Southern Illinois News

Village of Niles Public Arts & Culture Advisory Council Met Feb. 9.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

Members Present:

Joseph Steinfels – Niles VFW Post 3579 

Janet Spector Bishop – School District 63 

Lindsey Kmetty – Niles Park District 

Susan Lempke – Niles-Maine District Library 

Barbara Karawacki – Niles Historical Society 

Carol Luc – Artist

Marina Samovsky – Photographer 

Debi Gajewski – Artist

Sarah Djordjevic – Maine East Fine Arts Dept

Members Absent:

John Kosirog – School District 71 

Alicia Bermes – Niles Chamber of Commerce 

George Alpogianis – Niles Sister Cities 

Kathleen Gallegos – Artist/Art Station Studio

Village Officials/Staff Present:

Katie Schneider – Community Engagement Coordinator

I. Call to Order:

Chair Lindsey Kmetty called the meeting to order electronically via Zoom audio/visual conferencing at 4:02 p.m. on Tuesday, February 9, 2021.

II. Public Comment

The electronic meeting is open to the public. No public comment was submitted in advance of the meeting. No public comment was made at the meeting.

III. Approval of Meeting Minutes

Carol Luc made a motion to accept the January 12, 2021 meeting minutes as presented. Joseph Steinfels second the motion, all were in favor. None opposed. Minutes approved.

IV. Organization Representative Reports

Lindsey welcomed Sarah Djordjevic to the Arts and Culture Council. She is replacing Ed Eubank and representing Maine East School District 207.

Sarah Djordjevic (Maine East Fine Arts Department) – Maine East is coordinating an online art exhibition and the musical Working for an outdoor performance in the spring. Details are still being finalized.

Janet Spector Bishop (East Maine School District 63) – District 63 continues with a mix of hybrid and e-learning.

Marina Samovsky (Photographer) – She recently just joined the Museum of Contemporary Photography council as part of Columbia College.

Carol Luc (Artist) – She painted a birdhouse for the Farm on Frank.

Joseph Steinfels (Niles VFW Post 3579) – The VFW facility is open at 50% capacity and recently held their Super Bowl party at 50% capacity and planning on a St. Patrick’s Day party in March.

Debi Gajewski (Artist) – Her artwork is being sold at a store in McHenry County and she is storytelling via zoom.

Susan Lempke (Niles-Maine District Library) - The library reopened to limited numbers. Library asked other council members to promote their patron survey.

Barb Karawacki (Niles Historical Society) – The museum will be opening March 1st on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and every other Saturday. They have a new website and look forward to people seeing the new exhibits.

Katie Schneider (Village of Niles) – All 45 birdhouses were picked up and they will be installed on the fence in March at the Farm on Franks. The Village is working on a Spring Cleanup day in April.

Lindsey Kmetty (Niles Park District) – The Park District have smaller pod leagues open again, they are waiting to hear on whether pools can open this summer.

V. Niles Artisan Guild

Debi Gajewski reported that they continue Facebook live. They are still planning on Love Niles garden flags.

VI. Old Business

a. Utility Boxes – The Council discussed an artist stipend for the utility boxes. Katie will try and find comparable projects and bring for the next meeting.

b. Art Bus Bench – Council members used the zoom poll feature to determine the top four designs. Council members did have concerns about a few designs that have copyright logos and images. The final four designs selected were: Maia Palmar Dissipating Ripples (#13), DeMarcus Purham Leaning Tower (#12), Gloria Riveria Heightened Vision (#1B) and Carly Dered-Boyle Paw-fect Friends (#7C)

VII. New Business

There was no new business.

VIII. Open Discussion

There was no open discussion.

IX. Next Meeting

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 9, 2021 at 4:00 p.m.

X. Adjournment

Janet Spector Bishop made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 5:04 p.m. Barb Karawacki second the motion, all were in favor. Meeting adjourned.

https://www.vniles.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_02092021-2056