Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees, Muscatine Art Center
August 16, 2007
Present:
Jan Henderson, Eric Knoernschild, Mike Knott, Scott Natvig, and Tom
Spread
Absent:
Mark Huddleston, Dave Meloy, Marilyn Wick and Mary Wildermuth
Staff:
Barb Christensen, Director
Visitors Speak:
No visitors in attendance
Minutes:
It was moved by Tom Spread and seconded by Jan Henderson that the
minutes of the July 19, 2007 Board Meeting be approved. Motion carried.
Bills:
It was moved by Mike Knott and seconded by Eric Knoernschild to approve
the monthly bills totaling $2,760.06 for payment. Motion carried.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Collections:
The Peter Mar jeep and milk cart that were approved for purchase at
the July meeting were available for viewing at this meeting. Also on view was a near
mint example of the relatively common “Humpty Dumpty” Peter Mar toy donated by
the seller of the other toys.
The seller also offered the rare “Old Lady in the Shoe” Peter Mar toy for sale for
$400. The offered example is slightly different and in much better condition than the
example in the MAC collection. Following the meeting the trustees adjourned to look
more closely at the MAC example and the offered example. This toy was also
approved for purchase.
Roy Carver and Pat Schaapveld donated 37 pieces of Iowa City glass to the MAC.
The MAC has an excellent collection of this glassware but all 37 pieces are new to
the collection.
Key examples from the John Connor glass collection will be on display soon at the
MAC.
Building & Grounds:
The RV which has been parked on the street next door is now
parked in the MAC’s back parking lot. The City attorney prepared a waiver for the
owner’s signature which allowed this move to transpire. The signed liability waiver is
on file at the MAC.
A large tree in the front yard is in failing health and Barb has discussed its removal
with the City’s Parks and Recreation Department. They will have the tree removed
but no date has been set.
Barb discussed the damaged brick driveway edging with City personnel. It was
determined that the drive does not meet ADA criteria for pedestrian access so it is
likely that the driveway grade will have to be altered. This grade modification will
likely result in an all-concrete drive with the brick edging being omitted.
Several painters have been to the MAC to prepare a bid for painting the offices/hall
and portions of the Stanley Gallery. This work was included in the Street
Department’s budget and, along with new carpeting, should be done this fall.
Finance & Budget:
Authorization for issuing a check for the “Muscatine Musical”
was signed by the Trustees. This payment was approved at the February 15, 2007
meeting.
Only the Support Foundation budget was available for review.
Long-Range Planning:
No Report
Personnel:
No Report
President Natvig established most of the Committee assignments pending “buy in”
by the members.
Program/Publicity
: Today (August 16
th
) was orientation for all newly hired teachers
in the school district. Sixty (60) teachers and three (3) administrators attended.
They were given packets with the MAC’s exhibition schedule and information on
booking tours. Lunch was provided in the studio for a cost of $400. Barb has
applied for a grant to cover this cost but if not approved the money will be taken from
the Support Foundation fund.
A tour will be given on Monday, August 20
th
for all District 4
th
grade teachers. Their
curriculum includes studying Muscatine History.
The Friends have scheduled the “Festival of Wreaths” for November 10-16.
Education Coordinator’s Report:
Report was received for review.
Director’s Report:
Report was received for review.
The report included a lengthy list of gifts presumably prompted by the Muscatine
History Show.
