Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees, Muscatine Art Center
FEBRUARY 18, 2010
Present:
Jennifer Conard, Jan Henderson, Mark Huddleston, Caren Luke, David Meloy, Tom
Spread, Becky Wichers.
Absent:
Eric Knoernschild and Jeffrey Stone.
Staff:
Barb Christensen
President, Tom Spread, opened the meeting.
Minutes:
It was moved by Mark Huddleston, seconded by Caren Luke to approve the minutes of the
January 21, 2010
regular meeting as presented. Motion carried.
Bills:
It was moved by Caren Luke, seconded by Jennifer Conard to approve for payment monthly
bills totaling $4,960.39. Motion carried.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Collections:
Jan Henderson reported.
Dave Losasso of Mississippi Fine Arts, Davenport, Iowa, contacted Barb Christensen about
purchasing the
John Bloom collection
consisting of one watercolor and four pencil sketches. The
watercolor and one of the sketches are Bloom’s original thumbnails for a painting already in the Art
Center’s collections, which was a study for a mural in the Dubuque Post Office. The other four
drawings are for the same mural; however, the original painting was destroyed by fire.
Over the past several years, Rick and Sue Smith have contributed funds to the Art Center’s General
Trust with the idea that as the funds reached a certain level the Art Center would purchase something
as a donation with their names on it. Barb Christensen contacted Rick and Sue Smith to see if they
would be interested in purchasing the John Bloom collection. The Smiths agreed to the purchase of
these pieces at a cost of $3,200. The pieces are already matted but will need to be framed.
Building & Grounds:
Mark Huddleston reported.
Mark updated the board on the security/fire alarm system proposal. Mark received a proposal from
Integrated Technologies
,
Wilton, Iowa
, totaling $42,000 for a Freeman Lock/Alarm, wireless,
computer-driven-system with a one-year guarantee. Budgeted funds totaling $32,000 are available in
the Support Foundation. Mark will have the current proposal reviewed by an independent person.
Committee member, Jennifer Conard, will contact other security system companies to see if we can
secure another bid. No action requested.
Finance & Budget:
Caren Luke reported.
Monthly Financials
– The January 2010 monthly financial reports were received and reviewed. No
action required.
Long-Range Planning
: No report.
Personnel:
Barb Christensen reported:
1)
Julie Lear
has accepted a full time position at the Musser Public Library assisting in the
children’s department. Barb and Pam Collins are discussing Julie doing contractual work for the Art
Center.
2)
Reorganization of Staffing
. Barb presented a brief report out on her staff reorganization.
3) Barb will be out of the office March 25 and 26.
Program/Publicity:
Barb Christensen reported:
1)
Celebration of Black History Month
is scheduled on Sunday, February 21, 2010, from
2:30 – 3:30 PM in the Music Room. Annabell Luth is the featured guest speaker.
2)
Springs Sprockets & Pulleys (March 14 thru December 31, 2010):
■
Members Only reception scheduled on Saturday, March 13, 2010, from 5:00 – 7:00
PM.
■
Public Reception scheduled on Sunday, March 14, 2010, from 1:00 – 5:00 PM.
■
Barb and Becky Wichers will discuss details for Muscatine Community Schools to
participate in this exhibit around the Invention Convention in April.
Education Coordinator’s Report:
A written report submitted for review.
Director’s Report:
A written report was submitted for review. Barb noted that the closing reception
for Muscatine Mosaic Project II was very well attended and there are still canvasses for sale through
the Muscatine Arts Council.
Unfinished Business:
None to report.
New Business:
It was determined that even though the next meeting of the trustees is scheduled
during spring break, we will have enough members available for a quorum.
Adjourn:
There being no further business; it was moved by David Meloy, seconded by Becky
Wichers that the meeting adjourns. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Jan Henderson, Secretary
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
For the month of February 2010
March 18, 2009
Total number of visitors for March 2010
1662
Total number of visitors for March 2009
1378
Total number of visitors Year-to-Date 2010
2421
Total number of visitors Year-to-Date 2009
2119
All figures include outreach program participants
EXHIBITIONS (in the month of February)
January 10– February 7, 2009
Muscatine Mosaic Project II
West and Central Middle Schools and Muscatine High School Art Students
John W. Conner Glass Collection
January 10– February 7, 2009– Musser Mansion
Bellbina Queen of Weed Park
February 11 - March 14, 2010
– Musser Mansion
American Red Cross
EXHIBITIONS (currently on view – March)
February 11 - March 14, 2010
– Musser Mansion
American Red Cross
March 14, 2010 – December 31, 2010
Springs Sprockets & Pulleys
CLASSES & TOURS
See Educator’s Report
OTHER
February 6,
Red Wall Faire with the Musser Public Library
February 7,
Mosaic Project II Reception
West and Central Middle Schools and Muscatine High School Art Students Reception
February 10,
Nationwide staff for City Employees
February 11,
Friends of the Muscatine Art Center dinner meeting
February 18,
Board of Trustees Meeting
February 21,
Alexander Clark Founders Day
February 28,
Steve Gerberich begins
ACQUISITIONS
John Bloom, five studies for the Dubuque Mural Project – Gift of Rick and Sue Smith)
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara C. Christensen
Director
KLZ INCORPORATED
1115 Sunrise Circle
Muscatine IA 52761
March 4, 2010
To:
Barb
From: Maria
Re:
Education Coordinator’s Report, February 2010
The winter semester is over. We continue to experience a drop in paid attendance and greater numbers in
our outreach attendance. However, considering the weather this winter I think we did well.
