Arts Commission Minutes

Amerman Artists Update for NAC

Momentum class – due to low enrollment we decided to postpone this class until the fall. We felt we would rather wait to do it until we had a full class to have a successful performance. We think soccer and baseball enrollment Lauren Chaisson has put a lot of preparation work into this class which we will use in the Fall.

T-shirts – See sample. We created 18 t-shirts for those who ordered them using an iron-on transfer of their artwork taken with a digital camera.

Sidewalk Chalk Event – I contacted the sidewalk chalk event in Walled Lake to get ideas about how much chalk to buy, where to buy it, etc., and anything they’ve learned in making their event successful. They had many good ideas. They suggested having a bag or basket for each artist with supplies: crayola chalk, rags, wet wipes, a carpet square for sitting on. They suggested having 12’ squares with a drawable area of about 3-4’ square in the center so that there’s room to sit around it when drawing. Water bottles are also an optional idea.

Would anyone like to run this event? You basically would be there on the Thursday afternoon, or arrange to have shifts of volunteers to lead the kids in creating their work. I am thinking we should require the parents to be there to manage their child/children. Or we could have parents sign up to manage their children and a friend’s kids if they sign up that way. Then we’d only have to have the committee checking off the names, allotting the spaces and handing out the chalk.

NAC – any volunteers are welcome

PTA – At the last PTA meeting we were asked to vote to continue or discontinue Amerman Artists in the future. You may remember the PTA decided to let us do this program on a one year trial basis with a vote in the spring.

At the meeting I presented:

1. Our successful enrollment and feedback about our classes.

2. Our idea for the sidewalk chalk event for the day before the ice cream social.

3. The Sheraton Hotel mural project (see below).

4. The Amerman Artists committee will be discussing what to do with our profits. We need to decide as a group what to do. I mentioned we are considering using some of the money to purchase 20^th century art posters for the Art Appreciation program. Mr. Lightfoot had his 5^th graders do the Art Appreciation program with the Kindergarteners this year and would like to see some better clown posters. He said that particular lesson was difficult because the clown pictures we have are very old and depressing. The treasurer, Chris Bennett, said we could hold some money over for start-up money next year. She is getting me the spreadsheet on what we took in and spent this year.

5. I was asked about the 5^th grade mural project we proposed in front of the school. I said we decided not to attempt it this year due to some negative feedback and that we would consider it for next year.

6. Mary Lou and I will still co-chair this committee, welcoming any new members.

We were voted in as a PTA committee.

I am currently going to work part-time, both teaching at West Bloomfield Community Education and Northville Parks and Recreation and selling my artwork. I am teaching some adult and child classes and camps. My target market for art sales are new businesses, new branch offices, etc. I am a Chamber of Commerce member and attended a mixer recently where I met the new manager of the Sheraton Hotel on Haggerty Road north of 8 Mile (formerly the Hilton).

The Sheraton is remodeling their restaurant/bar on the first floor and will be placing 4’ x 8’ drywall boards around the remodel. They would like a children’s mural on the boards during the remodel.

In association with the Northville Arts Commission and Amerman Artists I volunteered to lead this event. We are currently waiting for them to get approval from the city for the remodel. When the boards go up I would like to have a few times when we could paint. Mary Lou and I discussed having it open to all Amerman students. I would like to do a flyer for students to sign-up: ½ Sidewalk Chalk sign-up and ½ mural project sign up. Lisa, could you make the flyer if I get you the information?

Hopefully, photos of the project will be displayed at the new "Art House", the old Senior Center behind the post office, when the project is finished. FYI the city voted that the Northville Arts Commission, in association with NV Parks and Rec. will be running the building as an "Art House". Maybe we could have photos at Amerman as well.

2004-05 School Year

1. Mary Lou, Lisa, Tam and I will continue to work on the committee. Joni is stepping down. I don’t know about Shannon and Angie. We are open to new committee members.

2. Mary Lou and I are considering holding 2 intensive back to back sessions next year from about October - February. The first class would be Momentum, the second, to be determined. We could also hold the painting and drawing class during this time. September and spring seems hard to fill due to soccer, etc.

3. Possible programs also include:

a. An Artists Night where we hire several artists to come in and display their craft in action. It would be open to all Amerman students.

b. The 5^th Grade mural project to line the fence.

c. Sidewalk Chalk Event.