HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-13-2001Auburn Arts Commission
Monday, August 13, 2001
MINUTES
Commissioners present: Anne Baunach; Kristen Brock; Bonnie Egbert; Lynn Norman;
Barbie Sharrard; Pam Smith, vice chair; John Stanphill
Commissioners absent: Herman Ansingh; Paul Dodsworth; Don Gardner; Steve
LePenske, commission chair; Gertie Sprenger
Staff present: Susan Sagawa, cultural programs manager; Lori Patrick, cultural programs
specialist
Visitors: Nick Lyle and Jean Whitesavage, Auburn Sounder Station garage artists; Carol
Valenta, Sound Transit START manager
Commission Vice Chair Pam Smith called the meeting to order at 4:38 p.m.
I. Approval of Minutes
Commissioner Barbie Sharrard moved that the July minutes be approved as mailed.
Commissioner Bonnie Egbert seconded the motion.
MOTION APPROVED
II.
Presentation of proposed public artwork for Auburn Station
garage
Artists Jean Whitesavage and Nick Lyle presented their proposed public art concept
for the Auburn Sound Transit Station garage. Sound Transit is fully funding the
$45,000 project. The artwork will take the form of large, vine-like forms mounted to
the brick fagade at the northeast comer of the six-story structure. The vines, which
will spread to cover the lower two-thirds of the building, will be hand forged,
fabricated in steel and painted with a durable industrial paint. Lights on the
building's face will illuminate the piece after dark. The artists are considering a light
green paint, which would stand out against the red brick and complement the existing
colors at the station. The artists presented a small-scale model of a vine leaf, a
drawing, written description of the artwork and budget. The curling, organic nature
of the forged vines will be a counterpoint to the massive blank surfaces presented by
the garage. Each of the proposed five vine structures is made up of two or more
segments, which join each other at common anchor points. The anchor system will
make it practical to install the vines via the windows in the garage wall. This will
also make for easier maintenance of the artwork by Sound Transit. Sound Transit
engineers have pre-reviewed and approved the technical aspects of the proposed
piece.
(more)
Auburn Arts Commission August Minutes
Page 2
The parking garage is scheduled for completion in November 2001. However Sound
Transit and the artists have agreed not to install the work until late summer due to
dust and debris created by plaza construction. Work on the Sound Transit plaza at the
station is slated to begin in spring 2002, with completion in late summer 2002. Artist
Bruce West is working on the public art piece for the plaza: two stainless steel
sculptures of three pear and two strawberry cross sections, cut and arranged as a still
life. Both pieces are in the collection of Sound Transit who will manage the
installation and maintain the work. Carol Valenta, Sound Transit START manager,
said Sound Transit will host a joint opening of the two artworks.
Commissioners discussed and accepted Whitesavage and Lyle's proposal. The
proposal is in line with the commission's and citizen advisory committee's
recommendations to have artwork reflecting the historical and agricultural past of the
city and that the work also complement the "orchard" theme of the plaza design.
Susan Sagawa will arrange a commission visit to the artists' Ballard studio.
III.
Other Business
The Auburn Arts Commission will sponsor the August Auburn Area Chamber of
Commerce luncheon at the Emerald Downs Turf Club. Commission staff will
promote the 2001-2002 BRAVO! Season. The luncheon is Monday, Aug. 20, at
11:30 a.m.
Ries Niemi's public art piece at the new Senior Center will be dedicated at a donor
reception, Friday, Sept. 7, celebrating the opening of the new center. The dedication
will take place at 7 p.m. Arts commissioners will receive invitations.
There was no other business. The meeting adjourned at 5:25 p.m. The next regular
meeting is Monday, Sept. 17, 4:30 p.m. in Conference Room 1. Please note the
date ehan~e.