Manhattan Beach Cultural Arts Commission
February 21, 2024
1 CITY OF MANHATTAN BEACH
MINUTES OF THE CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION
February 21, 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 4:00 p.m.
B. PLEDGE TO THE FLAG
C. ROLL CALL
Present:, Erlich-Fein, Karger, Patterson, Vice Chair Tokashiki, Chair Spackman
Absent: Dohner
Staff present: Cultural Arts Manager (CAM) Eilen Stewart, Ceramics Supervisor Eric Brinkman, Recording Secretary Rosemary Lackow
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – December 18. 2024, January 17, 2024
It was moved and seconded (Karger/Patterson) to approve December 18 th minutes as submitted. The motion passed by voice vote: 5-0-1: Ayes:, Erlich-Fein, Karger, Patterson, Vice Chair Tokashiki, Chair Spackman; Absent: Dohner
It was moved and seconded (Tokashiki/Karger) to approve January 17 th minutes as submitted. The motion passed by voice vote: 5-0-1: Ayes:, Erlich-Fein, Karger, Patterson, Vice Chair Tokashiki, Chair Spackman; Absent: Dohner
E. CEREMONIAL - None
F. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION (3-Minute Limit) - None
G. GENERAL BUSINESS
1. Work Plan Item Discussion
a. Utility Box Beautification (Phase III):
CAM Stewart updated: Phase II – all wraps are completed, however the installation contractor will be going back and making repairs on some cabinets. Phase III: in progress. After the RFP is closed, staff will vet submittals and bring back a list to the Commission for review for 28 locations (includes those added
Manhattan Beach Cultural Arts Commission
February 21, 2024
2 downtown/Highland north end).
b. Murals
CAM Stewart updated: Murals are being installed. The first, by Emily Tanaka is in at MBAC; the next one will be by Armelle Vervialle Ngo at Manhattan Heights (facing MBB) to be followed by the Dave Titus piece on Parking Lot 2 near the pier. Following these will be the pier restroom, beach stairs, Marine Avenue fire/police facility, CAM Stewart will report progress at each commission meeting and will be recorded in the minutes. The shark mural will be going back to council tentatively March 19th.
Discussion followed as the commission expressed a desire that the great progress being made in installing community art be publicized. It was noted that there is an “Art in Public Places” “Story Map” showing art in the city already on the city website but this needs to be updated . 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.
CAM Sewart updated that on 1/17/24 the CAC finalized the list of sculptures to send on to the council for consideration, which hopefully will be on the 3/19/24 council agenda.
d. New Art Initiatives
Downtown Art Walk: Commissioner Karger updated that she has met with Jill Lampkin (Downtown BID) and City staff and found there is strong support for a downtown art event. The Commission discussed challenges of a traditional art walk (as experienced in the North End working with that BID a few years ago). CAM Stewart showed slides regarding a Skateboard Art Walk as an alternative to a traditional art walk. There are many advantages. First it would solve a number of challenges as experienced in the North End walk (require a smaller footprint in stores; will involve a standardized artwork (skateboard), would mitigate liability concerns in that a simple installation method would only be needed, provided by the City) and also various decorative methods can be used. To go forward, CAC approval is needed and an ad hoc committee is needed that will develop a plan in coordination with walk (the downtown BID. Timing-wise, staff is looking at the first quarter, 2025 for implementation. City staff will create a “call to artists” coordinating with local artists. The Commission discussed; this may not be a “one-off” event, perhaps becoming an annual event, and the Manhattan Village mall may be included in the future. Commissioner Karger will contact the City of Hermosa Beach for information.
Staff Report - List of Projects discussion. The Commission discussed the running list of projects that is provided in the staff report. It was agreed that on page 3 of the staff report, under Proactive Research of Additional Arts Opportunities, the project /bullet Surfboard on Parade be combined with the Public Art Tour, as the new skateboard project. Commissioner Tokashiki inquired if the two projects’ Young at Art for Older Adults and Art Therapy should be removed from the list or status updated, if these are now staff items. Commissioner Erlich-Fein has done some research on Art Therapy (has found a person who could teach it) but this is separate from the Young at Art item.
There was a brief discussion on what is “Public Art Tour” with Commissioner Tokashiki stating she feels this could be about putting together a digital brochure promoting the City’s public art and feels
Manhattan Beach Cultural Arts Commission
February 21, 2024
3 that this is a high priority. CAM Stewart clarified that the origin of the art tour was a suggestion by a former CAC Commissioner to have a physical tour and this is what the Council approved. The concept of a brochure would be a separate work plan item and involves a lot more staff work and would require new council approval. CAM Stewart discouraged personally contacting the Chamber to generate interest in this as it is not a council approved project. CAM Stewart noted that the city has an online component “Story Map” of Art in Public Places is on the city website and this needs to be updated once the current projects are all done. If the Commission wants to develop a work plan item that would develop a brochure (paper) from the existing online Story Map, that could be suggested for the future.
Other work plan items that were discussed as needing further discussion included the Chalk Art Festival and Art Vending Machines; many issues need to be worked out such as location, dated, parking and traffic considerations (Chalk Art Festival). An ad hoc committee will be needed; Commissioner Tokashiki was suggested to lead this effort.
CAM Stewart will update the list for the next meeting.
H. STAFF ITEMS
Cultural Arts Division updates – Ceramics Supervisor Brinkman and/or CAM Stewart reported:
As previously reported, a new ceramics kiln will be installed in time for the summer, but it now appears that, in order to accommodate the work, a portion of the spring ceramics programming will have to be shut down. The existing kilns will continue to be used. An overview of the ceramics studio and kiln locations was presented.
Cultural Arts staff is working on Concerts in the Park – almost all booked up and working with other staff on the Juneteenth Event planning (2-day event). The mural at Manhattan Heights is currently going up the Dave Tius mural is next, then PD & Fire Departments building (nautilus shell) and then the Strand and Strand stairways. Staff with HAI is working with the Historical Society in the historic collection archive project (next step is digitization). Perhaps, on March 19th the City Council may consider the future use of the Red House, along with other Cultural Arts items.
4/19 will be the community ceramics exhibit, inviting ceramic artists in the LA area. On March 7th there will be a Bruce’s Beach committee meeting, they will be considering how to best reformat the RFP to get submittals that are desired; Public Works is working on replacing the stolen plaque.
City Council/City Manager actions: City Manager Moe has directed that the concerts in the park proceed with funding from the arts fund (first time this done). Arts Assessment project update: once a report is done by the consultant, it will be brought to the CAC.
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; 2025: about $46,00.
I. COMMISSION ITEMS – None
J. ADJOURNMENT
Manhattan Beach Cultural Arts Commission
February 21, 2024
4 At 5:37 p.m. Chair Spackman without opposition, adjourned the meeting to 4:00 pm, March 18 (Wednesday) at 4:00 p.m.