HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-04-2008
City of Auburn Arts Commission
Tuesday, November 4, 2008, 4:30 pm
Meeting Minutes
Commissioners Present: Linda Elliott, Laurel Siegmund, Donna Smart, Debby Deal, Pat Judd, Tanya
Rottle, Leslie Moore, Amanda Flanery, Carey Davidson, Nancy Colson, Councilman Rich Wagner
Commissioners Excused: Kristen Brock, Pat Gallagher, Youth Council Liaison Erika Shepherd.
Staff Present: Maija McKnight, Laurie Rose
Call to Order, Approval of Minutes, Introductions
Chair Linda Elliott called the meeting to order at 4:30 pm
Approval of Minutes
Ms. Elliott called for approval of the October minutes. Commissioner Laurel Siegmund moved the
minutes be approved as submitted. Commissioner Pat Judd seconded the motion. Motion aqproved.
Committee/Panel Reports
Chair Report
Ms. Elliott reported the Vice President Nominee list will be mailed to all commissioners with the
November meeting minutes/December agenda. The vote will occur during the December
meeting.
Staff Report
BRAVO & Auburn Ave Theater updates
Laurie Rose reported that 200 tickets have been distributed thus far for the annual "Red, White and
Blue Holiday Concert," Dec. 7th at 2:30pm. These are free tickets with the donation of non-perishable
food benefitting the Auburn Food Bank. The expectation is that all 1000 tickets will be distributed.
Details of the 2009/2010 season are currently being planned, and an exciting new opportunity has
arisen. The Cultural Arts office has been contacted by the President's Own Marine Band to pertorm in
Auburn in 2009.
Founded in 1 798 by an Act of Congress, "The President's Own " United States Marine Band is
America's oldest professional musical organization. Today, "The President's Own " is
celebrated for its role at the White House and its dynamic public performances. "The
President's Own" encompasses the United States Marine Band, Marine Chamber Orchestra,
and Marine Chamber Ensembles, and performs regularly at the White House and for more than
500 public performances across the nation each year.
The performance is scheduled for Monday, October 5, 2009 at the Auburn Performing Arts Center.
Admission is required to be free-of-charge, as the annual holiday concert.
Ms. Rose presented the finro postcards promoting upcoming events at the Auburn Avenue Theater and
reminded commissioners that if they are not receiving these, they need to sign up to be on the mailing
list. Dates and performances of note are Tatyana's Letter presented by Seattle Opera Young Artists on
Sunday, November 9, 2008, Live at the Ave music series, and Comedy at the Ave. Upcoming
programming will include holiday themed films and movies at the Auburn Avenue Theater. Ms. Rose
noted that "Miracle on 34th StreeY' would be screened following the city's annual Santa Parade. The
Youth Council will provide a small hot meal to the attendees for a nominal charge, benefitting its
programs.
Neut Steps re: Public Art Policy & Artwork Acceptance
Ms. Rose reported that it has been requested that the commission follow up regarding its recent
presentation at the PCD Committee Meeting. The packet of information that was distributed was
substantial, and a time will be scheduled to answer any questions that may have arisen from the PCD
committee members.
Ms. Rose also noted the need for policy to be in place for acceptance of donated or loaned artworks.
Ms. Rose noted that the processes that we follow are especially important as we enter into projects just
as the downtown redevelopment. Ms. Rose noted that she and Ms. McKnight had met with staff
member Elizabeth Chamberlin to discuss the Arts Commission's role in the Downtown redevelopment
plans for both temporary and permanent artworks. The Public Art Committee has begun discussing
regarding temporary, or loaned artworks.
