Manhattan Beach Cultural Arts Commission
December 18, 2023
1 CITY OF MANHATTAN BEACH
MINUTES OF THE CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION
December 18, 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 4:02 p.m.
B. PLEDGE TO THE FLAG
C. ROLL CALL
Present: Dohner, Karger, Patterson, Vice Chair Tokashiki, Chair Spackman
Absent: Ehrlich-Fein
Staff present: Cultural Arts Manager (CAM) Eilen Stewart, Cultural Arts Supervisor Eric Brinkman, Recording Secretary Rosemary Lackow
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – November 20, 2023
It was moved and seconded (Spackman/Karger) to approve as submitted.
The above motion passed by voice vote: 5-0-1 (Ayes: Dohner, Karger, Patterson, Vice Chair Tokashiki, Chair Spackman; Absent: Ehrlich-Fein
E. CEREMONIAL - None
F. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION (3-Minute Limit)
Madeleine Kaplan, docent for “Young at Art” spoke on this program provided to the City’s elementary schools for a reasonable fee. She advocated that the City expand this program to adults.
CAM Stewart advised M s. Kaplan to connect with staff Eric Brinkman and Kari Bell to discuss incorporating into the existing Parks and Recreation programming.
G. GENERAL BUSINESS
1. Work Plan Item Discussion
a. Utility Box Beautification (Phase III):
Manhattan Beach Cultural Arts Commission
December 18, 2023
2 CAM Stewart provided an overview. Chair Spackman and Commissioner Karger indicated that they both were not able to get box locations from representatives of commercial areas, respectively from downtown (from Downtown Business and Professional Association, Jill Lampkin) and the north end of Highland (from BID representative Mike Simms). It was agreed that the Chair and Commissioner Karger will walk these areas, respectively, looking for boxes to wrap and will continue to work with the downtown and North Manhattan Beach representatives as they are able. CAM Stewart noted that the City Council will consider the Commission’s Round III recommended locations on January 16. Chair Spackman expressed concern regarding timing, in that there likely will be some locations (DTMB and North MB) that would be passed on without full Commission review. CAM Stewart suggested and it was agreed that, instead of delaying to a later City Council meeting, staff will work with the Commissioners to identify appropriate box locations and represent the whole Commission’s interest when this item goes to City Council. The Chair requested to be sent a copy of the draft report that will be sent to City Council if possible before published.
Each of the commissioners proceeded to report on locations of new utility box wrappings for this phase, focusing on specific neighborhoods near them. With the aid of PowerPoint slides the Commission looked at photos of each of the suggested new cabinets, discussed criteria and chose viable candidates. The selection criteria agreed on included that cabinet locations should be highly visible (e.g. on a main traffic corridor, and/or near a school or public recreation area, which may encourage youth participation. Commissioner Patterson stated another position, that she supports beautifying cabinets within residential areas as she feels that this would be an asset to those neighborhoods.
