UCARB

Summary

Meeting Overview

The UCARB (University City Arts Review Board) met on February 12, 2020. The meeting addressed four agenda items, all of which were approved by the board. The session focused entirely on reviewing and approving various public art projects and monuments for the community.

During the meeting, the board took five votes and heard no public comments. All four agenda items received approval, demonstrating unanimous support for the proposed artistic projects. The approved items included the "Being Alive" project for both conceptual and final review, the "Breaking the Bronze Ceiling" artwork conceptual review, the "Victims of Crime Monument" concept and final review, and the "I Was Here Project."

The meeting represented a productive session for public art development in University City, with the board advancing multiple creative initiatives that will contribute to the community's cultural landscape. The approval of these diverse projects - ranging from commemorative monuments to contemporary art installations - reflects the board's commitment to enhancing the city's artistic offerings and public spaces.

Votes and Decisions

The meeting included five motions, all of which passed by voice vote.

Meeting Minutes Approval 0:30 The committee approved the November 13th, 2019 meeting minutes by voice vote.

Being Alive Sculpture 15:00 The committee approved both the conceptual and final design for the "Being Alive" sculpture by voice vote. This approval was contingent upon the structural backing of the sculpture being evaluated.

Breaking the Bronze Ceiling 45:00 The conceptual design for "Breaking the Bronze Ceiling" was approved by voice vote.

Victims of Crime Monument 1:15:00 The committee approved both the concept and final review for the Victims of Crime Monument by voice vote.

I Was Here Project 1:30:00 The "I Was Here" project received approval by voice vote.

All votes were conducted by voice vote rather than roll call, so individual member votes were not recorded. No motions failed, and no abstentions or opposing votes were noted during the proceedings.

Being Alive Conceptual and Final Review

5:00

Christy Stambaugh presented the Being Alive art donation program proposal for the Lexington Senior Center. The program was inspired by Kirk Klopitzky and is designed to showcase artwork created by local senior artists within the community.

The Being Alive program aims to provide a platform for displaying the creative works of older adults, giving them an opportunity to share their artistic talents with visitors and users of the senior center. The initiative would establish a dedicated space or system for rotating displays of senior-created artwork at the facility.

Stambaugh outlined both the conceptual framework and final implementation details for the art donation program during her presentation. The program represents an effort to celebrate the artistic contributions of the senior community while enhancing the cultural atmosphere of the senior center.

The proposal was approved by the meeting participants, allowing the Being Alive art donation program to move forward with implementation at the Lexington Senior Center. This approval enables the center to begin accepting and displaying artwork from local senior artists as part of the new program initiative.

Breaking the Bronze Ceiling Artwork Conceptual Review

30:00 Lisa Grover presented the Breaking the Bronze Ceiling project, a proposed monument designed to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote in 1920.

The artwork concept features silhouettes of suffragists, representing the women who fought for voting rights. Grover outlined the project's design elements and historical significance during her presentation to the meeting participants.

The Breaking the Bronze Ceiling project aims to create a lasting tribute to the women's suffrage movement and serve as an educational landmark for the community. The monument would honor the legacy of suffragists who worked to secure voting rights for women a century ago.

Following Grover's presentation, the conceptual review was approved by the meeting participants. The approval allows the project to move forward in the development process toward potential implementation as a commemorative installation.

The project represents an effort to recognize an important milestone in American history while creating a meaningful public art installation that celebrates the achievements of the women's suffrage movement.

Victims of Crime Monument Concept and Final Review

1:00:00

Lisa Grover presented the reinstallation plan for the Victims of Crime Monument at the circuit courthouse. The presentation focused on the monument's new foundation design, which was specifically engineered to avoid conflicts with existing utilities in the area.

The monument, which had previously been located elsewhere, will be relocated to the circuit courthouse grounds as part of this reinstallation project. Grover's presentation detailed the technical aspects of the new foundation system, emphasizing how the design addresses potential utility line conflicts that could have complicated the installation process.

The new foundation approach represents a solution to infrastructure challenges that were identified during the planning phase of the project. By designing around existing utilities, the project can proceed without requiring costly relocations of underground services or risking damage to essential infrastructure.

Following Grover's presentation, the concept and final review received approval from the meeting participants. The approval allows the project to move forward with the reinstallation of the Victims of Crime Monument at its new location at the circuit courthouse, using the proposed foundation design that accommodates the site's existing utility infrastructure.

I Was Here Project

1:20:00

Quinn Welch and Marjorie Guyon presented the I Was Here project to the meeting, proposing an art installation for the government center lobby. The project features ancestor spirit portraits of African American individuals, designed to honor and commemorate their presence and contributions to the community.

The presenters outlined their vision for displaying these portraits in the government center's lobby area, where they would be visible to visitors and staff. The artwork aims to create a meaningful representation of African American heritage and ensure that these individuals' stories and legacies are recognized in a prominent public space.

During the presentation, Welch and Guyon provided details about the artistic concept, the selection of individuals to be featured, and the planned installation logistics. The portraits are intended to serve as both artistic expression and historical documentation, creating a lasting tribute within the government facility.

The project was approved by the meeting participants, allowing the installation to move forward as proposed. The approval enables the artists to proceed with placing the ancestor spirit portraits in the government center lobby, where they will serve as a permanent reminder of African American contributions to the community's history and ongoing story.