Southern Illinois News

Village of Niles Public Arts & Culture Advisory Council met June 8.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

Lindsey Brubaker – Niles Park District                       Steve Vinezeano – Niles VFW Post 3579

Susan Lempke – Niles-Maine District Library            Carol Luc – Artist

Kathleen Gallegos – Artist/Art Station Studio            Barbara Karawacki – Niles Historical Society

Janet Spector Bishop – School District 63                Debi Gajewski – Artist

Marina Samovsky – Photographer                             Chase Conner – Niles Chamber of Commerce

Members Absent:

John Kosirog – School District 71                              Ed Eubank – School District 207

Village Officials/Staff Present:

Katie Schneider – Community Engagement Coordinator

I. Call to Order:

Chair Lindsey Brubaker called the meeting to order electronically via Zoom audio/visual conferencing at 3:06 p.m. on Monday, June 8, 2020, in accordance with Governor Pritzker’s Executive Order 2020-07 “Stay-at-Home” directive due to Covid-19 pandemic.

The electronic meeting is open to the public. The public may submit public comments in advance either by email, phone or voicemail. No public comment was submitted in advance of the meeting.

II. Approval of Meeting Minutes

Debi Gajewski made a motion to accept the February 10, 2020 Minutes as presented. Janet Spector Bishop second the motion, all were in favor. None opposed. Minutes approved.

III. Organization Representative Reports

Susan Lempke (Niles-Maine District Library) – The Library is not yet open to the public but is taking baby steps towards Phase 4. “No Contact” pick up will begin next week and virtual programming with continue.

Marina Samovsky (Photographer) – All photo shoots on location have been cancelled or postponed. She has been doing product shoots for commercial companies.

Debi Gajewski (Artist) – has used the stay at home order to paint, paint, paint. She is currently working on Peace Poles and taking orders for them.

Katie Schneider (Village of Niles) – All summer events hosted by the Village of Niles has been cancelled including the 4th of July parade, Niles Cycle Classic and Community Block Party. Block parties are also on hold right now. The Village is shifting gears and exploring other ways to keep the community engaged and active this summer.

Janet Spector Bishop (School District 63) – As with all schools, they are e-learning and administration is working from home for the most part. All summer programs have been canceled.

Barb Karawacki (Niles Historical Society) – Obviously programs and events, the April book discussion was held virtually and there is interest in continuing to host them online. A newsletter went out for the first time in a year, in full color and has had a good response from members.

Carol Luc (Artist) – Carol completed teaching the semester at Triton online. It is still unknown what fall looks like. She has a painting in the Union Street Gallery show in Chicago Heights, has had multiple prints in a Herald Washington College publication.

Chase Conner - (Niles Chamber of Commerce) - staff is back in the office and continues to respond to business needs, Art in Business is on pause until further notice.

Steve Vinezeano (Niles VFW 3579) – The VFW and the Village posted a tribute video for Memorial Day that was done at the White Eagle lot with police, fire and elected officials. The Post has purchased property for a permanent home at 7255 Caldwell Avenue in Niles.

Kathleen Gallegos (Artist/Art Station Studio) – She has started a mural on the side of the building, the property owner agreed to trade rent for her work on mural. She is offering private classes.

Lindsey Brubaker (Niles Park District) – Tam Golf Course is open and people are flooding out, camps will begin with limited space and social distancing. Parks remain closed. Some facilities are open; however, Oasis Pool is not open this season. Staff continues to offer virtual classes. There is a huge demand for in person programs.

IV. Niles Artisan Guild

Debi Gajewski reported on the Niles Artisan Guild. All plans for Alice In Wonderland has been cancelled for this year and will be planned for 2021. The NAG Facebook page has been highlighting each artist and their work. They are planning on Facebook Live posts to sell some of the pieces that local artists have created. They are planning on hosting holiday events in this format as well. They are exploring options for a permanent location.

V. Old Business

a. Niles 2020 Photo Exhibit – Right up until March, Marina and a couple other local photographers had documented local families for the Food and Family photo series. We have photographed a Romanian family, Serbian family, Hispanic family, and a Korean/Russian couple. Everyone was in their home kitchens with family, cooking and sharing their culture. It was off to a strong start but obviously came to a halt with COvid-19 and Stay at Home offers.

b. Shared Calendars – This was an item from the last meeting that we wanted to make sure was implemented when event planning starts up again.

VI. New Business

a. Pandemic Art Opportunities – The Council discussed and agreed that there are many opportunities with current partners – park district, Niles Artisan Guild, library – and we should promote those. Katie Schneider will also make sure to use the Art Feeds page.

VII. Open Discussion

There was no open discussion.

VIII. Public Comment

There was no public comment.

IX. Next Meeting

The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 13, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. at Village Hall, 2nd Floor EOC Conference Room. Katie will reach out closer to the date to confirm the time.

X. Adjournment

Debi Gajewski made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 3:40 p.m. Marina Samovsky second the motion, all were in favor. Meeting adjourned.

https://www.vniles.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_06082020-1942