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2023-11-14 FAC Minutes Minutes of the Fine Arts Commission meeting held on November 14, 2023. Members present: Members absent: Kristen Adsit Tara Strickstein Victor Bruce Anne-Camille Hersh Ian Peter Hosfeld Clarissa Rodriguez Michael Stock Also present: Angela Dorney, Recreation Director Leslie Rackl, Executive Assistant The meeting was called to order at 6:35 p.m. Ms. Hersh made a motion to approve the minutes of the October 10, 2023 meeting. Motion seconded by Mr. Stock and unanimously approved. Discussion turned to the financial report with a reported balance of $6594. Ms. Rodriguez attended the recent Miami Shores Community Alliance meeting noting that she was amazed with the amount of events that all the nonprofit organizations are putting on in the Village. In terms of the Commission’s donation account, Ms. Hersh noted that it does not make sense not use the funds in the account since they are available. Ms. Hersh said that the Commission needs to honor what the artists’ are worth for events. Mr. Stock suggested continuing to let Mark Weiser contract with bands since he is able to book them for less money. Mr. Bruce added that the Commission needs to be responsible with the donation account; replenishment of the funds is key. At this time the Commission gave a review of their recent events. It was noted that there was not enough advertising for the October concert. Mr. Bruce said to continue promoting the events on social media. In terms of the Pride Event, it was noted that attendance was down from last year; Ms. Dorney noted that there are multiple events occurring simultaneously in Miami Shores. Gallery Night was well received. Discussion turned to the mural wall. It was noted that Samara Ash has had many residents stop and speak with her about the wall; it was noted that the paper QR code that she had on the wall has helped with the interaction. Ms. Dorney noted that a plaque with a QR code is needed; Mr. Bruce noted that the construction company’s name also needs to also be added to the plaque. It was suggested that there be a permanent plaque on a curvy type post with the ability to change the wording as needed. It was suggested that the unveiling of the mural wall take place at 5pm on December 8th, the same day as the Sip,Shop & Celebrate event. After the unveiling people could be directed to the event on 96 th Street. The suggested date will tie the event into Art Basal. Mr. Hosfeld also suggested a press release to promote the mural wall noting that Samara Ash can provide the wording. Ms. Hersh offered to provide the wording for the flyer. Discussion turned to the Streetscape Project. Ms. Hersh suggested creating an event before the signs are put up and suggested postponing this since there are so many events before the end of the year. It was noted it could be tied into a scavenger hunt in January. Commission members said that it is not fair to postpone the Streetscape Project once again and to move forward with the project as planned with a January unveiling. It was suggested that the Saturday after the first concert in January, an event could be planned for the Streetscapes project and flyers distributed at the concert. Discussion turned to the Downtown window coverings for vacant storefronts. Commission members suggested to use one of the pieces from Alain Castoriano, an artist who submitted samples for a call to artists project for a vinyl covering. Mr. Hosfeld offered to contact Mr. Castoriano for approval/license to use his art. The coverings for the windows should be a tileable deisgn that goes in all four directions, which will also have a QR code from the artist as well as information for a rentals. Mr. Castoriano will need to be paid for his licensing. Discussion turned to the spring concert series. The date of January 19th was tentatively selected for the first concert. Liset Alea was suggested for the January concert; her style is Cuban American / Mixed Genre. She has a four piece band including guitar, vocalists, percussionist and keyboard or electronic music. Ms. Alea also performs Bosso Nova. Ms. Rodriguez made a motion that that first concert be scheduled on January 19th, 2024 with artist Liset Alea with a budget of up to $2500 for the artist and sound. Motion seconded by Mr. Bruce and unanimously approved. Mr. Stock expressed concern that Mark Weiser was given the ability to book the concert series for the Commision. Ms. Rodriguez said that Mark Weiser could still be given the February and March concert selections. In terms of advertising, Ms. Rodriguez said that the Commision has utilized the Egret for concerts. Mr. Bruce suggested Miami Shores Living as an option. Ms. Adsit said that the better investment is the Egret. Ms. Dorney suggested that the Commission consider a Facebook ad for advertising or possibly Biscayne Times. Ms. Rodriguez made a motion to approve a budget of up to $300 for Facebook advertising. Motion seconded by Ms. Hersh and unanimously approved. Ms. Hersh made a motion that Mark Weiser secure the bands for the February an d March concert series. Motion second by Ms. Rodriguez and unanimously approved. It was noted that if Liset Alea cannot be secured for the January concert date, Mr. Weiser can select the January artist. The dates of the concert series are January 19th, February 19th and March 1st. It was suggested offering Liset Alea the date of March 1st if she is unavailable for the January date. Ms. Hersh suggested that the Commission hold two meetings a month since there are so many upcoming events and it is very difficult to address everything in only one monthly meeting. Commission members decided on a second meeting on Tuesday November 28th to discuss the upcoming concerts and the downtown window coverings. In new business it was noted that former member Beth Dunlop suggested that new members be given an explanation of the Commission guidelines as well as the mission statement. Ms. Rodriguez made a motion to take Beth Dunlop up on her offer to write the Commission mission statement and guidelines for new members. Motion seconded by Mr. Bruce and unanimously approved. In new business, Mr. Bruce brought up the mountain sculptures that could be put up as an art in public places project on the triangle on NE 6th Avenue. Members noted that arts in public places need to be kid friendly or kid interactive. Ms. Adsit suggested a catalog of the current pieces in Miami Shores, as well as the state of repair that these pieces are in. It was noted that the library has a sculpture that is currently in need of maintenance. The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.