Unfinished Business:
None
New Business:
None
Adjourn:
A motion was made by Mike Knott and seconded by Jan Henderson to
adjourn the meeting. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael J. Knott , Secretary
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
For the month of July 2007
August 16, 2007
Total number of visitors for July 2007
1723
Total number of visitors for July 2006
977
Total number of visitors Year-to-Date 2007
9650
Total number of visitors Year-to-Date 2006
9780
All figures include outreach program participants
EXHIBITIONS (in the month of July)
Through October 14, 2007
Muscatine History Show
July 1 – August 5, 2007
Capturing the Secrets of Fire: Photography by Cynthia Naber
EXHIBITIONS (currently on view – August)
June 3 – October 14, 2007
Muscatine History Show
Through August 5, 2007
Capturing the Secrets of Fire: Photography by Cynthia Naber
SPECIAL EVENTS
July 1
Ice Cream Social
July 10
Vision Iowa Reception in the Stanley Gallery
July 12
Friends of the Muscatine Art Center Annual Meeting
CLASSES
July 11
Carolyn Pomponio: Monoprints
- taught by Jeanna Gerot
July 11, 18 & 25
Music For Tots
- taught by Julie Lear
July 12
Summer Studio: One-Stroke Flowers
- taught by Vada Baker
Red Barn Studio: Pocket Memory Book
- taught by Vada Baker
July 12 & 13
Family Days: Animal Action –
2 sessions taught by Julie Lear
Family Days: The Sculptures of Gary Grossman
– taught by Jeanna Gerot
July 18
Pop Art Pizza
- taught by Vada Baker
July 19
Summer Studio: Summer Garden Scene
- taught by Vada Baker
Red Barn Studio: Butterfly Kisses Altered Book
- taught by Vada Baker
July 24
Field Trip – KWPC Radio Station
- taught by Duffy DeFrance
July 25
Animal Capers
- taught by Duffy DeFrance
July 26
Summer Studio: Favorite Things – Still Life Painting
- taught by Vada Baker
Red Barn Studio: Spirit Singer Gourd Mask
- taught by Vada Baker
TOURS
July 12
Sr. Day Care group
July 14
Chamber – Vietnamese Visiting group
OTHER
July 9
Lear presented outreach programs at the Y
July 10
Christensen attended Cultural Alliance meeting
July 19
Public Library Story Time held at the Art Center
ACQUISITIONS
•
Muscatine Boat Show poster. Gift of Dave Moritz
•
B/W photo of KWPC parade float, c.1955. Gift of KWPC Radio Station
•
Red clay brick dated 7/4/1886 used for Muscatine street paving. Gift of Randy Elder.
•
Hershey State Bank notebook. Gift of Gary Moody
•
“Midwest Culvert” tape measure (advertising). Gift of Ralph Kennedy
•
Muscatine News Tribune & Muscatine Journal., April 15, 1925. Gift of Janet Kindler
•
Sepia photo: ‘First Boats to Go Through the New Lock, June 12, 1913. Muscatine
Art Center Support Foundation purchase
•
3 Muscatine postcards. Muscatine Art Center Support Foundation purchase
•
Sepia postcard “ ‘Firefly’ Coming Around the Bend, Muscatine, IA” Muscatine Art
Center Support Foundation purchase
•
Framed photo collage of KWPC historical items. Gift of KWPC
•
2 KWPC electrical transcripts of live organ performances (1947-49). Gift of Mr.
David McGowan.
•
Large collection of KWPC historical artifacts. Gift of John & Darlene Schwandke.
•
2 walnut wood hat stands for display purposes. Gift of Pam Knott.
•
Advertising for B.E. Lilly Dry Goods. Gift of Jennifer Fryberger Blair.
•
“Muscatine Canning Co.” factory photograph. Gift of Marilyn Schlutz.
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara C. Christensen
Director
cc
KLZ INCORPORATED
1115 Sunrise Circle
Muscatine IA 52761
August 2, 2007
To:
Barb
From: Maria
Re:
Education Coordinator’s Report, July 2007
Our summer semester is winding down. As was the case last summer, there were a few
cancellations in July due to low enrollment. However, those classes that were held were
received with great enthusiasm, and as you will note from the comparisons in the Attendance
Report, over-all July enrollment was up over prior years, particularly with regard to our
outreach programming.
The theme of our July “Family Days” was “Animal Action.” The little ones met in the studio
with Julie Lear and enjoyed a half-hour of music and some fun art projects, including giraffe
collage, stand-up kangaroo, and owl masks. The older students met in the pottery studio with
Jeanna Gerot, where they learned about artist Gary Grossman and created wildlife soap
sculptures.
Jeanna Gerot kicked off our Wednesday kids’ classes with a workshop on printmaker
Carolyn Pomponio. Students learned about the artist and experimented with various
printmaking techniques. Vada Baker taught a fun workshop called “Pop Art Pizza” in which
students created a pizza masterpiece with acrylic paint and actual vegetables and then got to
compare it to the real thing in the pizza party which followed. Students in Duffy De France’s
“Animal Capers” workshop created place mats with an animal theme.
In order to be sure that fine art techniques are a solid part of our programming, we offered a
series of acrylic painting classes this summer. They were well enough received that I think
we will try again next summer, and perhaps also look for a spot for fine art drawing classes
as well.
