MINUTES

MARKHAM PUBLIC ART ADVISORY COMMITTEE

2007-03-19

Meeting No. 3

____________________________________________________________

PRESENT                                                      REGRETS                

 

Tom Giantsopoulos, Chair

Paul Leonidis

Anderson Coward

Priti Tripathi, Vice-Chair

Anna Gauci, Varley-McKay Rep.

Regional Councillor Tony Wong

John Ryerson, Varley Gallery

Jane Perdue, Consultant

Judy Kee, Committee Clerk

Alida Tari, Committee Clerk

Elizabeth Chong

Judi McIntyre

Linda Irvine, Mgr., Parks& Open Spaces

 

 

 

The third meeting of the Markham Public Art Advisory Committee in 2007 convened at

7:10 p.m. with Tom Giantsopoulos in the chair.

 

 

1.         MINUTES OF THE MARKHAM PUBLIC ART ADVISORY COMMITTEE

MEETING HELDFEBRUARY 12, 2007

 

Moved by A. Coward

Seconded by P. Tripathi

 

That the minutes of the February 12, 2007 meeting of the Markham Public Art Advisory Committee be approved.

                                                                                                                                    CARRIED

 

 

2.         MUNICIPAL PUBLIC ART PLAN

 

Ms. Jane Perdue, Consultant, presented the latest draft of the Municipal Public Art Plan and asked that Members provide their comments and suggestions this date.  She noted that placeholders have been set aside for Markham images, and once all comments have been received, the document will be formatted properly. She advised that Section 3, “Made in Markham”, does require some work, and references relating to “heritage” and “education” should be expanded.  Members were advised that some initial meetings have been held with staff regarding the document, but it has not been formally circulated to them at this time, pending comments from Committee. 

 

 

 

Committee discussed the following matters relating to the document:

  • proposed timeline, noting that the momentum should be kept up
  • features and elements – more examples will be provided
  • more ideas relating to outreach should be added
  • involve community at large; how Plan could have meaning for residents
  • community strategies, neighbourhood projects; community newsletters
  • neighbourhood gathering places, parks and pathways
  • involvement of Planning Department staff
  • Town should be involved in all projects as it would aid in funding
  • Public Art Plan should be amended periodically as required
  • public consultation process will encourage comments from residents
  • could document be more user friendly; are there more ways to engage residents?
  • could it be more sensitive to the Town’s cultural heritage?

 

Regional Councillor Tony Wong noted that financial constraints are always of concern, and advised that Council would want staff to review the document thoroughly prior to Council’s consideration.  Ms. Perdue advised that once comments have been received from members of Committee, the document will be reviewed by Linda Irvine and the Director of Planning, Val Shuttleworth, then circulated to the rest of staff.  She noted that staff have been very receptive to the Public Art Plan to date, and it was suggested it would be beneficial to hold workshops internally to walk staff through the document.

 

The matter of a “percent” formula for public art was raised, and it was suggested that Ms. Perdue may wish to provide examples from other cities in a separate appendix. 

 

Reference was made to Section 3.3, Innovative Community Programs and the part that public art would play in attracting new businesses and residents to the Town.  It was suggested that more emphasis could be placed on improved quality of life, environmental influences, greenspace and economic development.  It was agreed that a cover page should be included providing a “feel-good motherhood statement” and declaring that the Town of Markham is being innovative in this public art initiative.  Comments or statements from hi-tech companies who have recently moved to Markham would be beneficial.

 

The reasons for the success of public art programs in the United States, such as in Seattle, and how they have been progressing over the years could also be included.  Ms. Perdue will include examples such as: Expressway Park in Seattle, and Millennium Park in Chicago.

 

In summary, members agreed to review the document and provide their written comments to Ms. Perdue by email within the next week.

 

It was suggested that a brief flyer be created to get the message out that Markham has a public art policy.  Such flyers could be placed in the Civic Centre, public libraries and community centres.  The Chair would contact Elizabeth Chong to see if she would be interested in following up on this.

 

3.         2007 ENVIRONMENTAL ART EVENT

 

The Chair advised that he and the Vice Chair had met with Linda Irvine last week regarding potential ideas for the 2007 environmental art event, and made the following two suggestions:

 

1.      Create and Develop Park Benches

- decorate existing benches @ $200

- develop a theme

- invite several artists to participate

 or

2.      Ice Sculptures

- similar to IceFest event organized by Bloor-Yorkville BIA

- event to be in late February of 2008

- 1 block of ice @ $500

 

Following some discussion, Members agreed that the ice sculpture event should be pursued.  The location could be on Main Street Unionville for 2008, and the Unionville BIA should be involved.  Music and other elements could also be incorporated into the event.  It was noted that the budget is $20,000, however, it was suggested that some funding may be available from Tourism Toronto.  In addition, local businesses could also be approached for corporate sponsorships.  The possibility of rotating the event on an annual basis was raised, and the Chair would discuss this further with the Vice-Chair and Linda Irvine.

 

 

4.         NEW BUSINESS

 

Building a Sustainable Future Contest – Mr. John Ryerson reminded members about the “sustainable and creative uses of concrete” event at Seneca College on April 1 and 2.  Ideas for examples would be appreciated.  He and the Chair will speak to Linda Irvine further about setting up a Markham table at the event to show how cement can be used as art. 

 

Upcoming Exhibition at the Varley – Mr. Ryerson reported that the following exhibition will begin at the Varley Art Gallery on March 29th and run through until May 13th:

 

  • Poetry and Perception: James Wilson Morrice and Tom Thomson
  • featuring 20 works of art by each artist

 

 

5.         DATE FOR NEXT MEETING

 

The next meeting of the Markham Public Art Advisory Committee will be held:

 

  • Wednesday, April 11, 2007
  • Ontario Room at the Markham Civic Centre
  • 7:00 p.m. (2nd Tuesday of each month)

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

The Markham Public Art Advisory Committee adjourned at 8:15 p.m.