2019-04-01 Arts Commission Minutesy edmonds
ARTS COMMISSION
MINUTES
April I, 2019
The Edmonds Arts Commission: dedicated to the arts, an integral part of community life.
City of Edmonds Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services Department
PRESENT:
Tanya Sharp Pat Oneill STAFF AUDIENCE
Lesly Kaplan Isabella Wilhelm, student Frances Chapin
Rhonda Soikowski representative
Ashley Song
Excused: Beverly Shaw Starkovich; Marni Muir
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM by Tanya Sharp, Chair
INTRODUCTIONS — Song was welcomed to her first official meeting.
MINUTES —Approval of March 4, 2019 minutes, Oneill Moved and Kaplan Seconded, Approved.
REPORTS -
A. Creative Programs
WOTS Update — Kaplan reported that UW professor emeritus and highly respected author Charles
Johnson has agreed to be the keynote for Write on the Sound in October 2019. She noted that he has
mentored several generations of authors in the northwest and beyond. Kaplan also urged
Commissioners to keep the dates open on their calendars so they can assist during the conference
weekend.
2. Concerts Process and Sign-up — Sharp and Chapin discussed the sign up process and briefly went over
the responsibilities of Commissioners at the City Park concerts. Chapin will compile dates and then
Commissioners can work out filling any blanks at the next meeting. Soikowski expressed some
concern about the Twelfth Night production casting and Commissioners requested that she contact
the artistic director and discuss further with him. Commissioners also discussed making a brief
introduction at Hazel Miller concerts if they are attending. Chapin will arrange for a sandwich board
with the concert announcement which can be stored by the electrical cabinet after the show.
3. Best Book— Update and Volunteers -The reception will be held April 17. Posters will go up April 16 at
3:30 and Soikowski and Oneill will mount the display. Sharp, Song, Kaplan and Wilhelm will assist at
the reception.
4. On the Fence— Commissioners have reached out to various artist contacts with the Call to Artists and
will continue to do so. The call is ongoing.
5. Creative District — Chapin updated Commissioners on the formation of the advisory committee.
Ashley Song was selected to serve on the committee, Kaplan Moved, Oneill Seconded, Motion
Approved.
6. Annual Report — Sharp will present the Annual Report for 2018 at City Council on April 23 and
Commissioners are encouraged to attend the meeting.
Edmonds Arts Commission Minutes — 4/1/2019 2
7. Retreat April 24 —The retreat will be held at the Plaza Room from 4:30 — 7:30 pm. The agenda will
include reviewing Creative District goals, discussion of how to best present arts commission activities,
and issues of diversity and inclusion. Chapin will send out the Strategic Work Plan for review prior to
the retreat but it will not be updated at the retreat due to time constraints.
B. Capital Projects
C. Funding & Administration
2019 Budget — Chapin reviewed uses for the three special funds.
STAFF REPORT — Chapin asked Commissioners about two budget items — one, the reprinting of the small
artist made Bracketts Landing book that was reprinted for the 125t" anniversary and has now sold out, and
two the fee for listing Library art exhibits in Arts Access. After discussion, Kaplan Moved and Sharp Seconded
that the two budget items be approved, Approved.
Chapin reminded Commissioners that on April 11 musician Gary Stroutsos will present a film made for the
100t" anniversary of the Grand Canyon designation as a National Park. The last program for Music at the
Library is April 18 with Indigenez Placemakers presenting Coast Salish traditions.
Sharp reported on the results of the gateway sign survey in which the post and panel sign designed by
Clayton Moss received 44% of the votes for first choice vs. 29% for the next most popular sign, a post and
panel design by Mack Benek. The committee will meet this week to make a recommendation for City
Council.
Chapin presented the Historical Museum project to create a carved 6' panel illustrating uses and resources of
the marsh with house post designs at each end which would be carved by a Coast Salish carver. The artwork
is funded by the Edmonds Arts Festival Foundation. The Museum is City owned property so the site for the
piece and plaza work has to meet approval by the Parks Director and Parks Manager. Commissioners
enthusiastically endorsed the project and the siting and scale of the piece to draw people in and welcome
them to the museum.
NEW/OTHER BUSINESS — Discussion about reopening the master plan for Civic Park to consider parking on
the site was initiated by Kaplan. The Commission was represented on the Advisory Committee by Kaplan and
many hours of work went into the planning process with other Commissioners participating. Parking was
considered but the value of park land was considered higher than parking spaces and the issue of parking is a
bigger issue than one that could be solved by adding spaces to the park and taking away land for park use.
AUDIENCE COMMENTS —
Meeting Adjourned at 7:58 PM