HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-14-2000Auburn Arts Commission
Monday, February 14, 2000
MINUTES
Commissioners present: Herman Ansingh, Paul Dodsworth, Bonnie Egbert, Don Gardner,
Cheryl Hosking, Steve LePenske, Gertie Sprenger and John Stanphill
Commissioners absent: Bobby Medina, Lynn Norman and Pam Smith (all excused)
Staff present: Susan Sagawa, cultural programs manager, Lori Corso, cultural programs
specialist
Chair Paul Dodsworth called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m.
I. Introduction and approval of minutes
Chair Dodsworth asked that the January minutes be approved as mailed. Commissioner Gertie
Sprenger moved that the minutes be approved. Commissioner Bonnie Egbert seconded the
motion.
MOTION APPROVED
Commissioners Steve LePenSke and Barbie Sharrard confirmed their subcommittee
appointments.
II. Update on BRAVO!
A. I~RAVO! Kids
Steffan Soule's magic show, Feb. 12, drew 240 people. Ticket sales topped Soule's performance
fee.
B. Upcoming performances/marketing
Marketing for the Auburn Symphony concerts, Feb. 19 and 20, includes a 30-second promotional
spot by Stewart Kershaw on KING FM, poster distribution,.ticket giveaways on KING FM, and
a broadcast of the October concert on KING FM. Commissioner Herman Ansingh said Stewart
Kershaw delivered a good talk at Rotary last week, and 16 symphony tickets were sold at the
luncheon. Ms. Corso passed around a symphony ad that appeared in the South County Journal
and an article about the upcoming concert which ran in theAuburn Reporter. Pippa Kiraly, a
freelance writer for the Seattle P-I, will review the concert. The News Tribune will list it as a
critic's pick on Wednesday. Chair Dodsworth said he would announce the concert at the
Kiwanis meeting later in the week.
Susan Sagawa reported 200 single tickets to the symphony have been sold to date.
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Arts Commission, February Minutes
Page 2
Ms. Sagawa reviewed Encore Playhouse's production of"Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor
Dreamcoat" at the Meydenbauer Theatre in Bellevue last weekend. She said the performance
sold out and that it was an excellent musical production.
C. BRAVO! 2000-01
Commissioner Bonnie Egbert suggested a magician--who ties the popular Harry Potter series
into his performance--as a BRAVO! Kids possibility. She will provide staff with contact
information.
Ms. Sagawa said the dates are confirmed for the 2000 half of the upcoming BRAVO! season.
Evergreen City Ballet will present "Giselle," Friday, Oct. 20, and Saturday, Oct. 21~ at 7:30 p.m.
The Auburn Symphony will perform, Saturday, Oct. 28, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 29, at
2:30 p.m. Tim Noah will present his Christmas Show, Saturday, Dec. 16, 2 p.m., at Auburn
Riverside Theatre. Saturday, Nov. 18, has been penciled in as a second BRAVO! Kids date.
III. Public Art
A. Review panel for public art opportunities
A public art panel made up of commissioners, city staff and a council member met earlier in the
afternoon to review artist applications for five public art projects in 2000 and 2001. The projects
are:
· Integration of artwork into the design of the conversion of the existing library into. a senior
center
· Millennium sundial at Les Gove Park
· Entry piece at "J" St. leading into Les Gove
· Kids' downtown banner project
· Gateway project at a site yet to be determined.
Panelists reviewed slides of 24 artists' work and selected 10 artists for consideration. Separate
panels will convene to interview artists for each public art project. The applicant pool included
several accomplished, regional public artists.
Ms. Sagawa said a subcommittee on public art will meet to discuss whether to move forward
with the kids downtown banner project. The subcommittee will give its recommendation to the
arts commission. Potential alternative projects could include designing Shades of Summer
banners at Game Farm Park and/or banners celebrating the city's festivals and summer programs.
