2022-03-07 Arts Commission Minutesedmonds
ARTS COMMISSION
MINUTES - Meeting via Zoom 4:45 pm March 7, 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 Kate McKenzie, Chris Cossu,
Harry Kirchner
Tanya Sharp Laurie Rose Clark Wiegman
Georgia Livesey
EXCUSED:
Richard Chung
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 Feb 7, 2022 minutes, Kirchner Moved to approve, Kaplan Seconded, Approved.
PUBLIC COMMENT/INTRODUCTIONS — Welcome to audience. Kate McKenzie on behalf of Snohomish County
Arts Commission, invited Commissioners to attend future meeting about COVID recovery funds with the
Office of Recovery and Resilience Snohomish County.
REPORTS -
A. Creative Programs
Civic Park Art Concept — Chapin summarized the process, stating that at this stage the Arts
Commission is being asked for a recommendation regarding the design concept the artist will
present. He presented information in February for comment from Commissioners and since then has
also presented the concept at a Community Meeting held Feb. 24 via Zoom. Ten people attended
the meeting, a good turnout given the global events that day. Kirchner attended the meeting and
noted that although small scale the participation was very active and everyone seems excited about
the concept. Chapin added that one of the comments about the graphics was enthusiastic support
from Rick Steves for the use of the Salish Sea topography image as an underlying form. Various
questions addressed use of color, materials, lighting, and schedule for moving ahead. Comments
reflected general agreement that color should be an attention grabber, and appreciation for the
connection to local environment and activities to engage the community in suggesting local flora and
fauna design elements for the graphics. Weigman described his activities over the past four months
to arrive at the proposed design which he calls cascadia. He noted the deep sense of environmental
stewardship in Edmonds and his goal is to create a multisensory piece with iconic universality plus
locational uniqueness that instills a sense of caring for others and our environment. The iconic
suspended Lifeboat is a cross- cultural universal symbol of human powered water transport. The
Seawall component is the iconic wayfinder, a gathering place for friends and family and a reference
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to the greater environment. Weigman discussed the use of materials including vinyl wraps, which
although durable are replaceable which is important in a public park setting. In response to a
question about lighting he responded that he is interested in working with the lighting to create the
safest possible setting and also be aware of dark sky concerns. He noted that the final design
specifications developed as part of the fabrication contract will include finalizing colors, planting
suggestions to coordinate with artwork colors, and community call and response to finalize graphic
elements. Commissioners asked follow-up questions, discussing various aspects about the name of
the piece; materials and vinyl finishes; lighting and the need to prioritize safety; the audio elements
and ability to turn it off; and colors. Comments included the importance of the rich descriptions
provided by Wiegman, the appealing accessibility aspect of multisensory art, interest created by the
many layers of meaning, and appreciation for drawing on community input which may involve the
artist creating a blog to record progress and receive ideas from community members. Sharp Moved
and Kirchner Seconded that EAC recommend approval by City Council of the design concept cascadia
by Clark Wiegman and authorization for the Mayor to sign the fabrication contract to create final
design specifications, fabricate, and install the artwork at Civic Park, Approved. The next step is for a
public hearing at City Council with a presentation by the artist scheduled on March 15.
2. Create Grants — Chapin reported that the $13,500 remaining from the 2021 Create Grants has been
carried forward for use in 2022. Chapin briefly reviewed some of the guidelines for the 2021 grants.
The priority of this grant program was to fund art projects that expand perspectives and build
positive relationships that contribute to an equitable and welcoming culture and community. New, or
untested projects— especially those with potential for expanding or strengthening Edmonds' cultural
base —are eligible. The project can be a component of a larger undertaking. EAC is committed to
supporting all forms of arts in our community, including but not limited to visual, literary and
performing, folk/traditional, and media arts. A wide range of projects and initiatives with an arts or
cultural focus will be considered, such as (but not limited to) the following: Performances (dance,
music, readings, plays), Exhibits, Educational opportunities (presentations/lectures, workshops
including school classroom sessions, walking tours, storytelling, training, translations etc.), Video,
Virtual and online projects/podcasts of the above or other project, Community cultural events or
events with a cultural focus, and other projects to expand capacity for access to arts and clear intent
to reach Edmonds residents. For any of these, innovation to bring new modes of delivery, newly
envisioned artwork, and reimagined programs is encouraged. With this as a general approach
Chapin and Rose reviewed the program and suggested some changes in implementation to make the
process streamlined and more accessible. Discussion followed. Commissioner discussed maximum
for grant award and reached consensus that grant applications from $200 up to $2,000 would be
accepted. Simplicity in the application process and final reporting is a priority. Eligible applicants
include artists and arts related not for profit organizations and applicants from the previous year are
eligible. Staff will summarize the final reports from 2021 and send out with a draft of the proposed
process for 2022 grants for commissioners to review prior to the April meeting.
3. Poet's Perspective Project — Kaplan thanked the judges, Soikowski, Kirchner, Pat O'neill and Amanda
Laughtland. They reviewed poems by 37 adult poets and 6 youth poets and selected six poems for
the awards. They selected the poems without information on the authors and were impressed after
the selection process to see the broad range of poets represented in the submissions. Soikowski,
Kirchner and Kaplan read the six poems and gave a brief bio on each of the writers, five adult poets
(Alison Leigh Lilly, Sean Patrick Taylor, Carolyne Wright, RW Mayer and Bethany Reid) and one youth
poet (Ricardo Gurango). Poems will be posted for a year, six months in each of two locations, and
online starting in April for National Poetry month. Palmatier Moved and Song Seconded that the
selection of the six poems (Chickadees in an Old Birch, Evening Haiku, 1 Remember, Stones, The Tree,
and Miles Away) be approved for exhibit in the 2022 Poet's Perspective program, Approved. Staff
was asked to explore the possibility of having readings of the poems on the website.
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4. WOTS — Kaplan and Kirchner reported that there have been a large number of submissions for review
at the next WOTS steering committee meeting. The conference is being planned as an online
conference which does enable some presenters from further away to more easily participate. Kaplan
expressed appreciation for Rose's ability to put all the pieces together in organizing the conference.
C. Funding & Administration
STAFF REPORT— Chapin reported that City buildings are scheduled to reopen on March 16. Covid protocol
will follow that of Snohomish County. Commissioners will notice some changes in the building, including a
classroom on the lower level that is now the new Human Services office. City Council goes to hybrid format
on March 22. Commissions and boards do not have the capacity to hold hybrid meetings so have been asked
to discuss format of either Zoom or in person for future meetings. Chapin asked Commissioners to let her
know directly their preferences regarding meetings, and it will be discussed at the April Zoom meeting.
Concert selection is underway, thank you to those who reviewed. There will be 12 at Hazel Miller Plaza and
Hazel Miller Foundation has provided funding. There will be some changes in the City Park concerts, with one
early on June 26, and 4 more later in the summer, every other week. So far we do not have sponsorship for
the City Park concerts but Rose has sent out requests to two of the car dealerships. Chapin noted that a new
monitor will be installed in the City Hall lobby and EAC will be able to use it to display children's artwork
starting with the Best Book Posters. Rose asked Commissioners to reach out to their networks and remind
folks about Best Book submissions.
NEW/OTHER BUSINESS —
Adjourned: 6:39 pm