TREMONTON CITY CORPORATION
ARTS COUNCIL
JUNE 9, 2020

Members Present:
Tamara Zollinger, Co-Chairman—excused
Kathryn Ellis, Arts Councilmember
Leisl Sorensen, Arts Councilmember
Lyle Holmgren, City Councilmember
Bret Rohde, City Councilmember—excused
Zach LeFevre, Parks and Recreation Coordinator
Cynthia Nelson, Deputy Recorder

Coordinator LeFevre called the Arts Council Meeting to order at 3:13 p.m. The meeting was held June 9, 2020 in the City Council Meeting Room at 102 South Tremont Street, Tremonton, Utah and via Zoom. Those in attendance were Coordinator LeFevre, Arts Councilmembers Ellis and Sorensen, City Councilmember Holmgren, and Deputy Recorder Nelson. Co-Chairman Zollinger and City Councilmember Rohde were excused.

1. Approval of agenda:

Motion by Councilmember Holmgren to approve the June 9, 2020 agenda. Motion seconded by Councilmember Sorensen. Vote: Arts Councilmember Ellis – aye, Arts Councilmember Sorensen – aye, City Councilmember Holmgren – aye. Motion approved.

2. Approval of minutes—May 12, 2020

Motion by Councilmember Ellis to approve the May 12, 2020 minutes. Motion seconded by Councilmember Holmgren. Vote: Arts Councilmember Ellis – aye, Arts Councilmember Sorensen – aye, City Councilmember Holmgren – aye. Motion approved.

3. Business:

a. Discussion of mural—Gail Halvorsen the Candy Bomber

The Council reviewed the different colors and concepts from Artist Erik Burke for two proposed walls, which would cost $12,000 each. Coordinator LeFevre said Mr. Burke has tried to create the way Mr. Halvorsen would wiggle his wings as he flew by. His nickname was Uncle Wiggle Wings. This is an older picture and maybe his most famous. There is also barbwire fencing with different colors. For the red building, he has a concept with it looking like a Hershey’s candy bar. This is the same concept just with the airplane tilted a bit. This one incorporates an older picture of him. Concept F is where it starts to change and he incorporates the full brick building with an older picture of Mr. Halvorsen and the underside of his airplane. The candy wrapper bar is unfolding with a parachute and some rubble from the war. That wraps around to his airplane on the other wall, but this time with the propeller and a little of the wiggle wings. This pop out area would be mounted to steps that would have a piece of plywood attached to it.

Coordinator LeFevre said what are your thoughts? What do you like and not like so we can send feedback for Mr. Burke to create a final. Arts Councilmember Sorensen said I like the simpler ones. Arts Councilmember Ellis said I had a hard time understanding what was going on with the brick wall. We need some sort of hint on the other end of the candy wrapper. Coordinator LeFevre said in talking to City staff they agreed the candy bar is so distant from the rest of it that it does not make sense without some more detail. Arts Councilmember Sorensen said the older picture of him is how people recognize him. City Councilmember Holmgren said on the left hand side I like simple and I really like the portrait of him with the kids. Instead of the wiggle wings, why don’t we just do the plane pitched one way and not so much of the feathering. I am not sure people will understand that as wiggly wings. Arts Councilmember Sorensen said it reads better when the plane is at an angle. Arts Councilmember Ellis said I like the concept of the barbwire because it gives the purpose behind the candy historically.

The Council reviewed the different backgrounds and pulled the pieces they preferred. Coordinator LeFevre recapped that the Council likes the color scheme with the blues on the left, but not the wiggle wing feathering. On the right they like the candy, but not the rubble. They suggested instead having kids’ hands reaching up for candy. They do not like the blue propellers, but do like that color scheme with the black barbwire on the white background. Arts Councilmember Sorensen said I like the blue, it is very eye catching and vibrant. I do not mind the propellers if they are accurate to his plane. Instead of the propellers, they agreed to have parachutes and candy.

When asked which wall they should do, Arts Councilmember Sorensen said I love having both walls. Arts Councilmember Ellis said my favorite is the gold version. I do not love the gold color, but it is nice to have that different color tying into his halo on the left. I like the one that is covering up the walls with all the windows on it that is a good use of that building. Coordinator LeFevre said we would have to take our recommendation to the City Council. They are redoing the budget. We did have a grant from the County Tourism board, but they receded that offer. It is up to the City Council and what we can get through the RDA, which provides an opportunity to make the money back. If it were down to one wall, we would propose doing the red brick building with the gold candy wrapper concept. We are working on obtaining the rights to these photos. The artist could also come up with his own version and go off that. We want minimal maintenance, but have to keep the budget in mind. We would not have the graffiti coat, but have not had issues on our mural that was done 17 years ago. This is an eastern wall and will not get sun fading as bad. I will work on getting a finalized concept to take to the City Council and see what they approve.

b. Discussion of chalk art contest

Coordinator LeFevre said our annual Chalk Art Contest is on June 20 at Midland Square. In the past we have had questions about tempera paint and if it could be used. It is a liquid chalk and washable. The rules state it has to be a solid pastel—no oil or paints. Should we allow that? We also need to assign judges and setup. Arts Councilmember Sorensen said I do not see a problem if it is washable, but is it better to keep everyone on the same playing field. The Council decided to keep the rules the same as previous years. The event starts at 7 a.m. and will go until 4 p.m. They will have port-a-potty restrooms, water, and snacks. Judging starts at 4 p.m. and goes until 5 p.m. Awards will be given at 5:30 p.m. When asked about judges, Arts Councilmember Ellis, who participated last year, said sometimes it is fun to have people who are well-known in the community judge it, like the mayor. They agreed on having Mayor Fridal, Co-Chairman Tam Zollinger, and the high school drama teacher, Derek Sorensen, be their judges. We will assign everyone a number and let him or her pick his or her own space. We will distance everyone around the square. In the middle of Midland Square, Arts Councilmember Ellis suggested having something interactive for those in attendance. We could let people write things or draw a picture with their own chalk from the dollar store. Coordinator LeFevre said I have a banner we will put on the front and some A frames to write on.

Coordinator LeFevre said the awards are the same as last year. Best in Show gets $150, 2nd place is $100, Best Teen category gets $75, Best Youth wins $50, and Best Children’s Award is $25. Due to Covid-19, what are your thoughts on the People’s Choice Award? Should people come and walk around or do we just have the artists judge each other? We should have plenty of space to keep the participants distanced. We will have to have someone supervise the chalk station with disinfectant spray. The Council agreed they would not advertise for people to come and vote, but would let them vote if they come.

c. Goals for future

City Councilmember Holmgren said I would like to see us do something more at the cemetery, whether it is some kind of a display, statue, or sculpture by the flagpole. Also, doing a Shoshone tribe mural with the chief who played a big part when the settlers came to this area. Coordinator LeFevre said we have talked about doing a summer concert series and will work toward that next year.

4. Reports & Comments: none

5. Adjournment

Motion by Councilmember Holmgren to adjourn the meeting. Motion seconded by consensus of the Board. The meeting adjourned at 3:58 p.m.

The undersigned duly acting and appointed Recorder for Tremonton City Corporation hereby certifies that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the minutes of the Arts Council held on the above referenced date. Minutes were prepared by Jessica Tanner.

Dated this 8th day of December, 2020.

______________________________
Linsey Nessen, CITY RECORDER

*Utah Code 52-4-202, (6) allows for a topic to be raised by the public and discussed by the public body even though it was not included in the agenda or advance public notice given; however, no final action will be taken.