HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-10-1998Auburn Arts Commission
Monday, August 10, 1998
MINUTES
Commissioners present: Herman Ansingh, Ron Carson, Bonnie Egbert, Cheryl
Hosking, Lynn Norman, Barbie Sharrard, Pam Smith, Gertie Sprenger
Commissioners Absent: Paul Dodsworth (excused), Bobby Medina (excused), Don
Gardner
II.
III.
Chair Norman asked the minutes be approved as mailed. Commissioner
Sharrard moved the minutes be approved. Motion seconded by
Commissioner Egbert. MOTION APPROVED'
Chair's report
Chair Norman announced that the Commission has been invited to
send a representative to serve on this year's Uniquely Auburn planning
committee. She asked for volunteers from the Commission to serve on
this Committee. Commissioners Hosking and Sharrard agreed to split the
responsibility. The next meeting of this committee is August 29 at noon at
the Auburn Library.
Chair Norman reported that the annual planning meeting of the
Commission will be Monday, September 21 from 4 to 8 in Auburn City
Hall. All members of the Commission are encouraged to be present. As
in past years, there will be a light supper served.
Chair Norman stated that the Commission has received invitations
from Evergreen City Ballet for the first annual auction. She encouraged
members of the Commission to attend and support this organization. It
was agreed that Commissioners would get a table at the auction. Chair
Norman asked Josie Emmons to collect the reservation checks and submit
them to ECB. Auction donation forms were also distributed.
Committee Reports
Chair Norman reported that the Community Support Program committee
panel will meet August 18 to review applications from community
organizations. The recommendations from the panel will be presented to
the Commission at the September 14 meeting. Commissioners serving on
the panel include Norman, Smith, and Medina. In addition, a member of
the community at large will be on the panel as well as a representative
from the King County Arts Commission as the funds are generated from
King County.
III.
Commissioner Carson reported on the Art in Public Places Roster
and the Sound Transit Artists. The committees met to select artists for
placement on the Art in Public Places Roster. Six applications were
received. The panel accepted five of the artists after reviewing slides and
resumes. These artists may be selected on short notice to work on a public
art project through the City. The roster will not preclude, when
appropriate, a project specific open call for artists. The panel was
disappointed that not more artists applied; a second call for artist
placement on the roster will be distributed in six months.
The Sound Transit Authority is the governing body responsible for
the development of the RTA station in downtown Auburn. Commissioner
Carson, staff Josie Emmons, Carol Valenta from Sound Transit, and a
Karen Geist, representing the architectural firm of AVA (architects for the
station) met earlier in the day to review 35 artists' slides. A short list of
eight artists were selected, in priority order, to interview. The panel
agreed to interview 3 to 5 of the eight artists, recognizing that not all eight
finalists may be available for the project. The interviews will be held with
the Technical Advisory Committee for the Transit Station on August 19.
A representative from the Arts Commission will be part of the interview
process. A report will be made to the Commission at the September 14
meeting as to who is the selected station artist. 30% design for the station
is scheduled for completion by the first week of October.
Staff Reports
Susan Sagawa reported that Shades of Summer is going very well.
However, due to the heat and lack of shade Evergreen City Ballet was
moved inside to the Senior Center. At the Thistle Theatre performance
(August 5) there were many complaints due to the lack of adequate shade.
Staff is assessing the situation for improvement next year. Attendance
figures for 1998 are projected to be significantly higher than last year. To
date 4,500 people have attended the performances.
Fabric artist Tanya Kennilien worked with children and Arts
Commission staff at the Children's Art Festival on August 5 to create
concepts for downtown banners. The members of the Commission
reviewed all the concepts created by the children and selected several
finalists. These concepts will be presented to the Auburn Downtown
Association Committee for revie~v. The finalists concepts will the_n be
taken back to Tanya and the banner fabricators for review. The selection
of the final banner design will be based upon the feasibility of transposing
the child's concept into a banner. The banners will be completed by the
end of the year. There will be a ceremony recognizing the child (children)
whose concept was made into the banner(s).
Josie Emmons announced that she has received budget information for
1999 and that the budgets are due next week. Commissioners provided
their suggestions as to programming for 1999. Comments included: Arts
in Education is an important program however, partnering with the
WashingtOn State Arts Commission for residency programs may not be
the best fit in the coming year due to the staff intensive requirements of
the Washington State Arts Commission for grant development,
monitoring, and reporting. Teachers have indicated that they would like
to see residency programs continue but also felt the requirements of
WSAC was burdensome when weighed against their ongoing teaching
responsibilities. BRAVO! and Shades of Summer programming should
remain the same. In 1999 it was agreed that Art in Public Places will be a
huge focus. Encouragement was given to develop a Cultural Plan. Staff
stated that with the other major projects planned for 1999, the year 2000
may be better for this undertaking. Requests will be included in the
budget to increase part-time temporary staffing hours to assist regular
staff.
Josie Emmons reported that Nancy Mee and Dennis Evans will
present a preliminary concept of their proposed artwork for the Auburn
Library at the September meeting. Vicki Scuri has presented a draft of the
Downtown Plan artwork to the Downtown Task Force. She will also
attend the September meeting to discuss the plan. Deborah Mersky has
completed her work at the Pioneer Cemetery. Comments for the artwork
have been positive. Susan Sagawa is continuing to work with Kevin
Spitzer and Kate Kulzer regarding the Auburn Skatepark artwork.
SoundTransit representative, Carol Valenta will attend the September
Commission meeting to provide an update on the RTA station.
There was no other business. The meeting adjourned at 6:30pm. The next meeting will
be September 14 at 4:30, Conference Room 1.