2022-11-07 Arts Commission Minutesedmonds
:-A ARTS COMMISSION
MINUTES 5:30 pm November 7, 2022
The Edmonds Arts Commission is dedicated to the arts as an integral part of community life.
City of Edmonds Community, Cultural and Economic Development Department
PRESENT: Lesly Kaplan, Harry Kirchner, Lisa Palmatier, Tanya Sharp, Rhonda J Soikowski, Ashley Song
EXCUSED: Richard Chung, Lily Kamila
STAFF: Cultural Services Manager Frances Chapin, Arts Program Specialist Laurie Rose
AUDIENCE/GUEST: (none)
The meeting was called to order at 5:30pm by Rhonda Soikowski
Land acknowledgement read by 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 AGENDA: (none)
MINUTES:
1. Approval of September 2022 minutes; motion to approve, Harry Kirchner; Lesley Kaplan
seconded. Approved
2. Approval of October 2022 minutes; motion to approve, Kaplan; Tanya Sharp seconded.
Approved
PUBLIC COMMENT/INTRODUCTIONS: (none)
REPORTS
A. Creative Programs
1. Write on the Sound — 2022 online conference was recapped by Kaplan and Laurie Rose. 139
registered. Feedback from attendees and presenters was generally very good. January will
be the initial meeting of the steering committee for the 2023 conference. Kirchner will chair
committee. Rose reported the 2023 conference dates are Oct 6,7 and 8 and will return to an
in -person event. Proposed conference plans will be reviewed during the February or March
EAC meeting and Commissioners are asked to be available to assist during the conference
weekend.
2. Best Book I Ever Read Poster Event — Lisa Palmatier reported. Palmatier, Kirchner and Rose
met via Zoom in October to discuss the future of the program. The committee's
EAC Minutes Nov 2022 pg. 1 of 3
recommendation is that the Best Book program be discontinued due to reduced interest
and participation from Edmonds elementary schools and families in recent years, including
the years before the pandemic shut down. Discussion followed regarding potential new or
alternate youth programs with a particular focus on the intersection of literary and visual
arts. The committee will take 2023 to explore options and make recommendations to the
commission for a new youth literary program.
3. Visual Arts Program — Palmatier reported - Palmatier, Sharp and Rose met via Zoom in
October to review the visual art program for the Edmonds Library Art Wall and the Display
Cases in the Frances Anderson Center. Due to the pandemic shut down of city facilities and
the recent closure of the Edmonds Library for reconstruction, the Visual Art Program has
been on hiatus since February 2020. It is assumed the library will maintain an exhibit space
for two-dimensional artwork in its reconstruction. When the library re -opens, the program
will resume as before with changes to the rotation schedule. The Display Case exhibits have
been arranged by staff since pandemic shutdown. The committee's recommendation is that
the Display Case rotation schedule remain flexible, and that community groups as well as
Puget Sound regional artists be encouraged to develop art -focused exhibits. Staff has
confirmed exhibits through January and will also arrange an exhibit for early spring.
Discussion followed regarding exhibit ideas for the Display Cases. Palmatier said the
committee will meet quarterly in 2023.
4. Creative District — Chapin and Ashley Song reported. Creative District recertification is
required by the state every five years, so Edmonds will need to recertify in late 2023.
The annual convening of the WA State Creative Districts was held on Zoom in October. The
program now has 13 districts and ArtsWA believes the program will grow to 20-25 in the
next several years. An accomplishment of the program is the ability to pursue state
sponsored capital funding, an initiative that was led by Edmonds Creative District committee
and Snohomish County legislative representatives. Districts discussed ways the districts can
work together to generate ideas, support districts that do not have staff or are independent
organizations. In a group exercise, Edmonds/Rainier Valley/Issaquah Creative Districts
suggested a 3-day itinerary for out-of-town visitors, starting in Edmonds, then on to Rainier
Valley, and ending the visit in Issaquah.
Chapin outlined accomplishments of the Edmonds Creative District, such as inquiries about
available commercial rental space generated from the marketing campaign of the past few
years. Window decals with the Creative District logo were distributed by Chapin with
Community, Cultural and Economic Development Director Todd Tatum, taking the
opportunity to talk to business owners and managers. The Creative District committee is
discussing an annual event, which could tie-in well with Community Cultural Plan Update
next year. Chapin reminded the commissioners to reference the Creative District whenever
talking about an organization or program within the district in order to build awareness in
the community about the program and the importance of the Creative District as a
leveraging tool when linking to other Edmonds neighborhoods.
Discussion followed about the state program, its relationship to economic development and
how it can meet the divergent needs of its various districts. Signage and search engine
upgrades and modifications to web pages were also discussed.
EAC Minutes Nov 2022 pg. 2 of 3
S. Cultural Plan — Soikowski and Sharp reported. The Cultural Plan is scheduled to be updated
2023-24. An independent consultant will be contracted to guide the process and draft the
updated plan. Soikowski and Sharp met in October to review the current plan and outline
priorities moving forward. Sharp created a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses,
Opportunities and Threats) for the currently adopted plan. Soikowski presented nine priority
points as a basis on which to start the search for a consultant for the project. Discussion
followed regarding the commission's role in the development and execution of the plan, as
well as criteria for the consultant search, with a particular focus on community engagement,
practical experience, knowledge of the state, and management/leadership style.
6. Framing Options for the Donna Leavitt donated artwork — Earlier this year the commission
accepted donated artwork by Edmonds artist Donna Leavitt. The multiple -piece two-
dimensional artwork requires framing to be safely displayed. The originally suggested
framing of an acrylic case was not practical for artwork that needs to be portable. The artist
provided instructions for other framing options to a framer, who devised a design that
allows the work to be portable by framing the artwork in 4 groupings. The commission
recommends floating on white or graphite colored matboard with a narrow margin and
frame as described. Chapin will consult with the framer.
STAFF REPORTS
1. Chapin will be on medical leave in December and possibly January. Rose and Director Tatum will
assume her duties during her absence, but commissioners are asked to continue to include her
in all emails in the meantime.
2. The open commission position application deadline is November 23, 2022. Soikowski, Kirchner
and Sharp will be the interview panel, with Song as an alternate. Interviews will be held either
November 28 or 29 via Zoom.
3. The Summer Concert schedule for 2023 will be put together by staff and concert coordinator
Erin Arguelles. A Call for Performers will be posted as in years past. Commissioners are asked to
suggest musicians/musical groups and will have an opportunity to review the proposed schedule
at its January or February meeting.
4. Rose reported a couple of proposals for 2023 On the Fence have been submitted and more may
come in before the deadline.
NEW/OTHER BUSINESS
1. Sharp reported she attended a book launch recently at which the Arts Commission was
complimented by the author/speaker for the good work it does in the community.
Chapin reported she attended the PorchFest event and remarked that it seemed a success. The
group that put the event together intends to hold a PorchFest event regularly in the summer.
Meeting Adjourned 7:26pm
EAC Minutes Nov 2022 pg. 3 of 3