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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCORRESPONDENCE - 25C25C City Council Meeting Correspondence 7/17/2018 APPROVE INVESTING IN THE ARTIST GRANT PROGRAM FOR FISCAL YEAR 2018-2019 AND AGREEMENTS WITH ARTIST AND ART ORGANIZATIONS Date of Name Representative of In Favor In Opposition Correspondence of RA*. of RA.* 1 7117/2018 Alicia Rojas Santa Ana Community Artist(a) Coalition 1 TOTAL: 1 *RA - Recommended Action Wednesday, July 18, 2018 Page 1 of 1 v } K� ,.. 33�11E� , U 3 C ARK a .In,l 1W AW/ 9 �r J�lJIf' BEST MURAL PROJECT SantaAna Community Artiat(a) Coalition t 14 9 ?rint Window d Subject: FW: Mural in Angels Park From: TLe5@santa-ana.org To: Cc: MMorley@santa-ana.org; GCramer@santa-ana.org Date: Mond, May 21,2018,5:10:13 PM PDT Hi Alicia, https://mail.yahoo.com/d/search/keyword=tram/messages/91652 Thank you for asking the question. The artist had to clear his project through multiple layers of approval before being able to start. The project was brought to Mayor Pro Tem Michelle Martinez who then brought it to the City Manager's Office where I was assigned to facilitate the project. We submitted it for review through the Arts Commission (who suggested locations) and Parks & Rec (who selected the final location for the mural). After the location was determined to be in Angels Park, we met with the Angels Park Neighborhood Association to clear it with them and get their input as to what they would like to see on this mural and to ask for their participation. The artist's rendering was sent to all agencies involved for a final approval. It was a minimum of 8 months for the project to go through the proper channels of the system before being approved. 1 hope this answers your questions. If you need more clarification, please do not hesitate to contact me. Warm regards, Tram Tram Le Arts & Culture Specialist City of Santa Ana 20 Civic Center Plaza (M-25) Santa Ana, CA 92702 (714) 647-5355 1 tleUcbsanta-ana oro Community Development Agency From: Alicia Rojas fmailto:alicitaroiasCcDyahoo.coml Sent Wednesday, May 18, 2018 12:59 PM To: Le, Tram <TLe5(a)Santa-ana.org> j Cc: Morley, Marc <MMorlevna.santa-ana.org>; Cramer, Gabriela <GCramerpsanta-ana.oro> Subject: Re: Mural in Angels Park Hi, I of 4 7/17/2018, 3:17 PM Print Window https://mail.yahoo.com/d/search/keyword=tram/messages/91652 Was there a selection process or RFP for this mural project? How were the artists selected to partner with the city for this project? Thank you, Alicia Rojas Community Artist Santa Ana Community Artist Coalition Sent from my iPhone On May 16, 2018, at 12:48 PM, Le, Tram <TLe5(o Santa-ana.org> wrote: Dear Arts Commissioners and Master Plan Steering Committee, CDA/Arts & Culture partnered with the CMO, SAPID, Parks & Rec, and State Farm to put up a mural in Angels Park (at the corner of Flower St. & Olive St.). We've been working with artist Mike Howard who started Operation Clean Slate with a mission to involve youths in projects that will channel their talents and improve their community while minimizing graffiti on walls. If you have a chance, swing by to see the final product! Be sure to check out how the painted tree on the mural looks like it's growing into a real tree in the last photo below. Thank you to all my colleagues in the City who have been so patient in helping me learn the process and making this lovely event a success! Special thanks to Chief David Valentin, Sergeant Sergio Enriquez, Officer Kenney Aguilar, Corporal Luis Barragan, Gerardo Mouet, Jeannie Jurado, Bill Sandoval, Enrique Marban, Raul Rodriguez, and Julie Castro -Cardenas. Let's keep working to make Santa Ana a "safe place to live & grow" and also the coolest city in Orange County! Respectfully, Tram <image003.jpg> How it started: ? of 4 7/17/2018, 3:17 PM Fl F1 DOM a affN 01 flif L WINGS OF THE CITY FREE ART WORKSHOPS JULY 1ST, 2018 11:00 AM 3:00 PM DTSA FARMERS MARKET 2ND ST PROMENADE SANTA ANA, CA ALL AGES r Wings of the City is an extraordinary exhibit by renowned Mexican arttstr'Jorge Marin. It has been touring the world and we are proud, to honor him and his work by providing creativity to our community. workshops are produced by Uplifting Soul Art Events and sponsored by the City of Santa Ana. http:/jupti.fbhgsoulartevent§.org/ - http://v wMm.latimes.com/socal/daily- p lot/news/tn-wknd-et-santa-ana-exhibit-20171019-story.htmI (Ant ft�iiftjngsoula-rtevents Print Window Subject: Fwd: FW: PUBLIC ^ MURAL^ : RFP From: To: Date: Thursday, September 12, 2013, 1:16:45 PM PDT https://mail.yahoo.com/d/search/keyword=muraVmessages/24334 ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Benavides, David <DBenavides(Qsanta-ana.oro> Date: Thu, Sep 12, 2013 at 1:13 PM Subject: FW: PUBLIC MURAL: RFP To: " P. David Benavides Councilman, City of Santa Ana dbenavides(cbsanta-ana.org 714.647.6900 From: Sandra Pocha Pena [ Sent: Tuesday, September 03, 2013 