HomeMy WebLinkAboutJune 20, 2023
Page 1 of 8
Minutes/Meeting Summary
Cultural Advisory Committee
June 20, 2023
Main Committee Room
7:00 pm
Attendees: D. Thompson, Cultural Advisory Committee, Chair
S. Almeida-Schroen, Cultural Advisory Committee, Vice-Chair
R. Coelho, Cultural Advisory Committee Member
D. Davis, Cultural Advisory Committee Member
J. Elliott, Cultural Advisory Committee Member
Z. Kazi, Cultural Advisory Committee Member
M. McFarland, Cultural Advisory Committee Member
A. Palmer, Cultural Advisory Committee Member
R. Wali, Cultural Advisory Committee Member
M. Nagy, City Councillor, Ward 2
L. Gibbs, Division Head, Culture and Community Programming
K. Roberts, (Acting) Supervisor, Cultural Services
J. St. Amant, Coordinator, Cultural Services (Staff Liaison)
E. Tayles-Armstrong, (Acting) Conservator
S. Barakov, Coordinator, Public Art
D. Roopchand, Clerk, Culture and Recreation (Recording Secretary)
Absent: A. Mujeeb, Cultural Advisory Committee Member
Item/
Ref #
Details, Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action Items/Status
(include deadline as
appropriate)
1. Welcome & Call to Order
J. St. Amant welcomed members and called the meeting
to order.
2. Review and Approval of Agenda and Previous
Minutes
The committee reviewed the agenda. J. St. Amant noted
that items 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, and 8, are to be changed to D.
Thompson, as she is the Chair of the Committee. D.
Thompson added the Fire Hall Grand Opening item to
Other Business.
Moved by M. McFarland.
To approve the agenda.
Carried
Page 2 of 8
Item/
Ref #
Details, Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action Items/Status
(include deadline as
appropriate)
D. Thompson asked for approval of the previous
minutes.
Moved by R. Wali.
To approve the previous minutes.
Carried
3. Disclosure of Interest
No disclosures of interest were noted.
4. Delegations
There were no delegations for this meeting.
5. General Business
5.1 Pickering Museum Village (PMV) Report
E. Tayles-Armstrong provided the Cultural Advisory
Committee with updates at the Pickering Museum Village
(PMV). She said that this season 6500 students
attended educational programs onsite, the last day for
education programs is June 29 and then they will
resume in the Fall. E Tayles-Armstrong spoke about the
summer programs, which includes a new Escape the
Forest escape room, and the PMV Waterfront Ghost
Walk. All of the programs can be found at
www.pickering.ca/museum.
E. Tayles-Armstrong also invi ted the Committee to the
Blacksmith Shop Exhibit Grand Opening, on June 25,
which will include a blacksmith demonstration, heritage
games and light refreshments.
5.2 Community Banner Series Shortlist – Top 5
Artists – For Endorsement
J. St. Amant introduced the committee to the Community
Banner Series. He said that the intent of this program is
to create street banners that will turn the streetscape into
welcoming and engaging spaces. The applicants were
asked to submit their resume, CV, references, a brief
artist statement and images of their past work.
Page 3 of 8
Item/
Ref #
Details, Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action Items/Status
(include deadline as
appropriate)
J. St. Amant said there were 44 applicants who
submitted by May 26, 2023. The Public Art Committee
reviewed the applications and submitted scores the
week of June 5. The shortlisted artists are: Aisha
Chiguichon, Oliviana Cinco, Ryan Smeeton, Taile
Shalmon, and Yen Linh Thai.
J. St. Amant said that next steps would be to notify the
artists this week and have them complete a conceptual
design proposal for a series of seven banners. Each
artist will be paid a fee of $1000 plus HST for their
proposals completed by August 4. These designs will be
reviewed by the Public Art Committee and the Top Three
will have their designs fabricated and installed on
Kingston Road and Valley Farm Road, in December
2023, and they will be displayed for two years
Moved by R. Wali.
To approve the Top 5 artists for the Community Banner
Series.
