Town Clerk by 31 January 2008. The AAC agreed on the first Tuesday of each month (or the second Tuesday, if the first one is a holiday): 8 Jan, 5 Feb, 4 Mar, 1 Apr, 6 May, 3 Jun, 1 Jul, 5 Aug, 2 Sep, 7 Oct, 4 Nov, 2 Dec.

5. High School arts.

a. There appears to be interest at E. O. Smith High School in a “Battle of the Bands” at the MCC in the spring, perhaps as a ‘rehearsal’ for one at the school.

b. Jay A. has talked to one of the art teachers at Smith about organizing an exhibit of student art at the MCC; he will approach the others as well.

5. Art Display policy. The MCC art display policy, as revised in accord with discussion at the 10/09/07 meeting and circulated by e-mail in advance of this meeting, was approved. Scott will draft (1) a report to the Town Council and (2) a general art display policy for Town buildings, using the MCC policy as a template, and will circulate them by e-mail for comment before the December meeting.

6. Storrs Center development. Blanche reported that Mayor Betsy Patterson had indicated in conversation that those planning the new Storrs Center development were thinking in terms of a large art gallery, whereas the AAC has suggested small retail spaces for local artists. Leon, who serves on the Downtown Partnership’s Design Committee, will try to find out what is going on. Scott will send him copies of the AAC’s recommendations to the Partnership.

7. MCC art displays.

1. Irmgaard Rees brought samples and photos of the sort of found-object art she proposes to exhibit in the display cases. The exhibit’s theme would be art employing materials of no other value, things that would otherwise be discarded. It would contain pieces made by Ms. Rees and others (including, perhaps, children). The AAC agreed that an exhibit of the sort of work represented by Ms. Rees’ samples and photos would be fine, but it will need to see photos of all the pieces. The Committee also thought that Ms. Rees was proposing to show more work than could be accommodated at one time in the display cases and suggested that she think in terms of a display of her own work for the winter quarter (15 Jan – 15 Apr), perhaps to be followed by an exhibit of found-object art from other artists.
2. Sarah Winter has not yet submitted photos of all the 16 mixed-media pieces she wants to exhibit in the sitting room and hallways. She needs to get them in before the December meeting, if the AAC is to approve her exhibit for the winter quarter
3. Blanche will call Judith Meyers to ask whether she wants to show more than the 5 oil paintings of local scenes that the AAC approved for display, probably in the spring quarter (15 Apr – 15 Jul). If so, we will need to see photos. We also need to know what display area she wants.
4. John Manfred has applied to show 27 photos of Toddy Pond (ME) in 16 by 20 inch frames; he included a CD of these photos, which the AAC viewed and approved, probably for the summer quarter (15 Jul – 15 Oct). Scott will contact Mr. Manfred.

Exhibit Period	Entry cases		Sitting room		Hallway
	Double-sided	Shelves	Upper	Lower	Long (5)	Short (2)
Fall 15 Oct – 15 Jan	Patty Vinsonhaler (ceramics)		Laurie Smolin (watercolors)
Winter 15 Jan – 15 Apr	Irmgaard Rees? (found-object art)		Sarah Winter? (mixed media)
Spring 15 Apr – 15 Jul				Judith Meyers? (oils)
Summer 15 Jul – 15 Oct				John Manfred? (photos)

8. Artist statement/identification. Leon asked about the AAC’s policy on identifying artists who display work, noting that Patty Vinsonhaler (whose ceramics are now in the display cases) had simply put up post-it notes which don’t look good. Jay O’K proposes lucite holders for artist statements, permanently affixed to the walls; should artists fail to provide a statement, the MCC will put up a notice that simply identifies the artist.

9. Adjourned at 8:35p. Next meeting: Tuesday, 04 December, 7:00p.

Scott Lehmann, Acting Secretary, 13 November 07