Manhattan Beach Cultural Arts Commission
January 17, 2024
1 CITY OF MANHATTAN BEACH
MINUTES OF THE CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION
January 17, 2024
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, Ehrlich-Fein, Karger, Patterson, Vice Chair Tokashiki, Chair Spackman
Absent: None
Staff present: Cultural Arts Manager (CAM) Eilen Stewart, Cultural Arts Supervisor Eric Brinkman, Recording Secretary Rosemary Lackow
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - None
E. CEREMONIAL - None
F. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION (3-Minute Limit) - None
G. GENERAL BUSINESS
1. Work Plan Item Discussion
a. Utility Box Beautification (Phase III): discussed after (c) Sculpture garden (b) Murals.
CAM Stewart updated on last night’s relevant council action: this item was pulled off consent calendar, discussed, and unanimously approved including the $600 stipend for artists, all locations, and one RFP revision on eligibility for youth (may submit from all LA County). Next steps: she will make changes to the RFP and push out with more emphasis on youth participation. The City’s GIS technician will be asked to prepare a map showing locations approved by City Council. Staff will process received applications and vet for eligibility and viability. All acceptable submissions will be presented to the CAC for review and recommendations to City Council. The recommended artwork and locations will return to City Council for final approval and allocation of fund s from the Public Arts Trust Fund . CAM Stewart responded to questions, indicating that outreach to youth within the expanded area will be done by staff, including contacting LAUSD and LA Arts Council.
CAM Stewart also reported that City Council also approved funding for the construction associated with
Manhattan Beach Cultural Arts Commission
January 17, 2024
2 the ceramics kiln, which staff hopes will be installed and operating in time for summer programming.
b. Murals
CAM Stewart briefly updated that staff is processing contracts and it appears the first mural to be completed will be at the Manhattan Beach Art Center (MBAC) by Emily Tanaka, followed by the artwork at Manhattan Heights by Armelle Vervialle Ngo. The shark mural will be going back to City Council tentatively in March, and CAM Stewart requested that the Commission inform her of any or all possible locations that they have in mind (including new Fire Station 2).
c. Sculpture Garden.
While awaiting the arrival of CAM Stewart, Chair Spackman led discussion in part, sharing information regarding artist Lyle London. He would like to add Mr. London’s piece “ Ocean Dancer” to the list of artworks for City Council review. Mr. London works from Tempe, Arizona; does all work (a lot of public art) on commission, is well known; works with various media like metal and dichroic glass (as used for Light Gate). The Commission reviewed the artist’s website.
Cultural Arts Supervisor Brinkman explained the Commission’s objective is to select from a total of 24 pieces (with Ocean Dancer added), 15 sculptures to recommend for consideration by City Council.
It was discussed and agreed that two pieces be removed from consideration at this time: 1) Dale Rogers with a potential Sand Dune Park location, until the park’s renovation plan is finalized, and 2) Kevin Barrett’s “Midnight Ride” piece because its scale is not appropriate.
CAM Stewart with Chair Spackman led detailed discussion on possible sculptures, showed slides of all artworks that had been identified by the Commission at its last meeting to be on the list of 15 works. It was agreed that Lyle London’s “Ocean Dancer” would be discussed.
The Commission discussed and concluded that the following 15 works would be presented to City Council for review.
Artist Name Artist
Location
Artwork Description Location
1. Brittany Ryan Los Angeles Bronze figurative work
(commissioned)
On pedestal at
beach
2. Alex Weinstein Redondo
Beach
Plaster aggregate –
(commissioned, 2 options)
El Porto parkette
north end, low
profile
3. Rico Eastman
Deceased Bronze (in storage -
donation by H. Goldstein)
TBD
4. Jorge Blanco Sarasota,
Florida
Powder coated aluminum –
(bicyclist); (purchase)
TBD – near the
bike path?