10:33 AM To: O'Rourke, Kevin Cc: Kurita, Debbie; Christensen, Angi; Lawrence, Mark; Council; Pulido, Miguel; Mouet, Gerardo Subject: PUBLIC MURAL: RFP Hello Everyone, You will all soon be getting an email & materials in your mailboxes detailing our exciting offerings for this year's OCFF Film Festival. But before we dive into all the fun, I want to ask you all about a subject that's been troubling me: Why is a City -owned wall being turned over to inexperienced Artists to paint a "community" mural without undergoing the proper wall -preparation, safety training, community oversight or even meeting basic fundraising goals? Why didn't this wall go up for an RFP? While private walls are plentiful, public walls are not. The public wall on the corner of 4th & French, bordering our City's namesake plaza (Plaza Santa Ana) is an iconic wall and should have gone up for a public bid. of 2 7/17/2018, 2:15 PM Print Window https://mail.yahoo.com/d/search/keyword=mural/messages/24334 What is the process for obtaining permission for creating public art? We as well as other artists had hoped to propose murals for that same site. I'm sure many other qualified artists would have loved to put forth their own visions in a fair and open selection process. The Workshop for Community Arts and Grain Project are both fine organizations who are a great asset to Santa Ana, but neither is known for murals or has the experience to successfully move forward on a project of this size. They've had only a handful of meetings that have not resulted in any firm design concepts, procuring the needed materials, meeting fundraising goals or even getting a representative group of local artists onboard to work on this project. Also, many important Art orgs in Santa Ana have been completely left out of and discouraged from participating in the project, such as United Artists of Santa Ana and El Centro Cultural de Mexico among others. What process was undertaken to select this wall and did it go up for public review? As we move into an era when Santa Ana will see more Public Art production -- the Electrical Boxes, more Murals, Mural Restoration, Sculpture, etc -- it's important to create an infrastructure so that public assets are made available to local artists in an equitable way. It appears that now more than ever, a City Arts Council, Bureau or Commission is needed to oversee the transformation of public assets into art, coordinate large neighborhood arts programs, help building owners vett live/work prospects, engage with national art organizations, write grants, etc. So I hope you all will consider, supporting the forming of an Arts collective that has Ward Representation and is Community Based. It's frustrating to see what could have been high quality, nationally recognized Public Art projects created by Award -Winning Artists, be given away without broad-based community input or oversight. Sincerely, --- Sandra "Pocha" Pena Sandra "Pocha" Pena Sarmiento "Frontier Arts & Hybrid Culture" oft 7/17/2018, 2:15 PM MAYOR Miguel A. Pulido MAYOR PRO TEM Sal Tinalem COUNCILMEMBERS Angelica Amezcua P. David Benavides Michele Martinez Roman Reyna Vincent F. Sarmiento September 9, 2013 To whom it may concern: CITY OF SANTA ANA 20 Civic Center Plaza • P.O. Box 1988 Santa Ana, Califomia 92702 (714)647-6900 INTERIM CITY MANAGER Kevin O'Rourke CITY ATTORNEY Sonia R. Carvalho CLERK OF THE COUNCIL Maria D. Hulzar It has come to my attention that there is a concern regarding a proposal by the Santa Ana based Workshop for Community Arts (WCA) to engage our community in a mural project in Santa Ana's Downtown area, to be located on the south facing wall of the Fifth & Spurgeon Garage adjacent to Plaza Santa Ana. Specifically, there are questions regarding the approval process for the proposal and concern about WCA not being inclusive in its community outreach and participation efforts. This experience has shown me that we need to better define for council, community and staff a process for these art projects in public places and on public property. I apologize for any misunderstanding this effort has created. That said the project will be completed as agreed to by me with WCA. Let me first share with you my perspective on this proposal. Artist groups such as WCA are conducting similar projects in other communities. Murals typically developed through this process are intended to be temporary in nature; however, if desired, can be considered a more permanent piece of artwork. Broad- based community involvement is key and creates a forum and great opportunity for collaboration and synergy. Volunteers and donations make these projects possible. As the City Manager, I have the authority to approve entering into contracts under a certain dollar amount, and this proposal falls well within those guidelines. When WCA approached staff with this concept who then presented it to me, I viewed it as an opportunity to encourage our