Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-14-2005 Approved HCAC Minutes CITY OFDUBL URL ARTS IN HERITAGE AND CULTA COMMISSION MINUTES OF: JULY14, 2005 The July 14, 2005 meeting of the Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission was called to order at 7:04 p.m. at the Dublin Civic Center,Dublin, California,by Chairperson Vonheeder-Leopold. Pledge of Allegiance Chairperson Vonheeder-Leopold led the Pledge of Allegiance. • Roll Call Commissioners Present: White,Acuff, Lussie,Mack and Vonheeder-Leopold Commissioners Absent: Fasulkey and Halket Oral Communications-None Approval of Minutes ON A MOTION BY CM. LUSSIE, SECONDED BY VICE-CHAIRPERSON MACK AND BY UNANIMOUS VOTE, THE COMMISSION APPROVED THE MINUTES OF JUNE 2, 2005 AS PRESENTED. Written Communications-None • Public Hearing-None Unfinished Business-None New Business • 8.1 Conceptual Design for Murray Schoolhouse Exhibit Restoration Project Heritage and Cultural Arts Supervisor John Hartnett stated that tonight Staff would like to present a conceptual plan for the Murray Schoolhouse Exhibit Restoration Project. In March 2005, the City Council approved a contract for design and project management services with John Vieira, who is a local Museum Exhibit Designer. The contract details a scope of work that includes exhibit design, graphic design, content development and project management services for eight (8) individual exhibit design elements within the museum that cumulate into one overall cohesive design. Over the past few months, Mr. Vieira has conducted extensive research on the history of Dublin and the surrounding region, conducted site visits to other local museums and met with Cultural Arts and Heritage Staff and other City Departments. Based on this research, Mr. Vieira has taken the eight design elements and has developed a floor plan with details of each exhibit space, taking into account issues such as; an overall mission statement and theme, linking of historical time-periods, traffic-flow through the exhibit, Building Department requirements, and other items relevant to the project. In order to begin the "Design Development Phase" of the project, the City must approve the conceptual design. Staff is seeking input from the Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission on the proposed design concept. Once the Commission's input is provided, the City's consultant will coordinate the information gathered, for consideration in further development of the design phase of the project. The next steps in the process are for the consultant to • develop detailed floor plans and elevations based on the conceptual design, define content outlines for text panels, determine what exhibit element components and artifacts will be incorporated.into the project, and continue research for final graphic design,layout and logo. Hartnett introduced John Vieira, project consultant, and Elizabeth Isles, Heritage Center Director, who will be presenting the conceptual design. Minutes—July 14, 2005 Page 2 of 4 Vieira passed around a 3D model of the conceptual design for the Murray Schoolhouse Exhibit Restoration Project to the Commission and audience. Mr. Vieira briefly summarized the preliminary floor plan and exhibit spaces for the project. Isles summarized the purpose and contents of each exhibit. Commission Input Cm. Acuff stated that she would like to see the colors and background of the Dublin Museum and Schoolhouse logo be changed to green. Acuff indicated that one of the primary reasons Dublin was called Dublin is because in the spring our hills are a luminous green which is close to what you would see in Ireland. The hills then gradually turn brown, gold and rust, which would be the appropriate colors for the Western Journey panels. She wants to make sure that we have a good understanding of the environment at that time, emphasizing that the valley was a marsh. Adding bird sounds, like ducks and geese, would be a nice touch. People will then be able to understand that his was a part of the living environment of the Indians who lived here before. Vieira stated that these are very good points. Cm. Lussie commended Mr. Vieira on the flow of the museum, as it would not trap people in just one room. The graphics are to the point and attractive. The exhibits talk about diversity, but it needs to be emphasized. People also came over in the late 1800's because of racial discrimination and went east. Reference should be made to Angel Island and Ellis Island of the west. She stated that she did not see much about that in the immigration station graphics. Vieira using power point, called up the map of the world showing the different routes taken by sea and land and pointed out that the routes shown include Russia, Asia, Australia and the Pacific Islands. Perhaps he can develop this a little further and incorporate with"Did You Know"panels,the spread of diversity. Cm. Lussie stated that she realizes there are budget constraints; however has consideration been given to having a computer in the research library for older children. Hartnett stated that Staff has met with the Dublin Historical Preservation Association (D.H.P.A.) who is putting some funding towards the research library. The feeling was that using a computer system would eat up much of the budget and may be premature. They felt collectively that having an area adjacent to the museum where people could have hands-on things to study or lookup would be the first step. Chair Vonheeder-Leopold stated that D.H.P.A. is taking responsibility for