Ms. Rose distributed 1000§300§30: ADMIN Donation of Artwork (1988), which outlines the procedure
for acceptance of donated works. Ms. Rose asked the commission to read the document and consider
it for discussion at a future meeting. Ms. Rose noted that the donation policy work will be done in the
Public Art Committee meetings, represented to the Arts Commission, and presented to the Council for a
resolution. Ms. Rose also noted the importance of having a clear policy of how, when and why we
accept works into the City's collection. Discussion followed regarding the following: Nancy Colson
suggested staff review policies currently in place at the White River Valley Museum. Commissioner
Rich Wagner suggested to also consider creating a policy on Long Term Loan in which ownership
would remain with the artist/lender, but the city and residents could benefit from the public display of the
artwork. Leslie Moore suggested creating a brochure that would have the guidelines for distribution to
the public of how to give a donation of art to the City of Auburn.
ACTION ITEM: Acceptance of D. Grauthaus artwork for Mountain View Cemetery
Ms. Rose shared the printed program of the David Grauthaus exhibition that was on display in May of
2007 at the Mountain View Cemetery Building. Mr. Grauthaus creates large Hydrostone plaster tablets
that bear the tender, graceful photograph images retouched with paint of funeral statuary. This body of
50 works is titled the "Necropolis Series." The exhibition was selected through a jury process and
coordinated through the Cultural Arts staff and proved to be an effective community tool that brought
diverse interests together. In the fall of 2007, the Cemetery Board submitted a written request to the
Arts Commission to consider acquiring one of Mr. Grauthaus' artworks from the exhibition to be
permanently displayed in the entry foyer of the building. Ms. Rose asked the commission to consider a
purchase award to add this artwork to the City's two-dimensional artworks collection. The artwork
entitled "24-Evergreen-Washelli Cemetery", 22"x33"x1.5". Funds are available for the purchase through
the Arts Commission Budget. The artwork would be sited at the Cemetery building upon the Cemetery
board acceptance of maintenance of the artwork. Linda Elliott called for a motion to approve the
purchase award to add "24-Evergreen-Washelli Cemetery" by David Grauthaus to the City's two-
dimensional artworks collection. Nancy Colson moved, Leslie Moore seconded. Discussion followed.
All approved as moved, none against. Motion passed.
Other artworks to consider
Ms. Rose also encouraged the commissioners to view the artwork "Veteran's Day Parade" that is
currently on display at the Veterans Memorial Hall (Park Ave & Auburn Way North) which is on
temporary loan from the artist. The work was created as part of an exhibit coordinated by the Cultural
Arts Staff in Summer 2008 that was on display at the Golf Course Clubhouse as part of `The People
and Places of Auburn' by Greg Beaudreau. Ms. Rose asked the commission to consider as a future
action item to pass a purchase award to add "Veteran's Day Parade" to the two-dimensional artworks
collection.
Current Public Art Project Updates
Ms. McKnight distributed images from the initial fabrication models of the Golf Course Clubhouse Public
Art Project by Susan Zoccola. Ms. McKnight reported that the fabricator is currently working on
constructing the two sculpture and that a site visit is scheduled for Friday, November 7 at 10am. The
project will be completed and installed by mid December and the dedication date will be determined at
a later date in 2009. Ms. McKnight noted that she has asked the artist to photographically document
the fabrication process.
Ms. McKnight distributed images of the initial concept proposals for the Community Center project
presented to the Community Center by artist Virginia Paquette. The next steps are for the artist to
work directly with the architecture firm to develop a final concept/design, budget specifics, and
structural coordination. Ms. McKnight noted that an invitation would be extended to the Arts
Commission when the meeting is scheduled for the artist to present her final concepts.
Discussion followed regarding the images provided and description of the initial concepts.