Unfortunately, our “Behind the Scenes” field trips have not been doing well this year. I still
think that field trips should be a part of any summer museum program so will continue to
include them in some form. Thanks to Muscabus for transporting our students for a very
reasonable fee.
Vada Baker continues to offer adult painting and craft classes on Thursday evenings. These
“Red Barn Studio” workshops are a whole lot of fun and have become one of our on-going
programs.
We took part in a number of outreach programs in July. Of course, our main event was the
annual Ice Cream Social, which was a big success this year. Thanks to all our volunteers;
Pam Knott for running the prize booth, and Rebecca & Nathan Reichart, Katie Dougherty,
Jan Ransome, August & Randal Cooper, Kaleb & Shelby Schmidt, Saul Aguirre and Tiffany
Fleener for help with the games. Thanks also to Friends for all the hard work they put in to
this event!
In addition to our regularly scheduled Y Variety Arts (Shoji Lanterns) and Y Teen Leaders
(pyrographic frames), we offered a craft day at the Musser Library (Sherlock Holmes hats
and magnifying glasses) and hosted an evening story-time about Muscatine History at the Art
Center. Julie also taught a “Baby Lap Sit” musical program at the Library.
We conducted two tours in July, one for the Senior Resources Adult Day Center and one for
a group of Vietnamese visitors.
There were no birthday parties scheduled in July.
Our fall brochure is complete and should be mailed out the end of this week. I am currently
working on promotion and supplies for our fall classes and plans for winter and spring 2008
semesters.
Let me know if you have anything else to add to the list.
Muscatine Art Center Education Department
2007 Summer Attendance Report
July 2007
Date
Event
Students enrolled
Attendance
Sun. July 1
Ice Cream Social
--
215
Totals for week (July):
215
Mon. July 2
Tues. July 3 Outreach: Musser Library (Sherlock Holmes)
--
160
Outreach: Adventures in Art
--
2
Wed. July 4 ART CENTER CLOSED
Thurs. July 5
Fri. July 6
Sat. July 7
Sun. July 8
Totals for week:
--
162
Mon. July 9 Outreach: Y Variety Arts:
Shoji Lanterns
--
13
Tues. July 10 Behind the Scenes: John Deason’s Studio ID 4031 class cancelled – low
enrollment
Outreach: Adventures in Art
--
2
Wed. July 11 Music for Tots ID 4014 & 4015
33
61
Kids workshop: Carolyn Pomponio ID 4026
6
8
Thurs. July 12 Family Days: Animal Action ID 4008
10
19
Acrylic Painting: One Stroke Flowers ID 4036
11
11
Outreach: Y Teen Leaders: Pyrographic Frames
--
15
Tour: Senior Resources Adult Day Care – History show
--
10
Red Barn Studio: Pocket Memory Book ID 4041
10
10
Fri. July 13
Family Days: Animal Action ID 4009
15
26
Family Days: Sculptures of Gary Grossman ID 4010
8
7
Sat. July 14
Tour: Vietnamese group
(Chamber)
--
39
Sun. July 15
Totals for week:
93
221
Mon. July 16
Tues. July 17 Behind the Scenes: Mark Twain Lookout ID 4032 class cancelled – low
enrollment
Outreach: Adventures in Art
--
--
Wed. July 18 Music for Tots ID 4014 & 4015
34
60
Kids workshop: Pop Art Pizza ID 4027
12
17
Thurs. July 19 Acrylic Painting: Summer Garden Scene ID 4037
12
14
Red Barn Studio: Butterfly Kisses Altered Book ID 4042 7
7
Outreach: Library Story Time at the Art Center
--
39
Fri. July 20
Sat. July 21
Sun. July 22
Totals for week:
65
137
Mon. July 23 Baby Lap Sit
--
45
Tues. July 24 Behind the Scenes: KWPC Radio Station ID 4033
5
4
Outreach: Adventures in Art
--
1
Wed. July 25 Music for Tots ID 4014 & 4015
34
64
Kids workshop: Animal Capers ID 4028
14
12
Thurs. July 26 Acrylic Painting: Favorite Things ID 4038
7
6
Red Barn Studio: Spirit Singer Gourd Mask ID 4043
7
8
Fri. July 27
Sat. July 28
Sun. July 29
Totals for week:
67
140
Mon. July 30
Tues. July 31 Behind the Scenes: Downtown Muscatine ID 4034 class cancelled – low
enrollment
Totals for July:
249
875
Totals for July 2006
211
386
Totals for July 2005
211
336