HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-04-2013 (2)City of Auburn Arts Commission, City Hall Annex, One Main, Conference Room 2
Tuesday, June 4, 2013 Meeting Minutes
Present: Nancy Colson, Patricia Judd, Colleen Maloney, Dan Norman, Greg Watson, Laura Westergard,
Council Liaison: Rich Wagner, Arts and Events Manager Julie Brewer. Excused: Cary Davidson, Nickole
Evans -Buck, Heidi Harris, DeNae McGee, Leslie Moore, Ronie Schwend,
Guests: Rachael Burrum, Curator of Education at the White River Valley Museum
I. Call to Order, Approval of Minutes, Introductions and Approval of Minutes:
Vice Chair Colleen Maloney called the meeting to order at 4:30 pm. Vice Chair Maloney noted an
addition to the agenda to include a report from the Visual Arts Committee. May minutes were not
approved as quorum was not reached.
II. White River Valley Museum
Julie Brewer introduced Rachael Burrum, Curator of Education at the White River Valley Museum.
Rachael provided an overview of upcoming programs and events offered by the Museum. In conjunction
with the Nihon/WA exhibition currently on view, Greg Kono will be offering a kite - making workshop. A
calligraphy class was offered and was well attended. There are many upcoming summer public programs
occurring at the Mary Olson Farm including Mad Hatter's Tea event on 6/29, Auburn Symphony
Orchestra outdoor chamber series 7/18, 8/1 and 8/15, Hops and Crops Festival on 9/14, Gentleman
Desperado: The Harry Tracy Story in September and October, 2013. Staff Julie Brewer noted that Arts
staff is working collaboratively to market and promote Hops and Crops and Gentleman Desperado.
Discussion continued.
III. Public Art
Staff Julie Brewer introduced the opportunity of the creation of a new mural on the West facing wall of the
Small and Sons Oil Distribution Company building (facing the railroad tracks). This is a partnership with
Urban Artworks, a Seattle non - profit that works with youth for the creation of artwork with whom we have
worked with previously on two occasions. Brewer presented photos of the site building and provided an
overview of the "Unifying Themes" that the public art committee had previously outlined. Commission
was asked to identify themes and ideas that could be passed onto the selected artist for incorporation in
their design using their own aesthetic and style. Commissioner Watson noted the desire for aspects of
Auburn's history to be represented. Commission Westergard explained the Auburn Downtown
Association discussion of Auburn as a hub, with the spokes of the wheel representing the diversity of
Auburn. Staff shared comments from the building owner Stephen Small. The Commission noted that
"Connections and Intersections" was the direction in which they sought to provide to the artist.
Staff Brewer shared imagery from the two artists under consideration for creating the design, and noted
that the actual painting would be done by youth participating in the 8 -Week Program and teaching artists
hired by Urban Artworks. Tyler Martz and Stacy Rozich were considered, and after discussion the
Commission recommended to invite Tyler Martz to create the design. As this project will begin at the
beginning of July, a review of the design will be at the July 2, 2013 meeting with any changes made
immediately following.
Staff Brewer announced that artist and muralist Rachael Dotson, who has done many murals and projects
for Auburn over the past 5 years is moving out of the area. In 2012, Rachael created the designs for the
wrapped utility boxes and applied them as part of a Clean Sweep event. The designs are under the
artists' ownership, and staff asked the commission if it was recommended to purchase the designs to be
able to have the digital files in order to reproduce in the future without her involvement. Staff is
negotiating a price for the work and researching various utility boxes in which the popular vinyl wraps can
be applied. It was suggested that because of the quality and quantity of work that Rachael has done in
the past for the City of Auburn, that staff create a special file compiling images of her work in Auburn.
IV. Visual Art Committee Report
Commissioner and Vice -Chair Maloney noted that staff has been working with Suzanne Tidwell to see if a
temporary public art installation could occur this summer. Suzanne Tidwell is known regionally for yarn
bombing, a phenomenon that wraps objects in knitted yarn as means to reclaim, personalize or transform
public spaces. Her installation in Les Gove Park will include wrapping of light poles throughout the park
as well as hanging of 3' -4' lanterns from the light pole brackets. The artwork is scheduled to be installed
in late June and will be on view through the summer and removed in September.
Commissioner Maloney noted that there is potential available gallery space within the second floor of City
Hall. The committee advised staff to look into hanging reproductions of historical photographs in
partnership with the White River Valley Museum rather than double the size of the existing gallery on the
first floor.
V. Updates and Upcoming Events
Petpalooza occurred on May 10 and had an ArtRageous Zone that featured four artists offering pet -
themed art projects. Kids Day is the next event in which will host an ArtRageous Zone. Commissioner
Maloney, noted that potentially getting custom aprons with the logo printed on them may help with the
branding of the zone as a unique area.
The call -to- artists for the Pianos on Parade has been distributed and the Visual Art Committee will be
meeting to select the five artists. The pianos will be on display in August 2013.
Commissioner Westergard distributed posters for the Wine, Art and Music (WAM) festival on July 20 and
invited the commission to attend a June 14 event celebrating Auburn's 122nd Birthday featuring a beer
and wine garden as well as poetry as part of the festivities.
Julie Brewer described the newest Auburn Community Players production at the Auburn Avenue Theater
titled The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, a musical comedy production featuring regional
actors. Brewer also noted the opening of the Farmers Market on June 9, 2013 and noted that the
publicity poster for 2014 would be determined by the commission as part of the annual student art project
Next Visual Art Committee Meeting: Wednesday, June 12, 2013 at Zola's Cafe
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:45 pm
Respectfully submitted, Maija McKnight