Village of Niles Public Arts & Culture Advisory Council Met Oct. 13.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
Members Present:
Steve Vinezeano – Niles VFW Post 3579
Janet Spector Bishop – School District 63
Lindsey Brubaker – Niles Park District
Carol Luc - Artist
Kathleen Gallegos – Artist/Art Station Studio
Barbara Karawacki – Niles Historical Society
Alicia Bermes – Niles Chamber of Commerce
Members Absent:
John Kosirog – School District 71
Ed Eubank – School District 207
George Alpogianis – Niles Sister Cities
Marina Samovsky – Photographer
Debi Gajewski – Artist
Susan Lempke – Niles-Maine District Library
Village Officials/Staff Present:
Katie Schneider – Community Engagement Coordinator
Guests:
Andrew Przybylo – Mayor
Joseph Steinfels – VFW Post 3579
I. Call to Order:
Katie Schneider called the meeting to order electronically via Zoom audio/visual conferencing at 3:01 p.m. on Tuesday, October 13, 2020.
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
Steve Vinezeano made a motion to accept the September 8, 2020 meeting minutes as presented. Alicia Bermes second the motion, all were in favor. None opposed. Minutes approved.
III. Organization Representative Reports
Alicia Bermes - (Niles Chamber of Commerce) – Night of Roses is on Friday, Oct 16 hosted virtually from Chateau Ritz running an 1 Hr and 45 Minutes, it will be aired live on the Niles Cable Channel, village website and Facebook live on the Chamber page.
Lindsey Brubaker (Niles Park District) – Park District is hosting a social distanced Trunk or Treat event on October 31, this is the first time in 50 years the Park District Halloween Parade is cancelled (due to Covid).
Janet Spector Bishop (School District 63) – District 63 is opening doors for part of the student body who opted for hybrid in-school learning starting next Monday. It will be phased in by grade through November 17th.
Steve Vinezeano (Niles VFW 3579) – The VFW has a new Commander, Kevin Morrison. At Steve Vinezeano’s request, the VFW selected a new representative Joseph Steinfels to serve on the Arts and Culture Council. Joseph Steinfels mentioned the Food Drive and Blood Drive coming up.
Kathleen Gallegos (Art Station Studio) – Art lessons and classes are booked up. She is taking a full time job and
looking for a partner for the art studio.
Barb Karawacki (Niles Historical Society) – The museum has transferred the Nick Blase Law Office (on Milwaukee Avenue) to set-up as an exhibit. Both the Nick Blase exhibit and St. Hedwig’s exhibit will be up by the end of the year. Staff is starting on a Mil-Run Exhibit now. They are working to get schools more involved with volunteer or service hours at the museum.
Carol Luc (Artist) – Has artwork up at Oakton Community College and it will be a virtual experience. She is participating in a plein air-painting event at the Skokie Sculpture park later this month.
IV. Niles Artisan Guild
Most of the Niles Artisan Guild activity is focused on Facebook Live to showcase and sell pieces. Katie Schneider asked if there were discussion or initiatives to recruit more local artists to participate in the group. Carol responded that membership information is available on the NAG website.
V. Old Business
a. Bus Benches – The Arts and Culture Council budgeted for $15,000 for mural and artistic beautification around town. As a follow up to the last meeting, Katie showed the acrylic sample that the Village would like to use on the bus benches. After working with Public Works and researching other materials, they determined that acrylic is the most durable and cost effective. After discussion, the Council agreed to replace 5 of the worst benches with a refurbished back for $380 and all benches would receive new seating. The Council agreed to replace the three slats on all 15 benches with a recycled plastic material for approximately $90 a bench. Carol commented that we never added the Arts and Culture Council logo to the benches. The Council agreed that we want to have the Arts and Culture Council recognized as part of the seat upgrades. Council members also discussed the stipend for artists, the group agreed to keep a $200 stipend for the artist and include reimbursement for supplies up to $100. The MDF board will be measured to fit the bench and supplied by the Village to the artist.
At the next meeting, the Council will determine how many utility boxes and which locations we will have artist submit for. Katie has requested pricing on the different utility boxes. This will also be completed before April 30, 2021 and be part of the current FY2021 budget.
At the January meeting, the Council will discuss murals for FY2022 and budget accordingly so that artist recruitment can start in the spring of 2021.
VI. New Business
a. Twinkle and Lights – The Council agreed to host the Twinkle and Lights contest again this year as a safe, low risk Covid activity that families can do this holiday season. There will be prizes for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd place winners. Katie will work out the details on the nomination process, timeline and program details. The Council can review and move forward following the November 10 Arts and Culture meeting.
VII. Open Discussion
There was no open discussion.
VIII. Public Comment
There was no public comment.
IX. Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 10, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. It will be an electronic meeting.
X. Adjournment
Janet Spectator Bishop made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 3:53 p.m. Carol Luc second the motion, all were in favor. Meeting adjourned.
https://www.vniles.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_10132020-2002
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