HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-21-07 WPAS MinPublic Art Committee
MAY 21, 2007
MINUTES
The first meeting of the Westlake Public Art Committee was held Monday, May 21St, at
3:00 p.m. in the Town's offices at Solana. Attendees were: Mayor Scott Bradley, Tim
Brittan, Michelle Corson, Carol Langdon, Shannon Larue, Phyllis McConnell, Mary
Petty, Trent Petty, and Becky Rogers.
1. Called the meeting to order.
2. Discussed the concept of public art and the widespread public arts initiatives
nationwide. Talked about the places within the town that public art might be
located (trails, parks, Westlake Academy, future Arts & Sciences Building,
corner of Precinct Line and Dove Road, IOOF cemetery, entry points into the
town) and what kinds of art there might be (water features, sculpture, mosaics,
murals, benches, landscaping, signage, lighting).
3. Becky Rogers and Mary Petty noted water parks in Dallas and Cleveland that
might be worth exploring for Westlake.
4. Discussed integrating the public arts initiative into the town's updated master
plan.
5. Trent Petty presented an overview of how Grapevine launched its public art
initiative with the creation of the Night Watchman sculpture over Town Hall
and the sale of miniatures which offset the cost.
6. Mary Petty displayed last year's Christmas ornament and talked about having
the Public Art Committee continue this tradition.
7. Shannon Larue and Mayor Bradley mentioned the dinosaur triptych of
Lamberto Alvarez and his desire to conduct art workshops as part of our
program. Becky Rogers contributed that the committee might try to partner
with the Westlake Academy Foundation to have a studio for artists at the
proposed Arts & Sciences Building.
8. A brief discussion ensued about partnering with other Town initiatives,
including Arbor Day, Gallery Day and the Historic Board to make a
connection with public art.
9. The committee talked about possible ways of funding the program including
the implementation of a public art development fee similar to what other cities
do, the use of a portion of hotel/motel occupancy tax, seed money or matching
funds from the Town, personal and corporate donations, sale of art (statues,
ornaments, prints, brick pavers) as fund raisers. The committee also discussed
the need to identify administrative costs, such as maintaining a website.
10. The committee talked about key dates, including the need to have a proposal
to the Board of Aldermen for their August budget discussions and the timeline
for updating the master plan.
11. Volunteer assignments included: investigating the cost of major works of art
(Tim Brittan and Mayor Bradley), calling other cities regarding their public art
initiatives (Carol Langdon and Shannon Larue), visiting Austin and San
Antonio and reporting to the committee on those cities (Phyllis McConnell),
researching grants (Becky Rogers), and compiling information for the
committee about the cost of the ornament idea and a summary of Grapevine's
public art programs (Mary Petty).
12. Trent Petty agreed to bring the Trail Plan, Master Thoroughfare Plan, and
more information about the Hotel/Motel Occupancy Tax for the committee's
review at the next meeting, scheduled for June 6th 10 — 12 at the Town offices.