2022-09-12 Arts Commission Minutesjedmonds
ARTS COMMISSION
MINUTES - Meeting 4:45 t)m
The Edmonds Arts Commission: dedicated to the arts, an integral part of community life.
City of Edmonds Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services Department
PRESENT:
Richard Chung
Rhonda Soikowski
Ashley Song
Harry Kirchner
EXCUSED: Tanya Sharp
Lesly Kaplan
Lisa Palmatier
Soikowski read the land acknowledgement.
STAFF
Frances Chapin
Laurie Rose
Todd Tatum
Sept 12. 2022
AUDIENCE
"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
The meeting was called to order at 4:45 PM by Soikowski
ADDITIONS/CHANGES TO THE AGENDA —
MINUTES —Approval of July 25, 2022 minutes, Kaplan Moved to approve, Kirchner Seconded, Approved.
PUBLIC COMMENT/INTRODUCTIONS — Todd Tatum, the new Community Services & Economic Development
Director introduced himself, followed by brief introductions by each of the Commissioners. Tatum has been
on the job almost 4 weeks and comes from a background with Washington State Parks, Development
Division, where he worked in part with the Folk and Traditional Arts Program.
REPORTS -
A. Creative Programs
1. Concerts — Concerts are over for the season with a total of 21 performances, one in the rain.
Commissioners added to their reports on various concerts from last month. Comments included
making sure the concert listings on the flyer are clear now that we are not doing all Sundays in a row;
emphasize the potential need for shade at HMP and Hickman and encourage performers to bring a
shade tent; and generally continue with good array of diverse performances in future, possibly
exploring other park sites.
WOTS — Kaplan reported that there are approximately 100 registrations, last year the total was 120
and 150 the year before, compared to 275 in person in pre -pandemic years. There is a good line-up
of presenters this year, some of whom would not be coming if it were in person. Manuscript critiques
are popular and there is a small but adequate turnout for the contest. Rose added that more of the
registrations this year are for the full conference.
Edmonds Arts Commission Draft Minutes — 9/12/2022
2
Annual Review —The report is scheduled for September 27 and Soikowski will present it following the
Arts & Humanities Proclamation. Commissioners are encouraged to attend. Soikowski screen shared
the report and Commissioners discussed several additions including a statement about the
department reorganization.
4. Student Representative —Application deadline is Sept 21 and applicants will then be interviewed.
Chung, Soikowski, and Kirchner volunteered to interview, with Palmatier as a back-up if needed.
5. Creative District —The CD Advisory Committee will meet on Sept 15 for the first time in several
months. Tatum met earlier with the CD Manager at Arts WA. Recertification takes place at the end of
2023.
6. Civic Park Art — The artist Clark Wiegman had a table at Bird Fest and used that as an opportunity for
outreach to the community about their favorite flora and fauna.
7. Comprehensive Plan Culture Panel — Chapin arranged for panelist for a Development Services
Department visioning session on Culture for the Comprehensive Plan update. Palmatier represented
the Arts Commission and other panelists were David Brewster representing ECA and local literary
business, Diana White who was on the original Diversity Commission and is helping with Native art at
the Edmonds Waterfront Center, and Oleg Gorboulev who directs Olympic Ballet. Todd Tatum was
the moderator. Discussion focused on what is working well, how things are changing, where do we
want to go, and what are the biggest opportunities and barriers.
C. Funding & Administration
STAFF REPORT— Rose reported that the new installations for On the Fence are going in. The call for artists
will go out the following week in order to give more time between selection and installation. Decisions will be
finalized at the December EAC meeting. Chapin reported that new bird silhouette designs on the corten steel
panels in two of the medians have been added to the proposed design for Highway 99 gateway elements.
NEW/OTHER BUSINESS — Soikowski and Chapin reported on the ribbon cutting for the Floretum public art
project which took place in August.
Adjourned: 6:15 pm