diverse community members to all work together on a unique and meaningful public art project, a positive step for our community. I authorized staff to work with WCA to develop an acceptable agreement that provides the City with the necessary authority and oversight with respect to the mural and the process. The final design is subject to City Manager's approval. The agreement can be terminated at any time, and the mural would be temporary in nature, unless the City desires to retain it. The agreement calls for WCA to conduct an inclusive, broad-based community involvement effort. WCA is to work with local organizations, residents and businesses, and others interested in participating. WCA has reported that the main public outreach for the mural has been accomplished with "street teams' speaking to community members in the downtown. In addition, they held a forum on August 25th that was broadly advertised, and are Collaborating with local organizations such as the Santa Ana Business Council and United Artists, speaking directly with their members and attending meetings as well. One of the lead artists with WCA is also a member of United Artists (UA). Members of UA have also assisted with outreach efforts, such as distributing flyers for the August 25th event at the City's Strategic Planning session. I remain hopeful that this mural project will be a positive and meaningful experience for Santa Ana. I have directed staff to continue monitoring WCA's outreach efforts to try to ensure they are inclusive, excluding no individual or organization that wants to participate. By its nature, this project needs a multitude of volunteers, thus all should be welcomed by WCA. Santa Ana is blessed with so many dedicated community members, and talented artists and artists -in -the -making that I hope will lend their time and expertise to this worthy effort. September 9, 2013 Page 2 Finally I have directed that the issue of an appropriate process for such projects be placed on the agenda for our PREY Committee. Since el en ourke Interim City Manager c: Mayor & City Council Executive Management Team ?rint Window https://mail.yahoo.com/d/search/keyword=carlos%20roj as/messages/... subject: Plaza Santa Ana Community Mural From: To: mpulido@santa-ana.org; stinajero@santa-ana.org; vsarmiento@santa-ana.org; mmartinez@santa- ana.org; aamezcua@santa-ana.org; dbenavides@santa-ana.org; rreyna@santa-ana.org Cc: TEggers@santa-ana.org; NFong@santa-ana.org; SGottlieb@santa-ana.org; Date: Monday, September 30, 2013, 7:50:52 AM PDT Good morning, This letter is on behalf of the Santa Ana Community Mural Artists Coalition (the Coalition), regarding the proposed community mural project at Plaza Santa Ana which has been in the planning process since the summer and is soon slated to begin. Last Thursday, our Project Director was asked to attend a meeting with the City, where we were asked to voluntarily withdraw from the mural contract. Separately, we were also recently made aware of a communication sent to the City some weeks prior, which aired the complaints of a single dissatisfied citizen. In response to the accusations leveled by that letter and to the subsequent meeting, we feel the need affirm why this project is important and additionally request a meeting with the City Manager, Michelle Martinez as our Ward representative, and other Council Members to discuss the future of the project. Project Background In June of this year, the Coalition started work on a proposed community-based mural project. The idea behind the mural has been to engage local residents, youth, business, and artists in the mural -making process, with community members' stories and ideas actually forming the foundation for the creation of the art. We have undertaken a community interview process, listening extensively to what Santa Ana residents wish to see represented in their public art; with over 130 interviews completed, the attached sketch -in -progress reflects the results of that process thus far. (Community outreach is ongoing.) In August, we were offered the opportunity to bring this project to a large city - owned wall located at the corner of 4th and French in Downtown, overlooking Plaza Santa Ana. We have been pleased to count the City as a partner in this project, supporting the vision of the Plaza Santa Ana Community Mural as a truly community -oriented effort -- painted by local artists, with the support of the local community, and finally and powerfully representing the collective 1 of 3 7/17/2018, 2:07 PM ?rint Window https: //mail.yahoo.com/d/search/keyword=carlos%2Oroj as/messages/... work, energy, dreams and aspirations of Santa Ana as a whole. As the Interim City Manager stated in his letter of September gth, "Broad-based community involvement is key and creates a forum and great opportunity for collaboration and synergy." We have striven to meet that standard and we hope that the art and conversation that result