07-15-1997 Minutes
SALINA ARTS & HUMANITIES COMMISSION
July 15, 1997
The monthly meeting of the Salina Arts & Humanities Commission was held at the Marymount
Administration Building conference room on Thursday, July 15, 1997. In attendance were Jane
Alsop, Connie Burket, Mike Cloutier, Debora Cox, Lou Ann Dunn, Tom Gates, Randal Graham,
Terah Isaacson, Alan Jilka, Charles Kephart, Ellen Morgan, Ann Rollins and Steve Thompson.
Staff present were Martha Rhea, Tom Pfannenstiel, Lana Jordan, Karla Prickett, Sharon Benson
and Darlene Stottmann.
Graham called the meeting to order.
FOCUS TIME: RELOCATING INSTALLATION BY PATRICK DOUGHERTY
Rhea: Site specific installation by Patrick Dougherty was destroyed. Police called (anonymous
tip) early June 22; three young men were climbing on the sculpture, two (18 and 14) were caught
and arrested. Rhea contacted artist who was still in the area; noted that this has not happened
before in his travels around the world. Rhea has spoken with Salina Art Center. Need strong
response for several reasons: 1) If SAHC gets into public art program, need to address how
Salina treats it and lives with it. Important food for thought is the Journal's recent "letter to
editor" which asked how was the public to know Dougherty's piece was not "disposable" like the
sand sculpture. Will be an educational process, i.e. "temporary installation" does not mean okay
to destroy. Rhea noted that after Festival staff placed temporary signs while waiting for
permanent ones to be made. 2) The sculpture was a very solidly built structure; to get it to the
point it was destroyed would have taken concentrated group effort, so very easy to think it "vas
planned. She spoke about the process of rebuilding: those who destroyed have the opportunity
to help rebuild, constructive process. Dougherty will be back in August at the same cost.
Festival had contracted with SAC for $5,000 (part ofKRATES program) for Dougherty's fee.
plus other costs equals about $7,000. This time out, cost split between SAC and SAHc.
Possibility of going to public for some donations.
Discussion followed. Gates: Would kids be required to pay anything? Who is prosecuting?
Rhea: Felony crime; county attorney's office prosecuting the adult. Said they were sitting on
sculpture, but that it was like that when they got there. When policeman got there they were not
hopping on it. Insurance applied for; however, Mike Morgan feels because it is outside, an
"attractive nuisance," it probably won't be covered. Restitution is another question.: we won't
know until case goes to court. We can't require that the ones in custody now partic::pate, because
that needs to be part of the sentencing. Rhea will get information to attorneys that those two can
become involved in the rebuilding. Rollins: Heard that fireworks were involved. Isaacson: Was
in the park Thursday night; was somewhat damaged then. Kephart: What action do you want
from the board? Rhea: Support to move ahead; executive committee has met already and given
approval. SAHC has line item in Festival budget for Festival year-round from which cost to
rebuild will come. Will be rebuilt in same place; Rhea has talked with park dept. regarding
lighting. Graham: Risk in rebuilding is that it could happen again; temporary in te:~ms of nine
months to one year; talked in executive committee about "throwing away money." However
feels it's necessary to make a statement about public art. Thompson: There is a risk that we will
face; is it worth it? What should we do to mark the pieces? Gates: Was very inviting to stand
on it; can't imagine that any kid wouldn't want to do that. Kephart: Fragility somewhat dictates
where public art should be located. Morgan: Recently toured sculpture garden in Walker, was
turned off to see "don't touch" signs. Playground area lends itself to children climbing. Rollins:
Word on the street with the kids is that if it goes back up, it will come back down. Referred to
conference with social issues and art, if kids are involved, will take pride in their artwork and
community as a whole. Suggested Jerry Ivey Park as a place for relocation spot; would not be as
inviting to destruction. Morgan: Other places in Oakdale not as accessible. Rhea: Curfews,
lighting, patrol issues have been discussed. Cox: Would hate that we make a decision based on
what juvenile "offenders" think; can't hold society hostage by their thinking. This is standard we
live by. Kephart: In placing that art in an environment that seems like it produces it, Lakewood
seems like piece is a natural outgrowth. Rhea: Several of the pods that were not totally
destroyed are being used there now. Rhea: Any interest in working with artist in planning the
next few weeks? Gates and Morgan responded yes. Prickett: Three benches vandalized their
first year on Festival grounds; graffiti not recent; comic strip mural or totem not touched. Lack
of education about what type of public art it is and the appropriateness of interaction. When
Dougherty comes back, need dialogue and education, especially with kids. Cox: Think of art as
being strong; kids need to understand what art brings to society; this is a good lesson.
MINUTES
Morgan moved that the minutes of the June 26 meeting be approved; Thompson seconded.
Motion carried.
ST AFF REPORTS
Pfannenstiel: "The Move" - Items in basement have been physically moved and covered with
plastic; gallery about half torn down, is being filled with artifacts from basement. At this point
are ahead of schedule thanks to hard work of staff; have had a lot of volunteer assistance (40
people and 400 hours so far). Now working in Genealogy Library which will be closed until the
Museum is renovated (calls will be forwarded to Mary Douglass's home). SHM staff, store and
temporary exhibit will be at former Bolen- Wood building; arrangements for security and phones
have been made. If space allows will have September Commission meeting there. Graham:
What about spirits of staff? Pfannenstiel: Tremendous, wouldn't happen if they hadn't taken
charge as they have; are looking forward to moving off-site and "restarting." Interviews for
curator of collections - Three candidates coming next Thursday, on-site interviews Friday.
