Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout02.14.2024 MINUTES Museum Arts & Culture BoardMinutes of the February 14, 2024 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum ■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard ■ Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 1 of 3 Minutes of the February 14, 2024 Board Meeting (Approved at the March 13, 2024 Board Meeting.) The February 2024 meeting of the Oshkosh Public Museum (OPM) Museum Arts and Culture (MAC) Board was held Wednesday, February 14, 2024, in the Galena Room of the Museum. Vice- Chair Rebecca Doe Brown called the meeting to order at 4:28 p.m. The roll was taken by Administrative Assistant Theresa Books. Present at Roll: Board Vice-Chair Rebecca Doe Brown, Board Member Becky Matzke, Alternates Erron Hundt, Carrie Olson. Excused: Chair Vicky Redlin, Board Member Drew Mueske, Board Member/Council Member Joseph Stephenson Also Present: Director Sarah Phillips, Assistant Director/Chief Curator Anna Cannizzo, Curator of Education Neal Matherne, and Administrative Assistant Theresa Books recording the Minutes With Board Member Mueske excused Vice-Chair Brown appointed Ms. Hundt. With Chair Redlin excused Vice-Chair Brown appointed Ms. Olson. There were no citizen statements to the Board. Consent Agenda items included: A. Minutes of the January 10, 2024, Board Meeting B. Minutes of the January 23, 2024, Board Workshop C. Receipt and Filing Quarter 4 Reports for Museum Funds held at the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation MOTION: Approve Consent Agenda (Olson; second Hundt) CARRIED: Yes (4) Brown, Hundt, Matzke, Olson Discussion and vote on the commission of a Dutchman-style wearing blanket was next on the agenda. Assistant Director Cannizzo began with some background. In 2021 OPM curators noticed the historic blanket in the exhibit People of the Waters, was beginning to fade. It was designed and hand-sewn by prominent Menominee Medicine Woman Louise Dutchman (1854-1941). OPM has a photo of Louise Dutchman wearing the blanket. OPM staff reached out to Menominee textile artist Dawn Wilber to look at the blanket and advise them. They recorded interviews with her regarding the crafting of the ribbon and applique style of quilting. The OPM blanket is the oldest Menominee example she has seen in person. Ms. Wilber also noted that the silk of the fabric is mostly in good condition. Ms. Cannizzo further reported that Ms. Wilber is the niece of James Frechette, Jr., the crafter of the figures in the Menominee Clans Story exhibition. She was also the lead dancer in the Pow-Wow at the Museum in spring of 2021. Minutes of the February 14, 2024 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum ■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard ■ Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 2 of 3 Ms. Cannizzo reported that as a Menominee textile artist, Ms. Wilber could sew a ribbon and applique wearing blanket in the style of Louise Dutchman. The OPM Collections Review Committee voted yes to commission a Dutchman-style wearing blanket from Ms. Wilber. The Collection Fund that the MAC Board approved in October 2023 has funds in it to make a purchase like this, so no additional funds are being requested. Having a blanket sewn by Ms. Wilber would provide current contemporary Native American ribbon work for the Collection. Ms. Cannizzo noted it would fill gaps in the Collection. It would help allow the Louise Dutchman piece to rest longer between being on display. In addition, staff plan to collect various types of documentation of Dawn telling stories of the Menominee craft of ribbon work. When discussion was complete, Vice-Chair Brown asked for a motion. MOTION: The Board approve commission of the Dutchman-style wearing blanket to be sewn by Dawn Wilber for the OPM Collections, using the OPM Collections Fund, not to exceed $7,755. (Matzke; second Hundt) CARRIED: Yes (4) Brown, Hundt, Matzke, Olson Vice-Chair Brown then addressed the Board noting that both she and Chair Redlin are unable to attend the April 10 Board meeting. Therefore, they request the Board vote to change the date to April 3, 2024. Discussion indicated April 3 would work better for two other Board members. MOTION: The Board change the April Board meeting to April 3, rather than April 10. (Brown; second Matzke) CARRIED: Yes (4) Brown, Hundt, Matzke, Olson When the vote was complete, in relation to this agenda item, Director Phillips noted that the Museum closes at 4:30, the same time the Board meetings start. She asked the Board what timing they feel would be good for staff to wait for anyone coming late. The Board discussed it and the staff can leave by 4:40. If anyone will be later than that, they may send a text to Director Phillips or Ms. Brown. The Board was told that they are very welcome to come early for the meetings. Vice-Chair Brown then requested the Director’s Report. Director Phillips began with an update of the second-floor transformation. She was pleased to report that the loading doors are in and functioning. Painting the outside of the doors and installing weather stripping are all that is still needed for that project. For the Waldwic Gallery, a pre-bid meeting was held February 13th. Bid opening is set for February 29th. Facility Engineering, Inc. redrew the specs to include fire suppression, building the walls to form a hallway, relocating HVAC, lighting, and camera surveillance equipment. The visit of Lindsy Parrott from the Neustadt Collection of Tiffany Glass, Inc. went very well. Staff were able to meet with her at the Museum, showing her the Tiffany interiors of the Sawyer Home and gleaning information from her – all things Tiffany. Ms. Parrott gave a presentation to Wisteria Circle patrons at the Museum; speaking of Tiffany’s work as relates to the various windows, fixtures, and wall coverings of the Sawyer Home interior. She expressed that the interior of the home fills a gap in research regarding the work of Tiffany Interiors. She noted that the arched window was Minutes of the February 14, 2024 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum ■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard ■ Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 3 of 3 a unique and early example of the Wisteria motif. Ms. Parrott suggested hosting a symposium of Tiffany experts at OPM. She confirmed that the research OPM staff have done is accurate. Staff were also able to arrange for Ms. Parrott to view the large circular Tiffany window at the Trinity Episcopal Church during her visit to Oshkosh. She was very pleased to see that as well. Ms. Parrott also made suggestions for potential grant funding to support future preservation efforts. Education Assistant Kimberly Straus resigned in January. The position is posted and applications are being received. Regarding Strategic Planning, Director Phillips asked that Vice-Chair Brown report on the session she went to. Ms. Brown reported that about thirty people from the community were gathered. They went from table to table to meet with six department heads of the City. After the department heads left, community members spent several hours reviewing critical items for the City to consider. Many topics were talked about and they narrowed it down to six topics to focus on: transportation, public spaces, affordable housing, access to affordable childcare, economic development, and downtown redevelopment. Ms. Brown advocated for “Public Spaces” which OPM fits under. Director Phillips reported that OPM staff attended a Strategic Planning session the next day and talked through many things with City staff. OPM staff are working on Core Values for the Museum and she will share those when they are determined. Department Heads meet with Council in March, so once there is specific direction from the City, Director Phillips will meet with the Board to plan actionable things to carry out the Strategic Plan. She anticipates workshops with the Board will start at the April Board meeting. In closing, regarding the property across the street, City Manager Rohloff gave Director Phillips direction to pull together a report to show how that property would take care of needs that have been in the Museum’s CIP requests through the years. Community Development looked at the property and valued it. That concluded the Director’s Report. The Board then went on a tour of the Museum’s Collections areas in the Carriage House. With no other agenda items, Vice-Chair Brown asked for a motion to adjourn. MOTION: Adjourn (Matzke; second Brown) CARRIED: Voice Vote The meeting adjourned at 5:50 p.m.