from this project do indeed contribute to a more engaged and more united community. Broad -Based Community Involvement As mentioned, over 130 community members have been surveyed to date, including youth, students, families, downtown businesses, seniors, immigrants, and even homeless residents -- people who walk by the proposed mural wall every day. The survey was conducted in both English and Spanish in order to offer access and gather as much meaningful input as possible -- you will find some of their answers also attached to the mural sketch. A diverse coalition of over two dozen local artists have contributed to the outreach and planning process for this mural, including both prominent members of the artist community as well as people who have never previously participated in a community project. We view this as a strength of the project -- that it engages both those who can mentor and those who might benefit, serving to build valuable connections, skills, and a stronger sense of community. As Downtown Santa Ana continues to undergo a number of important transformations, it's essential that local residents, organizations, and businesses take a role in the process and express their voices about the future of their city. We have had meetings with several community groups to discuss the mural vision, and the resultant conversations have opened up a sincere and meaningful dialog in the community. This is something which we've welcomed and actively engaged in, because we believe this kind of dialog represents a significant step in the direction of respect, open-mindedness, understanding, and ultimately cooperation. Attached, you will find a list of 118 individuals, community groups, businesses, and artists, for whom we've done presentations and who have added their names to a list of support for the mural project and design. The ideas and responses gathered in these interactions and conversations with everyday Santa Ana residents comprise a shared vision of what this city is and what it can be, a vision that will be made visible on the walls of the city itself. This is what an engaged community looks like. About the Coalition The Coalition is a diverse group comprised of artists, arts administrators, educators, community activists, and interested community members. 2 of 3 7/17/2018, 2:07 PM ?rint Window https://mail.yahoo.com/d/search/keyword=carlos%2Orojas/messages/... Organizational partners in the Coalition are The Grain Project and the Workshop for Community Arts (WCA). The lead muralist on the project is Moises Camacho, a local gallery owner with extensive mural experience both locally and internationally. The Project Director is Adriana Sanchez Alexander, Director of the WCA. Both are Santa Ana residents with expertise in murals and in the administration of community-based art projects, respectively. Attached, you will also find copies of their professional resumes. All members of the coalition are volunteering their time. The project is being made possible through donations. An Opportunity to Set Precedent The Plaza Santa Ana Community Mural is the first public mural that Santa Ana has seen in many years. It is also, notably, the first project that the Santa Ana Business Council has voted to support. For some involved in the project, it is the first time they have ever felt compelled to lend their volunteer efforts to a community project. Ultimately, with so many firsts, this project represents an extraordinary opportunity to set a precedent for what Santa Ana's vision of community art looks like. We hope that this project inaugurates a new era of public art in Santa Ana, including the establishment of a formal process that is transparent and welcoming combined with a vision that is expansive and diverse. To again quote the City Manager's comments, this project represents "an opportunity to encourage our diverse community members to all work together on a unique and meaningful public art project, a positive step for our community." Thank you for your time. We look forward to meeting with the City Manager, Michelle Martinez, and other Council Members to discuss the future of the Plaza Santa Ana Community Mural. We also welcome the opportunity to answer questions and respond to any specific concerns. Sincerely, The Santa Ana Community Mural Artists Coalition ®mural letter attachments.pdf 1.1MB 3 of 3 7/17/2018, 2:07 PM Supporters of the Plaza Santa Ana Community Mural The following individuals and organizations have added their names to a statement of support, which reads: "We, as members of the community, would like to add our names to this list to show our support for the design and concept of the proposed mural to be painted in Downtown Santa Ana at the corner of 4fh and French. We support the Plaza Santa Ana Community Mural!" Community Groups • Santa Ana Business Council (SABC) o Adolfo Lopez, President of SABC / 4th Street Merchant o Sam Romero, 4th Street