M I N U T E S

MARKHAM PUBLIC ART ADVISORY COMMITTEE

2005-06-20

Meeting No. 6

Attendance                                                                            

 

Members

J. McIntyre, Chair

D. Castello, Vice Chair

P. Leonidis

V. Puri

E. Chong

P. Tripathi

K. McLeod

Councillor J. Virgilio

Councillor A. Chiu

 

Regrets

A. Gauci

A. Riaz

 

 

Staff

L. Irvine, Manager, Parks and Open Space

          Development

J. Ryerson, Director, Varley Art Gallery

J. Kee, Committee Clerk

 

 

 

The sixth meeting of the Public Art Advisory Committee convened at 7:10 p.m.

 

 

 

1.         MINUTES OF THE MARKHAM PUBLIC ART ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON MAY 16, 2005

 

THE MARKHAM PUBLIC ART ADVISORY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

 

That the minutes of the meeting of the Markham Public Art Advisory Committee held on

May 16, 2005 be adopted.

CARRIED

 

 

 

2.         PRESENTATION BY SCULPTORS SOCIETY OF CANADA

 

Mr. John Ryerson, Director of the Varley Art Gallery, introduced the special guests for the evening:

 

 

 

Ms. Judi Michelle Young, President, Sculptors Society of Canada

Mr. Farhad Nargolwalla, Sculptor, Unionville

Ms. Sophie DeFrancesca, Sculptor, Toronto

 

Ms. Judi Young  provided background information and history on the Society, and noted that the Society is a charitable organization of professional artists who have completed their art training and are working as sculptors.  She circulated sample announcement cards for current, upcoming and past exhibits, and gave a slide presentation showing samples of various artists’ works.

 

Mr. Farhad Nargolwalla, one of the artists selected by the Committee to take part in the Environmental Art Event, gave insight into his early life as an artist and presented slides of samples of his sculptures and murals in various media, including bronze, stainless steel, and copper.   His abstract piece, which he will be creating at Toogood Pond, behind the Varley Art Gallery, will be made of Styrofoam and granite.

 

Ms. Sophie DeFrancesca, is a Toronto-based artist currently creating life size figurative sculptures in poultry wire, and advised that she recently exhibited in New York City.  Slides of samples of her work were shown and she provided information on the annual Riverdale Art Walk, noting that it is a two day event showcasing artists in studios, shops and galleries in and around the Riverdale area of Queen Street East in Toronto.

 

 

 

3.         UPDATE ON ENVIRONMENTAL ART EVENT

 

Ms. L. Irvine, Manager, Parks and Open Space Development, referred to a recent news release, entitled “Four Artists Creating Eco-Art in Markham Parks for the Town’s First Environmental Art Event” which has been sent to all major newspapers; all art groups in the area; and the Creative City newsletter. 

 

Remarking that the four artists are creating pieces of art that are all very different, she advised that Dawn Dale will be locating her art piece, which will be comprised of large paintings on the walkways, at Beaupre Park (14th Avenue and Markham Road area).  She noted that Ms. Dale requires billeting during her stay in Markham, and Judi McIntyre offered her home..  Jennie Clark will be locating her work, the focal point of which will be a natural old oak stump, at German Mills Settlers’ Park (Steeles Avenue and Leslie Street area).  Kylah McGlade will be creating an audio piece in the apple orchard at the Markham Museum, relating to the theme: “if trees will talk”.

 

Committee was encouraged to visit all of the sites once the works are completed, and Members

discussed the possibility of holding “unveilings”. Linda Irvine suggested that Committee contact the artists to determine their interest in a community event and encouraging the public to attend.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was suggested that small signs be erected at each site, which would display the artist’s name, the title of the work, and reference to the Public Art Advisory Committee for further information.

Members briefly discussed the matter of de-installation of the art, noting that some aspects of the pieces will be permanent. 

 

It was suggested that a social event should be planned to meet the artists, and various dates, forums and options were discussed.  Ms. McLeod offered to host the event at her home, and Ms. Irvine advised that she will ascertain a preferred date and email members of Committee.

In addition, it was noted that it will be the responsibility of the Committee to host the artists while they are working in Markham, and it was suggested that each artist be assigned a Committee member to look after them.  Following some discussion, Members were assigned as follows to monitor the artists and photograph and document the individual artist’s process: 

 

            Farhad Nargolwalla      D. Castello and P. Leonidis

 

            Kylah McGlade            E. Chong

 

            Dawn Dale                   J. McIntyre

           

            Jennie Clark                 V. Puri & L. Irvine

 

It was agreed that pictures would be placed on the Markham Arts Council website through Judi McIntyre.

 

Committee discussed ways of promoting and communicating this event to the public once the artists’ schedule is confirmed, and it was agreed that a flyer, including a map showing the locations, would be prepared by Linda Irvine and Judi McIntyre, and sent to the following:

 

  • Schools and summer camps to be advised
  • Press release to media
  • Community groups, including art organizations and garden clubs to be advised
  • Distribute at Markham Village Market, Canada Day Celebration, Art in the Park, and other community events
  • Distribute to businesses on Main Street Markham and Main Street Unionville
  • Markham Board of Trade, MBIA and UBIA be requested to promote event in newsletters and on websites
  • Committee members to spread by word of mouth

 

Priti Tripathi volunteered to assist with the flyer, and Kelly McLeod offered to man the booth at the Art in the Park event.  Members would be advised by email when copies of the flyer are available.

 

 

 

 

 

4.         MPAAC MEMBER VISION STATEMENTS

 

Copies of the Vision Statements of Mr. P. Leonidis, Mr. V. Puri and Ms. P. Tripathi were presented.  The Chair asked that all other Vision Statements from Committee Members be submitted as soon as possible.

 

 

 

5.         DATE OF NEXT MEETING

 

It was agreed that the next meeting date would be: Monday, September 19, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. in the Canada Room..

 

Committee will be kept informed of all activities over the summer by email.

 

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

The Markham Public Art Advisory Committee adjourned at 9:05 p.m.