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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes2010-055 Sponsored by: CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA RESOLUTION 2010 -055 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA, SUPPORTING THE SEWARD MURAL SOCIETY `S PROPOSAL TO OVERSEE JAPANESE ARTISTS PAINT AN INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIP MURAL IN OBIHIRO JAPAN IN 2012 AND INVITING ARTISTS TO PAINT A SIMILAR MURAL IN SEWARD IN 2013 AS CITY BIRTHDAY GIFTS IN HONOR OF THE WITHSTANDING SISTER CITY RELATIONSHIP WHEREAS, Seward has been named the "Mural capital of Alaska" by the Governor; and WHEREAS, the mural society in Seward has proposed a unique exchange opportunity as gifts in honor of upcoming incorporation dates and our withstanding sister city relationship; and WHEREAS, every ten years Seward and Obihiro try to commemorate their anniversaries in some way and agree this would be a great commemorative gift exchange for both cities for 2012 and 2013; and WHEREAS, the Seward Mural Society has a proposal and timeline to have a small group of Seward artists travel to Obihiro Japan in 2012 to assist Japanese volunteer artists in painting an international friendship mural designed by a designated master artist; and WHEREAS, the city of Seward would entertain a similar artist invite so Japanese artists could come and assist the Seward Mural Society with a mural to erect in Seward in 2013. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA that: Section 1. The City of Seward wishes to adopt this project as the project to commemorate our city's birthdays for 2012 and 2013. Section 2. The Seward City Council supports and approves the Seward Mural Society proposed international mural exchange project, and invites artists from Obihiro to participate in a mutual exchange. Section 3. The city of Seward allows the coordination of the project between the Seward Mural Society and the International and Domestic Relations Department in Obihiro Japan. Section 4. This resolution shall take affect immediately upon its adoption. PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the city of Seward, Alaska, this 14 day of June, 2010 CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA RESOLUTION 2010 -055 THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA can Bardarson, Vice -Mayor AYES: Valdatta, Keil, Amberg, Smith, Shafer, Bardarson NOES: None ABSENT: Dunham ABSTAIN: None ATTEST: Jean Lewis` City Clerk (City Seal) 4 1; OF Se • d .S d R a • • #### 7 rq�i s��.. .#*. OF A16.$0% y % Ne■. iIS Council Agenda Statement Meeting Date: June 14, 2010 P O F SF To: Mayor Dunham, City Council Members � � , From: Jean Lewis, City C1e , q P Agenda Item: Approval of Mural Society Project for Sister City birthdays BACKGROUND & JUSTIFICATION: As you know, Seward has a very active arts community with over 14 major murals, and has been named by the Governor, "Mural Capital of Alaska." On November 24, 2008, the Seward Mural Society sent a proposal letter to the City proposing to paint and exchange an "international friendship mural" with our sister -city Obihiro, Japan as a gesture of friendship and a gift from and to each other for our city's birthdays. On January 2009, an email was sent to Obihiro's International Relations Department discussing this proposal, along with a signed letter later from Mayor Dunham, on whether Obihiro would share in the vision of this unique opportunity. We have been awaiting word from Japan. On June 7, 2010, the newly elected Mayor of Obihiro, Norihisa Yonezawa, has responded (attached) and is very much in favor of moving forward with this project. Although there is no cost estimate to the city with this proposal submitted, it is my understanding the travel costs by a few artists will be handled personally by those individuals. Supply costs would be borne by the Mural Society, which would be funding this project with donations and grants. Here is a Preliminary time line for the Obihiro Mural Project as submitted by the Seward Mural Society: May - June 2010: We need to know officially if Obihiro is interested in a mural for summer of 2012. July - August 2010: Obihiro to choose a location - the side of a building in Obihiro OR a free- standing mural in a park. We would need photographs of the location, the dimensions of the side of a building OR the dimensions of a free - standing mural in a park. (This will enable us to find a designer to work within the limits of the projected mural size.) October 2010: The Seward Mural Society will invite local artists to submit designs for a specific location in Obihiro. March 2011: Deadline for artist designs. An artist will be chosen from ideas submitted. August 2011: Artist finished rendering in color and photographed October 2011: Begin Fund - raising through private donations and grants using the finished painting in the fund - raising applications. May 2012: Seward to submit materials list to Obihiro. (Cost of supplies will be reimbursed by the Seward Mural Society at the conclusion of the project) June 2012: Obihiro will research suppliers in the area and place orders for materials. Obihiro will find a warehouse, school, studio, or other large indoor area with a public restroom where painting can take place. Obihiro will identify and commit 20 local artists to the project. Obihiro will plan welcome and housing for visiting Seward artists. Summer 2012: (Exact Dates to be determined) Materials will be delivered to the painting area, tables set up, visquine on floors, all the details of the actual painting taken care of 1 day Obihiro artists and Seward artists will gather to prepare the panels (sanding, washing, priming) 3 days Obihiro artists and Seward artists will begin painting 3 -5 days Obihiro artists and Seward artists will apply protective coating 1 day Summer 2013: Obihiro would be invited to do the same. INTENT: To further the relationship ties between Seward, Alaska and Obihiro, Japan and provide a lasting gift to each of the city's in honor of our incorporations as a city. CONSISTENCY CHECKLIST: Where applicable, this resolution is consistent with the Seward City Code, Charter, Comprehensive Plans, Land Use Plans, Strategic Plan and City Council Rules of Procedures. Other: n/a ATTORNEY REVIEW: No FISCAL NOTE: Costs are uncertain at this time. Costs associated with the painting of these murals would be borne by the Mural Society by applying for grants, through private donations and fundraising. Artists would pay their own airfare and Seward would provide homestays or hotels for any visiting Japanese artists. Approved by Finance Department: v RECOMMENDATION: Support and approve the proposal and idea from the Seward Mural Society which would allow an exchange of murals between the two city's for the year's 2012 and 2013.