Details...

Evening everyone,

I just heard from Maria Curtin about the lighting and security, so here it is:

I have the plans that include lighting, but I have a feeling that it is not designed with art displays in mind. Unfortunately, this was something that needed to be planned in advance to include it in the construction plans. IF we request a change right now, it would require a “change order” which would add cost to the construction. We have been told not to request anything that requires change orders. On the positive side, I don’t think it would be too difficult to modify or adjust the lighting once the building is done. I will ask the architects. As far as security measures are concerned, the building will be on a card reader system and there has been talk of having the atrium open for extended hours based on student interest. I hope this answers your questions,

Maria

Suppose at this point it will be up to the next generation of students to address this, but at least they'll know what they've got to work with...

Jess

Roger Goode Wrote Back!!!

Hey guys,
Just wanted to let people know that Roger Goode wrote back and here is what he said:
Hello Meliza, thank you for your e-mail and for your interest. I have just recently selected the landscape designer for the project and have already had a few meetings with them. This will be an interesting area because it is the firstbuilding that people will see and we have a lot of restrictions due to the required walkways, roadways and parking. And of course, we have to work within existing budgets and timing. If you can provide me with some details of what you may like to see, I'll see what may be able to be incorporated. For example, can you tell me something about the "garden" thoughts, i.e. vegetable, flower,or other?
Thank you and good luck on your finals.
Roger Goode

So guys let me know what you would like me to write him. I know that working with the vegitation around the Science Center will really be amazing and something we can actually do with out worrying to much about the money. Let me know what you all think.
-Meliza P

Earth Day

Good morning everyone,

Happy Earth Day! So today as we celebrate the Earth, you should all take a look at this link I came across while browsing online. It's called "Earth as Art" and it fits the description of the art I have suggested to Prof. Lanci when I've spoken to him about art for the Science building.

It's just some pictures of different natural events on earth that I find to be spirtual because of their natural beauty. I also thought it would be a good way for people to start of their Earth Day.

Well below is the link of the slideshow, enjoy, and enjoy your day!

Andrew B.

EasthAs Art- http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22508361/displaymode/1107/s/2/

Moving forward

hey everyone,

I talked to Doug Smith today about taking the next fundraising step. We already know that an endowed scholarship is ideal; however, that right now is a goal for the future. Even if we make this project an internship for the time being, I figured we'd all agree that we should probably start raising money anyway.

That being said, Doug had promised us that he'd help us put together a fundraising request/proposal document that can be sent to donors and other interested parties. For this, he needs our white papers that the groups have been working on. Melissa had mentioned something about the "Friends of Art" program and while I'm not 100% sure what that is, I feel like this document would fit right in with that as well.

I'm not sure if they're up on the file-sharing site or if groups are still working, but the sooner we send the important ones to him (why public art is important, why this project is important, how it originated, how it fits in with Stonehill's mission/identity, etc. etc.), the sooner the information will get out to donors and money can (hopefully) begin to come in.

HAVE AN AMAZING WEEKEND!! :) and see you next week,

-D

Fine Arts Update

Hey guys, sorry it took so long for me to get this up here. The Fine Arts group met recently with Professor Carol Calo and we learned a ton of great information. She definitely agrees that it should be a work study or endowed position (preferably endowed so we don't have the issue of the job being offerend soley to students with that financial aid package first), but that it could definitely start out as an internship until funding is sorted out. She thinks that it should be a full year position under the supervision of the acting gallery director for Cushing Martin. This position is responsible for art outreach and our project would fall under that duty. There are also gallery assistants who would be able and encouraged to help our curator set up exhibits.

Here are some other great pieces of advice from Professor Calo that we need to keep in mind :
-Security/Insurance:
We need to make sure that we have insurance coverage for our space, especially if we are going to invite community artists to display their work. Could the space be locked?

-We need to make sure there are plenty of electrical outlets where we set up our gallery, and the lighting would preferably be adjustable such as the spots in the Cushing Martin Gallery.

-If we are going to have art outside, we need to have a written contract with facilities to avoid work being taken down/damaged/not being able to be mowed around/etc.

