Montgomery News

City of Gaithersburg Cultural Arts Advisory Committee met May 23.

Here is the minutes provided by the Committee:

1. Call To Order

The Regular Session of the Cultural Arts Advisory Committee was called to order at 7:05 pm with Member James Hoehn presiding.

Attendee Name ;Title; Status; Arrived:

Nannette Horan Chair Excused

James Hoehn Member Present

Tracey Dorfmann Member Excused

Anthony Glander Member Excused

Loretto McNally Member Present

Beverle Kowalchick Member Present

Reynaldo Rojas Member Present

Jim Rolfes Member Present

Laurie Yankowski Member Present

Guests: John Morogiello, Jaree Donnelly Staff present: Arts Administrator Williams

2. Approval Of Minutes

Jim Rolfes motioned, and Loretto McNally seconded the approval of the Minutes from September 27 and November 15, 2017.

3. Discussion Topics

Discussion Topics:

Caac Presentaiton-

Shellie reported that the CAAC annual briefing to the Mayor and Council was successful and received much positive feedback. Committee member, Jim Hoehn, gave the presentation describing the Committee’s activities and research on a large venue for preforming arts, pop-up art program, arts banners and public art.

Mayor Ashman, Councilmembers Sesma and Harris complimented the expansion of the committee and directed the committee to continue developing strategies-public art, performing arts venue, popup art-that establish the City’s cultural identity and fuel economic growth and help strengthen Olde Towne. Councilmember Spiegel complimented staff on development of a unified brand and strong marketing of City programs.

Membership:

Shellie reported that CAAC will be losing two members this year, Tony Glander and Tracey Dorfmann. CAAC will be looking for new members that can represent areas of interest: History/Heritage, Music, Dance, Media Arts, and Arts business people.

Joint Meeting OTAC:

Shellie reminded everyone of the upcoming March 8, Joint Meeting of the Olde Towne Advisory Committee on March 8 and presented an overview of what this committee does. This joint meeting will be held to discuss shared priorities and how the two committees can work together. CAAC reviewed these priorities and projects for Olde Towne:

•Public Art: The Wall and Garage & and Pedestrian Bridge

•Enliven Olde Towne with other public art and events

The Committee discussed ways of using placemaking to enliven Olde Towne and especially mentioned the following examples:

•Old Scottsdale - and the use of signage, banners, public art and lights

•China Town in DC with its distinctive architecture and gates that define the district go to

•Frederick, MD - the First Friday arts events in the downtown area that serves as an economic development tool and supports the arts

The Committee suggested meeting with Economic Development in the future.

Report On Public Art:

Shellie reported the following:

•Downtown Crown pocket park, with art work by Stephen Weitzman, is very nearly ready to begin construction.

•Staff are exploring the installation of 74 banners on Rte. 355 that would brand the City and the City’s large events. The City is working with Pepco to identify available poles.

•Staff are developing a Request for Proposals for place-making art at the Y-Site (Wall) and Garage and Pedestrian Bridge.

•Fishman site (315 East Diamond Avenue) developers are interested in participating in the public art process.

•The City is renovating the Danac building at 12 Fulks Corner to serve as a new Municipal Building and will require a signature art work.

•Constitution Gardens artist, Jay Hall Carpenter, will be completing the children’s gatehouse before the end of the fiscal year.

CAAC Working Groups & Projects:

In order to carry out the City Council and Mayor’s director, Shellie suggests that the CAAC develop two working groups: the (existing) Performing Arts Venue Working Group and a new group devoted to developing a City approach to pop-up arts. Committee members self-identified which committee they wished to participate in and selected dates and times for the first meeting and chair persons.

Pop Up Art: 3/19 5pm Arts Barn; Performing Arts Group: 3/19, 6PM Arts Barn:

Jim Hoehn, Chair Bev Kowalchick, Chair

Jim Rolfes Jim Rolfes

Reynaldo Rojas Reynaldo Rojas

Laurie Yankowski Loretto McNally

John Morogiello John Morogiello

Jaree Donnelly

4. Adjournment

There being no further business, the session was adjourned at 8:09 pm

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