MINUTES

MARKHAM PUBLIC ART ADVISORY COMMITTEE

April 9, 2008

Meeting No. 3

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PRESENT REGRETS

Members Anderson Coward Matthew Korchinski Sean Colangelo Joanne Olson Staff Laura Gold, Committee Clerk Linda Irvine, Mgr., Parks & Open Spaces Cheryl Rego, Public Programs Coordinator

Regrets Jane Perdue, Consultant Anna Gauci Paul Leonidis Judi McIntyre Tony Wong, Regional Councillor

The third meeting of the Markham Public Art Advisory Committee in 2008 convened without quorum at 7:10 PM, with Sean Colangelo presiding as Chair.

1. MINUTES OF THE MARKHAM PUBLIC ART ADVISORY

COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON FEBRUARY 13, 2008

As there was no quorum, the approval of the February 13, 2008 Markham Public Art Advisory Committee Minutes was deferred to the next meeting.

2. MUNICIPAL PUBLIC ART PLAN

Linda Irvine advised the Committee that Jane Perdue, Consultant, would be in attendance at the next meeting to provide an update on the Municipal Public Art Plan.

3. ELECTION OF CHAIR/VICE CHAIR

Sean Colangelo, Chair, requested the Committee submit nominations for the position of Chair and Vice-Chair via e-mail. He also noted Andersen Coward would be an ideal candidate for the position of Chair. Anderson Coward explained his schedule would not permit him to assume the role of Chair, but he would consider running for Vice-Chair. This item was deferred to the next meeting.

4. EVALUATION OF THE 2008 ENVIRONMENTAL ART EVENT

(“ART ON ICE” - FEBRUARY 16 -18, 2008)

Linda Irvine, Manager of Parks and Open Space Development, indicated she was pleased with the media coverage of the “Art on Ice” event. She showed the Committee a full page article and pictures that appeared in the March edition of Snap Markham. She also showed Committee an article and picture that appeared in the April/May edition of The Cornell Crier. Anderson Coward felt the Committee needed to improve its marketing of the event by providing notice to local schools. He noted it was a great family event and believed it was well attended.

Ms. Irvine informed the Committee that Family Day (February 18, 2008) was the most highly attended day of the “Art on Ice” event and more ice walls for the children to paint on would have been beneficial. Cheryl Rego, Public Programs Coordinator, indicated that had the event been planned earlier, a sponsor could likely have been obtained for the paint used for the children’s wall. She also advised that she thought the combination of the “Art on Ice Event” and the “Teddy Bear Picnic” drew a greater audience to the event.

Ms. Rego noted a brochure/handout about the Committee and public art was missing from the event and should be created for future events in order to provide awareness of both. She advised the Committee that attendance was the lowest on the Sunday, and 2 of the ice sculptures demonstrations scheduled for the Sunday were moved to the Monday due to poor weather conditions. Ms. Rego also noted the Varley McKay Art Gallery had to hire approximately 3 staff per day and would have benefited from an additional 3-4 volunteers per day to effectively manage the volume of people. Joanne Olson suggested the Committee use volunteers from the youth arm of the Markham Arts Council for next year’s event. The Committee unanimously agreed to begin planning next year’s event earlier.

Laura Gold, Committee Clerk, and Linda Irvine, Manager of Parks and Open Space Development, were assigned the responsibility of creating a thank you letter for sponsors of the “Art on Ice” event and a certificate of appreciation for the major sponsor of the event. Mathew Korchinski, will create the graphics for both the thank you letters and the certificate of appreciation. Cheryl Rego will provide the sponsors and contact information to Ms. Gold.

5. NEW BUSINESS

A) Bringing Art to the Streets

Cheryl Rego, Public Programs Coordinator, provided a brief presentation on “Bringing Art to the Streets,” an example of a successful public art project conducted by the City of Barrie that was presented at the Ontario Association of Art Galleries Symposium. The purpose of the project was to increase public awareness of art in public places and to encourage outdoor activity. The project involved 31 artists (selected by a competitive process), placing their pieces at 31 local businesses around the community. A walking tour of the artwork was created that included a promotional passport that participants could get stamped as they visited the different locations. The passport was placed at various locations around the city to promote the tour. Ms. Rego felt this project could serve as a model for future projects in Markham. Sean Colangelo, Chair, requested this model be shared with the rest of the Committee at the next meeting.

B) Liberty Developments – Cast Bronze Sculpture Update

Linda Irvine, Manager of Parks and Open Space Development, advised the Committee that the bronze sculpture of three flying geese was endorsed by Council in principle. The endorsement was based on the condition that Liberty Developments provide answers to several questions and concerns outlined by the Public Art Committee. Ms. Irvine will follow-up with Liberty Development on this matter and provide a status up-date at the next meeting.

6. DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the Markham Public Art Committee is May 14, 2008 in the Ontario Room at 7:00 PM.

7. ADJOURNMENT

The Markham Public Art Advisory Committee adjourned at 7:45 PM