-The Fine Arts department is starting a new program called "Friends of Art" that involves alumni with art projects and programs on campus. Professor Calo said that this would be a great program that alumns could donate to, and she had no problem designating it as a certain portion of the program.

Ok guys, sorry for the novel, but we definitely have some good information here. See you all next week!
~Melissa

Vans

Hello,

I am sorry to report that we cannot use the SGA vans for our excursion. Has anyone checked with Res Life? I think they have vans...

Jess

April 9th

Hey guys,

Unfortunately I won't be here tomorrow to meet with everyone. Just so everyone knows, there isn't anything new on the fundraising front--just waiting to hear if Fine Arts is willing to pick up the curator position as an internship. If not, let me know ASAP so I can e-mail Doug.

Also--don't forget me!! If you need me to take care of anything just e-mail me at dpellitteri@student.stonehill.edu.


Thanks and have fun!!
See everyone soon,
Dana

Magical Thinking and the Science Center

A lot of words are used here to describe what will happen as the science center's steelwork is completed: "tradition," "custom," "ceremony," etc. But it seems to me that the literal foundations of our new cutting-edge scientific facility will be marked with superstition and magical thinking. I think it's awesome.

"As the new Science Center continues to take shape, the College will hold a steel topping off ceremony for the building on Tuesday, April 8 starting at 10 a.m.

An industry tradition, a topping off ceremony marks a project turning point with a shift in focus from exterior to interior work.

From 10 a.m. through 11:30 a.m. on April 8, all members of the Stonehill community are invited come to the site and to sign the steel beam.

At 11:45 a.m., once the signings are complete, the ironworkers will have the honor of hoisting the steel beam in place.

As is the custom, an evergreen tree will be placed on the beam to symbolize that the building project is proceeding well, and as a token of “good luck” for the Science Center’s future occupants.

To the left of the tree, an American flag will fly. While to the right of the tree, a Stonehill banner will fly. As is their tradition, the ironworkers will hoist a P.O.W. flag as well.

President Mark T. Cregan, C.S.C. will preside and the beam will be blessed. "

Forget the Ten Commandments check this out.

http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0401/p02s01-usju.html?page=1

Too bad this wasn't up before roadside religion came out.

odds & ends

hey guys,

I have some answers for our questions about money that we had last class:

The Advancement Office is less concerned with how we approach people and more concerned with who we approach. That leaves most fundraising options open to us--however; Doug did say that if someone is already identified as giving a gift to the capital campaign then we would not be allowed to solicit them for our project.

That being said, if we wanted to start looking for an individual donor, etc. they could help us with that, too--they have databases of alumn and special programs that search for grants.

As for where all of the scholarship money/work study money comes from, this is what I was told:

"Work study monies can be federal funds or operational funds of the college. Scholarships are primarily from donors to the college. It is a priority for the college to fund raise for scholarships since the need is so great for our students. You can learn more at www.attaingthesummit.com"

If we decide the position is going to be paid (and not an internship), all we have to do is give Advancement the word and we can begin working with them to figure something out.

See you all tomorrow,
~D

MJ suggests...

Hey everyone,

I just met briefly w. MJ to discuss further the matter of a curator. During class a few of the students were unsure of the duties one assumes as a curator. So I thought I could clarify that. However, MJ referred me/fine arts group to speak w. Candace Smith Corby [who should be back next week from maternity leave] and Professor Calo [who will be teaching a course next semester that deals w. curating].

MJ also urged us to visit the Clark Gallery which is down the street from the De Cordova museum which we are planning on visiting. She has several contacts there so we could even have people assisting us if we wanted to look for specific themes....

She also showed me some of Howard Ben Tre's work. He is an Isreali artist who works with glass. His work is very beautiful so if you guys get a chance try to google him.

Also the website has an article about the difficulty of public art. It is specifically about an artist who installed a sculpture in front of a New York city building which turned out to be an inconvenience for people who worked there.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/cultureshock/flashpoints/visualarts/tiltedarc_a.html


tatiana.