Southern Illinois News

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

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

Members Present:

Lindsey Kmetty – Niles Park District (CHAIR) 

Susan Lempke – Niles-Maine District Library 

Joseph Steinfels – Niles VFW Post 3579 

Janet Spector Bishop – School District 63 

Barbara Karawacki – Niles Historical Society 

Carol Luc – Artist

Marina Samovsky – Photographer 

Debi Gajewski – Artist

Sarah Djordjevic – Maine East Fine Arts Dept 

Alicia Bermes – Niles Chamber of Commerce

Members Absent:

John Kosirog – School District 71 Kathleen Gallegos – Artist/Art Station Studio George Alpogianis – Niles Sister Cities

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 4:04 p.m. on Tuesday, March 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

Debi Gajewski made a motion to accept the February 9, 2021 meeting minutes as presented. Joseph Steinfels second the motion, all were in favor. None opposed. Minutes approved.

IV. Organization Representative Reports

Katie Schneider (Village of Niles) – All 45 birdhouses are up on the fence at Farm on Franks. If they need to be moved, Carol Luc suggested they go on the fence at the Rain Garden. The Village is planning on hosting a 4th of July Parade this summer, but makes no commitment or guarantees as things continue to change.

Sarah Djordjevic (Maine East Fine Arts Department) – Maine East just released the school Variety Show online. An art exhibition will be coming out online next week. The Chicago Alliance of African American Photographers did a project with Maine East that was a wonderful opportunity for students.

Alicia Bermes (Niles Chamber of Commerce) – The Chamber is planning a small scale Taste Event this August to promote local businesses. Hopefully this event will grow into a summer festival with art fair at Golf Mill Park.

Debi Gajewski (Artist) – She continues to paint and fill orders for Etsy.

Susan Lempke (Niles-Maine District Library) - The library is hosting an art contest to promote the summer reading theme “Reading Colors Your World”, the winner will be the newsletter cover.

Carol Luc (Artist) – She started her watercolor classes at the Senior Center.

Joseph Steinfels (Niles VFW Post 3579) – The VFW held a 30 Year Anniversary of the Gulf War and thanked the Village for their participation.

Janet Spector Bishop (East Maine School District 63) – District 63 is planning a robust summer learning program. Music students have mastered music learning software while e-learning and they are offering a virtual performance. The District is looking at vaccinating staff.

Barb Karawacki (Niles Historical Society) – The Museum Curator Bianca Mariottini has resigned for another opportunity closer to her home. So re-opening the museum has been delayed.

Marina Samovsky (Photographer) – She continues her photography work. She reflected on photographing the vaccine site at the Senior Center and how emotional and liberated residents were.

Lindsey Kmetty (Niles Park District) – The Park District is also planning on summer events, but not sure what that looks like yet. They are hosting an Egg Scramble outdoors. There will not be sport leagues but sport pods are being allowed. Pioneer Park will open April 10 and other facilities are still waiting on direction from the State.

V. Niles Artisan Guild

Debi Gajewski reported that they have found a picture of the Leaning Tower for the art project and will move forward. Facebook live auction is currently on hold and will resume March 17th when Debi is in better health.

VI. Old Business

There was no old business.

VII. New Business

a. Final Budget Items for FY 2021 – Katie Schneider reminded the Council that the village fiscal year ends April 30, 2021. She gave a quick overview of Arts and Culture spending in the past two years and what is budgeted for FY 2022.

Alicia Bermes announced to the Council that the Chamber wants to host a Leaning Tower parade (similar to the Cows on Parade) where businesses could sponsor a tower to have on display at their business and an artist could paint it. Ideally, these would be semi-permanent and stay out for a couple of years. Each

Leaning Tower is 6’ tall and made of fiberglass. Alicia made a request that the Arts and Culture Council collaborate on the project and cover costs of artist stipends. The towers would be manufactured in Italy and take at least two months before shipped to Niles.

After discussion, Debi Gajewski made a motion to spend up to $6,000 in FY2022 on the Leaning Tower project for artist stipends, supplies and similar purchases including the purchase of one tower to start. Carol Luc second the motion, all were in favor, none opposed, none abstained. Motion passed.

Marina Samovsky and Katie Schneider reviewed the Niles 2020 Photo project that was started in January 2020 and came to a stop in late March 2020 when the pandemic hit. Originally there was $10,000 budgeted for this project to cover photography costs and printing/framing for display. Display would include pictures in the Council Chambers, street pole banners at Oakton and Waukegan Road and a traveling display for the Historical Society and/or Library. There will also be a social media component. The Council discussed and wants the project to have a strong Niles identity like a name, logo or image. Marina stated that the working title is Niles At Our Table and we would also promote the Arts and Culture Council.

Janet Spector Bishop made a motion to resume the Niles Photo Project and spend budgeted dollars to continue the project. Joseph Steinfels second the motion, all were in favor. None opposed. None abstained. Motion passed.

VIII. Open Discussion

Lindsey Kmetty asked if there was potential for artwork or a sculpture by the new Police Station garage that is being built. There are multiple buildings in that small space, Katie thought that original plans called for art space, but will check and report back.

IX. Next Meeting

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 13, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. electronically.

X. Adjournment

Susan Lempke made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 5:04 p.m. Marina Samovsky second the motion, all were in favor. Meeting adjourned.

https://www.vniles.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_03092021-2078