Manhattan Beach Cultural Arts Commission
September 15, 2025
1 CITY OF MANHATTAN BEACH
MINUTES OF THE CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION
September 15, 2025
Location: Manhattan Beach City Council Chambers
1400 Highland Avenue. Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
Hybrid (in-person/Zoom)
A. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Karger called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.
B. PLEDGE TO THE FLAG
C. ROLL CALL
Present: Dickey, Rosenberg, Tokashiki, Colmey, Torrey, Vice Chair Patterson, Chair Karger. Absent:
None
Staff present: Senior Recreation Supervisor (SRS) Eric Brinkman, Senior Management Analyst (SMA) Linda Robb, Recording Secretary Rosemary Lackow
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Cultural Arts Commission Regular Meeting Minutes: July 21, 2025
It was moved (Tokashiki) and seconded (Rosenberg) to approve the July 21, 2025 minutes as submitted.
Motion passed unanimously by voice vote: 7-0.
E. CEREMONIAL – None
F. PUBLIC COMMENTS
The following persons spoke in support of a Poet Laureate program:
Greg Johnson
Eric Grow
Tom Gilroy
Ann Adams
Brent Estabrook
G. GENERAL BUSINESS
2. Cultural Arts Commission Work Plan for 2025/2026
a. Sculpture Garden. (Patterson, Torrey) SRS Brinkman noted no change in status: except for the Sand Dune fence, the Sculpture Garden program is paused.
b. Sand Dune Artistic Fence (Patterson, Torrey) SRS Brinkman updated: he has communicated with La Lace, a company based in the Netherlands with the capability of manufacturing a custom “lacy
Manhattan Beach Cultural Arts Commission
September 15, 2025
2 fence” as originally envisioned. Staff is reviewing its extensive catalogue, determining that an RFP process is not necessarry. Timing and process: once a design is chosen by the city, the product can be made in two weeks, shipping would take one to two months. Design options will come back to the Commission for review and recommendation. The Commission discussed ; it was noted that parameters need to be established; SRS Brinkman believes a custom design should not significantly add to cost.
c. New Art Initiatives
i: Public Art Brochure (Karger, Tokashiki, Dickey): Chair Karger updated: the sub-committee has met, with former Commissioner Fred Manna. It as clarified that Fred’s tour in 2019 for Leadership Manhattan involved taking a shuttle from Joslyn Center to the eastside and back to Joslyn.
Discussing, it was decided the best cou rse to launch would be keep simple, e.g. a 2-hour walking tour of public art in downtown as opposed to covering the entire city . The tour could terminate at Light Gate , synchronized on a date when sunset can be viewed through the sculpture keyhole (January, November). The Downtown Manhattan Beach Business and Professional Association could assist in promoting and it was noted that the target audience should be very mixed and broad.
It was requested that staff update the brochure to include “Surf Asension” on Highland Avenue and any other missing artworks; the committee will confer and develop a list. It was emphasized that the tours can serve to promote future events like additional tours or exhibits.
ii: Poet Laureate (Patterson, Colmey) Commissioner Patterson thanked those who spoke in support of a Poet Laureate program . She clarified that the C ommission’s recommendation while, not recommending a separate formal student laureate, strongly encourages youth participation; this was amplified by Commissioner Colmey who explained that having student involvement was at the forefront of the program concept, but the commission felt that in starting, it should be simple, to get it launched.