The full list of possible locations were discussed in detail and the following selected:
1. Cedar Avenue and Marine Avenue, northwest corner by mall entrance
2. Meadows Avenue and Marine Avenue, southwest corner next to residential home and cinderblock wall
3. Peck Avenue and Marine Avenue, southwest corner next to residential home
4. Redondo Avenue and Marine Avenue, southwest corner next to residential home, same corner as newly installed Butterfly box
5. Harkness Avenue and Manhattan Beach Boulevard, northwest corner next to residential apartment building (two large boxes in close proximity)
6. Redondo Avenue and Manhattan Beach Boulevard, northeast corner, across from Polliwog park
7. Redondo Avenue and Manhattan Beach Boulevard, southwest corner next to pickle ball courts
8. Peck Avenue and Manhattan Beach Boulevard, northwest corner next to residential apartment building (two boxes next to each other)
9. Rowell Avenue and Manhattan Beach Boulevard, southeast side by Fire Station 2
10. Poinsettia Avenue and Manhattan Beach Boulevard, southeast side, in front of church
11. North Dianthus Avenue and 8th Street, west side of street in residential area (two boxes in close proximity)
12. 8th Street and Larsson Street, northeast corner behind Gelson’s
13. Duncan Avenue and Sepulveda Boulevard, south side of street in front of Iron Workers Trade Union Building
14. Grandview Elementary School parking lot
15. Rosecrans Avenue and Blanche Road, east side of street
16. 15th Street and Valley Drive, south side of 15th across from the 9/11 and Veterans’ Memorials
17. 13th Street and Ardmore Avenue, south side of the street in front of residential home
18. Pacific Avenue and Manhattan Beach Boulevard, northeast corner in front of Pacific Elementary School
Manhattan Beach Cultural Arts Commission
December 18, 2023
3 19. Marine Avenue between John Street and Pacific Avenue
20. Peck Avenue and Artesia Boulevard, northwest corner in front of Mira Costa High School parking lot
21. Manhattan Beach Boulevard and Manhattan Avenue, southeast corner in front of Creamery, next to existing covered box from Phase I (two boxes next to each other)
22. 11th Place and Highland Avenue, south side of street (two boxes next to each other)
23. Manhattan Beach Boulevard and Ocean Drive, southwest side next to parking lot (two boxes next to each other)
24. 14th Street and Highland Avenue, southwest side of 14th Street across from City Hall and the Manhattan Beach Library (two boxes next to each other)
25. Manhattan Beach Boulevard and Morningside Drive, southeast side next to Union Bank parking lot (two boxes next to each other)
26. Highland Avenue and 40th Street, northwest side (three boxes next to each other)
27. Highland Avenue between Rosecrans Avenue and 38th Street, east side of street in front of parking lot (two boxes next to each other)
28. Highland Avenue and 33rd Street, southwest side of street
CAM Stewart noted that there will be additional opportunity to discuss locations during the RFP process; the budget will be based on locations, and that is why nailing down the locations is an important initial step. CAM Stewart affirmed that the next meeting will be pushed to January 17th due to the MLK holiday on 1/15 and the February meeting will be pushed to 2/21 due to Presidents Day.
At 5: 57 pm the Commission took a brief break, resuming the meeting at 6:03.
b. Murals (Phase II)
CAM Stewart updated, noting additional information requested by City Council in December for 1) the “shark mural” (possible locations) and 2) whether to approve an LA v Hate community mural proposal.
The LA v s Hate mural will be considered by City C ouncil in February. Recommendations from the Commission will be needed.
Staff will present a ll options, but the Commission is to provide a recommendation. The Commission reviewed slides and agreed that the following locations are possible for City Council consideration while pointing out pros and cons:
1a – Civic Center Plaza parking lot wall, left side (has large space sufficient for shark shadow for 3-d effect) 1b – Civic Center Plaza parking lot wall, right side
2 – Civic Center Plaza parking lot west facing wall, facing 13th St (requires shadow to be painted on adjacent sidewalk for effect, has more exposure for traffic)
5a – Fire Station #2 at south-east corner MBB/Rowell Avenue, front facing MBB wall 5b – Fire Sation #2 to the west of 5(a) where fire truck access is (large square design larger area) 5c – Fire Station #2, side wall facing Rowell Avenue, west side (has a small window) 5d – Fire Station #2, side wall facing Rowell, west side (larger of the two, has a utility box in front) 6 – Begg Pool, side of existing building (reasonable surface/easy install, very visible for pool users) 10 – Skate Spot building wall (visible, vegetation obscured, ownership other than City, easy access and ok paint surface)
Manhattan Beach Cultural Arts Commission
December 18, 2023
4 No other locations were suggested by the CAC.
c. Sculpture Garden.
CAM Stewart updated the plan as requested by City Council: to present 15 sculptures available for lease, purchase, or commission. The CAC discussed and came to a consensus for a list of possible artists and/or sculptures listed in the following table. This list will be finalized at the January meeting.
Artist Name Artist Location Artwork Description Possible Locations
1. Brittany Ryan Los Angeles Bronze figurative work ?
2. Alex Weinstein Redondo Beach Wave motif El Porto parkette
3. Rico Eastman Deceased Bronze curved structure ?
4 Jorge Blanco Sarasota, Florida Powder coated aluminum – (bicyclist)
?
