2024-02-13 FAC Minutes
Minutes of the Fine Arts Commission meeting held on February 13, 2024.
Members present:
Kristen Adsit
Victor Bruce
Anne Camille Hersh
Ian Peter Hosfeld
Clarissa Rodriguez
Michael Stock
Tara Strickstein
Also present:
Angela Dorney, Recreation Director
Jacquelyn Village, Assistant Recreation Director
Leslie Rackl, Executive Assistant
Mark Weiser, Music Promoter
The meeting was called to order at 6:35 p.m.
Correction to the minutes of the January 23, 2024 meeting. Page one, paragraph four, line four; change ‘art
at Village Hall‘ to ‘venue of Village Hall’. Page two, paragraph three, line two; change ‘Ms. Hersh’ to ‘Ms.
Adsit’. Mr. Stock made a motion to approve the minutes of the January 23, 2024 meeting with
corrections. Motion seconded by Ms. Hersh and unanimously approved.
Ms. Rodriguez related that the Nico Wayne Toussaint concert was well received in January. Many of those
in attendance discovered the concert through social media and group chats. Ms. Dorney also added the
concert on Eventbrite and paid for four days of advertising.
Ms. Hersh said that March artist Liset Alea will be in concert at the Miami Beach bandshell this week;
Afrobeta will also have a documentary shown at the same venue prior to the concert. In terms of the
February Afrobeta concert, Ms. Dorney said a step and repeat (8 x 10 panel backdrop) will be set on the
back of stage which will reflect light. Glow sticks will also be distributed at the concert. Commission
members suggested tagging photos that are taken at concerts and events with a hashtag. It was suggested
the hashtag be easy to remember; #shoresconcerts was selected to be used for all future concerts and
advertising and #shoresfinearts for all other events. In addition to the advertising on social media, Afrobeta
will announce it on Spotify as well as their website.
At this time Commission members critiqued the draft of the March concert featuring the Liset Alea Trio.
Discussion turned to the Miami Shores Community Alliance grant. Ms. Rodriguez, who attended the recent
Community Alliance meeting noted that the Alliance would like to see how the grants from last year were
applied. Ms. Rodriguez will submit photos from the Commission concerts as well as fliers to the Community
Alliance. It was noted that the deadline for grant submissions for next year has not been posted yet.
In terms of Art in Public Places, Streetscape artist Daniel Marosi has installed the QR codes on each of the
signs. Ms. Dorney noted that one of the posts has a broken piece; Mr. Marosi has been contacted for the
repair.
Discussion turned to future Commission events and alternate venues. Mr. Hosfeld said that the 9900
building is a much better venue than Brockway Library for artist exhibits. Mr. Hosfeld also noted that many
galleries rent space for artists. Ms. Dorney said that the 9900 building could be used for live performances.
Ms. Strickstein is concerned with the Commission’s exhibitions since the Commission members are not
curators. Commission members suggested using the resources of Miami Shores residents for events.
Another suggestion was to have a talk series featuring artists and possibly partnering with a gallery curator
for exhibitions. Ms. Hersh sees this as an opportunity to nurture our community artists. Ms. Hersh added
that the Commission could combine a talk series at different storefronts in Miami Shores. Ms. Rodriguez is
in agreement that the Commission expand beyond sponsoring a concert series. The Commission is in favor
of planning an event at the 9900 building before September 30th. Mr. Hosford noted that a talk series may
be more difficult to gain traction. In terms of the curating process for exhibitors, Mr. Hosford said there is
some expertise with members of this Commission. Ms. Rodriguez said that when there is a call to artists,
the artists would need to do a presentation to the Commission and then the Commission would select the
artist. Ms. Adsit suggested having an open mic night that would be open to Miami Shores residents; this
would promote more involvement from the community. Another suggestion is to have a community
children’s art show at the 9900 building. It was related that the Miami Theatre Center is open to
partnerships with the Commission.
Ms. Rodriguez suggested that each member bring all their ideas for future events to the March meeting for a
brainstorming session.
The meeting adjourned at 8:07 p.m.