2022-01-03 Arts Commission Minutesjedmonds
ARTS COMMISSION
MINUTES - Meeting via Zoom 4:45 t)m
nuary 3, 2022
The Edmonds Arts Commission: dedicated to the arts, an integral part of community life.
City of Edmonds Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services Department
PRESENT:
Rhonda Soikowski Lesly Kaplan STAFF AUDIENCE
Ashley Song Lisa Palmatier Frances Chapin Chris Cossu
Tanya Sharp Laurie Rose Nikki Okimoto Glaros
EXCUSED: Richard Chung
Georgia Livesey
The meeting was called to order at 4:45 PM by Rhonda Soikowski.
Soikowski read the land acknowledgement.
"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."- City Council Land Acknowledgment
ADDITIONS/CHANGES TO THE AGENDA —
MINUTES —Approval of Dec 6 minutes as corrected to include audience, Sharp Moved to approve, Palmatier
Seconded, Approved.
PUBLIC COMMENT/INTRODUCTIONS — Chris Cossu and Nikki Okimoto Glaros introduced.
REPORTS -
A. Creative Programs
Lunar New Year Event — Nikki Okimoto Glaros, Vice -Chair of the Diversity Commission, spoke about
the Commission's interest in supporting multicultural events in Edmonds. To this end they are having
a celebration of the Lunar New Year at the end of January. On January 29 they have arranged for Lion
Dancers to perform once at a location on Hwy 99 and once in downtown Edmonds in conjunction
with the Winter Market at noon. They approached Chapin about also having an exhibit, possibly of
student artwork, at the OTF location on Main Street. Caitlin Chung, the student representative on the
Diversity Commission is organizing that effort. Chapin noted that the timing works for them to exhibit
at the end of January and through February since the next scheduled exhibit starts in March, but an
additional full stipend was not budgeted. EAC supports this effort and Kaplan Moved and Song
Seconded that $100 be provided towards the artist stipend for the OTF exhibit for the Lunar New
Year, Approved. The web site for the event is www.lunarnewyearedmonds.com Palmatier added that
Shoreline is holding a Lantern Festival on Feb 12.
Floretum Garden Club Project — Chapin met with the Floretum committee and the selected artist on
the site at 6t" and Bell. They reviewed potential site locations within the designated area facing Bell,
and the requirements for height not to exceed 3'. The artist has a design contract with Floretum to
create a colorful mosaic sculpture, possibly with two components. The new MOU outlines the
process for presentation of the final design to the Arts Commission, recommendation to City Council,
a public hearing and approval at City Council, followed by a fabrication contract between the artist
Edmonds Arts Commission Minutes — 1/03/2022
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and Floretum, installation, and finally transfer of ownership to the City. Floretum had previously
requested use of the OTF at FAC to celebrate their 100t" anniversary and they will submit an
application for the March -August time period. Palmatier is willing to consult with them about the
project as needed.
Civic Park Art — Chapin reported that Wiegman will meet with the Diversity Commission on
Wednesday. On Dec 16 a community meeting was held, attended by 9 members of the public.
Wiegman is working on concepts related to what he calls a love letter to the Salish Sea, and the
special relationship Edmonds has with the surrounding environment. He wants to draw on the
natural beauty and the primordial relationship to place (not a literal historic narrative) to create a
welcoming, warm and inviting, vibrantly colored suspended installation in the shade structure, with
imagery on the wall of the restroom facing into the structure. Wiegman notes that lighting will
contribute to the experience of the suspension as a safe and welcoming place day and night.
4. EAC Position Recommendation — Song reported that five applicants were interviewed for the general
position opening. Although a general position, EAC had advertised that a background in literary arts
was desirable. The committee of Song, Soikowski and Chung recommended that Harry Kirchner be
recommended to the Mayor based on his strong background in literary arts, his creative outlook and
ideas, interest in education, and focus on cultural history and inclusiveness. Soikowski added that
each of the five applicants was amazing and was grateful for the response to the opening. She noted
that Kirchner was well prepared for the interview and clearly brings strong talents, which Chung
noted will complement the current work of the Commission. Palmatier Moved recommendation to
the Mayor and Council of Harry Kirchner for appointment to EAC in 2022, Sharp Seconded, Approved.
Literary Arts/Poetry Project — Kaplan expressed her excitement about the new commissioner and
added that the first WOTS steering committee will be on January 24 and hopefully he can attend.
There may be the potential for one or two other new committee members. She noted that the call
for poetry has been reviewed and is ready to be included in the January newsletter and press
releases next week. She mentioned We Speak on Jan 27 at ECA and Sharp also encouraged
commissioners to attend.
6. Creative District — Song reported that Doherty has retired and Chapin added that the search for a
new Economic Development Director is underway. There is no funding for 4t" Avenue in the 2022
budget but the committee will look at ideas for potential events on the corridor. The next meeting is
at the end of January.
7. Gateway Signage — Sharp reported on the Dec 14 unveiling of the new downtown gateway sign. She
had been part of the committee working on design process for this sign for several years, including
two public open houses and over 1800 survey responses regarding design preferences. She noted
that it set a template for the process for important public engagement. Chung reported that the Hwy
99 gateway sign concepts were presented at City Council on Dec 14 and they approved the preferred
concepts although they did not support acquisition of any private property for landscaping at the
north end. The sign on the north end will be a vertical sign in the median and at the south end it will
be a horizontal sign with landscaping on the east side of the road on WSDOT right of way.
C. Funding & Administration
STAFF REPORT— Chapin reported that the HMP summer concerts are funded and planning for those concerts
and possibly some additional concerts will start in January. Song, Kaplan and Soikowski volunteered to review
applications from performers and work with Arguelles.
NEW/OTHER BUSINESS —
Adjourned : 5:55 pm