HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes.WHLR.20240508.Regular
Wheeler Advisory Board Minutes
May 8th, 2024 | 3:00 p.m.
In Attendance:
Wheeler Opera House Advisory Board Members: Chip Fuller, Chair; Amy Mountjoy* Vice-Chair;
Dr. Tom Kurt; Ziska Childs; Nina Gabianelli; Richard Stettner* and Kate Northfield Lanich*
Wheeler Opera House Staff: Lisa Rigsby Peterson, Executive Director; Maddy Overton*,
Rentals Coordinator; and Karen McConnell, Administrative & Artistic Specialist.
Absent: Daniel Benavent
*Attended via Zoom
Recorder: Karen McConnell
Chair Chip Fuller called the meeting to order at 3:05 pm
Chair Fuller asked for a motion to approve the March minutes. Nina Gabianelli moved, Dr. Tom
Kurt seconded, approving the April 10th, 2024, meeting minutes. Motion passed unanimously.
Chair Fuller asked for public comment. No members of the public were present.
Executive Director Lisa Rigsby Peterson provided the following Wheeler updates on activity
around the Wheeler building, past present and future. We just concluded our school play
season here at the Wheeler. Kudos to the production team who worked alongside the students
and provided a learning experience. Upcoming events were chronicled by Ms. Rigsby Peterson.
Monday May 20th is the Colorado Preservation Team Awards ceremony for the Alpine Bank
masonry award project. Representatives of the architectural firm, City Manager Sara Ott and
Ms. Rigsby Peterson will attend and sit at Ann Mullins table to celebrate that milestone for the
Wheeler.
Next Thursday, May 16th 5:30 – 7:30 pm here in the vault bar lobby we’ll host the final
convening of the Cultural Vibrancy Arts Fellowship honoring youth and adult grant recipients
and allow them opportunity to speak about the impact of the grant awards to their work and the
community. It’s the City of Aspen’s first direct artist grant program.
The 40th anniversary of the re-opening of the Wheeler Opera House will begin with Peach Tree
Revival Friday night. The ticket price includes a free drink or soda that evening. Judy Collins
concert is predicted close to being sold out on Saturday evening, and will include a
complimentary champagne or sparkling water toast. The mayor will make remarks at the
beginning to mark this warm celebration. Noon to 4 pm parcel activities will include face
painters, balloon makers, a bubble fairy and specially commissioned merchandise. Also
representatives from Aspen Historical Society will be present engaging people and telling
stories. We’ll have free “chippers” from Paradise Bakery. Alex Glen and Risa Rushmore, Front
of House managers, have been conducting interviews with King Woodward, Jon Busch, Bev
Campbell and Bob Albright to capture videos and recollections of people who have long been
associated with the Wheeler. There will be opportunity for attendees to share memories on an
iPad during the parcel activation. Nicole Levesque, Marketing Manager, has been working with
a local artist to create special limited addition t-shirts and prints available for sale to celebrate
the 40th anniversary. The black and white photos currently in the bar lobby will be replaced with
more recent vibrant photos. Ms. Rigsby Peterson asked for any available board members to
volunteer for the event 12-4 and Ms. Gabianelli plans to attend.
Ms. Rigsby Peterson provided more information regarding upcoming events through May and
June. Aspen Music Festival and School friends will then take up their summer residency. Ms.
Northfield Lanich shared that the first Saturday of AMFS in house, June 29th, will mark the first
Opera Encounters. Monday July 1st they’ll have a concert version of an opera premiere. Then
every Saturday they’ll have their classes and three opera performances of The Marriage of
Figaro August 12th, 15th and 17th.
Ms. Rigsby Peterson shared that we’re replacing the orchestra pit railing. A v endor has been
selected and work will take place by the end of July in time for the load-in of the AMFS
orchestra. There will be Wheeler Vault Bar lobby performances in October, November and
December
Moving on to capital projects and the rigging project, Aspen Constructors, Barbizon Lighting and
the city asset team and Wheeler team will work on this project. Barbizon has partnered with a
climate-controlled warehouse in Denver to store shipped components until needed. December
21st is the projected finish date, and after clean up, restoration, and training, the Wheeler is set
to reopen the week of January 13th.. If we can see that the project will complete sooner, we’ll
have ample time to schedule additional event(s). Ms. Childs asked whether it would be possible
for the Aspen Science Club to observe some of the rigging process, and Ms. Rigsby Peterson
said she would discuss it with the production and construction team. Ms. Childs also asked if the
replacement could be filmed.
