Northbrook Arts Commission Village of Northbrook met February 1.
Here is the minutes provided by the Commission:
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Bruce Bondy at 7 :01p.m. in the Terrace Room at the Northbrook Village Hall.
Commissioners present: Chairman Bruce Bondy, Al Alvarez, Christopher Laughlin, Marsha Schwartz, Eileen Loftus, Sharon Moyer, Chris Sheban, Ernie Halperin, Joan MacVay, Jerry Block, and Susan Wolf.
Guest: GBN Student
Commissioners Absent: Joei Shavitz, Chris Nibeck, Robert Sills
Minutes:
Commissioner Laughlin moved, seconded by Commissioner Wolf , to approve the minutes as amended from the January 4, 2018 meeting. Upon a voice vote, all were in favor.
Commissioner Laughlin moved, seconded by Commissioner Loftus , to approve the minutes from the December 11, 2017 Art Exhibit Commission Subcommittee meeting. Upon a voice vote, all were in favor.
Commissioner MacVay moved, seconded by Commissioner Moyer to approve minutes, as amended, from the January 19, 2018 Art Exhibit Subcommittee meetings. Upon a voice vote, all were in favor.
Hear from the Audience-
A GBN student introduced herself and wanted to express her interest in encouraging the Commission to recognize the youth and arts in the community. Commissioner Moyer explained the Library’s Artist’s in Residents Exhibits at the library as an opportunity to have youth art as a feature. It was also noted that the Village Gallery would be an option to display youth art.
Discussion of Finances-
Liaison Fayne-Depersio stated the current balance of the Northbrook Friends of the Arts, NFP account increased by $10,000 as the Village deposited budgeted funds for FY 17/18, bringing the balance to $16,873.57. It was noted that the funds from the Friends of the Arts, NFP are used to benefit arts events in the community. The Commissioners discussed the relationship between the two groups. Chairman Bondy explained his thoughts on considering the structure between them, as the Village’s Arts Commission and the Friends of the Northbrook Arts are two separate entities.
Plein Air Festival Recap-
The date for the Plein Air 2018 event will be Sept. 28 – October 1.
Paintings at Sunset – A Plein Air Art Display will be held March 9-11, 2018. The exhibit will feature paintings from the Plein Air event, as well as some newer additional work. An opening event will be held from 5:30-8pm on Friday, March 9. All the Commissioners are encouraged to attend the opening and sign up to meet and greet during the weekend event. Commissioner Laughlin will perform during the opening to provide background music. Chairman Bondy will work with other commissioners to hang the display of approximately 50 pieces. Commissioners Chris Sheban, Chris Nibeck, and Al Alvarez will assist. Chairman Bondy explained what a great event to share artwork with the community, as Sunset indicated, over the three-day event, approximately 5,000 people will be passing through the store by the Northbrook Grill. This is an opportunity to showcase the art, the Arts Commission and promote the 2018 2nd Annual Plein Air Painting event.
Chairman Bondy recapped the meeting he had with Commissioner Joei Shavitz and Cheryl met with him to discuss a marketing brochure to promote the Commission and the events for 2018. Chairman Bondy reviewed the proposed copy.
Other Events Discussed to include in the brochure and/or for future discussion-
One of the events proposed was the 24-hour songwriting event, and Commissioner Laughlin said he would work with Commissioner Chris Nibeck on the specific ideas. There was also a discussion on a film-making event, perhaps as part of the Colaboratory, makers space at the Library.
Chairman Bondy talked about an idea of hosting an open house at the Village Hall and include some of the architects that designed the building as presenters in the Board Room. There would be the potential to discuss other interesting architecturally significant buildings in Northbrook, such as the Crate and Barrel headquarters.
Commissioner Schwartz inquired about the concert series which the Arts Commissions helps sponsor at the Library. She was referencing the Four Hand, Two Piano event, as well as the Winter Concerts, at the Library that should be included. Schwartz indicated we need to show that we work with the Park District on events as well.
Spring Artists Workshops –
Laughlin indicated the workshops would use the Park District Tile Room at the Village Green in the spring and summer, and suggested the timing would be Artist Instructor Ken Call in April or May and then Brian Sindler and Steve Puttrich would be scheduled when the weather would be warmer as they may utilize the park property for painting. Commissioner Laughlin will coordinate with the artists and the Park District.
Northbrook Originals Subcommittee update
Marketing and PR for the Arts Commission-
Commissioner Block will be scheduling a meeting on Tuesday, Feb 13, 1-3pm at the Library to discuss the exhibits.
Other and New Business:
Commissioner Alvarez shared a proposal on a Latin Music and Dance weekend event for participants to learn the various Latin dance forms. The proposed weekend event would include up to 12 or more professional dancers and Latin musicians, with audience participation. He proposed collaborating with the Park District and hosting it at the Leisure Center and the proposed budget would be $3,500. Commissioner Loftus asked Alvarez to contact her about options and coordination for the event. One option would be to use Greenbriar Gym. Chair Bondy sees the opportunity for this to be a large event, with a draw from outside the community. Commissioner Alvarez indicated the Community Relations Commission’s Culture Fair event would be a good target audience to promote the event since there are so many cultures in our community and the region. The proposed event would feature live music. Chairman Bondy noted, a live grand-scale event would be another event to put Northbrook on the map. It would be an event with modest price ticket in the fall or early winter.
Commissioner Loftus viewed the proposal as a partnership, since the Park District has the capacity to take in revenue for ticket sales and would share in the coordination, as well as the revenues. Commissioner Halperin suggested a working title of Latin Live. The event would be a multi- cultural event and unique for the area. The Commission applauded Alvarez’s idea.
Bondy explained the website updates were in process for www.northbrookarts.org and welcomed input from the commissioners.
Commissioner MacVay reviewed the ideas of the North Shore Juried Winter Art Show proposed for 2019 at the Library. The Commission is awaiting further feedback from the Library staff to determine steps moving forward. The Friends of the Northbrook Library were also included in the discussions as they expressed the potential to help fund the event if approved. The Exhibit Subcommittee will be held at 9:30am on Feb. 14 in the Pollak Room at the Northbrook Library. Details of the event are outlined in the January 19, 2018 subcommittee minutes. Commissioner Wolf indicated that with the Commission committing to taking on the work for the event, the Library will explore their role and give a decision. Commissioner Block talked about having receptions for each of the Northbrook in Residents exhibits and Commissioner Laughlin indicated having a reception for the Northbrook Originals as a bigger reception on an annual basis may be more appropriate and more well attended.
Commissioners shared news of upcoming events of interest to those attending the meeting.
Adjourn:
Commissioner Halperin moved, seconded by Commissioner Block, to adjourn the meeting, all were in favor and the meeting adjourned at 8:29 pm.
http://il-northbrook.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_02012018-1387
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