2015-09-15 Arts Commission Minutesy edmonds
ARTS COMMISSION
MINUTES
September 15, 2015
The Edmonds Arts Commission: dedicated to the arts, an integral part of community life.
City of Edmonds Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services Department
PRESENT:
Kevin Conefrey Marni Muir STAFF AUDIENCE
Suzy Maloney Kyla Blair, Student Rep Frances Chapin Darlene McLellan
Samantha Saether
Joanne Otness
Lois Rathvon
Excused: Beverly Shaw-Starkovich
The meeting was called to order at 6:01 PM by Kevin Conefrey, Chair
INTRODUCTIONS — Darlene McLellan, president Edmonds Arts Festival Foundation
AGENDA — Move B.1 to beginning of agenda, Approved.
MINUTES—Saether Moved and Otness Seconded approval of 7/6 minutes, Approved. Rathvon Moved and
Otness Seconded approval of 8/3 minutes, Approved.
REPORTS -
A. Creative Programs
WOTS — Otness reported that the conference is in 2 % weeks and final preparations are underway.
Registration filled quickly and total revenue is over $48,000. Participation in volunteer roles is still
very important and Commissioners were asked to sign up for anything additional they can do and to
attend the reception where their key role is as hosts for the presenters.
2. Tourism Promotion —Chapin requested volunteers for the review committee for the second round of
applications to disburse an additional $6,000 for cultural tourism promotion. Conefrey, Saether and
Rathvon will review new proposals on September 28.
3. Temporary Art/On the Fence — Saether and Muir showed the wording for a permanent sign for the
On the Fence sites. A temporary version is now up and a metal sign will be fabricated in the future.
The Seastars project was installed at the new site designated on Main Street east of the FAC. As part
of the installation it will change colors a few weeks into the exhibit. A proposal from Naoko Morisawa
titled "Green Waves/Green Tree" was reviewed by Commissioners. Saether Moved and Muir
Seconded that the proposal be approved for the fence at ArtWorks, Approved.
4. Concert Series— Commissioners thought the concerts had gone well this summer but noted that it
was very hot and this may have accounted for slightly less people at City Park for some of the
performances when everyone tried to move into the shade. Hazel Miller Plaza concerts were well
attended overall. There were some comments about the healthy vegetation making it difficult to sit
on the walls and also difficult to see performances at HMP. The question was raised if there was a
way to provide more seating.
B. Capital Projects
Edmonds Arts Commission Minutes — 9/15/2015
2
1. 4t" Avenue Interim Art Update — Chapin provided a brief update that the artist and she met with
Public Works regarding the installation process and traffic control and also discussed adding
additional lights. Darlene McLellan reported that Edmonds Arts Festival Foundation has
approved an additional donation of $5,000 for adding additional lights to the project which will
increase visibility. McLellan provided information on another topic under Audience Comment.
C. Funding & Administration
1. Community Cultural Plan Work Groups & July 20 Meeting— Commissioners discussed the
importance of setting future meetings for the work groups to keep the implementation efforts
going. The Arts Education group plans to meet on October 28 and Chapin will work with
Commissioners to set other meetings for the fall. There is a tentative date set for providing a
progress report on Cultural Plan implementation, including the mini summit in July, at City
Council.
Economic Development Commission report - Chapin is scheduled to give a report on the Arts
Commission to the EDC. Commissioners discussed the importance of EDC understanding the EAC
role in both specific programs including public art and in the cultural planning process.
Commissioners expressed hope that EDC supports an environment to foster and promote arts
and noted that there are several projects such as the 4t" Avenue Cultural Corridor which are very
much part of economic development for the community.
STAFF REPORT— Chapin added comments on the opening of the Cascadia Museum and the high quality of
the space and the first exhibit. The City's Guy Anderson painting is prominently displayed in the entry area.
EAC had discussed rotating large works in the CC chamber while the piece is on loan but after realizing the
effort required to hang pieces in that site Chapin suggested that a long time Edmonds artist be asked to loan
a piece for the year as a way of honoring her work as an artist in Edmonds since the 1950's. Commissioners
concurred.
OTHER BUSINESS —
AUDIENCE COMMENTS -- Asking to speak on a second topic, McLellan wanted to inform the Arts
Commission that EAFF donated $50,000 to Cascadia Art Museum for naming rights in the lobby and noted
that EAFF members Ann Wood, Susan Loreen, and Margie Stiffler worked very hard to make this happen as
well as working on the gala event which was attended by over 500 people last week.
Meeting Adjourned at 7:30 PM