the computer, but feels that it is a project that will be accomplished over time. Cm. Lussie stated that years ago at the Holocaust Museum,they used to hand you a card with the person's name on it. You then traced the history of that person from his birth to the holocaust. Vieira stated that this is called an "exhibit hook" that gets the visitor involved rather than just walking through the exhibit. Cm. Mack suggested that the "Did You Know" panels be changed weekly or monthly. Then at a summation station, there could be a summary of all the "Did You Know" that were there before. Good information for students and adults alike. Vieira stated that the exhibits are for children and adults, enabling both to get something from the exhibits. Cm. White stated that she would like to see old Dublin family histories represented. Vieira stated that there will be images and photographs of the settling families with comparisons to the living ancestors in the area. It would also be important to continue that in the research library. Chair Vonheeder-Leopold stated that D.H.P.A. would want their scrapbooks displayed in the library area. Minutes-July 14, 2005 Page 3 of 4 • Isles stated that she has binders with copies of old photos which will be housed in the research library. Public Input Wendy Dernbach, 11485 Marwick Drive, stated that she would prefer that there be no computers in the research library, because they would distract from the exhibits. If information and links could be provided instead, they could go home and do research on their own computers or at the public library. Cost and maintenance of a computer could be an issue, as well as the fact that computers do shut down for various reasons. Viera stated that the museum industry has been using computers for many years now, however are going back to hands-on. Chair Vonheeder-Leopold stated that it is D.H.P.A.'s thought that eventually, as we build the data base from newspaper articles, the process would be more of a research by article. However it will take a long time to build the data base. She pointed out that D.H.P.A. has a revenue stream right now, but as a non-profit group with a 501c3 classification, they can apply for grants. It was not D.H.P.A.'s thought that the City of Dublin would do that part of it, other than provide a place where the scrapbooks could be displayed. The Valley Historical Society meets once every couple of months and will link D.H.P.A. to their things. The Volk-McLain scrapbooks are now housed at the San Ramon Museum. She referred to Page 2 of the presentation document and indicated that the statement Volk-McLain built 175,000 homes is incorrect. Probably more like 175 homes. Ron Satterthwaite, DHPA, 1st Vice President, stated that he understands that the computer in the library research area would be self-housed and not interne connected. If so, the information already collected would be there and printable to take home. He pointed out that Camp Parks is a significant part of Dublin's history and should be mentioned. Viera stated that Camp Parks will be included in the Volk-McLain section. ON A MOTION BY CM. ACUFF SECONDED BY CM. MACK AND BY UNANIMOUS VOTE, THE COMMISSION APPROVED THE CONCEPTUAL DESIGN FOR THE MURRAY SCHOOLHOUSE EXHIBIT RESTORATION PROJECT. STAFF IS DIRECTED.TO INCORPORATE THE COMMENTS MADE BY THE COMMISSION AND REFER TO THE CITY COUNCIL FOR FINAL APPROVAL. Other Business 9.1 Brief INFORMATIONAL ONLY Reports from Commissioners and/or Staff Staff Reports: 4. Hartnett circulated information to the Commissioners regarding the tour to the Eugene O'Neill Historic Site in Danville on Wednesday, August 10. Everyone is to meet at the Park & Ride in Danville on Sycamore Valley Boulevard. 4. The second summer concert is this Friday, July 15 from 7:00-9:OOpm. The featured band is Broken English who plays Caribbean and salsa music. Postcards advertising the Summer Concert Series were handed out to the Commissioners with the full schedule of concerts. 4 The next meeting of the Dublin Historic Park Master Plan Study is Tuesday, July 26 at 7:00 pm in the Regional Meeting Room. Cm. Lussie asked if she could get a ride for the tour, as she no longer drives. The Commissioners concurred that it . would be best to carpool. Chair Vonheeder-Leopold stated that she has a copy of the Foundation Townhouse Newsletter, which has information on the Eugene O'Neill Historic site. Minutes-July 14, 2005 Page 4 of 4 Cm. Mack stated that she attended the first concert on July 8 and enjoyed it very much. She reported that it seemed to take the band a long time to do their sound check,but when they got started they were very good. Cm. Lussie reported that earlier this month she was in Paris and London for her daughter-in-law's graduation. In London, all the museums are free and she was very impressed with the fact that they had wheel chairs avagpjFilfrdeer It was a great convenience for her, allowing her to see everything. She could not figure out the logistics er fair ir-cia -cede; as it was not chronological or artist. Also, at the 'Testy . g by ��iuseum in London they had a very good virtual reality tour of the mummies based on cat scans and MRI's, all in 3D. Their next venue will be in Houston, Texas in September. Next week she will be attending a reception for the Tibet Exhibit at the Asian Art Museum. Adjournment Being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:13 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Char J.Young • Administrative T ician APPROVED: etW7/1.6e/' /4.1,, KLE_ Chairperson