Manhattan Beach Cultural Arts Commission
October 16, 2023
1 CITY OF MANHATTAN BEACH
MINUTES OF THE CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION
October 16, 2023
Hybrid format: by teleconference (Zoom) and in person in accordance with procedures on agenda 1400 Highland Avenue
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
A. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Spackman called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.
B. PLEDGE TO THE FLAG
C. ROLL CALL
Present: Dohner, Erlich-Fein, Karger, Vice Chair Tokashiki (until 6:16 p.m.), Chair Spackman
Absent: Patterson
Staff present: Parks and Recreation Director Leyman, Cultural Arts Manager (CAM) Stewart, Recording Secretary Rosemary Lackow
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – September 18, 2023
It was moved and seconded (Karger/Tokashiki) to approve as submitted.
The above motion passed by voice vote: 5-0-1 (Ayes: Dohner, Karger, Erlich-Fein, Vice Chair Tokashiki, Chair Spackman; Absent: Patterson)
E. CEREMONIAL
CAM Stewart announced that the city council has declared October as “Arts and Humanities Month”.
F. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION (3-Minute Limit)
Taylor Gardner, artist, stated he is present for the murals item and is available for any questions.
G. GENERAL BUSINESS
1. Work Plan Item Discussion
Director Leyman informed of a revised, streamlined 2024 Work Plan process, noting that the proposed work plan for all three Parks and Recreation Department commissions will be presented together under one report that he will present to City Council in March, 2024. Meanwhile, City Council will continue to receive quarterly work plan status reports, the next one being in November. This will give more direction to the commission in finalizing its 2024 work plan list at its January meeting.
a. Utility Box Beautification (Phase II): CAM Stewart updated: all contracts are signed and staff
Manhattan Beach Cultural Arts Commission
October 16, 2023
2 expects work to begin this month.
b. Murals (Phase II): CAM Stewart updated: At its September 19th meeting, City Council reviewed the Commission recommendations for 27 proposals for seven locations, approved finalists for five locations (see below) and directed that staff request new or reworked proposals for the MBAC and the PD /FD facility and bring back Commission recommendations. At the October 3rd City Council meeting, councilmembers Howorth and Napolitano requested that City Council (CC) place on a following agenda, whether to agendize discussion regarding the Eric Snyder “3-D shark” proposal for the PD/Fire wall.
The following proposals were approved by city council 9/19/23:
1. Manhattan Heights: Armelle Vervialle Ngo (conceptually approved) based on images from her first round submittals for the pier restroom; artist to submit revised proposal designed for Manhattan Heights for final council approval, tentatively planned for November 21, 2023.
2. Rocketship Hall, Marine Avenue Park: Council directed staff to work with artist Pamela Wall to rework her first round proposal for the PD/FD building of skateboarder; staff has contacted the artist who is agreeable (does not need to come back to CC).
3. Pier Restroom building: Charles Bragg approved for pelicans in flight.
4. Strand/34th Street stairway (vertical riser portions of steps): Charles Bragg approved for sea lion.
5. Parking Lot 2: Dave Titus selected for marine life, to be revised as needed to display sea life local to Manhattan Beach.
Pursuant to council direction, Chair Spackman led the Commission in reviewing 120 proposals for the two remaining locations, at the MBAC and MB PD/FD walls, and the Commission selected the following as semi-finalists to be recommended to the City Council:
MB PD/FD wall:
1. Brendan Monroe (black and white wavy with blue sky)
2. Emily Tanaka (first responder figures, revised to include police officer)
3. Alex Weinstein (fade from sky to ocean; preferred version “3” showing most water)
4. Jen Levita (colorful sky, palms, flag)
5. Pamela Wall (nautilus with nature motifs)
MBAC wall:
1. Pamela Wall (mid-century modern shapes with Van Hamersveld motifs)
2. Marianna DeSalles (under pier)
3. Natalie Strong (child at shoreline)
4. Emily Tanaka (flora w/Van Hamersveld motifs)
Staff plans to bring the Co mmission’s recommendations for these two locations to City C ouncil on November 21st.
c. Sculpture Garden: CAM Stewart updated that at its September 19th meeting, City Council reviewed CAC recommendations of four options on ways to structure the program. However, in lieu of these options, CC directed that the CAC and staff “go shopping for art” and bring back 15 options for sculptures from which the council will choose a few to purchase, commission to be made, or obtain on loan for a specific period of time. CAM Stewart clarified that she believes CC is looking for a variety but mainly fairly large, impactful pieces to be placed outdoors; at this time a budget has not been established.
Manhattan Beach Cultural Arts Commission
October 16, 2023
3 CAM Stewart directed that the Commission: research actual artworks to be compiled into a list that will later be formatted into a more robust presentation for a CC presentation. She suggested that the commission have locations in mind in choosing artworks. Some approaches in looking for art works include: 1) online artist collectives (such as CODAworx.com); 2) archive of City’s sculpture garden artists (available on City website); 3) artists in the local community; 4) Homeira Goldstein artists; and 5) artists personally recommended by commissioners; 6) artists with existing works in other cities.
