HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_ARTAB_02.20.2018Minutes of the meeting of the
Arts and Culture Board
City of Georgetown, Texas
February 20, 2018
The Arts and Culture Board met on Tuesday, February 20, 2018 at 4:30 p.m. in the Small Conference Room of
Georgetown Public Library, 402 W. 8th Street, Georgetown, TX.
PRESENT: Jane Estes, Tim Fleming, Wes Odell, Laura Sewell, Sharon Snuffer, Carol Watson and Linda
Wilde. ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Eric Lashley- Library Director, Dana Hendrix -Fine Arts Librarian, Sarah Jane Blankenship -
Arts and Culture Coordinator, and Eric Johnson -Capital Improvements Manager.
OTHERS PRESENT: Ellen Greeney
Chair Estes called the meeting to order at 4:30 pm.
A. Citizens wishing to address the Board. — Jane Estes, Board Chair. As of the deadline, no
persons were signed up to speak on items other than what was posted on the agenda.
B. Announcements regarding arts and culture in Georgetown. Jane Estes, Board Chair. Board
members and City staff discussed arts and culture happenings in Georgetown. No action
taken.
C. Review of minutes from the January 16 2018 Arts and Culture Board meeting. — Jane Estes,
Board Chair. Motion by Odell; second by Sewell to approve January's minutes. Approved
7-0.
D. Introduction of the new Arts and Culture Coordinator. — Eric Lashley, Library Director. Lashley
introduced Sarah Jane Blankenship to the board as the City's first Arts and Culture
Coordinator. Blankenship gave some background on her history with the arts and the board
introduced themselves to her. No action required.
E. City staff reports on ongoing projects including review of the report from Georgetown Art
Works. —Eric Lashley- Library Director and Dana Hendrix -Fine Arts Librarian. Lashley provided
updates on the following projects:
• The recycled street sign project is still on hold.
• City staff will repurpose an old phone booth as a public art project for the Red Poppy Festival.
• The City is in negotiations with the new CVS Pharmacy owners to create a mural on the back of
their building, located at the corner of Austin Avenue and University Avenue, which would
welcome visitors to the downtown.
• Staff is waiting for a new Streets Manager to get permission for a utility box art project at 2nd
Street and Austin Ave.
The City's Capital Improvement Manager Eric Johnson reported a project related to the City
Hall and Municipal Court remodel called for shade structures in the Red Poppy Plaza at the
library. The City Manager asked Johnson to present the proposed design to both the Arts and
Culture Board and the Library Advisory Board to see if there is community support of the
project. The proposed shade structure resembles red poppies. Following discussion, there was
a motion by Fleming; second by Wilde to support the red poppy shade structure project
proposed by Johnson for the library plaza. Approved 7-0.
F. Consideration and possible action regarding a proposed mural at 215 W. 8th Street. —Eric
Lashley, Library Director. Lashley reviewed the proposed timeline for a mural project at 215 W.
8th Street (attached to these minutes). The owner of the building Linda Gusnowski and
business owners Valerie and Blake Nicholson approached the City to do a mural with the
theme, "Honoring the past and innovating the future". The board discussed a concern with
vehicles obstructing the view of the mural. Since a sidewalk will be constructed in front of the
future mural, the board requested that information be noted in the call for proposals. Motion
by Sewell; second by Wilde to commission a mural at 215 W. 8th Street. Approved 7-0.
G. Consideration and possible action to recommend board membership from Georgetown to
Texans for the Arts board of directors. —Jane Estes, Board Chair. Estes reported that the
Texans for the Arts organization may be willing to offer the City of Georgetown a permanent
seat on their board and that seat could be appointed by the Arts and Culture Board. Estes
emphasized the importance of having a board member who can represent modest and small
cities in Texas. After much discussion, motion by Sewell; seconded by Snuffer to accept
the Texans for the Arts offer to obtain a permanent seat on their board. Approved 7-0.
H. Consideration and possible action regarding the purchase of an ad in the upcoming
Preservation Georgetown Home Tour Guide. —Jane Estes, Board Chair. Estes was
approached by Amanda Parr, President of Preservation Georgetown to see if the board would
sponsor an ad in their upcoming Home Tour guide. Since Preservation Georgetown is a
member of the Cultural District, the board felt this would be an opportunity to promote all
members of the district. Motion by Fleming; second by Snuffer to spend $500 on an ad in
the Preservation Georgetown Home Tour Guide. Approved 7-0.
I. Consideration future meeting dates. — Jane Estes, Board Chair. The next meeting will be held
Tuesday, March 20 at 4:30 p.m. No action taken.
Chair Estes adjourned the meeting at 5:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Car atson, Secretary
Jane Estes, Chair
215 W. 8t" Street Mural Project Timeline
Theme: Honoring the past and innovating the future. Do we want this text on the mural?
Location 215 W. 8t" Street. Mural will be facing Rock Street — Option #2.
Proposed Timeline:
February 20, 2018 —Arts and Culture Board approves budget and theme
February 23, 2018 — Call for mural proposals posted
April 6, 2018 — Deadline for proposals
April 17, 2018 — Selection of mural by Arts and Culture Board
April 18, 2018 — May 1, 2018 — Finalize agreement with selected artist
May 1, 2018 — Work on mural can begin
July 31, 2018 — Mural must be completed
Date to be determined — Mural Unveiling — Artist reception (to be paid by Arts and Culture Board)
Note: Building owner and their representative will be able to reject any proposal they feel is
inappropriate for the building.