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4-14-11 Fine Arts Commission Minutes
TOWN OF EAST HARTFORD
FINE ARTS COMMISSION
Meeting of April 14, 2011

Chair Howe called the meeting of the Fine Arts Commission to order at 7:02 p.m.

I.  ROLL CALL
PRESENT:  Regina Barall; Terrye Blackstone; Karen Howe; Judy Okeson; Maureen Rodgers; Betty Russell;
                     Dan Russell; Florence Schroeter; Prescille Yamamoto.
ABSENT:    Glynis McKenzie (excused); Hilde Mayranen-O’Brien; John Ryan ; Roberta Sweeney;
                     Sue Tukey.

II.     MINUTES
MOTION  By Florence Schroeter
                Seconded by Prescille Yamamoto
To approve the minutes of March 10, 2010

Correction:  Terrye Blackstone requested that Commissioners correct the spelling for Marilyn Thrall, artist that did a demonstration for the Art League.
                Approved.

III.    CHAIR’S REPORT                                  
        Chair Howe reported the following:
  • The Guys and Dolls production is being held at EHHS on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:00 p.m.  EHSYF assisted with costumes, props and expertise.
  • She reported that Glynis McKenzie is on a retreat.
IV.     CORRESPONDENCE
-  Two thank you notes were received for the mini-grant award from Anna Lasley and Christine  
    Varin.

V.      COMMITTEE REPORTS
        Dance
Regina Barall reported the performance on April 10 was wonderful.  Many people attended the performance.  Reggie stated that she has found wonderfully talented people to perform.  She has been asked by Laura White, Director of Fine and Performing Arts, to have students perform at the Art Show.

Reggie invited the Commissioners to the American Idol performance being held this Saturday, April 16 at 5:00 p.m. at the EHCCC.

Reggie further reported that she is working with students who write original poems.  She will be planning a student Poetry Slam for the fall.  

She also discussed the program at Willowbrook and it is winding down and there will be an end of the year program.

The EHHS Senior Citizen Prom is being held on April 27.

At this time Chair Howe turned the meeting over to Vice-Chair Schroeter so she could report on EHSYF.

        EHSYF
Karen Howe reported the auction/cabaret fundraiser was successful.  Betty Russell concurred that the performers were extremely talented.  Karen stated that the royalties for “The Wiz” are extremely expensive.
Karen further requested that the Commission give additional funding to EHSYF.  
MOTION          By Prescille Yamamoto
                        Seconded by Maureen Rodgers
                        To place under New Business an additional agenda item – Additional funding for EHSYF
                        Approved.
        


Drama/Lecture/Poetry – Jane Schneeloch Poetry Program May 22, EHCCC
Maureen Rodgers reported that Jan Schneeloch will be doing original poetry on Georgia O’Keefe paintings on May 22.  The honorarium for this program is $150.

Music – Paul Bisaccia program on May 15, 2011 from 2:00-4:00 pm First Church
Assistance needed with publicity
The program is called the “Great American Piano Revisited”.  

Prescille Yamamoto has agreed to do the program for the Bisaccia program as well as the newspaper publicity.  Dan Russell will put the additional information on the posters.

Prescille Yamamoto reported in the absence of Glynis McKenzie the following information.
  • An organ concert will be held at St. John’s on May 1 and Glynis requested the Commission co-sponsor the performance at a cost of $250.
MOTION  By Prescille Yamamamoto
                Seconded by Florence Schroeter
                To co-sponsor the organ concert at St. John’s for $250.
                Approved.

Prescille Yamamoto further reported for Glynis that a 3 Women Celtic Concert will be held at St. John’s on May 15 at 4:00 p.m.  Glynis recommended that the Commission advertise in the Gazette as well as Beethoven.com    Commissioners concurred that advertising this performance in the Gazette is a good idea.  
No advertising will be done on Beethoven.com

Photography                                     No report at this time.
                                        
Film Series  -
Extra funding needed to offset debit in this account
Florence Schroeter reported that only 8 people were in attendance at the final film.  It was requested that Glynis McKenzie report next month the total costs for the Film Series.  Extra monies were taken from various sub-committees to offset the deficit in Film Series.

Art –   Art League Festival – May 7, 2011
Terrye Blackstone reported that Marilyn Thrall did a slide presentation as well as a sculptured piece for the Art League.

Terrye Blackstone further reported Donald Boudreaux will be the adjudicator for the Art Festival.

MOTION          By Terrye Blackstone
                        Seconded by Betty Russell
                        To pay Donald Boudreaux  $250 as the adjudicator for the Art League Festival and
                        NTE $1000 for the purchase of the painting.
                        Approved.

Terrye Blackstone reported on the EHHS student who had a painting on the front cover of iTowns in the Hartford Courant.  It was recommended that Chair Howe write a note to the student, Julia Steele, to congratulate her.

Terrye has met with Emil Kopcha, Principal of Sunset Ridge.  Emil Kopcha invited Commissioners to come to Sunset Ridge to see the program and art works of the students.

Children’s Programs
Prescille Yamamoto reported she interviewed a senior Girl Scout and the student has worked on puppetry at the Greater Hartford School of Performing Arts.  Prescille will contact her to see if a program can be scheduled next year.

     VI.       OLD BUSINESS                                    
        Discussion will be held on the Film Series next month in reference to funding.
        
        Prescille Yamamoto will do a new budget spreadsheet in June.                    
                                                
VII.  NEW BUSINESS                                      
  • Additional funding for EHSYF
MOTION          By Maureen Rodgers
                        Seconded by Florence Schroeter
                        To give EHSYF an additional $1000.
                        Approved.

MOTION          By Maureen Rodgers
                        Seconded by Prescille Yamamoto
                        To advertise in the Gazette for the Jane Schneeloch program for $100.
                        Approved.

Commissioners discussed having business cards as well as note cards printed.  Chair Howe agreed to work on this and will have a sample at the May meeting.  The clerk will email the logo to Chair Howe.

 VIII. APPROVAL OF BILLS
                        Theresa Godreau                         $    80.00
                Paul Bisaccia                           $  800.00
                        Jane Schneeloch                         $  150.00
                        EHSYF                                   $1000.00
                        Ads for Gazette                                 $   300.00
                        Co-sponsor St. John’s Organ Program     $   250.00
                        Piano tuning for Bisaccia program               $   120.00

MOTION          By  Maureen Rodgers
                        Seconded by Dan Russell
                        To pay the bills as submitted.
                        Approved.
        
IX.     MEMBER’S CONCERNS
Discussion was held on attendance issues with some Commissioners.  Chair Howe will contact those members and speak with them on this concern.  According to the Fine Arts Commission’s Bylaws, Commissioners can be requested to resign if there are attendance issues.  This needs to be done in writing.

Florence Schroeter thanked Betty and Dan as well as Prescille in reference to informing her about the quilt show in New York.  She went to the show and enjoyed it.     

Terrye Blackstone thanked Chair Howe for the EHSYF fundraiser auction/cabaret which was held.

Chair Howe reported that “The Wiz” is being dedicated to Brett Pinney.  Performances will be on July 28, 29, and 30th.

X.      ADJOURNMENT
MOTION  By Prescille Yamamoto
                Seconded by Maureen Rodgers
To adjourn the meeting at 8:20 p.m.
                Unanimous.

The next Fine Arts Meeting will be held on Thursday, May 12, 2011 at the EHCCC, 50 Chapman Place, Room 12.
Respectfully submitted,


Theresa A. Godreau, Clerk