CAM Stewart presented PowerPoint slides to show, as a jumping off point, several examples compiled by Commissioner Dohner and herself of larger scale art works. Artists looked at include: Jan Hoy, Lyman Whittaker, Alejandro Vega Beuvrin, Pedro Villalta, Kevin Barrett, Gizmo art Productions, Sopheap Pich, Rui Ceri/Denver Arts &Venues, John Randall Nelson, Gail Folwell/LACEFence, Paula Hart, Sonja Ishii, and Brian Keith. Going forward, in looking for artworks, CAM Stewart suggested that the Commission apply a loose of rubric for each: artwork; location; proposed budget; connection to Manhattan Beach; and whether to commission, purchase existing or acquire as loan; artwork size; material; description; and why this artwork?
Vice Chair Tokashiki left the chambers at 6:16 p.m.
The Commission discussed how to go forward. Chair Spackman suggested first determining where the sculptures could be located and then sear ch for artworks suitable for the locations and budget will be addressed at some point. CAM Stewart noted that City Council’s preference has been for works that are either unique or one of a limited series (e.g., C.J. Rench “Red O”).
The project timeli ne was discussed; Director Leyman requests that the Commission finalize its recommendations in November so that a presentation can be made to Council in December, or January at the latest. The Commission expressed concern regarding the short timeframe.
CAM Stewart summarized next steps: she will locate and send to the Commission the sculpture locations that had been prior considered and she will pass on the Commission’s concerns regarding the timeline. Chair Spackman will contact Councilmember Napolita no to request possible website resources and all commissioners will start to research potential artworks that may be purchased or commissioned by the City and if comfortable, reach out to artists.
d. New Art Initiatives
CAM Stewart updated that during a staff departmental update to the City Council on October 3rd, CC gave quick responses for new initiatives that had been previously discussed by the Commission at its September meeting. The CC responses for each initiative were:
1. Public Art Tour (formerly Art Walk/Art Exhibition): Council direction - liked concept but pause for now.
2. Instruments in the Park: Council direction: do not pursue.
3. Art Nights/MB Chamber : Council direction: keep on list, would like more information.
Commissioner Karger will take lead and work with Jill Lamkin, Director, Downtown Business and Professional Association who has been contacted and is happy to help with this project. Commissioner Dohner will provide another contact, a resident who had helped with the El Segundo Art Walk.
4. Small Downtown Performance Space: Council direction: take off list and proceed with programming
Manhattan Beach Cultural Arts Commission
October 16, 2023
4 for existing public spaces (Civic Center plaza, library amphitheater)
5. Chalk Art Festival: Council direction: keep on list, develop further.
6. Surfboards on Parade – Council Direction: keep on list, would like more information.
7. Art Vending Machine - Council direction: keep on list, would like more information.
Commissioner Erlich-Fein updated that there is a company that will handle the entire project, but will look into other options.
8. Young at Art program for Older Adults – Council direction: proceed with programming. CAM Stewart indicated programming may be scheduled through the Older Adults program (Kari Bell).
9. Art Therapy at Joslyn Center - Council direction: see Young at Art above.
10. LA / South Bay Coalition vs Hate Community Mural - Council direction: keep on list, return to City Council with more information. CAM Stewart stated she believes that it is important to first find a location as this, being a community involvement project, requires ground level access.
11. Alley Arts Murals – Council direction: pause for now; take off list, possibly come back with more information. CAM Stewart noted that this project needs refinement.
CAM Stewart noted that when Director Leyman updates the Council in November this will give the Commission an opportunity to provide more information as requested by Council for some items. The Commission briefly discussed that th e new initiative list includes concepts that are being brainstormed and may or may not be not be included on next year’s work plan.
H. STAFF ITEMS
Cultural Arts Division updates – CAM Stewart reported:
Staff is preparing for the next exhibit ion (Homeira Goldstein Time4Art retrospective) . The exhibit, opening October 27 th will celebrate Homeira’s great influence as a curator and art advocate and will include for the first time, pieces from her personal collection as well as artists she has worked with. The exhibit will also have a closing event tentatively, December 29th. The annual Pumpkin Race will be on October 29th. The Commission will enter a pumpkin and this will be discussed offline.
Hometown Fair update: Cultural A rts staff held an open house in the ceramics studio, gave demonstrations and conducted free craft activities which were very successful. Utility box beautification: staff working to get art files to the installer. Murals: working on executing artist contracts.
City Council update: At its September 19 th meeting the council approved the expansion of the RLA scope of work for conservation assessment of all of the City’s Public Art collection. The contract has been signed and a kickoff meeting will be held this week. The consultant will begin with the Strand benches and the mosaic mural next to the pier. City Manager Moe advised at the council meeting that a potential new pavilion building project in Polliwog Pak to provide library services and house historic archives – is no longer an active project. Staff will be examining other ways of utilizing surplus library funds, which are required to be spent on library services. As a separate project, the historic resources in the “red house” are being catalogued , assessed, cleared out and rehoused by the firm HAI, working with the Historic Society.
PATF (Public Art Trust Fund): no report at this time, but no significant changes have occurred.
Two large projects, Sunrise Assisted Living and High Rose multifamily have not yet p aid building permit fees, and as such have not yet contributed to the fund.
Manhattan Beach Cultural Arts Commission
October 16, 2023
5 I. COMMISSION ITEMS
Commissioner Dohner announced two upcoming Mira Costa events: the Mira Costa fall play “Peter and the Star Catcher” on two weekends starting Friday, November 3rd, and Art Night on Friday October 27, 5-7 p.m. She will email info to the Commission.
J. ADJOURNMENT
At 6:54 p.m. it was moved and seconded (Karger/Dohner) to adjourn the meeting to November 20th, 2023 at 4:00 pm; the motion passed unanimously.