There was one cancellation in the Art for Tots classes but otherwise the program was well attended, with our
little ones thoroughly enjoying exploring the art process. The shaving cream “snow” was a particular hit!
Music for Tots classes were well attended as usual. The winter semester marked Julie Lear’s last Music for
Tots classes. Cynthia Hector will be taking over the program this spring. Cynthia is a certified Kinder
Music instructor and has loads of energy and new ideas. We welcome her to the Art Center teaching staff.
Our February Kids’ classes did not do so well. Our Valentine workshop with Julie Lear was cancelled due
instructor illness, and “The Art of Mary Lovelace O’Neil” with Vada Baker had to be re-scheduled for
March due to fog, a first for our program!
However, the rest of the Kids classes were a lot of fun. Julie Lear taught our annual Chinese New Year
class, which combined a “cloth tiger” project and a Chinese tea party on Feb. 6, and Duffy De France
conducted one of her fast-paced watercolor workshops on Feb. 27.
There were two of Vada Baker’s Red Barn Studio classes held in February. “Cardinals on Slate” was the
subject on Thurs. Feb. 11. On Thurs. Feb. 25 the students created “Moon Fantasy” paintings in acrylics.
Julie Lear conducted four outreach programs in February. On Feb. 1 the Y Variety Arts students created
iris fold valentines, and on Feb. 4 the Y Teen Leaders learned the art of iris fold rainbow Julie also offered
a workshop for the Hodgepodge kids in which they also created if rainbows. The Art Center also partnered
with the library in the community-wide Redwall Winter Faire on Feb. 6. In addition to performers Musica
Antiqua, David Schoonover, calligrapher Cheryl Jacobsen, Julie Lear was in the studio with a calligraphy
activity.
There were two tours scheduled in February. On Feb. 17 the American Visions group from Burlington IA
were given a mansion tour and on Feb. 20 there was a Boy Scout art badge tour.
There were no birthday parties held in February.
As I mentioned above, February was Julie Lear’s last month working at the Art Center. She has left us to
take up a full-time position as Betty Collins’ assistant at the library. We will all miss Julie and thank her for
her creative input over the last twelve years.
With Julie no longer teaching for us, I have been working on transitioning our program to other instructors.
Vada Baker has stepped up and will be teaching a lot of Julie’s Saturday classes as well as the Y Variety
Arts outreach and our spring “School’s Out Special”, and Cynthia Hector has taken over the Music for Tots
program. Amy Kling has has promised to teach some of our summer classes.
Our Spring Brochure has been mailed and we are taking enrollments. I have begun planning our summer
schedule and brochure. In addition to supporting our spring classes, I continue to work on organizing
supplies and doing a supply inventory so everyone knows what is where.
Let me know if you have anything else to add to the list.
Muscatine Art Center Education Department
2010 Winter Attendance Report
February 2010
Date
Event
Students enrolled
Attendance
Mon. Feb. 1 Outreach: Y Variety Arts
--
17
Tues. Feb. 2 Outreach: Adventures in Art
--
--
Wed. Feb. 3 Art for Tots: We Love Winter ID 5287
5
8
Thurs. Feb. 4 Outreach: Y Teen Leaders
--
9
Fri. Feb. 5
Music for Tots ID 5291 & 5292
33
58
Sat. Feb. 6
Chinese New Year: Cloth Tiger ID 5295
8
8
Outreach: Redwall Studio Activities
--
83
Sun. Feb. 7
Totals for week:
46
183
Mon. Feb. 8
Tues: Feb. 9 Outreach: Adventures in Art
--
--
Wed. Feb. 10 Art for Tots: Be My Valentine
7
14
Thurs. Feb. 11 Red Barn Studio: Cardinals on Slate ID 5301
8
9
Fri. Feb. 12
Music for Tots: ID 5291 & 5292
33
51
Sat. Feb. 13 Valentine Courting Centerpiece ID 5296
cancelled – instructor ill
Sun. Feb. 14
Totals for week:
48
74
Mon. Feb. 15 School’s Out Special: Mardi Gras ID 5299
11
13
Tues. Feb. 16 Outreach: Adventures in Art
--
--
Wed. Feb. 17 Art for Tots: Clay Play ID 5289
cancelled – low enrollment
Tour: American Visions, Burlington IA (mansion)
--
31
Thurs. Feb. 18
Fri. Feb. 19
Music for Tots: ID 5291 & 5292
30
41
Sat. Feb. 20 The Art of Mary Lovelace O’Neil ID 5297
cancelled - weather
Tour: Boy Scout troop (mansion)
--
17
Sun. Feb. 21
Totals for week:
41
102
Mon. Feb. 22
Tues. Feb. 23 Outreach: Adventures in Art
--
--
Wed. Feb. 24 Art for Tots: Penguin Pals ID 5290
7
10
Thurs. Feb. 25 Red Barn Studio: Moon Fantasy ID 5302
7
7
Fri. Feb. 26
Sat. Feb. 27 Winter Watercolor Landscape ID 5298
12
10
Sun. Feb. 28
Totals for week:
26
27
Totals for February 2010
161
547
Totals for Feb. 2009
170
456
Totals for Feb. 2008
199
413
Totals for Winter 2010
246
834
Totals for Winter 2009
300
824
Totals for Winter 2008
321
813