Ms. Rigsby Peterson gave an update on capital projects for 2025. There is a placeholder for
exterior lighting in the event that the new City code will allow it. Other projects include
modernizing sound equipment for wired/unwired microphones and a new monitor system, as
well as refinishing the stage floor. The refinishing project may happen in May 2025 after the
season ends. There is also a placeholder for some remodeling of offices in the basement: as we
transition the marketing of the Wheeler to full-time staff, we will need to add at least one work
station. Already, we have 2 and 3 people sharing small offices, so we need to explore what can
be done in the limited space we have.
Ms. Childs inquired whether the stage load report had been completed, and Ms. Rigsby
Peterson confirmed that it had. Ms. Childs asked to see the report, and Ms. Rigsby Peterson
said she would send it to her.
The change of tenancy of the gallery space has taken place. We’ve been so thankful for Mia
Valley as a tenant. Flowers and a card were sent to her from staff. Chair Chip messaged her
from the board. Next Saturday, May 18th will be the first show of the new gallery (The Aspen
Collective), and will feature the work of Chris Erickson, who painted the street mural in front of
the Wheeler last fall.
Ms. Rigsby Peterson shared that Maria Machuca Marquez, the Wheeler’s custodian, will
celebrate her 20th anniversary here at the Wheeler this summer. Before the party she’ll travel to
Cambridge, MA to celebrate her son’s graduation from Harvard. We’re so fortunate to have her,
as she takes care of the building like it’s her second home.
Chair Fuller reminded the board that the staff appreciation lunch is still on for Tuesday, June 4th
as planned by board member Daniel Benavent.
Finally, Ms. Rigsby Peterson shared next steps in the search for a new Wheeler Executive
Director beginning in August. There is currently a job posting up on the website. The city will
examine applications to determine if there’s a suitable pool of candidates for Executive Director.
After the first round of interviews, if an ideal candidate has not been identified, the city will
consider engaging a recruiting firm. Before she leaves the Wheeler, Ms. Rigsby Peterson will
complete most of the program planning through spring 2025. Chair Fuller stated that he has
spoken with Diane Foster, Assistant City Manager, and advised that the Board would like to be
part of the process.
Chair Fuller asked if the board had any additional items for discussion.
Vice-Chair Amy Mountjoy inquired whether there is a budgeted amount for the new role of
Artistic Programmer. Ms. Rigsby Peterson replied that the budget has not yet been determined.
Secretary Tom Kurt suggested resodding and refreshing the parcel after a long winter. Ms.
Rigsby Peterson clarified for the board that the irrigation controls in the middle of the parcel
control the entire Wheeler block and would be very difficult to relocate. The board asked Ms.
Rigsby Peterson to provide an estimate of costs for the relocation at the next board meeting.
Ms.Gabianelli mentioned that it might be possible to create a cover for the controls to make a
game board, and that there is current enthusiasm for board games in the community.
Chair Chip shared that he had written to City Council to let them know of the Board’s position
regarding “Wheeler First” when it comes to allocation of RETT funds. He has not received a
response and will let the board know when he does.
The importance of capturing institutional knowledge was noted by several board members. Ms.
Rigsby Peterson let the board know that in her office are board minutes from 1983 until the
beginning of digital copies. Ms. Gabianelli mentioned that a great historic resource for
newspaper articles in the State of Colorado can be found at ColoradoHistoricNewspapers.org,
and the site is searchable with key words. She did add the disclaimer that just because there is
an article about something in a newspaper, it doesn’t necessarily tell the entire story.
The board briefly discussed the upcoming summer meeting schedule, and agreed to discuss at
the June meeting whether to skip the July or August scheduled meeting.
There being no further items, Dr. Kurt moved and Nina Gabianelli seconded the motion to
adjourn. The motion passed and the meeting concluded at 3:57 pm.
Future Meetings Schedule
June 12, 2024 3:00 p.m.
July 10, 2024 tbd
August 14, 2024 tbd