2015-02-10 FAC Minutes
Minutes of the Fine Arts Commission held on February 10, 2015.
Members present: Susan Ackley Victor Bruce
Janet Goodman Neil Kodsi
Michael Stock Miryam Rojas
Alan Poppe
Also present: Jerry Estep, Recreation Director
Leslie Rackl, Executive Assistant
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m.
Mr. Stock made a motion to approve the minutes of the January 13, 2015, meeting.
Motion seconded by Mr. Kodsi and unanimously approved.
Mr. Estep gave a financial report noting that the Commission has $3481.64 remaining in
their FY ’15 budget and $2585.42 in the donation account.
A sample sketch of Carlos Innocente Gonzalez’s work for Unity Day was shown to
Commission members. The theme is Unity Day itself and will be called ‘Art in Progress’.
Mr. Kodsi made a motion to approve up to $125 for Mr. Gonzalez to pay for any
materials needed, including sealer for the art piece. Motion seconded by Ms.
Rojas and unanimously approved. A suggestion was made to have a silent auction
with a minimum bid for the Unity Day picture.
Discussion turned to Gallery Night. It was noted that the event was well-attended and
the music was excellent. Daniel Fiorda was impressed with the event. It was suggested
that a balance is needed between the introductions of each exhibiting artist. There was
mixed reviews on the art in public places sculptures.
It was related that the Friday Night Live concert was accidentally overbooked. French
Horn and Debbie & Gary were both booked for February 27th. French Horn was
cancelled for this date. Ms. Goodman suggested having a check list for each event so
that nothing is overlooked in the future. Mr. Stock will announce the spring concert and
Debbie & Gary on his radio show.
Mr. Stock made a motion to approve up to $1000 for advertising for the March
spring concert, which will include a 6 unit ad in the Egret, graphic artist for
posters, a face painter and balloon artist. Motion seconded by Mr. Poppe and
unanimously approved.
Discussion turned to the Miami Shores Community Alliance grant. The grant request
deadline is February 20th. It was suggested asking for $2700 for three Friday Night
Lives @ $900/each, $300 for three library artist receptions @ $100/each and $2000 for
lighting for art in public places sculptures. Mr. Stock made a motion for approve a
grant request for $5000 to the Miami Shores Community Alliance, which includes
$2700 for (3) Friday Night Live concerts, $300 for library receptions and $2000 for
F.A.C. mtg., 2/10/15, pg. 2 of 2
art in public places lighting. Motion seconded by Mr. Kodsi and unanimously
approved.
It was noted that the Knight Foundation, which gives annual grants, is always looking for
new and creative events to fund. Creative proposals are needed and this grant requires
a matching donation, which cannot come from the Commission’s budget. An example of
one successful grant was Random Acts of Opera. One suggestion was to have a
singing around a campfire experience; have a campfire on the athletic fields with an
artist going from campfire to campfire. Ms. Ackley said that the idea needs to
encompass a greater audience. Ms. Rojas suggested having an artist like Daniel Fiorda
have a lecture series aimed at middle or high school students and then the students
could create a piece to be displayed. Another idea was to have a battle of the bands
between schools. It was suggested tabling the Knight Foundation grant since the
deadline is fast approaching. Ms. Ackley said these are good ideas to implement
without a grant.
Discussion turned to the April library exhibit. The library has agreed to extend the exhibit
to six weeks. It was originally four weeks. The exhibit is based on the children’s book
‘Mr. Munchlee’s Magic Top Hat’ by author Corrie Rice and illustrator Tulia Lulu.
Mr. Kodsi suggested sponsoring an art show for local artists which could be a fundraiser
for the Commission. You can tap into local artists as well as Wynwood artists. It was
suggested tabling further discussion until the March meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.