HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-08-26 Arts Culture Commission MinutesEdina Art Center Board
August 26, 2004
Edina Art Center, 4:00p.m.
Members Present: Kathy Amlaw for Becky Amlaw, Gene Andersen, Dolores Dege, Linda
Kieffer, Ruth Valgemae and Jim Van Valkenburg
Members Absent: , Sandra Clark, Liz Eisenbrey, Mike Kelly, Heather Randall King, Ken
Rosland
Staff Present: Brad Benn, Diana Hedges and Phil Johnson
CALL TO ORDER
Meeting was called to order at 4:00 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of last month's meeting were read and approved.
JURIED SHOW
Ruth Valgemae reported the following: 340 entries had been received. Linda Kieffer will head
up the group hanging the show. Judges are Marion Swanson and Sarah Millfelt. $3,700 had
been raised to date, including a $1,000 donation by Sandy and Ron Clark. Linda has talked to
the Edina High School administration and a letter will be sent to Art teachers about student
scholarships. Judging will be done on August 27 and the chosen works will be hung on
Tuesday, August 31. The opening will be Thursday, September 2.
MEDIA STUDIOS
Phil Johnson reported that the consolidation of the media studios was proceeding, with the
classroom space foimerly occupied by classroom computers being cleared for use by the new
EAC School of Realism. Eight computers have been relocated to the Senior Center where they
will be used for the Media Graphic Art Academy and a few other selected classes requiring
computers. The Computer User Group at the Senior Center had advised that they were not
ready to proceed with planning a curriculum for seniors because members were not available
during the summer. Phil will stay in touch with them.
OUTREACH ACTIVITIES
Linda Kieffer reported that six venues are operating to display works by Edina Art Center
artists. They are Edina City Hall, Jerry's Supetmarket, Edina Library, 8400 Normandale Office
Tower, Penn-Lake Public Library and LeMonde Café
Edina Public Art Committee
Linda Kieffer reported on the ongoing work of this new committee. The 2005 City Budget will
include $25,000 to support public art. Currently the new City Hall is showing rotating exhibits.
Recommendations are being formulated for petmanent works as well as continuing programs to
support the arts. A brochure will be included in the October utility bill mailing. Looking to the
future, Linda suggested that sculptures and plantings could be included. Other communities in
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the Twin Cities areas have public art commissions and funding for the arts. For instance,
Vadnais Heights has a budget of $35,000 per year and raises another $90,000 from public
donations. A desirable objective is to create an ongoing program to ensure that Edina's
people's building is welcoming and beautiful.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Diana Hedges reported the following items:
EAC is still in the running (top five proposals) for a grant from the Federated Womens' Club to
be used for public art. Also, the Feds are holding a fund raiser in February and volunteers from
the Art Center would be welcomed to help with this event.
A $1,000 gift has been pledged by Ron and Sandy Clark to pay for a skylight in the new space
for the EAC School of Realism. This will give the artists proper lighting for their work.
The Loring Park event on August 7 was fantastic. The Art Center helped raise funds for the
Second Harvest food bank and we recovered our costs and a bit more. It was very well attended
and great publicity for the Art Center. Special thanks to Eddi Fesler for arranging all the
volunteers.
The Ten/Ten Carnival of the Arts, is scheduled Sunday, October 10, in conjunction with Twin
Cities Fine Arts Organization. It will be a fun event that should bring a number of visitors to
EAC. Volunteers are needed to help host the event. TyeDye T-shirts will be a big draw for
kids. Dee Doege offered to find a supplier for the T-shirts.
Juried Show Registration saw a big turnout. As usual, some participants showed up earlier and
later than the official registration hours but our gracious volunteers, including Dee Doege,
managed to accommodate them.
Patricia Haynes has suggested that the Lower West Studios could be named in order to be
more helpful to visitors. Dee Doege asked if a map of the facility is available to visitors. Brad
Benn responded that a map is available but it is rather rudimentary and that the building is
rather hard to portray on a map. The matter was tabled for future discussion.
Brad Benn reported that EAC will participate in a Clay Festival at the Swedish Institute on
Saturday, September 18th. Volunteers are needed for the children's tent. This would be a
chance to visit the Swedish Institute while helping.
Fall into the Arts Festival, September 11 and 12. Eddi Fesler is lining up volunteers to staff the
Beer Garden and Adama Sow is producing the wine chalices for fund raising at this event.
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Diana Hedges has been approached by the Minneapolis Children's Theatre to share mailing
lists for recruitment and publicity. Dee Dtiege advised a cautious approach because of the
sensitivity towards disseminating information about minors.
OTHER BUSINESS
Linda Kieffer asked to receive financial reports for the EAC. Jim VanValkenburg stated that
copies of monthly financial reports could be made and distributed to board members.,Diana
Hedges will have them available at the next month's meeting.
ADJOURNMENT -The meeting was adjourned at 5:25 pm.