Members

Judi McIntyre, Chair

Elizabeth Chong

Paul Leonidis

Councillor Joe Virgilio

Regrets

John Ryerson, Manager, Varley Art

Gallery

Anna Gauci
Priti Tripathi

Deborah Castello, Vice Chair

Kelly McLeod

Councillor Alex Chiu

Staff

Linda Irvine, Manager, Parks and Open Space

Development

Catherine Harrison, Project Manager, CIB

Shanon Elliot, Project Manager, CIB

Blair Labelle, Committee Clerk

Others

Jane Perdue, Public Art Consultant

The second meeting of the Public Art Advisory Committee in 2006 convened at 7:08 p.m. with Ms. Judi McIntyre in the Chair.

1. MINUTES OF THE MARKHAM PUBLIC ART ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON FEBRUARY 20, 2006

THE MARKHAM PUBLIC ART ADVISORY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Markham Public Art Advisory Committee held on February 20, 2006 be adopted.

CARRIED

2. MARKHAM PUBLIC ART PLAN

Ms. Jane Perdue submitted a revised version of the ‘Working Goals/Methods’ document that outlines the development of a Public Art Plan for the Town of Markham. Based on the Committee’s recommendations two additional goals were included. The first indicates that focus will be placed on developing programs to engage the public, and the second, to further devise funding strategies. Members discussed details regarding the language used in the document and provided a number of suggestions.

Ms. Perdue noted that Markham staff from the Development Services Commission will be in attendance at the next MPAAC meeting (April 12, 2006) to discuss future priorities and planning initiatives. It was agreed that this would present the Committee an opportunity to determine where public art may fit into the Town’s upcoming development projects.

The Committee discussed the formulation of criteria which would be used to determine a hierarchy of potential sites for the placement of public art. A component of the criteria will focus on whether the site is prominent, secondary or special. The ‘expression’ and ‘type’ of public art will also be elements of the criteria. Members reviewed a number of possible questions that could be asked when evaluating an application. Ms. Perdue presented illustrations of public art focusing on integrated concepts. It was agreed that discussions about the implementation of integrated public art should take place during developmental planning phases.

3. UNIONVILLE MAZE PROJECT

Ms. Linda Irvine presented and illustrated concepts of a maze project that will be developed by the Town of Markham at a site in Unionville. The maze and adjacent area is designed as a meeting place for families in which children can interact with the surrounding environment. She advised that staff hoped to install an art piece at the centre of the maze and noted that a totem poll created by Darcy James was available for purchase. The Committee recommended that the piece should have an interactive element, so that children will feel rewarded for completing the maze. Ms. Irvine indicated that further details regarding the project would be forthcoming.

THE MARKHAM PUBLIC ART ADVISORY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

That the Unionville Maze Project be endorsed and that public art be included as a component of the overall design;

And that Ms. Linda Irvine and her staff be congratulated on an excellent initiative.

CARRIED

4. 2006 ENVIRONMENTAL ART EVENT

Members were advised that the 2006 Environmental Art Event was endorsed by Council at its meeting on February 28^th. The endorsement directly linked the Communities in Bloom initiative with the Environmental Art Event. The Committee discussed various details regarding the composition and structure of the event. It was indicated that emphasis should be on engaging students while also involving professional artists as coaches. Members also recommended that there should be an examination into ways in which the surrounding neighbourhoods could participate in the event.

Ms. Catherine Harrison noted that the Communities in Bloom Committee would put forth additional support for the Environmental Art Event as needed. The Chair advised that she will canvass those Members not in attendance to determine who will assist with the organization and planning of the event.

5. NEW MEMBERS

It was noted that two new Members of the Markham Public Art Advisory Committee had been selected and their names would be placed on the March 21^st Council agenda for endorsement.

The Markham Public Art Advisory Committee adjourned at 8:44 p.m.