HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-12-2005
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WASHINGTON
City of Auburn Arts Commission
Monday, September 12, 2005
Meeting Minutes
Commissioners present: Bonnie Egbert, chair; Pam Smith; Herman Ansingh;
Steve LePenske; Pat Gallagher; Linda Elliott; Anne Baunach; Amanda Flanery;
Barbie Sharrard; Don Gardner
Commissioners absent: Nancy Colson; Kristen Brock (excused)
Staff present: Lori Patrick, Cultural Arts Manager; Laurie Rose, Cultural Arts Coordinator
Call to order: Commission Chair Bonnie Egbert called the meeting to order at 4:40 p.m.
I. Approval of August minutes
Ms. Egbert called for approval of the August minutes as presented. Commissioner Amanda
Flanery submitted a correction regarding her attendance as present. Ms. Egbert asked for
approval of the amended minutes reflecting the correction. Commissioner Steve LePenske
moved the August minutes be approved as amended. Commissioner Linda Elliott seconded the
motion. MOTION APPROVED.
II. Summer programs wrap up
Cultural Arts Coordinator Laurie Rose gave a final report of the Shades of Summer, Auburn Idol
and Shakespeare in the Park programs. The average attendance to each summer presentation
was approximately 250-300 people with the outdoor cinema, Paperboys and Auburn Idol final
concert drawing the largest numbers. The Shakespeare in the Park production, produced by
Green Theatre and fully sponsored by King County Health Department's anti-smoking program,
Art Patch, was also well received by the audience.
Ms. Rose continued with her report regarding Auburn Idol. Auburn Idol finalist, Dayla Walker,
will participate in the Sept. 16 "Battle of the Idols" at the Puyallup Fair, sponsored by Tacoma
Parks. Ms. Walker will be competing against nine others for a $1,000 cash prize, a recording
session and an opportunity to sing the National Anthem at a 2006 Tacoma Rainiers game.
Cultural Arts Manager Lori Patrick passed around a King County Journal feature article about
Ms. Walker as the 2005 Auburn Idol.
Ms. Patrick reported staff is researching funding opportunities for presenting up to five outdoor
cinema programs next summer. Discussion followed regarding securing sponsorship for both
the outdoor cinema and Shades of Summer concerts and integrating the cinema presentations
into the overall summer programming.
Sept. 12, 2005, City of Auburn Arts Commission Meeting Minutes
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III. BRAVO! Series
Ms. Patrick reported full-season subscription sales are down compared to last year, but overall
revenue (reflecting both subscription and single ticket orders) is already 35% of goal for the
entire season, one week before the series opens. The decline in subscriptions is likely due to
several factors: There has been a national trend downward of season subscriptions for several
years. Auburn's numbers reflect the same decline. Additionally, many who purchased season
tickets to the BRAVO! Series and single tickets to the Auburn Symphony Orchestra (ASO)
season in past years have this year taken advantage of the BRA VOl "Mix-n-Match" 4-show
subscription and purchased a full ASO subscription. The "Mix-n-Match" packages are selling
very well as a result.
Ms. Rose continued the BRAVO! report with an update regarding marketing and promotional
initiatives. "Target audience" mailing lists were compiled for Russian American Kids Circus and
Harlem Gospel Choir. Discussion followed about individual show promotions.
IV. Public Art
Auburn Way S. & F Street: Ms. Patrick reported the City Council's Planning and Community
Development Committee has approved the Auburn Way South and F Street Southeast public
art signage project as proposed for recommendation to the City Council. The three concerns
regarding the supporting way-finding signage, readability of the lettering and lighting were
addressed to the committees' satisfaction. If readability of the lettering proves inadequate, the
project contract has been amended to include the City's right to make modifications if deemed
necessary. The project proposal goes before City Council for a vote this month. The
construction of the intersection began this week, but is not scheduled for completion until spring
2006.
Vandalism: Ms. Patrick reported on incidents of vandalism to two public art pieces in the past
month. The Long Look at Centennial Viewpoint Park was vandalized again over the Labor Day
holiday. Vandals had attempted last January to sever the bronze sculpture of a deer from its
base by sawing through the hind legs. This time vandals attempted once again to remove the
sculpture, this time sawing through the front legs. Security measures will be enacted: lighting
will be installed and the shrubbery will be trimmed to provide a clear view from the street.
The Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad overpass at Auburn Way and Highway 18 was
"tagged" with spray paint. The damage has been removed using a sandblasting method, but it
will take a couple months of natural weathering to return the steel's "bloom," or rust, to the
damaged area's original look. Discussion followed regarding repair, restoration and related
budgets for the City's public art pieces.
Lakeland: The lighting and landscaping plans for "Sighting," the corten steel sculpture at
Lakeland Hills Way Southeast, is underway. A plaque will also be installed.
2006 Project: Ms. Patrick reported staff is working with Public Works regarding the integration
of and funding for a public art project in conjunction with the West Main Street non-motorized
improvements.
Sept. 12, 2005, City of Auburn Arts Commission Meeting Minutes
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V. Residency requirements for boards and commission members
Ms. Patrick said the Mayor and Council are revisiting policy regarding residency requirements
for members of City boards and commissions. Discussion followed.
VI. The 2006 City Hall Gallery Call for Artists
The 2006 City Hall Gallery Call for Artists went out earlier this month. Ms. Patrick reported five
submissions have been made thus far and anticipates up to a dozen or more will be received by
the Oct. 7 deadline for submission. The Good 01' Days Art Exhibit will be added to the City Hall
Gallery exhibit schedule in 2006. That exhibit will still be currated by Good 01' Days staff.
Ms. Patrick asked the commission for recommendations regarding the frequency in which an
artist may exhibit. The Commission recommended an artist may be featured again the following
year if the work submitted for consideration is a different body of work. The visual arts
committee will meet on October 13 from 1 to 5 p.m. at City Hall to review submissions for the
2006 City Hall Gallery exhibits.
VII. Other Business
The nominating committee to elect a vice-chair for 2006 is Ms. Egbert, Ms. Flanery and
Commissioner Pam Smith. The committee will forward its nominations for a vote at the October
meeting.
Ms. Patrick and Ms. Smith asked for volunteer ushers for the Sept. 19 Russian American Kids
Circus school show. Commissioners Elliott, Egbert and Barbie Sharrard will assist.
Ms. Patrick reported the slate for the 2006-07 BRAVO! season will be determined early in 2006
so that sponsorships for individual shows can be pursued. Additional!y, Ms. Patrick and
Ms. Rose will be attending a regional booking conference next month in Oregon to begin the
booking process.
The annual retreat is scheduled for Monday, October 10, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the White River
Valley Museum Muckleshoot Room. The speaker will be Mary Pat Byrne, Art Specialist for the
City of Bellevue.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Laurie Rose
Cultural Arts Coordinator
Sept. 12, 2005, City of Auburn Arts Commission Meeting Minutes
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