HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-13-2004
City of Auburn Arts Commission
~onday,Sept. 13,2004
~INUTES
Commissioners present: Herman Ansingh, Chair Anne Baunach, Kristen Brock, Nancy
Colson, Bonnie Egbert, Amanda Flanery, Pat Gallagher, Don Gardner, Barbie Sharrard,
Pam Smith
Commissioners absent: Steve LePenske (excused)
Staff present: Susan Gochoel, cultural programs manager, Lori Patrick, cultural
programs coordinator
Visitors: Linda Elliott
Chair Anne Baunach called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m.
I. Introduction and approval of minutes
Commissioner Baunach welcomed visitor Linda Elliott, an applicant for the open seat on
the arts commission.
Commissioner Pam Smith moved that the August minutes be approved as submitted.
Commissioner Bonnie Egbert seconded the motion.
~OTION APPROVED
II. 2004-2005 BRAVO! kickoff with Auburn Symphony concert
Cultural Programs Manager Susan Gochoel said the Auburn Symphony's pair of
concerts, Percussion Reigns, Sept. 11 and 12 were very well received, but attendance was
down. A conflict with conductor Stewart Kershaw's schedule at Pacific Northwest Ballet
pushed the concert dates up to September, earlier than the usual mid-October concert
dates. Gochoel advised the symphony perform its 2005 fall concert in October, as
September is too early in the season. The house count was 622 and revenue was $7,500,
down from nearly $8,400 in October 2003 and $8,000 in October 2002.
As a marketing effort Gochoel had announced the season's free holiday concert as part of
the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the city's arts commission from the stage at the
symphony concert. Many people picked up BRAVO! season brochures to reserve their
free open admission tickets and were encouraged to purchase single tickets to the
remaining seasons events.
(more)
City of Auburn Arts Commission
September 2004 minutes, Page 2
III. Public Art
The city dedicated "Sighting" by Brandon Zebold at Lakeland Hills Way SE and
Evergreen Way SE, Tuesday, Aug. 24. Despite pouring rain, about 30 people attended,
reported Lori Patrick, cultural programs coordinator.
In response to mixed feedback from Lakeland residents about the piece, staff designed a
postcard featuring photographs of "Sighting," explaining the process behind selecting it
and offering information about the city's Art in Public Places Program. The postcard was
mailed to nearly 2,000 Lakeland resident.
Patrick showed commissioners a draft of a page featuring a map of the city's public art
collection that will appear on the city's Auburn Update page in the Sept. 22 issue of The
Auburn Reporter.
Gochoel reported Sidney Genette is scheduled to begin installation of the architectural
neon lighting at the city's new public safety building, Sept. 24. The public art project
will feature a continuous strip of neon blue lighting placed behind frosted glass resin that
will follow the contour of the canopy around the building's exterior. Genette will also
light the marquee and install a 16-foot-Iong by 2-foot-talllighting installation "Blue
Neutron" on an interior lobby wall. Gochoel said Genette aimed to create a calming
effect with the neon sculpture.
IV. Open commission seat and selection of nomination committee
for 2005 vice chair
Gochoel introduced Linda Elliott, an applicant for the open seat on the arts commission,
who wished to attend the meeting to observe. Elliott recently interviewed with Mayor
Pete Lewis who makes the appointments to city commissions, which are then approved
by the city council. Elliott, who has lived in Auburn since 1969, teaches music at Dick
Scobee Elementary School and serves on the Auburn Symphony Board as its education
liaison.
Commission Vice Chair Bonnie Egbert will advance to chair in January 2005. The
commission formed a vice chair nominating committee comprised ofBaunach, the
current chair; Pam Smith, commissioner-at-Iarge; and city staff member Gochoel.
Gochoel will arrange a meeting of the nominating committee.
(more)
City of Auburn Arts Commission
September 2004 minutes, Page 3
V. Annual overview and discussion of cultural programs
Gochoellisted the city's cultural programs for the commissioners to rank in order of
community impact and importance: the BRAVO! performance series; the free Shades of
Summer concert series; Artisans in the Schools; community arts re-granting; Arts in
Public Places Program; the Fourth of July Festival as well as providing entertainment for
a number of community festivals.
Following discussion, the commission came to a consensus that the top three programs
with the most impact and visibility are the BRAVO! series, summer concerts and public
art. They also discussed the need in the near future to find funds to maintain and restore
the aging public art collection.
VI. Other business
Commissioner Nancy Colson will be honored as Auburn's Hometown Hero at the Sept.
20 city council meeting.
The city will sponsor the Auburn Area Chamber of Commerce's September luncheon,
11 :30 a.m., Monday, Sept. 20, where it will highlight the 2004-2005 BRAVO! series and
promote attendance to the events. This has been an annual event for the last four years.
Many of the arts commissioners plan to attend.
There was no other business. The meeting adjourned at 6:08 p.m. The next regular
meeting is 4:30 p.m., ~onday, Oct. 11 in the City Council Conference Room at City
Hall, 25 West Main St.