5. Jan Hoy Whidby Isl.
WA
Steel loop crosses itself
(wave-like – purchase)
North El Porto
beach parkette
Manhattan Beach Cultural Arts Commission
January 17, 2024
3 6. Pedro Villalta New York Metal clam shells (purchase) Pier (3 existing pedestals),
Veterans Parkway
7. Anthony Howe Orcas Island,
WA
Stainless steel “tower”
(purchase)
Strand, Civic Plaza,
Metlox, Polliwog
8. Jeremy Guy Toronto, Canada
Large heart shape,
suggesting murmuration;
composite granite or powder
coated steel (more
expensive) (purchase)
Civic Center Plaza,
Veterans Parkway,
Manhattan Heights,
Marine Avenue
Park
9. David Hostetler Ohio
(deceased)
“Duo” - either pale blue or
richer blue patina (purchase)
Civic Center Plaza
(fountain as
welcome to City
Hall) or MBAC
10. Aristedes Demetrios Santa
Barbara
(deceased)
Stainless steel spiral
w/cutouts (purchase?)
Civic Center Plaza,
Rocket Ship Hall
(Marine Ave Park)
11. David Boyajian Connecticut Yellow powder coated
flower – California poppy
(commission)
Waterwise parkette
12. Archie Held N/A Three waves, mixed metal; like but reduced in size
(commission)
TBD
13. Shayne Dark N/A Coral spikes Polliwog or Civic
Plaza (flat square
planter, or flower
pots), MBAC,
Botanical Garden
14. Lace Fence Holland Stainless steel lacy fencing
(commission)
Sand Dune Park
15. Lyle London Tempe, Ariz Free standing metal ‘Ocean
Dancer” sculpture
(commission)
It was noted that if there is another round, some of those eliminated now e.g., Troy Pillow, Terrasculpture, Cyrille Andre (perhaps not a hooded figure, but an animal ) etc. coul d be considered then . The “bird sculpture” would be pending finalization of a plan for renovating Sand Dune Park.
d. New Art Initiatives
Commissioner Karger reported she is in communication with Jill Lampkin of the Downtown Business and Professoinal Association. The MBDPA is very enthusiastic in collaborating with the CAC for an art walk; a downtown hair salon is planning to host a pop-up art exhibit in January/February 2024. Next steps: the CAC to get more details, such as the desired duration (one night or longer?). One suggestion was that there be two one-day (all weekend) art pop-ups: one in downtown in January/February, and a second one in the fall, at Manhattan Village. It was also suggested that the committee contact Holly Socrates (helped found the El Segundo art walk) and Marcia Hansen (El Segundo Chamber). The Committee should nail down all
Manhattan Beach Cultural Arts Commission
January 17, 2024
4 “asks” made to staff, the Commission, and City Council, what the collaboration with the City BIDs will look like and how installations would be done. CAM Stewart also suggested inquiring about a past North Manhattan Beach art walk organized by former CAC Commissioner Jacki May, in terms of what challenges may have occurred.
A self-guided public art tour (including a map) was briefly discussed. This can be worked on after higher priority projects are completed. CAM Stewart reminded that this item would need to be added to the work plan in order to proceed in developing it. A question was asked regarding the Young At Art program, CAM Stewart clarified that the program contact has been asked to speak to staff about programming and has not reached out yet.
CAM Stewart will look at the full list of public art opportunities discussed at its September, 2023 meeting and update the running report (e.g. Instruments In the Park to be removed and the self-guided art tour will be activated after art pieces are installed).
H. STAFF ITEMS
Cultural Arts Division updates – CAM Stewart reported:
City Council actions: already noted, last night City Council approved a contract for construction related to the new ceramics kiln and Round III of the Utility box beautification program. The MBAC exhibition “Return to Form” showcasing four artists, two of them teaching classes at MBAC, has its opening on January 19th.
PATF (Public Art Trust Fund) report: no changes since last meeting ( total fund balance about $1.7+ million; of that, +- $1 million is allocated; and +- $680k unallocated; projected expirations:
2023 - none; 2024 – about $241k..
I. COMMISSION ITEMS
Commissioner Karger enthusiastically recommended the “Luna Luna” exhibit in DTLA ( east of arts district) which will be going till the end of January, perhaps longer.
J. ADJOURNMENT
At 5:35 p.m. Chair Spackman without opposition, adjourned the meeting to 4:00 pm, February 21 (Wednesday) at 4:00 p.m. noting this change in meeting date is due to Presidents Day Holiday.