Merchant o Raul Yanez, 4th Street Merchant, Mi Moda o Mr. and Mrs. Arellanes, 4th Street Merchant • Downtown Neighborhood Association - Tish Leon, President • Latino Health Access o Nancy Mejia, Coordinator, Policy Department o + 33 employees of LHA • Orange County DREAM Team -15 members • Existo Parents Group - Sarai Arpero • Breath of Fire Latina Theater Ensemble o Sara Guerrero, Founding Artistic Director (also SCR's Dialogue/Dialogos Project Director) o Elizabeth Szekeresh, Managing Director • Santa Ana Boys & Men of Color, Joey Linnert • Workshop for Community Arts (WCA) • The Grain Project The Mexican Consulate in Santa Ana • Alejandra Garcia -Williams, Mexican Consul in Santa Ana o + 18 employees of the Mexican Consulate Local Business • Santa Ana Business Council Members: o Adolfo Lopez, President of SABC / 4`h Street Merchant o Sam Romero, 4th Street Merchant o Raul Yanez, 4th Street Merchant, Mi Moda o Mr. and Mrs. Arellanes, 4th Street Merchant • Road Less Traveled/ Patchwork Festival (downtown business) - Delilah Snell, owner • Stewart Sound Factory (downtown business) - Bob Stewart, owner • GCS Clothing Store and Art Gallery (downtown business) - Hector Ruiz, owner • Radio La Konsentida (Santa Ana -based business) - Hugo Rodriguez • East End - Ryan Chase Local Artists • John Spiak, Director/Chief Curator, Grand Central Art Center • United Artists of Santa Ana (UASA) o Alicia Rojas, Arts Administrator/ UASA Member o Craig Longiotti, UASA Member o Ruben Alvarez, UASA Member • Moises Camacho, MC Gallery/ UASA Member • Kallm Quevedo, The Tailor's Art (@ the Santora Building) • Arte de fa Tierra Gallery o Luis Trova o Luis Herrera o Teo Reyes • Independent Artists o Taren Archibeque, Local Artist/ Santa Ana Resident o Yvette Cortez, Arte y Libertad Artist Collective o Kimberly Duran, , Local Artist/ Santa Ana Resident o Luis Flores, Local Artist/ Santa Ana Resident o Juan Carlos Hernandez, Local Artist/ Santa Ana Resident o Theo Hirsch, Local Artist/ Santa Ana Resident o Jouvon M. Kingsby, Local Artist/ Santa Ana Resident o Joey Linnert, TGP Public Art Dept., SACReD, Santa Ana Boys & Men of Color, Local Artist, Santa Ana Resident o Daniel Lopez, Local Artist/ Santa Ana Resident o Ignacio Lopez, Calavera Arte o Roger Reyes, Local Artist/ Santa Ana Resident o Andie Rodriguez, Santa Ana Resident o Gustavo Sanchez, Ras United ml-"�TpT=- • Santa Ana College Students • Santa Ana College - Upward Bound Students Santa Ana Residents • Santa Ana Collaborative for Responsible Development (SACReD) - 10 members • KidWorks - Pablo Avila, Youth Organizer • + 14 independent Santa Ana Residents * * We also have a number of pending Endorsements - groups and/or individuals who have expressed support, but have not formally signed yet - they have not yet been included on this list. * * Total # signatures of support, as of 9/30/13: 118 representing 24 community groups, businesses, and artist collectives Mural sketch -in -progress. Lead Artist: Moises Camacho. Playa Santa Ana Community Mural We also offer here just a very small sampling of the responses we received in our community survey in order that you might also hear the voices of Santa Ana community members, whose ideas have inspired the mural design: Do you live in Santa Ana? Yes. How often do you go to downtown? I walk through there Mon -Fri to go to Santa Ana College. What do you like about Santa Ana? Its a unique place. What do you dream about? Progress. What would you like to see in a mural? Landmarks and people from the community, for example, the ice cream man and students walking home. Do you live in Santa Ana? Yes. How often do you go to downtown? Often. What do you like about Santa Ana? My community, the people, the food. What do you dream about? For my country not to judge by first looks. What would you like to see in a mural? A community. Art. Do you live in Santa Ana? Yes. Do you visit downtown often? Yes. What do you love about Santa Ana? Clima, personas, diversidad de comidas y productos, diversidad de cul - turas. What do you dream of? Sueno en poder construir una vida tranquila y exitosa. Is there anything youd like to see in particular painted in the mural? Si, me gustaria ver pintado en este mural la fuerza laboral de este estado per con la realeza de personas trabajadoras, francas, y buenas. Do you live in Santa Ana? Yes. Do you visit downtown often? Sometimes. What do you love about Santa Ana? I like going shop- ping to many stores. What do you dream of? More parks for the community. Is there anything youd like to see in particular painted in the mural? A boy walking to school. Do you live in Santa Ana? Yes. Do you visit downtown often? Sometimes. What do you love about Santa Ana? People and culture. What do you dream of? I dream of a clean city and free of drugs. Is there anything youd like to see in particular painted in the mural? Something cultural or something that teaches people to respect others.