CITY OF PEORIA, ARIZONA
ACACIA ROOM
June 10, 2008



A Regular Meeting of the Arts Commission of the City of Peoria, Arizona, was convened at 
8401 W. Monroe Street at 5:05 p.m.

Members Present:  Linda Ballance, John Buonagurio, Virginia Wordsman, Jane Brown, 
Maureen Flanigan

Members Absent:   Marsha Hanson, Dorthea Crooks

Other Municipal Officials Present:  Suzanne Stewart, Executive Assistant, Grady Miller, 
Director of Communications and Public Affairs

Minutes:
2C	Approve Regular Meeting Minutes of April 8, 2008:
 
A motion was made by Commissioner Buonagurio to approve the minutes as written; 
the motion was seconded by Commissioner Wordsman.  The minutes of the regular 
meeting of April 8, 2008 were approved unanimously.

Note:	The order in which the items appear in the minutes is not necessarily the order in 
which they were discussed at the meeting.

New Business:   
2R	Downtown Peoria Mural Project

Mr. Miller updated the commission about the proposed downtown mural project 
to be located along 83rd Avenue on a wall between the bike shop and barber 
shop south of Washington Street.  Mr. Miller distributed a sketch of the proposed 
mural design by artist Emanuel Martinez and asked the commissioners to share 
their opinions about the proposed mural design.

Mr. Miller discussed the importance of seeking public input on the proposed 
design before awarding a contract to Emanuel Martinez.  Assuming the general 
public is in favor of the project design, then staff would bring this item back to 
the Arts Commission for formal action before requesting Council approval.  
Commissioner Flanigan made a motion to begin the Downtown Peoria Mural 
Project.  Commissioner Brown seconded the motion.

After discussion Commissioner Flanigan requested to withdraw her motion. 
Commissioner Brown agreed and seconded the motion.

Commissioner Buonagurio made a motion to proceed with the public 
involvement of the project and to bring it back to the commission for formal 
action at a later date.  Commissioner Wordsman seconded the motion which 
passed unanimously.


3R      Disposition of “The Reading Tree” model

Mr. Miller stated that under City Manager Terry Ellis’s tenure, Peoria’s arts 
funding and programs grew considerably.  He explained that the artists typically 
create models to utilize in competitive art commissioning processes and 
typically use the models to guide them in molding the clay for casting purposes.  
In this case artist Joe Tyler indicated that he didn’t want “The Reading Tree” 
model returned so the model never became part of the city’s official municipal 
art collection.  The large scale version of the “The Reading Tree” is located at 
Windrose Park.  Mr. Miler suggested it would be a nice gesture for M. Ellis as he 
is retiring, has always admired the model and has supported the Arts 
Commission during his tenure as City Manager.

Commissioner Buonagurio mad a motion to sell “The Reading Tree” model to 
Mr. Terry Ellis for $1.00.  Commissioner Wordsman seconded the motion which 
passed unanimously.

4R	Rio Vista Recreation Center Public Art Project

Mr. Miller distributed a brochure that was designed for the Call to Artists for the 
Rio Vista Recreation Center Public Art Project.  He pointed out the information 
in the brochure and the commissioners all agreed it was very well done.

5R	North Peoria Branch Library Art Project

Mr. Miller discussed the new North Peoria Branch Library that was under 
construction.  The library is located on 98th Avenue and Lake Pleasant Parkway.  
There are three potential sites for artwork/sculpture at the new library; in the 
round-about that is being constructed, as well as two areas in the courtyard.  
The library is considering a “Pollack” style painting inside the building in a 
specified location.  The library is favoring kinetic style artwork.  Mr. Miller 
informed the commissioners that there would be a call to artists for this project 
and he would like to see the artwork completed before Spring 2009. 

6R	Public Art Master Plan Study

A panel was assembled to select a firm for the Public Art Master Plan Study.  
Jerry Allen and Associates was selected for this project.  The project will take 
place after July 1st and will have public involvement.  Chair Ballance was on the 
panel and stated she was impressed because Jerry Allen and Associates will 
provide as many as sixteen visits to assist in public involvement.

7R	Development and Community Services Building

Mr. Miller informed the commission that the city would be acquiring artwork for 
the Development and Community Service Building and there would be no call 
to artists.   He said that a committee would be formed and they would be 
responsible for selecting the artwork.  Mr. Miller stated that the committee would 
travel around the valley to look at possible artwork for this project.  The cost of 
the artwork will be coming out of the construction budget.   The committee will 
most likely include employees representing the Engineering, Community 
Services, Public Works and Community Development departments.

8R	One Artist Exhibits

Award winners from the 2008 Celebration of Artists were invited to participate in 
the 2008/2009 One Artist Exhibit.  Nine artists’ replied and provided pictures of 
their artwork which the commissioners reviewed.

After going through a nominal selection process, Commissioner Wordsman 
moved to select Linda Lee Gimby and Ron Watkins for the 2008/2009 One Artist 
Exhibit.  Commissioner Buonagurio seconded the motion which passed 
unanimously.

9R	Award of the 2008-2009 Grants

Mr. Miller provided a list of suggested grants for 2008-2009.  Mr. Miller discussed 
the grant requests and amounts suggested.  

Commissioner Brown moved to approve the suggested staff recommended 
grants.  Commissioner Wordsman seconded the motion which passed 
unanimously.


CALL TO THE PUBLIC:

There was no public in attendance for this meeting.


Reports from Staff:

1.	Mr. Miller reminded the commissioners that there would be no meetings during 
the summer.

2.	Mr. Miller updated the commissioners on the branding project.  He said there 
would be an adhoc committee organized to study the new logo and that there 
may be involvement from the Peoria Arts Commission.



Being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting was duly adjourned 
at approximately 6:18 p.m.


________________________ 
Linda Ballance, Chair



_________________________ 
Suzanne Stewart, Executive Assistant
Communications and Public Affairs