Accreditation - Pfannenstiel said he's had word by phone that SHM has received it's
accreditation (much applause here!); will have accreditation commission report at the next SAHC
meeting. He noted that the accreditation commission was pleased to see the City putting funds
into the building to bring environment standards up to par.
Jordan: Horizons final reports have been received, two advancement and change and two
developing artists. All were satisfactory.
Prickett briefly reviewed sales figures from the Festival art areas, which indicate more people
getting involved and buying since number of booths there has not changed. The art patron
program had ten new patrons; has made significant contribution to the type of market there is for
the artist. Dunn: Four Rivers area is always physically comfortable no matter what day/time
you're there. Not the same in fine arts; gets hot and "close." Possibility of outdoor fans?
Morgan: Good reason to participate in art patron program, can shop early Saturday morning
before crowds. Prickett said the fine art area here actually has more space for each artist than at
other shows. Morgan: Where did Festival purchase awards go? Prickett said they have not been
placed yet.
SMOKY HILL RIVER FESTIVAL
Festival Mentors: Thompson said this was new for 1997. "Mentors," both teen and adult,
walked around the flagpole and playground areas during peak times of Festival (Friday 4-8 p.m.
and Saturday 2-8 p.m.) to attempt to reduce negative atmosphere-not policing, but interacting
in a positive manner with youth who congregate in that area. Thompson said there was a good
turnout of mentors. Responses from survey they completed after Festival indicated it is a good
program to continue. Other survey comments: unsure of what they were to do; include more
teens; needed to be noticeable as mentors, i.e. special T-shirts (Thompson said this year made
conscious decision not to do that). Isaacson, who was a mentor, commented that it would have
been helpful to have a teen and an adult paired together. Staff noted that at this year's Festival
there were fewer "situations" overall. Graham thanked Thompson for helping to organiz,e the
Mentor program and Jilka and Isaacson for participating.
Gates Committee Report - Cloutier said the current policy is that buttons cost $4 in advance
(including Thursday night); Friday morning price changes to $5; one-day passes are $4; Sunday,
$4 for one-day pass. The $4 pass is creating a lot of confusion at the gates; slows the process
down; lines form because of time it takes to make change, stamp hands, etc. Gates committee
recommendation: $4 pre-Festival and for Thursday night Jam, $5 for a button starting Friday,
eliminate one-day pass. Morgan moved that the Gates Committee recommendation be accepted
beginning in 1998; Kephart seconded. Discussion followed. Prickett said this year the Journal
picked up on the $4 pass, very visible. Cloutier agreed; sold three times as many in '97. Jordan
noted that buttons are available 30 days in advance so people have plenty of time to purchase
them for $4. Graham asked for a vote on Morgan's motion. It carried unanimously.
Cloutier said the gates committee feels the age limit for free admission needs to be addressed.
Current policy is that children under 12 are admitted free. Misunderstood because people think
it's 12 and under. There were a large number who came through and said they were 12;
impossible for gate volunteers to tell. Discussion followed, with various suggestions: changing
the age limit to 10 or even pre-school; requiring that children be accompanied by family
member; designing a button for 12-year-olds to purchase recognizing they've reached that
"special" age. Rhea pointed out the necessity of making it easy and consistent for gate people.
Cloutier: Seems that whatever age is chosen, will still have the problem of some trying to get in
without paying. Benson: Be aware that decision is affecting families; also on Fridays, many day
care centers bring kids; changing age might take away the ability for them to attend. Alsop:
Psychologically, the spirit of the River Festival is trying to get as many as we can get there, then
when they reach a certain age, they've "grown up" knowing they have to pay. Cloutier: Will be
a controversial issue; must be sensitive to public relations issue, especially with changing one-
day pass. Rhea said it's important to identify the issue: age groupings; kids cheating (and are
there other ways of addressing?); lessening confusion and making it easier for gates people. A
task force will be formed, including gates committee members.
Kephart and Rollins left meeting at this point.
SUMMER DANCE CAMP
Burket said this summer's camp is the realization of the committee's dream from first year;
enriching for kids to learn about dance in the context of other art forms. Have top notch staff
Stated goal was that each adult present will be a learner as well as a trainer. The basic
philosophy is intact. Next year will change to age nine and older; even parents interested in
participating this year! Invited anyone to come and "watch the children think," Reminder of
Thursday night's culminating experience, 7 p.m., at Salina Community Theatre.
POTENTIAL COMMISSION CANDIDATES
Graham said we now have more than one dozen potential candidates for commission slots.
Executive Committee will narrow down to four and give a list to City Commission by end of
July. Asked for any other new names.
OTHER
Graham: Need to form officer slate for next year; anyone interested in serving, please let
Graham or Rhea know.
Graham said typically SAHC does not meet in August. By September meeting will have new
commissioners in place. Possibly will meet at the new Museum location on Santa Fe. Through
the end of this year meetings will be scheduled on the third Tuesday of the month. Rhea
said staff will keep commissioners informed; will proceed with Dougherty installation and
Festival age issue.
There being no further business and upon proper motion the meeting was adjourned.
Commissioners were given a short tour of the temporary offices at Marymolmt.
/dms