Bill Summary for Bill Number Consideration of Portrait

Final
Consideration of Portrait

COMMITTEE ON CAPITOL BUILDING ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Votes:

Action Taken:

<none>

01:40 PM - Consideration of Presidential Portrait

Ms. Sill recounted the recent history of the presidential portrait. The committee had chosen earlier in the year to have Mr. Daniel Frazier to paint a portrait of President Bush for the Capitol. The committee had voted to choose a Colorado artist to do the work. Mr. Frazier wished to have a photograph of President Bush from which to work. He did not approve the photograph that the committee had obtained for him. The committee continued to have difficulties in its dealings with Mr. Frazier.

The second artist selected by the committee was Sarah Boardman. Ms Sill indicated that it would take Ms. Boardman approximately four months to complete a portrait. In the meantime, the artist who painted the other presidential portraits in the Capitol, Mr. Lawrence Williams, who is not a Colorado artist, was contacted. He has painted the other portraits in the Capitol. Mr. Williams has passed away, but a gallery is representing his work, which includes several portraits of President Bush. The committee has been given a donation of $5,000 for the portrait The Williams portrait would cost $1,000, and Ms. Boardman's work would cost $1,600.

01:44 PM

Mr. Tammeus unveiled the portrait done by Mr. Williams. The committee considered the portrait and discussed the decisions to be made. Ms. Contigugila reminded the committee that Mr. Williams had previously requested an amount higher than $1,000. Ms. Sill said that additions to the plaques would also need to considered.

01:48 PM

Mr. Tammeus reviewed the history of plaques in the gallery. He stated that it appeared that the committee had over $8,000 in its fund from which to pay for any new plaques.

Ms. Sill has contacted a photographer in Texas who has photographed the Bush family. She said that this photographer has many available photographs from an available library if the committee chose to commission Ms. Boardman as the artist. A letter from Ms. Board to Ms. Sill was distributed (Attachment A). Ms. Contiguglia said she was in favor of approving the Williams portrait. Ms. Sill said she wished to see the portrait in the gallery before making a decision.

01:56 PM

The committee recessed to view the portrait in the second floor gallery.

02:07 PM

The committee came back to order. Ms. Contiguglia moved (Second: Hite) that all previous motions dedicated to the commissioning of a portrait of President Bush be rescinded in order to consider new motions on the matter. The motion passed on a voice vote with no objection.

02:09 PM

Ms. Contiguglia moved (Second: Rep. Johnson) to accept the Lawrence Williams portrait. The motion passed on a voice vote with no objection.

02:10 PM

The committee discussed the signature on the portrait. Mr. Tammeus noted that the gallery was very open to requests the committee might have in regard to the portrait. Mr. Lee discussed the background color and the whiteness of Mr. Bush's shirt in the portrait. Mr. Hite and Ms. Johnson suggested only considering muting the hue of the signature.

02:14 PM

Ms. Sill moved (Second: Hite) that the signature on the portrait be glazed to mute the color. The motion passed on a voice vote with no objection. Mr. Tammeus said that he would be in touch with the gallery handling the portrait in regard to a recommendation.

02:15 PM

Mr. Tammeus said that he would contact the gallery handling the portrait about the committee's request to glaze the signature. Ms. Contiguglia said that the Western Center for the Conservation of Art might be available.

Ms. Sill asked if there should be any other costs taken into consideration in regard to the portrait. Mr. Tammeus responded to questions about the shipping and the agreement with the gallery.

02:18 PM

Ms. Sill moved (Second Hite) that the difference in the original contribution and the cost of the Williams portrait be returned to the donor, taking into account any additional money required for insurance or handling of the portrait. The motion passed on a voice vote with no objection.

Ms. Sill requested that the information for artist Sarah Boardman, who had been considered by the committee, be entered into the record for consideration as a candidate for future projects: Sarah A. Boardman Portraits, P.O. Box 26017, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80936-6017, (719) 573-4603, ArtbySarah@AOL.com, www.ArtistsRegister.com.

The committee considered the plaques to be updated and added to the gallery. A document was provided for the committee's consideration (Attachment B). Ms. Johnson discussed the plaques to be considered. There was discussion of whether to hang the new plaques under the portraits or together in a central location in the gallery. Mr. Tammeus mentioned that there may be a dedication ceremony for the Bush portrait. Mr. Hite suggested planning a dedication ceremony for a date near in the future and advocated making a decision about the plaques at the present meeting.

02:25 PM

Ms. Contiguglia moved (Second: Hite) to approve the plaques as presented in the staff document. The motion passed with no objection.

02:28 PM

Ms. Johnson asked that Senator Johnson be consulted about planning a dedication ceremony in January.