April 24, 2003
Boonslick Outdoor Arts Meeting Report
Friends of Historic Boonville Board Meeting Room

NEXT MEETING: 7 p.m. May 27, 2003, Friends of Historic Boonville, 614 East Morgan, Boonville, MO  65233

ATTENDANCE: Bob Dyer, Ted Bleil, Maryellen McVicker, Gary Nauman, Carolyn Cole Eichelberger, Margie Brimer, Robert Bohenstiehl, and Art Schneider.

Mailings Update: University Extension staff has sent 235 Boonville retail businesses solicitation letters to contribute to the Hannah Cole statue fund. More than 200 letters also have been sent to the descendants of Hannah Cole.

Funds Raised: As of April 24, the Friends of Historic Boonville have received $550-- $150 from Williams, Reesman and Tate, and $100 each from George Chamberlain Auto Repair, Mo-River.Net and Cooper County University Extension.

Proposed Bust of Walter Williams--Art Schneider reported the Arts Selection Committee has recommended acceptance of the proposed bust of Boonville Advertiser editor Walter Williams, founder of the School of Journalism and a president of the University pf Missouri. The heroic bust is being funded by the granddaughter of Welter Williams at a cost of $7475. This includes the bronze bust, pedestal, plaques and installation.

Members agreed to accept the committee recommendations and forward them to the Boonville Parks and Recreation Department for approval and then to the Boonville City Council for final action.

Gary Bauman, parks director, reported tat the park at Morgan Street and Main Street was unstable and might affect plans for permanent installation of the Walter Williams bust. The park has underground areas holding water; it is sinking in many places and a seepage barrier also may be needed between the park’s north end and the Palace Restaurant.  He is in the process of gathering additional information and will be speaking to the park board. 

There was concern that the donor had stipulated the bust was to be placed in the Morgan Street Park. It was preferred that this be done without having to move it.

Art Schneider was asked to send a letter to the park board soliciting its approval of the bust and pedestal and final placement in the street at Morgan ad Main streets. This is to be brought to the Parks Board at its May meeting.

Updated Site Plan-Art Schneider reported he had talked with Jeff Oberhaus of Vintage Hills and that Jeff agreed to work with the Boonville Parks Department to propose a design for the sculptures and plantings.  Jeff reported that he would be extremely busy through May, but that he would work on this starting in June. Members expressed appreciation and excitement that a person of his caliber being willing to do this.

Hannah Cole Statue-Art Schneider reported he had contacted all artists referred by committee members and also sculptors who have attended the meeting, including Jamie Anderson who presented at the first town meeting. He also reported notifying Wayne Lamer, whose son is a sculptor living in Chicago. Also, John Loesing, formerly of this area and now living in Kansas City, was sent a proposal to submit.

Bob Dyer said he had personally spoken with several sculptors and that Harry Weber, sculptor for the firemen bronze at the Boone County fire Protection District in Columbia, the sports figures at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, and of Don Faurot at the University of Missouri, was very interested in the sculpting project.  Mr. Weber also agreed to provide a maquette without charge. Bob went to the firemen’s sculpture and took photos, which he distributed.

Models for Hannah Cole-Art Schneider reported three photos have been received of women in there 40s who are direct descendants of Hannah Cole. Citizens could vote on which feature would be depicted.

Wood Sculpture-- Robert Bohenstiehl, wood carver, has been delayed in securing the wood for his carving. The woodcarving would be to raise funds for the Hannah Cole bronze.

This would not be a model of the bronze selected, but a different rendering, that will be named “Adversity.”  This depiction of Hannah Cole would be raffled off with the drawing the evening of June 29th just prior to the fireworks display for Heritage Days.  Carolyn Cole Eichelberger will work at securing a Cole descendant child to pick the winner of the woodcarving.

Tickets will be sold for $2 apiece or six for $9.

Raffle Effort--Margie Brimer agreed to give leadership to the raffle effort. Earlier she arranged to have the woodcarving displayed at Peacock Manor. Members discussed having ticket sale points at the manor, Wal-Mart, the banks, the Heritage Days beer garden and wine garden. Also discussion about a booth at Heritage Days.  It was noted Chestnut Street has much more traffic during Heritage Days.

Friends of Historic Boonville executive director Maryellen McVicker agreed to handle the printing of raffle tickets.

Next Meeting-Members agreed to hold the meeting after the deadline date for sculpture submissions to allow the arts committee to make a selection recommendation to the full committee. Once approved, it would be forwarded to the city park board and city council.

Meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m. 

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