Carried
5.3 Whitevale Arts and Culture Community
Public Art – For Endorsement
J. St. Amant spoke about the Whitevale Arts and Culture
Community (WACC) public art project “Beautifying Our
New Garbage Bin”. Children 12 and under would be
invited to submit a drawing or painting representing
pollinators and/or pollinator gardens. There will not be a
cost to the City, but will require the support of the Public
Art Committee, and the Cultural Advisory Committee.
R. Wali asked if all bins across the City would be
painted, however, J. St. Amant said it is a community
initiative and they are the ones taking it on.
M. Nagy asked if it was City property or property of
WACC. L. Gibbs said it was City property and the bin
would be City property, as well.
A. Palmer asked how it would be maintained. J. St.
Amant said that it is meant to last one year.
Page 4 of 8
Item/
Ref #
Details, Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action Items/Status
(include deadline as
appropriate)
Moved by R. Wali
To approve beautification of the new garbage bins in
Whitevale.
Carried
5.4 Update: Waterfront Public Art –
Consultation Services
S. Barakov presented the update for the public art at the
waterfront. S. Barakov introduced the three different
consultants that the City approached for this project. He
explained that these artists were paid $4 ,700 including
HST for their research and renderings. They were given
a potential budget of $240,000 that would be needed to
create the work. Our next steps would be to review the
collected concepts and determine how these concepts
will inform our Call to Artists and Terms of Reference. A
discussion around these artists’ concepts and what
Committee members thought of this process took place.
R. Wali asked if one of these artists will be selected. S.
Barakov said not selected, but we just wanted to see
what is possible.
R. Wali asked if there will be an educational component
to the art pieces. S. Barakov said that we usually install a
plaque with information discussing what the piece is
about.
M. McFarland asked about the rights and if the City could
use these concepts. S. Barakov said that if we wanted to
have one of these installed, we would hire that artist. L.
Gibbs said that this consultation does not preclude the
artist from applying when we do put the call out. L. Gibbs
said these consultations helps us to inform the design
and infrastructure of the park.
5.5 Winter Nights, City Lights 2023 –
Temporary Public Art – For Endorsement
S. Barakov presented the temporary, rented public art
piece that will be displayed for the 2023 Winter Nights,
City Lights event that takes place in Esplanade Park and
Page 5 of 8
Item/
Ref #
Details, Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action Items/Status
(include deadline as
appropriate)
the artist. He said the Public Art Jury selected Nate
Nettleton from the applications they received, and he
was further endorsed by the Public Art Committee on
June 16. The piece consists of illuminated disco balls
encased in acrylic boxes. The disco ball will reflect the
sunlight, during the day, and the lights that are projected
on it, during the night.
R. Coelho asked if it is a regular practice to rent art
pieces. S. Barakov said yes, many municipalities do this.
R. Coelho asked about the 10% contingency in the
budget. S. Barakov said that allows us to have the artist
come into to repair the piece, if necessary.
Moved by R. Coelho.
To endorse the temporary public art piece for Winter
Nights, City Lights 2023.
Carried
5.6 Cultural Fusion Festival - Review
K. Roberts discussed the 2023 Cultural Fusion Festival,
that will take place on September 9, from 11 am – 5 pm.
K. Roberts gave the group a brief history of the event.
This year, they are moving the event date from August to
September, as it conflicted with the CNE opening last
year.
K. Roberts spoke about the Opening Ceremony,
unofficial dance record, and the community support and
mentorship. She said that they will be having their first
meeting tomorrow evening, at 7:00 pm, for interested
community groups. She said that we want community
feedback because it is an event for the community. K.
Roberts said that for those who cannot make it to the
meeting tomorrow, all the information will be on the
website, www.pickering.ca/festivalsandevents. She also
mentioned that there will be a form for groups to request
a booth, and this is what I would like to showcase.
K. Roberts provided the QR code for the link to the
survey for the Cultural Fusion Festival and explained the
purpose of this feedback survey.
D. Roopchand to send
the virtual meeting link
to the CAC members.
Page 6 of 8
Item/
Ref #
Details, Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action Items/Status
(include deadline as
appropriate)
Last year the festival ran from two days, from 12 – 5 pm.
