Village of Niles Public Arts & Culture Advisory Council met June 8.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
Members Present:
Carol Luc – Artist Susan Lempke – Niles-Maine District Library
Joseph Steinfels – Niles VFW Post 3579
Barbara Karawacki – Niles Historical Society
Marina Samovsky – Photographer
Sarah Djordjevic – Maine East Fine Arts Dept
Alicia Bermes – Niles Chamber of Commerce
Members Absent:
John Kosirog – School District 71
Debi Gajewski – Artist
Janet Spector Bishop – School District 63
Lindsey Kmetty – Niles Park District (CHAIR)
George Alpogianis – Niles Sister Cities
Kathleen Gallegos – Artist/Art Station Studio
Village Officials/Staff Present:
Katie Schneider – Community Engagement Coordinator
I. Call to Order:
Chair Lindsey Kmetty is on maternity leave. Katie Schneider called the meeting to order electronically via Zoom audio/visual conferencing at 4:06 p.m.
II. Public Comment
The electronic meeting is open to the public. No public comment was submitted in advance of the meeting. No public comment was made at the meeting.
III. Approval of Meeting Minutes
Susan Lempke made a motion to accept the minutes of the April 13, 2021 meeting. Alicia Bermes second the motion, all were in favor. None opposed. Minutes approved.
IV. Organization Representative Reports
Barbara Karawacki (Niles Historical Society) – The museum reopened April 5th and welcomes visitors Monday, Wednesday, Friday 11-3 pm. Interviews have just started for the Museum Curator position.
Joseph Steinfels (Niles VFW 3579) – The VFW held its Memorial Day ceremony with BBQ after at the Post, many families and friends attended. It was great to see such a large crowd of support.
Marina Samovsky (Photographer) – Work has been consistent, nothing new to report. Carol Luc (Artist) – She will be participating in the 12th Annual Brush with Nature in the Skokie sculpture park.
Sarah Djordjevic (Maine East Fine Arts Department) – Maine East is now on summer break, they are looking forward to opening the Fine Arts Suite with new radio and broadcasting system at Maine East in the fall.
Susan Lempke (Niles-Maine District Library) – Susan presented the winner of the newsletter cover contest. Summer reading program is “Reading CoLors Your World” with community events including a yard bombing event and dying fabrics for the fence on Waukegan road.
Alicia Bermes (Niles Chamber of Commerce) – The Chamber is moving towards in-person events with their annual Golf Outing in July and Taste of Niles in August.
Katie Schneider (Village of Niles) – The Niles 4th of July parade is on with most traditional elements and looking forward to a community celebration.
V. Niles Artisan Guild
Debi Gajewski was absent from the meeting. Carol Luc did not have an update.
VI. Old Business
a. Niles – At Our Table: Katie Schneider showed the group the photos in the Village Hall Council Chambers. We are moving forward with an Irish family, Greek family and Italian family. We are still looking for more families of Asian-decent. Council members were asked again to share any leads they have from families interested in sharing their heritage and participating in this community project. We are also looking for more photographers to participate. The next step is gathering the stories of each family and the recipes they shared. We are hoping to engage aspiring writers or students to help with this portion.
VII. New Business
a. Leaning Towers of Parade: The Arts and Culture Council reviewed all the submitted designs and approved them to move forward.
b. Niles Public Works Snow Plow Art project: Susan Lempke made a motion to approve supplies up to $500 for the Snow Plow art program with local schools, Carol Luc second the motion. All were in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
VIII. Open Discussion
There was no open discussion.
IX. Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 13, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. electronically.
X. Adjournment
Alicia Bermes made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 4:35 p.m. Joseph Steinfels second the motion, all were in favor. Meeting adjourned.
https://www.vniles.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_06082021-2135
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