Webster Groves Arts Commission elects officers, advances sculpture garden planning and event logistics

Janice, an Arts Commission member, was elected chair of the Webster Groves Arts Commission in a voice vote at the meeting; Dottie was elected vice chair and Maude was elected secretary.

The vote was taken on a slate that nominated Janice for chair, Dottie for vice chair and Maude for secretary. The slate was approved by voice vote with no members recorded as opposed; the commission’s chair then took over the meeting.

The commission devoted most of its discussion to planning and logistics for the Jerry Welch Sculpture Garden. Commission member Rick reported that he, sculptor Andy Androsco and Jerry will meet at the sculpture garden; that meeting was rescheduled for Wednesday the 15th at 3 p.m. because of weather. Rick said the project has roughly $5,000 available from Scott; that estimate was described as inclusive of electrical work. Commissioners discussed involving Webster Arts in design of signage and in a community art project tied to the dedication.

A subcommittee to plan the dedication ceremony was formed. Members who volunteered for the subcommittee were Janice, Dottie, Trish, Rick and Taylor (last names not specified in the meeting). The subcommittee will work with Webster Arts and will coordinate timing with the sculptor and with Jerry; the commission discussed aiming for a spring dedication once signage is complete.

The commission also discussed replacing downtown banners and obtaining a higher-resolution file of the Arts Commission logo. Brett reported that a resident (Mike) previously committed up to $5,000 for banner replacement; commissioners said they would confirm the number of replacement banners and follow up with John Ahern (designer) for current files and design details. Taylor said she would email the higher-resolution logo to commissioners once available.

Planning for the Lifetime Achievement in the Arts award continued. Commissioners discussed two possible Council meeting dates — Feb. 4 and Feb. 18 — and agreed to check family availability before confirming. Commissioners said the city’s communications staff did not have a ready-made certificate to repurpose, so the commission will create a certificate (several members offered to design a certificate in Canva) and check whether the city can purchase a frame and handle reimbursements for event-related expenses. The commission noted that the city’s budget line for the commission had roughly under $4,000 remaining, but members said they would confirm that amount with accounting before making purchases.

In a city update, David (city staff) said members of the public could attend or stream that evening’s public hearing concerning a proposed KVC/BJC pediatric mental health facility near North Webster; he encouraged commissioners and residents to attend and share input. Chief Ellis (title: police chief) gave a brief operational update noting that public works, police and fire had been handling weather-related issues.

The commission set its next meeting for Feb. 4 at 8:30 a.m., agreed to consolidate and circulate proposed amendments to outstanding minutes (October, November and December), and adjourned by voice vote.

Notes on attribution: The article paraphrases discussions and procedural actions from the commission meeting. Direct quotations were limited in the transcript; procedural votes were recorded by voice, and no roll-call vote or individual tallies were recorded in the transcript.