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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-11-2004 City of Auburn Arts Commission Monday, October 11,2004 MINUTES Commissioners present: Herman Ansingh, Chair Anne Baunach, Kristen Brock, Bonnie Egbert, Amanda Flanery, Pat Gallagher, Don Gardner, Steve LePenske, Barbie Sharrard Commissioners absent: Nancy Colson, Linda Elliott and Pam Smith (all excused) Staff present: Susan Gochoel, cultural programs manager, Lori Patrick, cultural programs coordinator Commission Chair Anne Baunach called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. I. Introduction and Approval of Minutes Commissioner Barbie Sharrard moved that the September minutes be approved as submitted. Commissioner Bonnie Egbert seconded the motion. MOTION APPROVED II. City Hall Gallery Exhibition Program 2005 Commissioner Steve LePenske reported a panel of commissioners met Oct. 6 to review submissions for 2005 exhibitions in the City Hall Gallery. The panel reviewed submissions by 22 artists and selected eight artists for a total of seven exhibitions, including the annual PT A Reflections exhibit of student artwork. The panel selected a combination of solo and group exhibits featuring a variety of genres, including pastels, tapestries, watercolors, sumi and oil paintings. Commissioner LePenske said the panel reviewed digital slides for the first time, and recommended staff establish criteria for the submission of digital slides. III. Discussion of Potential Sites for Public Art Projects Cultural Programs Manager Susan Gochoel distributed the final draft of the arts section included in the Parks and Recreation Department's Comprehensive Plan. Commissioners stressed the importance of the recommendation for the development of a maintenance and restoration program/fund to support the city's growing public art collection. Gochoel said she met with Assistant City Engineer Ingrid Gaub to discuss and identify city planning and engineering projects over the next three years that may benefit from the integration or addition of public art. Gochoel distributed a list of five potential sites identified in her meeting with Gaub for public art projects in 2005 and 2006. The list included Auburn Way South and F Street; a planned non-motorized trail on West Main St., between Burlington Northern and United Pacific rail tracks; M Street grade separation at Highway 18 and the railroad tracks leading to Stampede Pass; Auburn Way (more) City of Auburn Arts Commission October 2004 minutes, Page 2 and Main Street Corridor, including A St. NW; and more than 30 storm ponds citywide planned for retro- fit. Commissioners discussed other potential sites for public art, including downtown near Auburn Regional Medical Center and near the Auburn Riverside High School Theatre or nearby entrance to Roegner Park. Gochoel said she will arrange a commission van tour of potential public art sites to be followed by a meeting of the commission's public art committee to develop a prioritized list of recommended public art projects to forward to the City Council's Planning and Community Development Committee for consideration. Gochoel said she hopes to identify a project in the coming weeks to forward to PCDC for discussion and agreement. Gochoel said she received a letter from a Lakelandhomeowner expressing his dislike of "Sighting," the recently installed pubic art piece at Lakeland Hills. Gochoel responded by letter. Commissioners who live in Lakeland said some of their neighbors wrongly perceived the city's partnership with the Lakeland Hills Homeowners Association in placing the piece involved homeowners association dollars. Chair Baunach said that misperception by residents may have fueled some of the negative responses to the public art piece. Commissioners also pointed out that they also heard positive feedback. IV. Education program for 2004/2005 Gochoel distributed a schedule of school performances and one dance workshop in conjunction with the BRAVO! season. The artists featured in the arts education program are all performing on the BRAVO! series. The Auburn School District will pay for transportation to the theaters and cover all technical fees. Each elementary PT A contributed $200, with Gildo Rey Elementary PT A contributing $1,000 to help fund the arts education program, which was scaled back this season due to 4Culture's decision to eliminate grant funds for education projects. V. Vice chair nominations for 2005 Gochoel said the nominating committee was unable to meet due to scheduling conflicts and requested the commission table its nominations for vice chair until the nominating committee can meet and bring its recommendations to the commission next month. VI. Other Business Commissioner Herman Ansingh attended The Evergreen City Ballet's recent performance and said it was wonderful. The ballet credited the city of Auburn Arts Commission for its sustained support in the performance program. Commissioners Don Gardner and Barbie Sharrard also attended the performance and enjoyed it. (more) City of Auburn Arts Commission October 2004 minutes, Page 3 Gochoel said Seattle Opera will host a pre-concert reception in conjunction with Seattle Opera's Young Artists BRAVO! performance, Nov. 5. The 6 p.m. reception will honor Gertie Sprenger, an arts commissioner emeritus and lifetime honorary Seattle Opera trustee and opera education pioneer. Seattle Opera is developing The Gertrude E. Sprenger Education Endowment to honor Sprenger's dedication to the arts education. Mayor Pete Lewis, city council members and arts commissioners will receive invitations to the reception. Commissioners discussed potential topics for its annual retreat and expressed interest in hearing from aspeaker(s) on the subject of funding during budget constraints and the Parks and Recreation Department's plans for forming a foundation. Lori Patrick, cultural programs coordinator, said Mayor Pete Lewis in his weekly report referred to favorable results for Auburn contained in the recently completed South County Economic Engine Study. According to the study, Auburn has the highest art and cultural satisfaction rating of South County cities. There was no other business, the meeting adjourned at 5:45 p.m. The next regular meeting is 4:30 p.m., Monday, Nov. 8 in the City Council Conference Room at City Hall, 25 West Main St.