HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-04-2009
City of Auburn Arts Commission City Hall Council Chambers
Tuesday, August 4, 2009 Meeting Minutes
Present: Nancy Colson, Pat Judd, Cary Davidson, Debby Deal, Leslie Moore, Donna Smart, Laurel
Siegmund Councilmember Rich Wagner, Cultural Arts Manager Laurie Rose, Visual/Public Art
Coordinator Maija McKnight
Excused: David Sader, Pat Gallagher, Amanda Flanery, Tanya Rottle, Linda Elliott
Guests: Dana Hinman, Communications Manager; Greg Watson, West Auburn High School; Rachel
Dotson, Mural Artist; Brent Cleary, Parks, Arts & Recreation staff.
I. Call to Order, Approval of Minutes, Introductions Approval of Minutes: Chair Nancy Colson
called the meeting to order at 4:35 pm. Ms. Colson called for approval of the July minutes.
Commissioner Laurel Siegmund moved the minutes be approved as submitted. Commissioner Leslie
Moore seconded the motion. Motion approved.
II. "Faces of Auburn" Mural Project
Cultural Arts Manager Laurie Rose reported that staff has been working on a request for murals to be
painted upon the Crites/Huff building, located at South Division and 1S' Street SW. In discussion with
mural artist, Rachael Dotson, the City Diversity staff and the Communications department, a theme of
"Faces of Auburn" has emerged as a thematic connection both to the mural proposal, but also in a
city wide effort to be an inclusive city embracing diversity. Communications Manager Dana Hinman
further discussed the idea of "Faces of Auburn" being applied to various City outreach strategies and
expressed interest in working closely with the development of this mural project.
Mural artist Rachael Dotson presented her ideas and inspiration for the development and creation of
the Faces of Auburn murals. The theme will be expressed as large-scale "posterized" photos of
various faces painted onto each of the covered window openings. The 23 windows will be a broad
diversity of faces, from young to older and ethnic background, of actual residents of Auburn. The
murals will be intended to be viewed as cars and busses pass by to and from the Auburn Transit
Station, with an overall effect this is graphically strong and instantly recognizable as a face of a
person. The idea based upon artist Shepard Fairey's campaign image of President Obama. Ms.
Dotson is looking forward to the potential of working with area youth as volunteer painters. Guest
Greg Watson asked how the faces would be selected, and encouraged the idea of including a few
faces of people from Auburn's history. Ms. Hinman also expressed interest in compiling imagery to
be considered for inclusion. The commission encouraged these ideas and directed staff to compile
images from the City's photo archives and add images the artist will be collecting from her photo
shoot at the Auburn Farmers Market. Ms. Dotson noted that waivers must be collected from each of
the individuals represented. Discussion continued.
III. Committee Reports
a. Visual Art Committee: ArtRageous Review and Discussion. Commissioner Laurel Siegmund
reported that ArtRageous has received an overwhelmingly positive response. Committee
members shared some of the comments, remarks and observations that they have received
about the event. Some discussion items included the following: the diversity of types of fine arts,
variety of age appropriate activities, as well as the fine art quality of the activities was noted as
making the event unique and very appropriately connected to the Arts Commission as a program.
The atmosphere of the park and the set-up created an intimate and relaxed atmosphere for
attendees to take their time to experience and experiment with each offering. The focus was
always on the artists activities with the other scheduled performances as a secondary benefit.
Ms. Rose noted that a request has been made to schedule ArtRageous as an annual event.
Commissioner Leslie Moore encouraged the commission to consider the cost of production and
the artistic quality of the event to be a top priority and therefore, take into consideration if it ought
to be an annual, biannual or every third year event. Also noted was the desire to keep the festival
"fresh," dynamic and relatively small in order to deliver the intimate/unrushed experience both
participating artists and event-goers enjoyed. Councilman Rich Wagner noted that the festival
could include sponsorship booths to both offset the cost as well as provide commercial
opportunities for the attendees. Commissioner Moore noted that there is the potential to explore
sponsorship opportunities, but felt that maintaining the integrity of the artistic non-commercial
purpose of the festival is very important. Visual Art Coordinator Maija McKnight noted that the
date of the event proved to be problematic with many events scheduled the same weekend and
therefore a different date should be explored. Ms. McKnight also expressed thanks to the
commissioners who volunteered not only to help plan, but also worked the day of the event,
directing cars, working booths, and generally making the event possible.
b. Public Art Committee: Ms. Rose provided an overview of the "Walk the Talk: Public Art in
Auburn" event scheduled for Thursday, September 24. Eight artists have accepted the invitation
to participate in a moderated panel discussion led by Heather Dwyer of 4Culture. The hour long
panel discussion will focus on the artisYs experience working in Auburn and a glimpse of how the
experience here either fits within the context of their artistic career. The panel will be followed by
a self-guided art walk of artworks in the downtown core. Invited guests will then attend a
reception in the Rainer Room of the Truitt Building. Discussion followed of how to best market this
program and specific audiences to whom the invitation should be extended. Ms. Rose then also
noted Ms. Colson's request to have 4Culture present an overview of Public Art and its role within
our built environment to City of Auburn planning and public works staff. Staff will work to
coordinate this with the other departments and schedule it directly prior to the public program
featuring the artists.
IV. Other New Business: None Reported
Arts Education Committee Meeting - TBD
Performing Arts Committee Meeting - TBD
Visual Art Committee - Wednesday, September 16, 4 at Parks, Arts & Recreation
Public Art Committee - Thursday, August 27, 5 pm at Parks, Arts & Recreation
Next Arts Commission Meeting - Tuesday, September 1 at 4:30 at Auburn City Hall, Room 3
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:50 p.m.
Resp Ily submitted,
La ie Ro
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