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Arts Commission, February Minutes
Page 3
B. Installation of artwork at library/grand opening
Nancy Mee and Dennis Evans will install their work at the new Auburn Regional Library, March
1 through 3. Friday, April 14, the library will host a pre-opening reception for the artists.
Commissioners will be invited. The event is a fund raiser for the Friends of the Library.
Wednesday, April 19, is the large ribbon cutting and festivities will be held on Saturday, May 6.
Commissioner Steve LePenske photographed Mee and Evans in their studio last week. The
library intends to use LePenske's black-and-white images in a brochure about the public art
piece. Other photographs depicting the process of making the piece will be displayed at the
library.
IV.
Update on South County Journal's fall arts fund 'raiser
The South County Journal is in the process of setting a date (either the first or second weekend in
October) and booking a place for its first South CoUnty arts fund raiser, Ms. Sagawa reported for
Commissioner Lynn Norman. Publisher John Perry is recruiting corporate sponsors. The idea is
to pay for all expenses up front, therefore the $100 tickets to the event will be tax deductible.
The $100-per-person ticket includes entrance to the gala event, dinner and performances by two
or three local arts groups. Proceeds will go to the groups selected to perform. The newspaper is
asking South County arts commissions (Auburn, Kent, Renton, Covington, Maple Valley and
Tukwila) to submit a viable list of non-profit arts organizations. The newspaper wants to
represent all area arts groups at the event. Organizations may have an information table at the
event. Mr. Perry hopes to persuade the paper's owner to match what is raised. In the next
month, the paper will send out a call for people to help with the event. The South County
Journal plans to hire an event specialist to coordinate the event.
V. Update on Shades of Summer Concerts
Ms. Corso and Ms. Sagawa reviewed dozens of applications for the Shades of Summer Concert
series. Ms. Corso is in the process of booking groups. Information will appear in the library's
summer newsletter listing events at Les Gove. The tentative line-up to date.
Kids Summer Sounds--Wednesdays, 12:30 p.m., Les Gove Park, July 19-Aug. 16. Staff
changed the time from noon to 12:30 in an effort to better coordinate with other summer
programs happening in the park and at the library.
July 19--Rhys Thomas; comedy, acrobats and juggling
July 26--Thistle Theatre; puppet theater
Aug. 2--Alleyoop; storytelling, singing and puppetry
Aug. 9--Evergreen City Ballet; performance to be announced
Aug. 16~The Gentlemen Jugglers (not confirmed)
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Arts Commission, February Minutes
Page 4
Sundown at Game Farm Park--Fridays, 7 p.m., Game Farm Park, July 14 to Aug. 11
July 14~The Great Pretenders, a local group specializing in the hits of the 50s and 60s.
July 21--Unexpected Productions; improvisational theater
July 28--Jillian, local singer and performer, from Auburn Avenue Dinner Theater (not
confirmed)
Aug. 4---The Total Experience Gospel Choir (not confirmed)
Aug. 1 I'--UMO Ensemble (not confirmed)
VI. Other business
A. Planning and Community Development Committee (PCDC) presentation
Commissioner Dodsworth said the commission's presentation, Jan. 10, went well. Committee
members responded well to the commission's BRAVO! update, citizen testimonials and
commissioner's thanks for the PCDC's continued support.
B. Calendar of community events
Ms. Sagawa reported that the Chamber of Commerce received a grant from the South County
Journal to print a calendar of community events. Since the chamber has taken on the project,
commissioners agreed not to produce a calendar. Instead, staff will pursue Boeing's assistance in
printing the 2000-2001 BRAVO! brochure.
C. Mural at post office
Commissioners discussed a mural at the post office, which was partially obstructed from view
due to renovations. Commissioner Egbert moved that the commission support the mural be in
full view. Commisioner Sprenger seconded the motion.
MOTION APPROVED
There was no other business. The meeting adjourned at 5:34 p.m. The next regular meeting is
Monday, March 13, 4:30 p.m. in Conference Room 1.