ST. GEORGE ART MUSEUM

Minutes of the Advisory Board Meeting

Wednesday June 21, 2017

Opening

Linda Sappington called the meeting to order at 8:03 am.

Present

Linda Sappington, Steven Brough, Twila Abrams, Kathryn Alldredge, Kam Capik, Lane Ronnow, Mary Smiley and Deborah Reeder; absent: Bette Arial

Approval of Minutes

Motion by Kam Capik to approve the minutes of May 17, 2017; motion was seconded unanimously. Minutes approved.

Arts Commission Report

Arts Commission meeting took place on Thursday May 25 at 7:30 am. Report is attached.

New Business

Kathryn Alldredge presented the ideas and research she has done for the Halloween event in October. She showed photos from other Halloween themed events – The Great Jack O Lantern Blaze and Damariscotta (Maine) Pumpkin Fest. She set goals for this event: to increase awareness of the Museum; to be a family friendly event; to have fun.

The original idea for this event included pumpkin carving by artists which can be done with fake pumpkins or Funkins which are expensive or with real pumpkins. Kathryn developed a list of stores to be solicited to donate 10 – 20? pumpkins each. Artists, student carvers, etc., could pick up from stores. Twila suggested it might be too much to ask stores to keep track but would be willing to organize picking up from stores and to be picked up here. She can also order materials/decoration for event wholesale.

Pumpkins could be carve and lighted inside or painted and lighted with spots. There was also discussion of soliciting other pumpkin or Halloween themed artwork in addition to just pumpkins.

Kathryn has spoken to a DSU professor, Jeff Yule, who teaches a full semester class on Halloween. He is very interested in the event and believes some of his students will also help and participate. He owns a large collection of Halloween collectibles/memorabilia that we might be able to display.

Deborah would like to include decorating the Museum with ghosts, cobwebs etc. and have a kid’s activity – like questions about the art on display; they get a punch card and turn it in from prizes. Other kids or adult and kids activity ideas included mask making or decorating. Children painting a mural outside somehow or chalk art was also discussed. Inside the Museum there could be vintage movies showing on the gallery monitor.

Outdoor area would be decorated with hay bales, corn stalks and lighting for the display of carved and decorated pumpkins. Lots of varied lighting will be needed. Deborah would also love to see an arbor or arch decorated with small pumpkins, etc., and lighting that people would walk through for “grand entrance”.

Spooky Tales – Halloween storytellers in the Social Hall. Librarian Alicia Tolman Burton would be a good contact for storytellers; also Gary Payne. His email address is . Another suggestion was Historic St. George Live actors telling stories.

Names for the event were discussed “Spooky Lights in the Night”; St. George Art Museum should be part of the name; “Scary Lights Night”; Steven suggested “Spooky Lights and Pumpkin Frights” which most found appealing. Should the event remain on Friday October 27 or would Saturday be better? Most thought Friday was preferable. Event would start at 6:00; sunset will be around 6:40 at on that date. End time at 8:30, 9 or possibly even later. Start out mild for little kids early and get “scarier” as the evening progresses. Boo Ball will be cancelled as there are several other fall events already planned.

Should the event be a fundraiser? While a great idea it needs to be uncomplicated like a Silent Auction. Perhaps 10 Pumpkins could be in Silent Auction, possibly others for sale.

Food trucks should be solicited to provide food for people to purchase.

Kathryn expressed some concern that there would be too many people but Deborah does not think that should be a concern since we have not been able to draw as many as we would like to previous events. There was some thought that this could become a community event but the focus this year is on the Museum and the Museum should own the event.

Old Business

Carol Lakin will contact Bev Doolittle regarding Home Tour. Linda will ask Linda Lowe if she can help with contact possible homes for tours. Last month the other possible homes discussed were Chodroff and Gary & Cheryl Collins. Tour dates are Sept. 22 & 23.

Steven has contacted the city about the Lantern Festival for the Winter Solstice and they are researching feasibility with the fire department. The concerning issues are fire hazard and litter from lanterns.

Kam will look into putting Art Museum Events on the agenda for the Arts Commission meetings so the information is flowing both ways.

Director’s Report

Written report provided at meeting.

Action Items

Halloween Event - Board members will contact area artists to participate in pumpkin carving or creating other Halloween themed art:

Kam – Dixie Watercolor Society

Linda – area high schools

Steven – Southern Utah Art Guild

Mary – Color Country Camera Club and Quilt Guild and Fiber Artists

Lane – Kayenta community

Kathryn will work on drafting a letter/script for approaching artists and art groups to contribute

Kam will research food trucks

Twila will work on an event logo

Deborah/Museum will provide contact names for area artists group; and provide Twila with current logo and font used on it.

Museum will provide graphic elements for events to Linda that she can use on Facebook

Adjournment

Meeting was adjourned at 9:43. The next general meeting will be at 8:00 on July 19, 2017

Minutes submitted by: April Cummings

Approved by: [Name]