Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-09-2001Auburn Arts Commission Monday, April 9, 2001 Minutes Commissioners present: Herman Ansingh; Anne Baunach; Kristen Brock; Paul Dodsworth; Bonnie Egbert; Steve LePenske, chair; Lynn Norman; Barbie Sharrard; Gertie Sprenger; John Stanphill Commissioners absent: Don Gardner and Pam Smith (both excused) Staff present: Susan Sagawa, cultural programs manager; Lori Patrick, cultural programs specialist Chair Steve LePenske called the meeting to order at 4:40 p.m. I. Approval of minutes Lori Patrick noted that the March minutes had the wrong date at the top. Commissioner Barbie Sharrard moved that the minutes be approved as amended. Commissioner Herman Ansingh seconded the motion. MOTION APPROVED Announcements LePenske suggested commissioners visit the outdoor sculpture exhibit in Kirkland. In May 2003, the Seattle Opera will dedicate its production of"Fidelio" to Gertie Sprenger commemorating her 90th birthday. II. Update on current public art projects Sound Transit Plaza At the March 12 meeting, commissioners selected Portland artist Bruce West's proposal of two stainless-steel sculptures: three pear and two strawberry cross sections, cut and arranged as a still life. The 5-foot sculptures stand about 18 inches off the ground and will also function as informal seating. Susan Sagawa showed commissioners the artist's model of the piece. Landscape architect Karen Keist will determine where to site.the piece in the plaza. Installation is set for September when the plaza is scheduled for completion. West chose a pear and strawberry to fit the plaza's orchard theme, which will feature flowering pear trees. Pears were grown in the valley at the turn of the century and strawberries were a major crop. Sound Transit Parking Garage Seattle artist team Jean Whitesavage and Nick Lyle have been selected to work with Integrus, the garage's architects, on a piece to attach to the building when it is complete. The architects will also include a 9- by 10-foot display case with shelves in the garage's foyer. The White River (more) Arts Commission minutes, April 2001 Page 2 Valley Museum will program on one side, and the arts commission will use the other side. There is no impact on the commission's budget to utilize the display case. The Millennium Sundial Project Ries Niemi's large, millennium sundial table is complete and is in storage at the artist's studio. Installation is dependent the construction timeline for the new senior center. Threshold The bronze sculpture by Phillip Levine, "Threshold," has been cast. Susan Sagawa and parks staff will meet with the artist to determine how to place the piece at the J Street entryway to Les Gove Park. Commissioners agreed future signage at the site should compliment the piece. Projected installation is late spring. J Street Banners Two banners are being created for ACAP to complete the set of banners that will hang along J Street once construction is complete. Entryway project to Sound Transit Station In late summer, the commission plans to interview artists to design an entryway piece at the transit station. The project budget is $30,000. In addition to considering the 10 artists on its original public art roster, the commission discussed issuing a second call for artist, selecting three finalists and paying them to submit proposals. Commissioner Ansingh moved that the commission issue a call for artists, select three finalists and pay them each a $500 fee for their proposals. Commissioner Sharrard seconded the motion. MOTION APPROVED III. BRAVO! 2001-02 Season and BRAVO! Kids education .programs Susan Sagawa reported on the 2001-02 season lineup. She is also working on bringing artists in the BRAVO! Kids series to Gildo Ray Elementary if the commission receives an education grant from King County. The project would be a pilot program in the Auburn School District. Loft Patrick said attendance at the April 6 and 7 performance of"Giselle" by the Evergreen City Ballet was 700. The production was well received. IV. Discussion of Artist Space Jim Kelly, executive director of the King County Office of Cultural Resources, has identified the vacant JC Penny building as a potential space for artist studios. Kelly arranged a meeting at city hall in March to discuss the potential of renovating the building to house artist studios. City officials and representatives from the chamber and downtown association attended and the response was positive. Kelly discussed several examples of similar successful projects around the country and the economic and cultural (more) April Arts Commission minutes, April 2001 Page 3 boost they have brought to communities. Kelly estimates a renovation of' the JC Penny building would cost about $2.5 million. He and a group of Seattle-area artists visited Auburn for a second time on April 3 to tour the building with local artists and business and community members. The response was enthusiastic. Those in attendance agreed living space would be cost prohibitive, but the building is well suited to ax'tist studios, particularly on the third floor, The first floor could serve as a gallery and community space for arts classes. Commissioner Lynn Norman said LiHi, a developer of low-income housix~g, has submitted an offer on the building with the stipulation that certain repairs are made. Commissioner Norman suggested the commission also identify other potential buildings 'in Auburn's core. The commission collectively supported creating artist studio space in Auburn. Chair Steve LePenske will draft a letter to Mayor Booth encouraging support of such a project. V. Other Business · Auburn artist Laurel Siegmund has a calligraphy show in the city hall gallery. · Susan Sagawa reminded commissioners of the Chihuly Raffle to benefit the senior center renovation project and sold tickets. · Commissioner Norman said King County Arts Commission funding rnay be affected in the coming years. The county commission is currently funded by the hotel-motel tax and CX funds. In a few years, CX funding to the commission will be cut. The commission is considering requiring local arts agencies to provide matching funding when applying for sustained support grants from the county. The cotxmty is also reconsidering its arts-in-educatiOn grants. · Norman suggested the arts commission consider hosting another COlnmnunity arts night and invite local politicians. The commission hosted an arts night a few years ago and it was well received. There was no other business. The meeting adjourned at 6:14 p.m. The ~cxt regular meeting is Monday, May 14, 4:30 p.m. in Conference Room 1. *Note artist reception for quilt artist Joyce Becket from 4 to 6:30 p.m., May 14, in the gallery.