CITY COUNCIL: Resolution to Lend 30 Edward Weston Photographs to Monterey Museum of Art for Exhibition 'Edward Weston, American Photographer: Landscapes, Portraits, Still Lifes, Nudes'

City Council
Agenda Item Summary

Name: Consideration of a Resolution to lend 30 Edward Weston photographs to
the Monterey Museum of Art from May 9 through October 14, 2011, for an
exhibition titled “Edward Weston, American Photographer: Landscapes,
Portraits, Still Lifes, Nudes”

Description: The Monterey Museum of Art has requested permission to borrow 30 Edward Weston photographs, stored in the Harrison Memorial Library Local History Department vault, for an exhibition that will run from June 18-October 2, 2011. The Museum has asked to borrow the photographs from May 9 through October 14, 2011, to allow time for assembly, disassembly, and transportation both ways.

Overall Cost:
City Funds: N/A
Grant Funds: N/A

Staff Recommendation: Adopt the Resolution

Important Considerations: The photographs will be fully insured by the Museum for the entire loan period and will be handled and transported by trained, experienced staff. They will be hung, using archival/museum standards, in a climate-controlled, secure facility. The Harrison Memorial Library Board of Trustees approved the loan of the photographs at its March 23, 2011 regular meeting. All photographs displayed in the exhibit will be credited to “City of Carmel-by-the-Sea, Harrison Memorial Library”.

Decision Record: In 2010, the City loaned two Mary DeNeale Morgan paintings to the Hearst Art Gallery at St. Mary’s College of California. In 2000, a painting by Charles Rollo Peters was loaned to the Monterey Museum of Art for its “Paintings of Monterey Adobes: A Walking Tour” exhibit.

Reviewed by:

______________________________ _________________
Heidi Burch, Asst. City Administrator Date

CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
STAFF REPORT
TO: MAYOR McCLOUD AND COUNCIL MEMBERS
THROUGH: CITY ADMINISTRATOR
FROM: JANET BOMBARD, LIBRARY DIRECTOR
DATE: MARCH 24, 2011
SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION TO LEND 30 EDWARD WESTON PHOTOGRAPHS TO THE MONTEREY MUSEUM OF ART FROM MAY 9 THROUGH OCTOBER 14, 2011, FOR AN EXHIBITION TITLED “EDWARD WESTON, AMERICAN PHOTOGRAPHER: LANDSCAPES, PORTRAITS, STILL LIFES, NUDES”

RECOMMENDED MOTION
Adopt a Resolution to lend 30 Edward Weston photographs to the Monterey Museum of
Art from May 9 through October 14, 2011.
BACKGROUND
The Monterey Peninsula Museum of Art has submitted a formal request to borrow 30
Edward Weston photographs, currently stored in the vault of the Harrison Memorial
Library Local History Department, for an exhibition at the Monterey Museum of Art – La
Mirada, titled “Edward Weston, American Photographer: Landscapes, Portraits, Still
Lifes, Nudes”.
The exhibit will run from June 18 through October 2, 2011. The Museum has asked to
borrow the photographs from May 9 through October 14, 2011. This time frame includes
40 days prior to the exhibition for transportation and framing of the photographs, and 12
days after the exhibit’s conclusion for disassembly and transportation back to the Library.
Important points with regard to consideration of the request:
• Environmental conditions will be maintained according to archival standards.
• The photographs will be mounted, framed, and hung following National Museum
Standards. The mounting and display process will not affect the condition of the
photographs.
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• In addition to security personnel during hours of operation, the gallery space is
equipped with closed circuit TV cameras, magnetic contacts, passive infrared motion
detectors and an alarm system.
• The photographs will be fully insured, from the moment they leave Harrison
Memorial Library until the time they return to the vault, under the policies carried by
the Monterey Museum of Art.
• Transportation of the requested items will be done by Monterey Museum of Art staff
with experience in handling and moving artwork, under the supervision of E. Michael
Whittington, Executive Director of the Monterey Museum of Art.
• All photographs on display in this exhibit will be credited to “City of Carmel-by-the-
Sea, Harrison Memorial Library.”
The Harrison Memorial Library Board of Trustees approved the request at its March 23,
2011 meeting with the following stipulation: that the Museum provides proof of coverage
against mysterious disappearance, and coverage against employee dishonesty. Attached
is an email from E. Michael Whittington which satisfies those terms.
FISCAL IMPACT
None. The Monterey Museum of Art will be responsible for all costs, including
transportation and insurance.
SUMMARY
The loan from the City will comprise approximately one-fifth of the photographs that will
be displayed in the exhibit. It will be an opportunity to highlight a portion of the City’s
exceptional collection of Edward Weston photographs and advantageously publicize the
City of Carmel-by-the-Sea, the Harrison Memorial Library, and the Henry Meade
Williams Local History Department.
In the past, the City has loaned selected pieces for art exhibitions. Last year, the City lent
two Mary DeNeale Morgan paintings to the Hearst Art Gallery at St. Mary’s College of
California. In 2000, a painting by Charles Rollo Peters was loaned to the Monterey
Museum of Art for its “Paintings of Monterey Adobes: A Walking Tour” exhibit.
180
CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
CITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTION 2011-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA TO LEND 30 EDWARD WESTON PHOTOGRAPHS
TO THE MONTEREY MUSEUM OF ART FROM MAY 9 - OCTOBER 14, 2011,
FOR AN EXHIBITION TITLED “EDWARD WESTON,
AMERICAN PHOTOGRAPHER: LANDSCAPES, PORTRAITS,
STILL LIFES, NUDES”
WHEREAS, the Monterey Museum of Art has requested the temporary loan of 30
Edward Weston photographs owned by the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea to be included in the
exhibition “Edward Weston, American Photographer: Landscapes, Portraits, Still Lifes, Nudes”,
and;
WHEREAS, the Monterey Museum of Art has agreed to house and hang the paintings in
accordance with accepted archival and museum standards and environmental conditions, and
WHEREAS, the Museum’s gallery space is fully secure and the paintings will be fully
insured for the full loan period under policies carried by the Museum.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA DOES:
1. Agree to lend 30 of the City’s Edward Weston photographs to the Monterey Museum
of Art for the period of May 9-October 14, 2011.
2. Authorize E. Michael Whittington, Executive Director of the Monterey Museum of
Art, and trained museum staff to pack and transport the 30 photographs to the
Monterey Museum of Art on May 9, 2011.
3. Require that the 30 photographs be packed and transported by Mr. Whittington and
trained museum staff and returned by October 14, 2011, to the Harrison Memorial
Library Local History Department in the same condition as they were loaned.
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PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARMELBY-
THE-SEA this 5th day of April 2011, by the following roll call vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS
SIGNED:

_______________________
SUE McCLOUD, MAYOR

ATTEST:

______________________
Heidi Burch,City Clerk

From: Mike Whittington [mwhittington@montereyart.
org]
Sent: Wednesday, March 23, 2011 11:26 AM
To: Janet Bombard
Subject: insurance questions
Dear Janet:
Regarding the two questions on insurance from our insurance rep:
Coverage against mysterious disappearance
This is not a specific exclusion on our policy so it is covered
Coverage against employee dishonesty
This is not covered in our fine arts policy, but is part of the comprehensive liability
Many thanks for your assistance and support.
With best wishes,
Mike
E MICHAEL WHITTINGTON
executive director
p 831.372.5477 x 111
c 831.402.1412
f 831.372.5680
559 pacific street, monterey ca 93940
www.montereyart.org