R. Coelho asked if the event could be extended. M.
Nagy asked if the groups can take down the next day,
and K. Roberts said that then the cost of the event rises,
as we will need to hire security for overnight, but she will
take the suggestion of the extending the event from 10
am to 7 pm, to the staff.
L. Gibbs spoke about the event last year and how we
had 38 community groups join our inaugural event and
the vision for this event came from the community.
J. Elliot said that a lot of City residents are not aware of
all the great things we have going on in the City, and she
asked if there could be an economic developer or
tourism stakeholder at a booth to talk about all the
amazing events go on throughout the year. J. Elliott said
we could have a tourism booth, from Durham Tourism or
Central Counties Tourism (CCT), Museum, and
programmers. E. Tayles-Armstrong confirmed that the
museum will be at the event.
S. Almeida-Schroen asked if they can add contact
information, along with suggestions of who should be
included. K. Roberts said that the team would appreciate
that information and she will pass it along to our staff
lead.
R. Coelho said that she thinks that the Committee should
have a booth, and asked if the City’s cultural department
could participate, as well.
A discussion around last year’s and this year’s Cultural
Fusion Festival took place.
L. Gibbs said that from this discussion she understand s
that the Committee would like to Community Dire ctory to
be updated with contacts that may not be in the Directory
already; including a City of Pickering general b ooth; and
sending the link to the Committee members.
6. Correspondence
There was no Correspondence for this meeting.
Page 7 of 8
Item/
Ref #
Details, Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action Items/Status
(include deadline as
appropriate)
7. Other Business
7.1 Community Tourism Plan, Public Survey
J. St. Amant spoke about Community Tourism Plan , and
the Public Survey. The survey will be open throughout
the summer. He said that this project is being facilitated
by CCT and there is a steering committee that will be
meeting four times over a six-month period. He asked
the Committee to share and fill out the survey as this
information will help develop the tourism plan. The link is
letstalkpickering.ca/ctp.
J. St. Amant showed the Committee the first draft of the
tourism video and he asked for feedback. He said that
this video was based on feedback from staff. A
discussion around the tourism video took place.
M. Nagy said that instead of Heron Gate, which is
closing in three months, to use the Museum. She
suggested having some niche stores, and the public art.
E. Tayles said that she has videos of the museum with
families enjoying themselves that could be used.
S. Almeida-Schroen asked about development around
Durham Live. L. Gibbs said that they will follow up with
our Economic Development colleagues, and provide an
update at the next meeting.
R. Wali said it would be good to have the names of the
places in the videos. J. St. Amant said that he will be
creating a guide to go with the video, which will include
more information about the places in the video, and they
will reference each other.
J. Elliott suggested splitting up the restaurants in the
video.
A discussion on what to include in this tourism video and
how it could be set up took place.
City Staff to follow up
with Economic
Development staff.
Page 8 of 8
Item/
Ref #
Details, Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action Items/Status
(include deadline as
appropriate)
7.2 Firehall Grand Opening
D. Thompson said that she attended the Fire Hall
opening and she said thought it was very well attended.
She said that the wrap looked amazing, the artist was
there and there was a colouring book with the five sides
of the wrap that children could take. She spoke about the
event, and all the activations that were there, and she
was surprised to see how large the horse sculpture, in
front of the hall actually was. She said that it was a great
event. L. Gibbs said there were 800 visitors.
7.3 National Indigenous Peoples Day
Ceremony
K. Roberts spoke about the National Indigenous Peoples
Day event, from 11 am – 3 pm. She also mentioned that
the Reflections piece, and musical garden is located
right next to where the event will take place.
M. Nagy invited everyone to the flag raising ceremony, at
10:30 am, Wednesday, June 21.
8. Next Meeting
The next Cultural Advisory Committee meeting will take
place on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, from 7:00 –
9:00 pm.
9. Adjournment
Moved by R. Coelho
That the June 20, 2023 meeting of the Cultural Advisory
Committee be adjourned.
Carried
Meeting Adjourned: 8:27 pm