2022-10-03 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:
Lesly Kaplan
Lisa Palmatier
Tanya Sharp
Lily Kamila, Stud Rep
Soikowski read the land acknowledgement.
Oct 3, 2022
STAFF AUDIENCE
Frances Chapin Chris Cossu
Laurie Rose Guest
"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 Sept 12, 2022 minutes postponed to Nov meeting.
PUBLIC COMMENT/INTRODUCTIONS — Chris Cossu provided a link to the upcoming porch fest on Nov 5,
porchfestedmonds.com
REPORTS -
A. Creative Programs
1. Student Representative — Soikowski reported that the committee consisting of Palmatier, Chung and
herself interviewed the Student Representative candidate on September 29. Lily Kamila is a junior at
Edmonds Woodway high school, volunteers for the Food Bank, runs Cross Country, and is involved in
both performing and visual arts. All three commissioners concurred that it was a great interview and
they appreciated her enthusiasm, presentation and energy. Palmatier Moved and Chung Seconded
approval of the appointment of Lily Kamila as Student Representative, Approved. Following approval,
Lily Kamila introduced herself, talking about her interest in performing and visual arts and her
involvement in other activities such as participating in the Students Saving Salmon Club. Each
commissioner briefly introduced themselves and referenced their areas of interest in the arts and
tenure on the Commission.
2. Best Book Poster Program — Soikowski noted that as previously discussed the program had to change
to adjust to the pandemic conditions and at this point for a variety of reasons it will not go back to
being as it had been pre -pandemic. A committee was formed, Palmatier, Sharp, Kirchner, and Kamila,
to meet and discuss what EAC wants to do with this program moving forward including the following
Edmonds Arts Commission Draft Minutes — 10/3/2022
2
questions — do we want to keep doing this, if not, what would we do instead, or if yes, why and how?
Ideas will be discussed at the November meeting.
3. Community Cultural Plan — Chapin reported briefly on the Community Cultural Plan update
scheduled for 2023, noting that this will be the first time it isn't done as part of the PROS Plan
process since it was originally developed in 1994. She requested a committee to review the 2014
plan and come back to the Commission with ideas about what should be included in the updated
plan and elements that should be referenced in the RFQ for consultants. Song, Sharp, and Soikowski
will meet to discuss and bring back ideas at the November meeting. Chapin suggested that all
commissioners take some time to review the 2014 plan before the next meeting.
4. Poet's Perspective — Soikowski and other commissioners commented on the success of the program
and remarked on the amount of enthusiasm it generated. The question for discussion was does EAC
do it again and if so what adjustments might be needed. A brief discussion of the administrative
process followed. April is national poetry month. With a call for poems going out in November it
would give time for a committee to make selections in January which could be approved in February.
Commissioners agreed that the one adjustment should be to reach out more to students/schools
which there was not time to do last year. Commissioners concurred that the program should move
forward as discussed.
Newsletter — The October newsletter will go out after WOTS. One key piece of information is that
Lesly Kaplan will be retiring from the Commission at the end of the year so this vacancy will be
advertised to fill a one-year term. Commissioners commented on Lesly's many contributions.
C. Funding & Administration
STAFF REPORT— Rose reported that the exhibit process needs to be reviewed as we look forward to
scheduling the Library space and the display case in the future. Palmatier, Sharp and Song will meet with
Rose to discuss possibilities. Chapin noted that Soikowski did an excellent job of presenting the Annual
Review at City Council, and she thanked Sharp for graciously stepping in to accept the Arts & Humanities
proclamation in person at the meeting. The third arts related presentation that night was about the
indigenous welcoming carving that will be installed at the Waterfront Center.
NEW/OTHER BUSINESS— The website for the upcoming Porch fest event on Nov 5, 3-5 pm is at
www.porchfestedmonds.com
Adjourned: 5:55 pm