2009 Gallery Schedule & Programs
Ms. McKnight reported that the selection committee convened on Tuesday, October 21, from 9-
2 pm. Commissioners Rottle, Smart and Brock along with Tacoma photographer Chip Van Gilder,
Olympia artist Ellen Miffitt, Auburn artist Amy Sie, Auburn artist and Senior Activity Center art
instructor Joanne Merriman considered 49 artists and scheduled 36 artists to exhibit their artwork
at City Hall Gallery, Cheryl Sallee Gallery Wall at the Auburn Senior Activity Center and Auburn
Avenue Theater in 2009. Ms. McKnight shared the draft schedule and noted that the letters were
sent out last week notifying the artists. Ms. Elliott noted that the great response reflects well upon
the growing profile of the Arts in Auburn. The demographics of the application received include
Kent (7 artists), Auburn (6), Seattle (4), Enumclaw (3), Renton (3), Bellevue, Normandy Park,
Puyallup, Tacoma (2 each), and Bonney Lake, Covington, Des Moines, Edmonds, Everett,
Federal Way, Gig Harbor, Lacey, Maple Valley, Mount Vernon, Mukilteo, Olympia, Port Orchard,
Poulsbo, Redmond, Sumner and Woodinville each represented by one (1) artist. Ms. McKnight
noted that in the acceptance letter included a paragraph inviting the artist to contact staff if they
are interested in offering a workshop/class through the Parks and Recreation department. It was
also noted in the letters to the applicants that were not accepted that they could contact the
Cultural Arts Staff to receive feedback and suggestions that the selection panel offered to be able
to present a stronger portfolio to review. Councilmember Wagner asked if there was effort to
outreach into diverse communities and noted that the topic of a recent roundtable discussion
regarding the Community Center focused on how the arts can be used as part of a strategy for
inclusiveness and diversity.
Ms. McKnight noted that November 8 and 9 is the registration and jury selection for the Small
Works, Big Presents exhibition. The Preview Opening is scheduled for Tuesday, November 18, 5
pm - 7 pm and the exhibit will be on view at the White River Valley Museum until December 14.
Ms. Colson reminded the commission that the exhibit is intended to be a holiday shopping
opportunity for artwork at affordable prices.
Call for Art Education Committee
Ms. McKnight noted that a meeting has been scheduled on Thursday, November 13, 2008 at
10am at the Parks Building to discuss the creation of an Arts Education Committee.
Commissioners interested in participating should either attend or let Ms. McKnight know of their
interest for future meetings. It was suggested to include the Interurban Center for the Arts in
future planning.
25th Anniversary Committee Reports
Visual Arts Committee
Commissioner Laurel Siegmund reported that the event will be a family-friendly festival event in
which attendees are encouraged to participate in many of the 25 activities/experiences that will
be offered. The initial plans are for the event to take place in the Transit Center Plaza. Discussion
followed regarding possible other locations in consideration of potential downtown construction.
Ms. Rose noted that a date has yet to be determined.
Public Art Committee
Commissioner Linda Elliott reported that the event would be a Thursday evening in September
and likely occur in the Rainier Room of the Truitt Building. The event would be an evening
reception in which we would invite the artists represented in the city's public art collection.
Additional ideas included: Golf Cart and/or Van Tour of Public Art in Downtown, exhibition in
Auburn Ave Theater about Public Art, a presentation by those artists whose work is featured in
the City's collection, including what artworks they have completed in other cities since their
project in Auburn, and possibly coordinating a temporary (interactive) public art project to occur at
the same time somewhere within the downtown core.
Ms. Rose requested to create budget proposals for all of the 25th Anniversary Events for review at
the January 2009 meeting. Ms. Rose asked the commission to consider using the annual funds
received from 4-Culture to support the 25`h Anniversary events.
Other/New Business
Councilmember Wagner distributed a document from a recent presentation at a Multicultural Roundtable
regarding "The City is asking for your suggestions about how cultural groups will use the new community
center at Les Gove Park". Councilmember Wagner reported that the arts and specifically the gallery
space was a topic that was repeatedly raised and underscored the importance and power of the arts and
the importance of individuals to "see themselves" represented.
Next meetings:
Arts Commission, December 4, 4:30 (Auburn Avenue Theater)
Visual Arts Committee, November 19, 4pm (PAR)
PubErVArts , NevernbeF 29,
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m.
RespectFully submitted,
Laurie Rose