5 Jorge Blanco Sarasota, Florida Powder coated aluminum (sitting figure)
On a park bench
(interactive)
6 Jan Hoy Whidby Isl. WA Steel loop cross itself North El Porto Parkette
7 Alejando Vega
Beuvrin
N/A Steel abstract – teardrop
shaped discs
Polliwog,
Veteran’s
Parkway, El Porto
Parkette, water
tower parkette
8 Pedro Villalta New York Steel (?) shells Veteran’s
Parkway (away
from DT),
Library lawn,
Strand, Pier (3
existing
pedestals); near
Sand Dune
9. Kevin Barrett New York Bronze abstract Veteran’s
Parkway, maybe
Marine (where the
trees were before),
waterwise
parkette
10. Anthony Howe Orcas Island, WA Stainless steel “tower” Strand, Civic Plaza, Metlox,
Polliwog
11. Jeremy Guy Toronto, Canada Large granite heart shape, suggesting murmuration
Civic Center
Plaza, Veterans
Parkway,
Manhattan
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December 18, 2023
5 Heights, Marine
Avenue Park
12. David Hostetler Ohio (deceased) “Duo” preferred over various bronze figures
Civic Center
Plaza
13. Aristedes
Demetrios
Santa Barbara Stainless steel spiral
w/cutouts
Civic Center
Plaza (where boat
was)
14. David Boyajian Connecticut Yellow powder coated
flower
Waterwise
parkette
15. Ania Biczysko N/A Stainless steel cloud shapes
on a “tower”
Civic Center or
Library
16. Shayne Dark N/A Coral spikes Polliwog or Civic
Plaza (fountain or
flower pots),
MBAC, Botanical
Garden
17. Terrasculpture N/A Stainless steel curved
shapes on powder coated
base
?
18. Archie Held N/A Three waves, mixed metal ?
19. Troy Pillow NA Free standing metal
sculpture
20. Cyrille Andre NA Bronze running figure
attached to wall
?
21 Lace Fence Holland Stainless steel lacy fencing Sand Dune Park
d. New Art Initiatives
There being no new information on the current list of initiatives, the Commission briefly discussed the “Young at Art” program as advocated earlier under Audience Participation. The Chair requested that this topic be agendized at a future meeting to clarify how that program will be handled. Staff will meet with Young at Art and discuss options and report back to the Commission.
H. STAFF ITEMS
Cultural Arts Division updates – Cultural Arts Supervisor Eric Brinkman and CAM Stewart reported:
The current utility box wrap project is 90% completed, estimated completion early January Ceramics classes have been very popular – in registration, only one slot left December 20th, community out reach meeting open to public regarding programming December 29th Homera Goldstein “Legacy” retrospective closing event, with jazz group Next MBAC exhibition “Revising the Ideal” opens January 19th, features four artists Two new artists have been hired for instruction
City Council update: as mentioned City C ouncil has requested that the Commission come up with possible locations for the Shark mural and staff is to research the LA vs Hate proposal for a community mural installation. City Council also authorized the contract for construction
Manhattan Beach Cultural Arts Commission
December 18, 2023
6 associated with the kiln for the ceramics studio. This is going through Public Works bid process and, if an award is made by Council in January, construction is expected to commence in Feb/March.
Digital Wall: went to bid, no bids received, project will be repackaged and put out for new bids RLA conservation work: staff is working with RLA; a comprehensive report will be coming in a couple of months; the report will be shared by staff with the Commission HAI contract (archiving): Phase III is completed and archives have been relocated. Phase IV will be presented at an upcoming City Council meeting
PATF (Public Art Trust Fund) total fund balance is about $1. 7+ million; of that, $1 million is allocated; and $ 680k unallocated; projected expirations: 2023 – none; 2024 – about $241k.
There is no known new significant construction that would imminently increase the fund balance. Some of the balance may be used upon approval of additional (shark) mural(s).
I. COMMISSION ITEMS
The Chair and other commissioners all wished everyone and Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
J. ADJOURNMENT
At 7:55 p.m. Chair Spackman without opposition, adjourned the meeting to 4:00 pm, January 17.