SRS Brinkman reported he has met twice with Cassandra Sargent, new city branch Library Manager to explore County interest in hosting a Poet Laureate program. Manager Sargent has noted there is interest and there is a precedent of such a city partnership (West Hollywood). SRS Brinkman stated that another meeting will be scheduled and , if such a program is undertaken, it would be funded through the city ’s library surplus. SRS Brinkman advised the committee to pause until more information is available. Commissioner Rosenberg commented that she feels public awareness is very important in rolling out a new program and appreciates a letter in support received; Commissioner Colmey expressed her appreciation to SRS Brinkman in that this sounds potentially like a “win/win”. Vice Chair Patterson noted that Linda at pages book store has expressed interest in being involved; SRS Brinkman expects that after he meets again with the library manager, he will then meet with the Library Commission sub-committee.
d. Memorial for the Fallen. (Tokashiki, Torrey) SRS Brinkman updated: the APPC met in July and approved the RFQ and presentation slides for council; the Commission recommendation will be placed on the city council October 7th agenda. He will keep the committee apprised and encouraged commissioners to join the committee members at the council meeting in support.
e. Public Art Master Plan Revision (Colmey, Rosenberg) Commissioner Colmey updated : the committee has met and created a public awareness and engagement plan, including a mission statement, theme “Be a Part of Manhattan Beach Public Art” with a puzzle piece logo to reflect that city stakeholders will be brought together in this revision program with a key piece being community
Manhattan Beach Cultural Arts Commission
September 15, 2025
3 input. The campaign will be kicked off at a city hosted Home Town Fair booth, where cards will be handed out with QR codes that will link to a new program landing page and portal where interest can be registered. The names of those registering interest either online or at the fair booth will be the beginning of a community database who may be contacted by the city for input or to invite to cultural arts related events. All commissioners are invited to commit an hour or two at the fair booth.
The Commission discussed marketing and it was suggested that there be a link from the new website page to city cultural arts social media, and that the logo and theme can be printed on t-shirts that can be worn at events, such as the Home Town Fair 10-k (Commissioner Rosenberg to look into t-shirts).
Commissioner Dickey volunteered to assist in promoting at Mira Costa.
A next major step for the committee beyond the fair, will be to develop the APPC for this program and report progress at the next commission meeting.
H. STAFF ITEMS
Cultural Arts Division updates: SRS Brinkman reported:
• Exhibits at MBAC: Annual Community Exhibition (ACE): continues until October 5. Next exhibit:
“Continuation” a collaboration with Time 4 Art opens October 17 , 5-7 p.m reception ; showcases new paintings of Charles Arnoldi, and those of his children Natalie Arnoldi and Ryland Arnoldi, curated by David Austin, Austin Art Projects.
• Red House - Historical Society: a new storage trailer, on 5-month lease, has arrived to store archives while structure is being renovated (big improvement in protecting archived materials). • Six Artworks are being renovated: 9-11 Memorial (just completed), Metlox Kiln (next), Light Gate, Martin Ganz Memorial, Beyond This Lies the Rest of the World and the Paddle Board “Catalina Classic” monument. It was suggested that staff capture photos to show repairs in a sort of time-lapse; this could prove useful in presenting the revised master plan, which includes existing art repair/renovation.
• MB Art Center Open House: held 8/23 to promote art classes; now signups can be done at the center. • Bruce's Beach: shortlisted candidates’ deadline to submit proposals is 9/26; artist presentations to APPC on 10/2; community open house Friday 10/03, 11 am – 1 pm at the library; public invited to give feedback to artists.
City Council updates: Council has extended the lease of Surf Ascension surfboard sculpture on Highland in north-end for two more years, with option for a third year, but will not be part of city’s permanent collection.
PATF budget update:
The PAF currently has a total balance of approximately $1.67 million, with an unallocated balance of $818,000.
I. COMMISSION ITEMS
SMA Robb confirmed December meeting cancelled.
Manhattan Beach Cultural Arts Commission
September 15, 2025
4 Commissioner Tokashiki reminded : Home Town Fair the first weekend in October , encouraging commissioner participation, also noting that volunteers are needed especially Friday : go to www.mbfair.org to sign up.
J. ADJOURNMENT
At 5:23 pm it was moved and seconded (Rosenberg/Colmey) to adjourn to the next regularly scheduled meeting on October 20. Motion carried unanimously 7-0.