North Cook News

Village of Northbrook Arts Commission met January 4. 

Here is the minutes as provided by the commission:

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Bruce Bondy at 7:00 p.m. in the Terrace Room at the

Northbrook Village Hall.

Commissioners present: Bruce Bondy, Al Alverez, Christopher Laughlin, Chris Nibeck, Eileen

Loftus, Sharon Moyer, Joei Shavitz, Chris Sheban, Robert Sills, Joan MacVay and Susan Wolf.

Commissioners Absent: Jerry Block, Ernie Halperin, Marsha Schwartz.

Minutes:

Commissioner MacVay moved, seconded by Commissioner Sills to approve the minutes as

amended from the November 30 meeting. Upon a voice vote, all were in favor.

Discussion of Finances

Commissioner Laughlin stated he sat down with Assistant Director of Finance Betsy Garibaldi to

review the finances, following the Plein Air Art Festival, and there was no change from the prior

month. Chairman Bondy questioned if everyone has been refunded for their expenses from the

Plein Air event. Commissioner Sills reminded Chairman Bondy of the receipt he submitted to him

for reimbursement for the folders. Chairman Bondy Commissioner Sills to resend him another copy

of the receipt. Commissioner Laughlin asked Chairman Bondy if the annual contribution from the

Village had been deposited in the Friends of the Arts account. Chairman Bondy stated the funds

from F/Y 2017/18 will be transferred into the account. In regard to the funds for F/Y 2018/19, this

will be determined after the Chair has a discussion with President Frum. The members discussed

the account and Chairman Bondy stated they are still waiting on the funds from the Historical

Society. A committee member questioned the number of paintings sold through the Historical

Society and Chairman Bondy stated eleven paintings were sold.

Plein Air Festival Recap

The date for the Plein Air 2018 event will be Sept. 28 – October 1. Chairman Bondy stated the

Event could be expanded five days. Also, the painting boundaries and the number of artists

participating will expand. He stated he hopes to draw artists in from the surrounding communities;

hopefully we will have about 50 artists this year instead of 30. Chairman Bondy informed the

Commission he is getting calls from interested artists from out of state.

Commissioner Loftus questioned if there will be a preference with registration, to new people.

Chairman Bondy said yes, if we get a large number of artists. Commissioner Laughlin suggested

giving past participants an early notice. Chairman Bondy stated if the event includes a juried

process; we can then get good artists. Last year there was some coaxing for people to participate.

Ultimately jurying process gives us the ability to choose.

Chairman Bondy discussed the Plein Air event in Cedarburg. He stated they had 150 artist and they

painted for 10-12 days and that applications were on a first come first served basis. Chairman

Bondy noted Cedarburg is now cutting back on the number of days and the number of artists. The

local art house displays the art, which has caused complications. Chairman Bondy discussed maybe

increasing the prize money in the future to draw artists.

Exhibits of Paintings

Chairman Bondy stated exhibiting the paintings, e.g. at the Historical Society, it working out very

well. He discussed his conversation with Bruce Gonzales about having an exhibit at Sunset in the

bar area downstairs. They discussed a tentative date of March 9, 10 and 11. The Commission then

discussed the exposure this event could create for the Arts Commission in the community. It is an

opportunity to explain our mission, and get press, however Sunset wants no responsibility for

selling the paintings so we will have to be responsible for the sales. Commissioner Sills asked if

Sunset will forgo sales during the event and Chairman Bondy stated they will remain open during

the event. The Commission then discussed the selling of the artwork at the event, the feasibility of

hiring someone to do the sales, and the hours of the event.

Chairman Bondy discussed with the Commission the need to teach Northbrook residents what a

Plein Air event is. Chairman Bondy informed the Commission about his discussion with the

Glenview Art Guild.

