2021-09-14 FAC Minutes
Minutes of the Fine Arts Commission held on September 14, 2021.
Members present:
Susan Ackley
Beth Boone (via telephone)
Tia Bowman
Victor Bruce
Luis Crump
Michael Stock
Also present:
Angela Dorney, Recreation Superintendent
Leslie Rackl, Executive Assistant
Alberto Cavalieri, Sculptor
Alba De Abreu, Assistant to Mr. Cavalieri
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m.
It was related that Mr. Cavalieri is attending the meeting to present a new set of sculptures to
replace the ones being removed at Optimist Park. The Commission will discuss Mr. Cavalieri’s
presentation afterwards.
Mr. Cavalieri said that the new sculptures will be based on imagination; there will be five columns
engraved with greek letters and words which will contain the names of trees; in essence, a virtual
forest. A QR code will be created for each tree and placed on the column. Once the QR code is
scanned, an image of the tree will appear with detailed information. The sculptures will be a
learning experience. Mr. Cavalieri preference is for pure, natural concrete, noting that less is
better. Mr. Bruce would like to connect something to the natural grass at Optimist Park. Mr.
Cavalieri also noted that the new sculptures could utilitze the existing bases. At this time Mr.
Cavalieri and Ms. De Abreu left the meeting.
Ms. Dorney announced that Mr. Scott was made the permanent Village Manager at last evening’s
Council meeting.
Correction to the minutes of the June 8, 2021 meeting; page two, paragraph five, line on e; change
to ‘use a percentage of the seawall construction budget similar to the County’s art in public places
ordinance’. Mr. Stock made a motion to approve the minutes of the June 8, 2021 meeting
with corrections. Motion seconded by Ms. Bowman and unanimously approved. Mr. Stock
made a motion to approve the minutes of the August 17, 2021 meeting. Motion seconded
by Mr. Bruce and unanimously approved.
Discussion turned to the financial report. It was noted there is $1566 remaining in the FY 21
budget. There is still an outstanding invoice for the rental of the crane for the deinstallation of the
sculptures from Optimist Park.
Discussion turned to the mural wall at Village Hall. It was noted that the back of the mural wall,
facing the Village Manager’s office is white. Ms. Ackley presented two concepts from Courtney
Einhorn for the painting of the back of the mural; for $500 there could be a solid color wall with the
name A New Day or for $1000 the artist could create a floral image on a solid color background.
Ms. Bowman noted that the Commission is for the whole community not one person. A suggestion
was made to purchase the paint and have a volunteer complete this project. Ms. Dorney will have
the encumbered funds in the budget (September concert) carried over to FY 22. It was noted there
will be $834 remaining in the budget after the band is paid.
Ms. Bowman made a motion to pay the invoice for the crane in the amount of $1610. Motion
seconded by Mr. Stock and unanimously approved.
Discussion turned back to the mural wall. For $500 Ms. Einhorn can paint a solid background with
the hand drawn name of the wall. Mr. Crump would like to see a sample of what Ms. Einhorn ’s
image would look like. Ms. Bowman added that the name on the back shou ld match the lines on
the front. Ms. Bowman made a motion to approve a budget of $500 for Ms. Einhorn to paint
the back of the mural wall, pending a review of the renderings provided by the artist.
Motion seconded by Mr. Bruce and unanimously approved.
A balance of $334 remains in the Commission’s FY 21 budget. Mr. Crump made a motion to
purchase shirts for Commission members using the remaining budget. Motion seconded
by Ms. Bowman and unanimously approved.
Discussion turned to the call to artists for the NW 2nd Avenue project and the three submissions
received. The total budget for the project is $5000; $3500 from a grant from the Miami Shores
Community Alliance and $1500 from the Commission’s budget. Ms. Bowman made a motion
that the three artists for the NW 2nd Avenue project create proposals to submit to the
Commission. Motion seconded by Mr. Stock and unanimously approved. Ms. Bowman
noted that site specific requests need to be discussed before contacting the artists. Mr. Bruce will
create the site specific requirements and forward them to Ms. Dorney.
Discussion turned to Mr. Cavalieri’s proposal for Optimist Park. Mr. Bruce noted it may not be
feasible to utilize the existing concrete pads; logistics of the project would need to be considered.
Ms. Bowman said Mr. Cavalieri has a good concept, but not at this particular location; more
appropriate for a library setting. Mr. Bruce noted that the massive footings that remain after the
sculptures are removed are the issue. Mr. Stock made a motion to issue a call to artists for a
loan of existing works of arts to be installed in the sculpture garden. Motion seconded by
Ms. Bowman and unanimously approved.
It was decided to table submissions for the library exhibit at this time.
The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.