PROVINCETOWN ART COMMISSION

PROVINCETOWN TOWN HALL

JUDGE WELCH ROOM

FRIDAY, APRIL 25, 2008

 

 

Members present: Stephen Borkowski, Chairperson; James Bakker;  John Dowd; Napi Van Dereck   Members absent with notice:.Georgia Coxe;  Erna Partoll 

Recorder: Cynthia Curran

 

CHAIRMAN'S REPORT

 

The Art Commission has taken most of the valuable paintings out of the Cape End Manor.  The

Seashore Point has requested the loan of some paintings from the Town's collection for the new building.  After some discussion the members agreed that it would not be appropriate to loan artworks to them because it is no longer a Town building.  The Commission will give them a set of the framed prints which the Art Commission produced of the four seasons.

 

The Chair has begun discussions with the Town Manager about what will happen to the art collection during the renovation of Town Hall and the possible relocation of the art storage.  It is not the Art Commission's decision, but they can suggest possibilities.  One suggestion was the Provincetown Art Association. 

 

The Chair presented the financial report and distributed copies.

 

Several loan requests were presented, one to the Pilgrim Monument and one to the Art Association.  Also discussed was the loan of works for a show in Boston at the Massachusetts College of Art in conjunction with PAAM.  Discussion ensued.

    

A motion was made to recommend the loan of two works, a Harvey Dodd pastel and a Edna Boies Hopkins watercolor to the PAAM, and accept the proposal for the loan of artwork to the Massachusetts College of Art, subject to approval by the Board of Selectmen.

Moved by: Stephen Borkowski Seconded by: James Bakker  Yea: 4 Nay: 0 Abstain: 0

 

A motion was made to accept the proposal from the Pilgrim Monument and Museum to borrow several pieces for the Artist Studio Show.

Moved by: Stephen Borkowski Seconded by: John Dowd  Yea: 3 Nay: 0 Abstain: 1 (James Bakker recused)

 

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

Minutes for the February 21, 2008 meeting were distributed.  There was no discussion.

 

A motion was made to approve the minutes of the meeting on 2/21/08

Moved by: Stephen Borkowski Seconded by: John Dowd  Yea: 3 Nay: 0 Abstain: 1 (NV)

 

OTHER BUSINESS

 

Returning to the discussion of Town Hall artwork, Stephen Borkowski said the Town Hall might be vacated by November 1st.  Perhaps some of the larger paintings could be loaned out during the renovation.  Murals which can't be removed will have to be covered. 

 

A silkscreen by Peter Hunt was offered to the collection..

A motion was made to accept the Peter Hunt silkscreen into the Town's collection.

Moved by: Napi Van Dereck Seconded by: Jim Bakker  Yea: 4 Nay: 0 Abstain: 0

 

The Commission needs to elect a new vice chairperson but it was decided to wait until the next meeting. 

 

The Chair asked if the committee felt they should have regularly scheduled meetings or just “as needed”.  The members felt that having meetings when needed worked well, but they wanted to stay up to date on what was happening with the art collection during the renovations.  The Art Commission is not going to handle the moving of the artwork, but will be advising the Board of Selectmen and the Town Manager.  One member suggested that the committee members should be on hand to watch the moving of the paintings.  They could do it in shifts.  David Gardner joined the meeting at 4:00.  He said that he had spoken to the Town Manager about the possibility of storing the paintings at the Provincetown Art Association.  Some of the advantages would be that the space has alarms and also that they could have access to the paintings.  Mr. Gardner said they also needed to find a permanent place for the collection.  In the plans drawn up for the renovation, the art storage room was inadvertently left out.  Mr. Borkowski said he had met with the architect and discussed the art room with him, but it was still forgotten in the plans. 

 

The plans for printing a guide to the art collection cannot be completed before the end of the fiscal year, so that project will be postponed. 

 

Napi Van Dereck asked if the plans for the renovations included new lighting for the paintings on the walls.  Mr. Gardner said he would be mindful of that question in further conversations about the plans.  Some members asked if the Art Commission could be included in any group that was concerned with the renovation.  Mr. Gardner said that there was no such group at this time, but he said the Historical Commission also wanted to be included.  He suggested coming to the next BOS meeting and to follow it up with a letter.  Stephen Borkowski said that he would be attending as a member of the Historical Commission.  He said that perhaps the Art Commission funds could be used to help pay for special lighting. 

 

A motion was made to adjourn the meeting at 4:16 p.m.

Moved by: Stephen Borkowski Seconded by:  Napi Van Dereck  Yea: 4 Nay: 0 Abstain: 0