MINUTES

MARKHAM PUBLIC ART ADVISORY COMMITTEE

NOVEMBER 12, 2008

Meeting No. 8

 

PRESENT                                                      REGRETS                

 

Members

Matthew Korchinski

Lana Champion

Salim Manji

Stefania Pflugbeil

Regional Councillor Tony Wong

 

Staff

Bev Shugg Barbeito, Committee Clerk

Regrets

Alina Tarbhai

Joanne Olson

Linda Irvine, Mgr., Parks & Open Spaces
John Ryerson, Director of Culture

 

 

 

 

 

The eighth meeting of the Markham Public Art Advisory Committee in 2008 convened at 7:15 PM with Matthew Korchinski presiding as Chair.

 

 

1.      ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES OF THE MARKHAM PUBLIC ART ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETINGS ON OCTOBER 8, 2008.

 

Moved by Salim Manji

Seconded by Regional Councillor Tony Wong

 

THAT the minutes of the Markham Public Art Advisory Committee held on October 8th, 2008 be adopted as distributed.

CARRIED

 

2.      MUNICIPAL PUBLIC ART PLAN

 

      This item was deferred to the next meeting.

 

3.      BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

 

A.     Liberty Developments – Cast Bronze Sculpture Update

      No update was available; this item was deferred to the next meeting.

 

B.     Public Art Brochure

No update was available; this item was deferred to the next meeting.

 

C.     Canadian Art Exhibit – Canada Day Celebrations

It was reported that the Town of Markham Canada Day Committee is interested in having the Markham Public Art Advisory Committee participate in Canada Day events, perhaps via a public art exhibit. Cynthia Taylor-Huff from the Town of Markham Canada Day Committee will discuss possible ideas with Joanne Olson of this committee.

 

D.    Update regarding Winter Festival and Art on Ice Sponsorship Package

 

      It was reported that Linda Irvine, Manager Parks & Open Spaces, has submitted a proposal requesting funds from Development Services Committee for this Committee to undertake a “Winter Environmental Art Event” in February 2009.

 

      Chair Matthew Korchinksi contacted the ice making company to advise of the Committee’s plans and have the date held for the Art on Ice event. The Committee members discussed how best to use the additional funds requested by Linda Irvine; suggestions included lighting of the sculptures at night and extending the number of children’s activities. The ice company will also be asked for suggestions.

 

It was agreed that time to plan the event is short. A planning meeting was tentatively scheduled for Wednesday December 3rd at 7 PM at the Varley Art Gallery. Chair Matthew Korchinksi will confirm this with John Ryerson.

 

Addendum: The planning meeting has been scheduled for December 1st at 4:30 PM at the Varley Gallery.

 

The following was agreed to:

 

      Date

      The Art on Ice event will be held from Saturday February 14 – Monday February 16, 2009. The opening ceremonies will take place on Saturday February 14th at 3 PM. Mayor Frank Scarpitti will be asked to open the event and invitations will be sent to Members of Council. Bev Shugg Barbeito will request a similar invitation from another committee, to use it as a template.

 

      Ice and Artists

      Chair Matthew Korchinksi will contact the ice making company again to confirm the Committee’s plans and the dates for the Art on Ice event.

 

      Theme

      The theme is still to be decided.

 

      Logistics

      Chair Matthew Korchinksi will coordinate logistics with John Ryerson and Linda Irvine.

 

      Promotion and Publicity

-          The Clerk’s Office will be asked to check the files from last year for the logo that was developed for the Art on Ice event

-          Salim Manji will lead efforts to coordinate promotion and publicity for the Art on Ice event

-          It was suggested developing a small poster to be posted at Town of Markham facilities; Salim Manji will begin designing the poster and will try to have a preliminary design ready for the planning meeting

-          Other Suggestions included: having Corporate Communications create an ad for the Town of Markham page in the “Markham Economist and Sun’, posting information on the Town of Markham web page, possibly creating and printing a flyer for schools to send home with students, requesting assistance from the Art Gallery and the Arts Council to promote the event through their contacts

-          Chair Matthew Korchinksi will contact John Ryerson and Linda Irvine about approaching the Unionville BIA for assistance, perhaps in donating hot chocolate for event attendees

-          It was previously reported that John Ryerson would contact Tourism Toronto for assistance with publicity.

 

      Volunteers

-          It was agreed that a plan for Volunteers is needed to determine how many volunteers are needed, how long they would be needed for, and what they would be asked to do.

-          It was suggested that the Committee could partner with a high school or with the Seneca College tourism program and invite students to assist, or recruit volunteers through Information Markham and the Teen Arts Council.

-          It may also be possible to recruit volunteers through the Varley Art Gallery Volunteer Coordinator.

-          Joanne Olson, a member of this committee and a Town of Markham employee, would be an invaluable resource for recruiting volunteers.

     

4.      NEW BUSINESS

 

None was identified.

 

5.      DATE FOR NEXT MEETING

 

      The date of the next scheduled meeting of the Markham Public Art Advisory Committee is

      Wednesday, January 14, 2009 at 7:00 PM, in the Ontario Room.

 

6.      ADJOURNMENT

 

The eighth meeting of the Markham Public Art Advisory Committee adjourned at 8:00 PM.