Spring Artist Workshops

Chairman Bondy informed the Commission he has three potential artist interested in teaching the

workshops. He stated one is not a Plein Air painter, one is Steve Putrich, who did the demo and the

third is Northbrook resident Ken Call, a well-respected water color artist. They are looking at 3-4

seminars, however, the workshops may not all be in the spring, some may be carried over into the

summer. He stated Ann Cariola is interested in taking the lead. Chairman Laughlin stated he spoke

to Julia Miller, the past Chairperson of the Arts Commission, about the Artists Workshops. He also

spoke to Bonnie Siegel, a previous commissioner, and she had a preference on where to hold the

workshops. Commissioner Laughlin asked what he could do to assist and Chairman Bondy

suggested Commissioner Laughlin should meet with Ann to strategize about outreach to art

organizations.

Northbrook Originals Subcommittee update and Minutes from December 11, 2017.

Chairman Bondy stated as far as he knows the application is complete. A copy of the application

was distributed for the Commission to review. Chairman Bondy stated the envelopes will be ran

tomorrow if everyone is in agreement the applications are complete. Chairman Bondy reminded

the members about the event. He stated it is an opportunity for Northbrook Artists to showcase

their work.

Commissioner Moyer stated last year there were forty participants. The number of participants are

limited due to the number of paintings that can be hung at the library. Commissioner Wolf

volunteered to be on the subcommittee. Commissioner Wolf then discussed the reception with the

commissioners. She discussed providing refreshments; tours every 30 minutes and that she would

find out if the Pollack Room is available. Commissioner Sills asked if the reception could be

throughout the library. Commissioner Laughlin discussed past events. The Commission discussed

the pros and cons of holding the event while the library is open versus closed. Commissioner Wolf

stated she will need to speak to the Library Director Kate Hall.

Chairman Bondy discussed the publicity for the event with Commissioner Wolf. It was noted the

event was advertised in the Library and Village Newsletters. Chairman Bondy noted an application

will be sent to all the artists on their list with instructions to mail them back to the Village Hall, or

email them to his email. Commissioner Sills questioned who would be jurying the event and

Chairman Bondy replied the subcommittee would determine.

Marketing and PR for the Arts Commission

Commissioner Laughlin stated the Northbrook Arts Commission website needs to be cleaned up.

Chairman Bondy discussed his conversations with Liaison Fayne-dePersio and that she tried to

make changes today.

Other and New Business

Chairman Bondy stated he had two meetings this past month with the Glenview Art League, noting

their excitement with the Arts Commission wanting to display their work in Glenview. He stated

he threw a few ideas such as displaying artwork during Tuesdays in the park. Chairman Bondy

stated he discussed the idea with Commissioner Loftus and it is in an exploratory stage now. He

discussed the potential of Northbrook and Glenview jointly holding an Art in the Park here in

Northbrook. Chairman Bondy stated the Glenview Art League is not funded by the Village and the

Art Fair is their main revenue source.

Chairman Bondy informed the Commission that he and Commissioner Schwarz had an exploratory

discussion with the President of the Chamber of Commerce Tensley Garris. He stated she was very

receptive and is willing to set up meetings with bigger businesses if needed.

Chairman Bondy stated his focus has been on Plein Air and he feels little focus has been on music

and other artistic aspects. He suggested holding another music series. Commissioner Laughlin

commented that music events are good, but they have the tendency to burn through the money

faster. Commissioner Moyer questioned if they would be holding Rock the Green this year, and the

commission discussed.

Commissioner Wolf discussed with the commission holding a 24-hour songwriting contest, which

was similar to a film festival she had worked on for another organization in the past. Chairman

Bondy stated it sounded very intriguing.

Commissioner Laughlin stated that on June 21st Chicago invites musicians to play around Chicago.

He suggested something like this would be fun if held in Northbrook. The group liked the idea.

Announcements

Commissioner MacVay stated she and Chairman Bondy meet with Kate Hall to discuss the North

Shore Art Show, which will be juried, on the19th

.Commissioner Laughlin stated the Winter Concert Series will begin on February 11 in the

auditorium at the Library.

Adjourn

Commissioner Laughlin motioned to adjourn the meeting, Commissioner Loftus seconded the

motion, all were in favor and the meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm.

http://il-northbrook.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_01042018-1338