2024-07-01 Arts Commission MinutesAedmonds
ARTS COMMISSION
MINUTES 5:30 pm July 1, 2024
The Edmonds Arts Commission is dedicated to the arts as an integral part of community life.
City of Edmonds Community, Culture and Economic Development Department
PRESENT: Richard Chung, Ute Freund, Beth Henkes, Harry Kirchner, Katie Leute, Tanya Sharp
STAFF: Frances Chapin, Arts & Culture Manager; Laurie Rose, Arts Program Specialist
GUESTS: (none)
The meeting was called to order at 5:30pm by Sharp
Freund read the City Council land acknowledgement statement:
"We acknowledge the original inhabitants of this place, the Sdohobsh (Snohomish) people and their
successors the Tulalip Tribes, who since time immemorial have hunted, fished, gathered, and taken care
of these lands. We respect their sovereignty, their right to self-determination, and we honor their
sacred spiritual connection with the land and water."
MINUTES
Sharp asked for approval of the June minutes. Corrections were reviewed. Kirchner MOTIONED the June
minutes be approved with the corrections reviewed. Chung SECONDED. APPROVED.
INTRODUCTIONS / PUBLIC COMMENT: (none)
REPORTS
A. Creative Programs
1. Creative District (ECD) Gateway Project - Sharp reported she and Chapin attended the site
visit with Parks and Recreation staff and others from the ECD Advisory Committee to review
the potential scope of the project within Anway Park. Locations for the artwork and site
restrictions were discussed. Chapin reported the Request for Qualification (RFQ) Call to
Artists is posted and distributed. Deadline to apply is Aug. 19. Three artists will be selected
to develop a proposal for the project. Project must be installed no later than June of 2025
per terms of the ArtsWA grant.
2. Utility Box Wraps - Representatives from Art Walk Edmonds postponed their presentation of
the proposed artist created Utility Box Wrap to the EAC's August meeting. Chapin briefly
reviewed the proposed project, located near Swedish Hospital on Highway 99, and explained
the wrap policy difference between the City's signal boxes and the Snohomish County Public
Utility District Utility Boxes. The process established for this project will enable future
Signal/Utility Box project opportunities.
3. Highway 99 Banner Project Update - Chung reported that the review panel, which
included Council Members Jenna Nand and Susan Paine, community member Robert Ha,
and EAC members Chung and Leute, met with arts staff and consultant Clayton Moss to
review the 21 concepts submitted for the light pole permanent metal banners in
Edmonds International District. Eight concepts were selected by the panel. The EAC
reviewed the selected concepts. Chapin reviewed next steps regarding the refining of
the concepts required for fabrication, for which the artists will receive compensation.
Chung MOTIONED to approve the eight recommended concepts for further
development. Leute SECONDED. APPROVED.
4. Public Art Collection Report - Chapin reported that two pieces in the collection have
significant damage and need attention: The Frances Anderson Center (FAC) Gym Mural
and the Totem Pole at Edmonds Elementary School.
FAC Gym Mural: Staff reviewed the mural's background. Designed in 1980, painted on
board and mounted on the south wall above the gym floor, the mural has accumulative
damage that cannot be repaired. The Parks and Recreation Department asked for the
mural to be removed. Due to the site -specific design and the damage, Staff recommends
that a deaccession process be initiated. A search for the artist has been conducted,
which is an initial step in a deaccession process. Public Works has offered to store the
mural in sections. It might be possible to professionally photograph the sections and
then digitally lay them out for a framed image that could be displayed for historical
context.
The Totem Pole at Edmonds Elementary School was part of a community artist -in -
residence project in 1996 to highlight indigenous culture and create a permanent
artwork for the school. Nuu-chah-nulth carver George David was selected to create the
pole. Funding was provided by private sources and EAC Public Art funds, and an
interlocal agreement was entered into by the City and the School District to create,
install and manage the Totem Pole. The pole is the property of the school, but it is part
of the Edmonds Public Art Collection. Over the years the courtyard where the pole is
sited became overgrown, and the pole was damaged as a result. Additionally, when it
was installed, it was not set on a plinth, therefore the bottom rotted. In the past year, an
Edmonds Elementary teacher led an effort to clear the courtyard of overgrowth and
rehabilitate its grounds. The school now wishes to restore the pole. Staff recommended
the artist's family be contacted and be part of the restoration project (the artist is
deceased). Funds will need to be raised for the restoration.
5. Write on the Sound (WOTS) update — Kirchner reported the conference schedule is
finalized, and the website is updated. The postcard is mailed and the first of the social
media campaigns is in circulation. Registration opens July 22"d. New this year is a
relationship with Skagit River Valley Poetry Festival, held the same weekend as WOTS, to
cross promote both conferences. Additionally, a member of the Skagit festival's
committee is participating with the WOTS committee this year. Rose requested that she,
Kirchner and Henkes meet the end of July to discuss conference logistics.
6. Summer Concerts - Rose reviewed the Sunday concert duties and the Tuesday/Thursday
concert duties. A list of assigned Sunday concerts will be emailed. Commissioners are
encouraged to attend the Tuesday/Thursday concerts.
Visual arts: Leute reviewed the recent committee meeting. They reviewed the program's
background and discussed next steps. Their next meeting is the end of July. The
Edmonds Library has a new exhibit by Edmonds Artist Ed Augustavo which will be on
display through September.
B. Capital Projects (public art reported under programs)
C. Funding and Administration
EAC position: Chapin reported the open General Interest EAC position has received four
applications thus far. July 9t" is the deadline. An interview panel will need to conduct interviews
shortly thereafter so that the EAC can approve the appointment at its Aug. 5 meeting.
V. STAFF REPORT
1. Chapin Updates (see Programs above).
2. Rose asked for assistance distributing concert rack cards in the downtown area. She reminded
commissioners to submit brief spotlight articles on Edmonds arts community for the quarterly
newsletters.
VI. NEW BUSINESS (none)
VII. There being no further business, Sharp adjourned the meeting at 7:02pm