Cultural and Heritage 2017/02/16MINUTES
CULTURAL AND HERITAGE COMMISSION
MEETING LOCATION
Downtown Anaheim Community Center
250 Center St., Anaheim CA 92805
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Bradley Pettigrew, Chair
Rida Hamida, Vice Chair
Patricia Adelekan
Raymond Asad
Alfonso Rodriguez
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Konstantinos Roditis
TIME
February 16, 2017
6:30 p. m.
STAFF PRESENT
Brent Dennis, Director
Janis Heckel, Comm. Services Superintendent
Jane Newell, Heritage Services Manager
Eleanor Granflor, Senior Secretary
AGENDA ACTION TAKEN
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Pettigrew called the meeting of the Cultural and Heritage Commission to order at
6:30 p.m.
2. SCHEDULED COMMUNICATION: None.
3. UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: David Reyes, a resident of Anaheim, shared information
about Eliza "Liz" Cason, a community volunteer who is remembered for her volunteer work in Anaheim.
David Reyes stated that Liz Cason was a surrogate grandparent to his daughter and he has some of Liz
Cason's belongings that were given to him by Ms. Cason's daughter. Jane Newell stated that the City can
store the items in the archive collection if Mr. Reyes would like to provide them to the City.
4. CORRESPONDENCE: Chair Pettigrew shared the Anaheim Art Association Newsletter with the Commission.
5. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: Commissioner Asad made a motion to approve the January 19, 2017
meeting minutes; Vice Chair Hamida seconded the motion. Motion passed.
6. OLD BUSINESS:
A. Arts Council Meetings: None.
B. Public Art Projects: Janis Heckel reported that the ARTIC Grand Staircase art has been completed. Also,
the new MUZEO sign has been installed at the corner of Broadway and Anaheim Boulevard.
C. Poet Laureate: Brent Dennis stated the recommendation may go to City Council for approval in March.
7. GALLERIES SUB -COMMITTEE: Janis Heckel shared the invitation for the Center Gallery opening for the
"Transforming Elements" art glass exhibit being held on March 2nd. Flyers for the event have been dropped
off at local museums and art galleries, emailed, and mailed. Chair Pettigrew recommended sending
invitations to the local art schools.
8. MURALS SUB -COMMITTEE: Vice Chair Hamida stated she met with an artist who worked with the City of
Santa Ana on murals, who shared that independent sponsors donate the paints and the City determines
public wall space for murals. Vice Chair Hamida will request further information from City of Santa Ana on
how they accomplished these projects.
9. ART IN PUBLIC PLACES SUB -COMMITTEE: Chair Pettigrew shared art in public places information from
three other cities. Janis Heckel stated the sub -committee can share the information as supporting materials
when making a recommendation to the City Council for an art in public places program. The information will
first be provided to the Commission for review before a recommendation is made to the City Council.
10. INFORMATION ITEMS:
A. Commissioner Adelekan: Commissioner Adelekan shared a list of the different cultural groups in
Anaheim and information on the origins of Black History Month. Commissioner Adelekan stated there are
various events that will be held at different cities and schools for African American History month.
Cultural and Heritage Commission — amended March 16, 2017
02/16/2017
Page 2
AGENDA ACTION TAKEN
Commissioner Adelekan attended a cultural event, "#IStandWithHijabis" celebrating World Hijab Day, at
the Islamic Society of Orange County with Vice Chair Hamida.
Commissioner Adelekan would like to see more cultural groups presented and maybe perform in a
fashion show to different groups that include the Seniors of Anaheim or attendees at Center Gallery
Openings. Commissioner Adelekan shared the thought of a recommendation for a cultural event that
represents various cultures. Janis Heckel stated this item can be placed on a future agenda and the
Commission can discuss further.
A. Commissioner Asad: None.
B. Vice Chair Hamida: Vice Chair Hamida reported that she led the "#IStandWithHijabis" event that
Commissioner Adelekan attended. The event brought people together to show solidarity and taught
attendees religious freedom. Vice Chair Hamida stated she asked various women (teachers, political
leaders, and students) to wear the hijab to show support and defend religious freedom. This was a part
of the Latino Muslim Community effort to share history and culture.
C. Chair Pettigrew: Chair Pettigrew shared information on art classes offered by the Muckenthaler Museum
at the MUZEO, and the BIG READ opening for Fahrenheit 451 at Central Library.
D. Commissioner Roditis: Absent.
E. Commissioner Rodriquez: None.
F. STAFF:
Brent Dennis: Brent Dennis provided an update on the City's Boards and Commissions. The Boards and
Commissions will be realigned by the City Council to represent each district. Commissioners will be
contacted by the City Clerk with updated information. New Commissioners will be appointed as early as
April.
Janis Heckel: Janis Heckel shared the invitation for the annual Volunteer Recognition Luncheon. It will
be held on March 15th at the City National Grove. Janis Heckel reported information to answer
Commissioner Adelekan's questions from the last Commission meeting. Janis Heckel contacted the City
Clerk regarding how many different cultures have historically been represented through the Cultural and
Heritage Commission and was told that the City selects and appoints Commissioners based on
qualifications and not on ethnicity, therefore records are not kept. For the diversity of the artists chosen
by the Galleries Sub -Committee, Janis Heckel stated that the artist application also does not include
information on ethnicity. Lastly, the Cultural and Heritage Commission policy is currently under review by
the City Council. Commissioner Adelekan questioned if the public is able to provide input in updating the
Commission policy. Janis Heckel stated the policy will be presented at the next two City Council meeting
where public comments can be made.
Jane Newell: Jane Newell shared information on the Japanese American Heritage Project. Michael
Matsuda from the Anaheim High School District will help staff find individuals to interview. Jane Newell
also shared information about the opera "The Perfect American" that will be held at the Long Beach
Theater, and the Afternoon Tea at the MUZEO on February 28tH
10. ADJOURNMENT: Chair Pettigrew adjourned the meeting at 7:48 p.m.
NEXT MEETING: The next meeting will be held on Thursday, March 16, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. at the Downtown
Anaheim Community Center, 250 Center St., Anaheim CA 92805.