On Tuesday I presented my mural project to a small group of kids at Casa Guadalupe. They seemed interested in the project, though we need to spread the word even more. I also let them know about the workshops that I will be giving in June, and I have since made posters in Spanish that I will print and hang out around the trailer park.
On Wednesday I got to watch the movie Walkout with the youth at Casa Guadalupe. It was about a highschool walkout in Los Angeles by Chicano students who protested the poor conditions and maltreatment that they were receiving at their school. There was a discussion afterward, and it was interesting to hear how much the movie had connected with the kids.
Today was a relaxing day; I researched Diego Rivera and did some sketches inspired by his work. I also am drawing a design that I want to put with the article in La Voz Libre newspaper to accompany the article. I will put some of the sketches up shortly.
I have also taken up volunteering teaching English at Casa Guadalupe on Tuesday and Thursday nights. There are not a lot of official community events going on this summer, but I'm connecting with Casa in any way that I can. This Sunday I will go to Mass, and in June I would like to organize a community brainstorming session.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Planning Commission Meeting
Yesterday I had a promising meeting with the Cold Spring Planning Commission. City Administrator Paul Hetland told me that the Chamber of Commerce passed a resolution in support of my mural project, and some members showed up to last night's meeting especially to show support for the project. The Cold Spring Historical Society is very excited about my project.
I presented my project proposal as I did for the Business luncheon, and received immediate support from the Chair of the Planning Commission. He interpreted the strict design regulations as not applying to a mural, saying the mural could be an exception.
One member commented that letting me do this mural may open the door for other muralists, leading to a slippery slope. They are concerned that people might feel like they are free to paint whatever they want on their walls, even if it is ugly or offensive. In response to this, member Bob Thelen said that he personally likes Picasso, who has painted some pretty strange things. Who are we to judge what is and what is not art?, he questioned.
The mayor of Cold Spring, Doug Schmitz, pointed out that the design standards, in his view, do conflict with a mural. He clarified that he is not against the project, but that Cold Spring would need to establish a clearer policy that may permit a mural.
The Chair then amended his initial statement of approval to be conditional; I am to research mural ordinances that other towns have to see if Cold Spring may adopt a similar policy. Today I have begun contacting Minneapolis, St. Paul, Avon, Little Falls, and Elk River. The Planning Commission will meet again in June. By then, hopefully I will have a clearer design idea as well as more definite location.
I asked where the downtown area boundaries end, to see if we could paint in a residential area. The commission told me that the regulations would likely be even stricter in a residential area. I will ask Paul Hetland to send me the zoning ordinances for these areas.
One woman, Cynthia, came up to me afterwards to compliment my energetic presentation, and asked me if painting a crosswalk could be considered a mural. I said that was a definite possibility. Who knows? In Argentina I saw several paintings on the pavement...
I presented my project proposal as I did for the Business luncheon, and received immediate support from the Chair of the Planning Commission. He interpreted the strict design regulations as not applying to a mural, saying the mural could be an exception.
One member commented that letting me do this mural may open the door for other muralists, leading to a slippery slope. They are concerned that people might feel like they are free to paint whatever they want on their walls, even if it is ugly or offensive. In response to this, member Bob Thelen said that he personally likes Picasso, who has painted some pretty strange things. Who are we to judge what is and what is not art?, he questioned.
The mayor of Cold Spring, Doug Schmitz, pointed out that the design standards, in his view, do conflict with a mural. He clarified that he is not against the project, but that Cold Spring would need to establish a clearer policy that may permit a mural.
The Chair then amended his initial statement of approval to be conditional; I am to research mural ordinances that other towns have to see if Cold Spring may adopt a similar policy. Today I have begun contacting Minneapolis, St. Paul, Avon, Little Falls, and Elk River. The Planning Commission will meet again in June. By then, hopefully I will have a clearer design idea as well as more definite location.
I asked where the downtown area boundaries end, to see if we could paint in a residential area. The commission told me that the regulations would likely be even stricter in a residential area. I will ask Paul Hetland to send me the zoning ordinances for these areas.
One woman, Cynthia, came up to me afterwards to compliment my energetic presentation, and asked me if painting a crosswalk could be considered a mural. I said that was a definite possibility. Who knows? In Argentina I saw several paintings on the pavement...
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