Village of Niles Public Arts & Culture Advisory Council met Dec. 9.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
Members Present:
Marina Samovsky – Photographer
Kathleen Gallegos – Artist/Art Station Studio
Janet Spector Bishop – School District 63
Alicia Bermes & Chase Conner – Niles Chamber of Commerce
Susan Lempke – Niles-Maine District Library
Debi Gajewski – Artist
Carol Luc – Artist
Members Absent:
John Kosirog – School District 71
Barbara Karawacki – Niles Historical Society
Ed Eubank – School District 207
Steve Vinezeano – Niles VFW Post 3579
Lindsey Brubaker – Niles Park District
Village Officials/Staff Present:
Katie Schneider – Community Engagement Coordinator
I. Call to Order:
Katie Schneider called the meeting to order at 5:01 p.m. in the Niles Administration Building, 2nd Floor Large Conference Room. Chair Lindsey Brubaker was absent.
II. Approval of Meeting Minutes
Debi Gajewski made a motion to accept the November 4, 2019 Minutes as presented. Carol Luc second the motion, all were in favor. None opposed. Minutes approved.
III. Organization Representative Reports
Janet Spector Bishop (School District 63) – Gemini Student Choir performed at the Holly Jolly Fest.
Kathleen Gallegos (Artist/Art Station Studio) - Continues to teach art classes at Shriners Children’s hospital but will take a break during flu season. She also continues to host Glow in the Dark art parties at her studio.
Debi Gajewski (Artist) – Participated in numerous craft shows and was busy with storytelling this season.
Susan Lempke (Niles-Maine District Library) – Hosted a successful Winterpalooza on December 1st with a Frozen theme. The Niles West acapella group sang. The next photo exhibit at the library (2nd Floor) is Bulgarian artists.
Carol Luc (Artist) – continues to teach watercolor at the Senior Center on Wednesdays. She just completed her 10th year as a photographer for the Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Alicia Bermes (Niles Chamber of Commerce) – Nominations are now being accepted for the Night of Roses. Deadline is January 31st. College Scholarships are also available, applications are online. For Night of Roses, all nominees will be at the dinner and the winner announced that evening. Chase gave an update on the Art in Business program and the upcoming gallery event at Global Granite.
Marina Samovsky (Photographer) – wrapped up her season of portraits for holiday cards and gifts.
Katie Schneider (Village of Niles) – The Village is working with DLR Group on a facility assessment of the Niles Historical Society building. Holly Jolly Fest was last week on November 30th, the attendance was up from previous years which exceeded goals. She thanked all the partners that assisted with the event.
IV. Niles Artisan Guild
The Niles Artisan Guild has nine artists in nine different locations around town. There is a brochure with a map and details. There is a passport program to visit all the locations and receive a stamp; those that complete the passport will be entered into a drawing.
In March there will an exhibit at the library with an Alice in Wonderland theme. In May there will be an exhibit at the Rain Garden, in September a tentative Alice In Wonderland Tea Party at the Senior Center.
For Memorial Day, they are working on project for veterans. Memberships are coming in for renewal. December 17th there is a fundraiser at the new McAlister restaurant in Niles, 20% of sales go to the Niles Artisan Guild.
V. Old Business
a. Twinkle and Lights Holiday Decorating Contest – Police and Fire departments will be on the lookout for outstanding houses. We are also asking for suggestions on Facebook. The contest is very similar to last year, but instead of a formal application we are just asking for a home address. Katie asked Council Members to volunteer as judges. The town will be divided and the first set of judges will narrow down to the top group of houses. It should take about an hour, but less than two hours. The Arts and Culture Council agreed to ask members of the community to be judges so that we have a fair number of people. A sign-in sheet was distributed as well as the rules and guidelines for the contest. We will announce the winners on December 23rd online and on Facebook. Katie also asked Council members to help promote the program.
VI. New Business
a. 2020 Meeting Schedule – Council members agreed to keep the meetings the second Monday of each month.
A meeting schedule was distributed and will be posted online.
b. FY 2021 Budget Items – After discussion the Council agreed to move forward with the utility box art program presented last month. Money has been budgeted again for grant money for local artists to apply. Since we have not received very many applications, the Council decided to change the focus and be specific. The grant process should specify permanent or semi-permanent art that can be experienced by the public on a regular basis. The Council will continue to explore.
Many times the Council has struggled with where we can have art incorporated. The Council agreed to look at identifying physical locations in town that can be enhanced by art. This will be a focus for the upcoming year.
Debi Gajewski suggested a program that would offer classes to teach antiquated art forms like sewing, woodworking, Iris folding or embroidery. This may be something that can be coordinated with the Historical Society.
The Council also discussed sculptures or public art parade around the letters NILES and possibly having artists each portray the Leaning Tower and use the images as street banner designs for Milwaukee Avenue.
Some of the bus stop benches are in bad shape. Some have held up well. We will look at either replacing them this year by the same artist or trying a new program for the benches. It probably depends on which varnish they used (or didn’t use) and make sure that moving forward we insist on a certain kind.
VII. Open Discussion
There was no open discussion.
VIII. Public Comment
There was no public comment.
IX. Next Meeting
Monday, January 13, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. at Village Hall, 2nd Floor EOC Conference Room
X. Adjournment
Debi Gajewski made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 5:55 p.m. Janet Spector Bishop second the motion, all were in favor. Meeting adjourned.
https://www.vniles.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_12092019-1850
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