HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/06/2025 - MinutesRenton Municipal Arts Commission
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
City Hall, Council Conference Room 726 or Zoom
Commissioners Present: Clara Affleck, Sara Palmer, Evelyn Reingold, Jake Heare,
Susan Jessick,
Commissioners, pending appointments: Brooke Ciquera
Renton Staff: Jessie Kotarski
Call to order: 6:00 pm
Introduction of Guests: Amy Piñon, artist, photographer
Correspondence & Announcements:
• Circulated thank you card to Hazel High School, The Vera Project, IKEA, KCLS,
Brewmaster’s Taproom, SCA, Sustainable Renton
• City Clerk & City Attorney have request 45-minutes at the June meeting to
provide training on the Open Public Meetings Act, Public Records Act, and
Robert’s Rules presentation
• Youth Poetry Slam on May 17, 10am–2pm - Purest Sound Education District
Teen Poetry Slam, free event at their office located at 800 Oakesdale Ave SW
• Look, Listen, Learn TV “PALS” event on May 17, 2pm-5pm - Family First
Community Center, RMAC will be present hosting a craft activity to engage with
the audience
• Monthly poetry meeting up on Friday, May 9, 6pm-8pm at Boon Boona Coffee
• Friday social nights every Friday starting at 4pm at The New Knittery in Renton
Village Square
Review of minutes from April meeting:
• Correction/adjustment: Evelyn asked that the minutes be revised to note the
contributions and dedicated service that of Marsha Rollinger contributed to the
Commission during her years of service.
• Evelyn motioned to accept the April 1st meeting minutes as shared via email
with the addition of Marsha’s contributions. Seconded by Clara. Motion passes.
Budget update:
• Carryforward budget approved by City Council on May 5: $34,325.79
earmarked for 2024 projects continuing into 2025.
• Adjusted 2025 Budget: $134,679 total; Remaining balance after committed
project funds: $20,257.79
• 4Culture Grant: City Council approved to accept the grant funds to support the
Paint with Purpose Program ($44,000 for 2025) at the meeting on April 14.
Committee updates:
▪ Metrics
o City GIS working on dashboard; developing the story for the public facing
dashboard information
▪ Roadshow
o Farmer’s Market performance stage: All performances have been booked;
performances are scheduled on Tuesdays from June 3rd-September
between 4pm and 6:30pm – new stage location on Williams Ave S in front
of JP’s Taproom.
o Renton River Days: Roadshow program offering stage support, looking for
more local talent around two headliners (one daily)
o Summer Concert: Roadshow program team are working with Parks & Rec
to connect and schedule sound support
▪ Grants
o 16 grant applications received, totaling $129,000 in requests
o Grants Committee will review and bring recommendations
o Bryn Mawr Elementary Mural by artist Tommy Segundo, has been
completed;
▪ Follow-up requested to ensure RMAC logo is added to the mural
o Hazelwood Elementary Mural: Final design concept for submitted and
approved for installation
▪ Unveiling scheduled for May 31; RMAC members invited to attend
and offer remarks
▪ Promotions
o Dragon Day Debrief
▪ Positive feedback received from performers and attendees
▪ Planning decisions and ideas for 2026 are being collected in a
shared Google Drive spreadsheet
o Sidewalk Chalk Contest
▪ Allied Arts of Renton will donate cash prizes for 1st–3rd place
▪ Artist feedback from 2024 included requests for finisher prizes
(e.g., certificate, swag, sticker)
▪ Drew Dost has volunteered to lead coordination for the contest
o Artist Studio Tour – August 16
▪ Artists are offering to co-host studio spaces and yards
▪ Info session held on 4/24 covered mapping and best practices
▪ A second info session has been requested
o Costume Swap – September
▪ Partnership with the City confirmed
▪ The Vera Project offered to screen print Halloween t-shirts
o Upcoming Events
▪ Olde Time Halloween – October 25
▪ Small Business Saturday – November 29
o Art Lounge Series
▪ May 21: The New Knittery (location and host) – hand looming
workshop
▪ June 18: The Tipsy Typers (hosts) – poetry collage at Drum Roll
(location)
o Fairwood Night Market (May–October)
▪ Free 10x10 booth space for artists; also used to promote upcoming
events
▪ May theme: Fairwood Gone Wild – will feature Renton artist, Yuliya
.Helgesen Thompson
▪ June theme: Fairwood Gets Outside – will feature Renton artist
Renee Look
o Metal ornament fundraiser idea suggested to Promotions Committee
Old Business:
• Arts & Culture Center
o Bloom Studio will no longer move forward under Fem Allies and Business ;
a new RFP for management of the space will be opened to the public
soon
o IKEA-donated furniture will remain in the space
o Many artists remain engaged and interested in continuing the vision for
the space
• Legacy Square Project
o RFQ issued for experienced artist teams to contribute to early capital
improvements ahead of infrastructure and design planning
o Focus on near-term wins (e.g., 2026 World Cup) and long-term
community programming
o Artist team selected for the design concept creation of the Square: Will
Schlough and Sarah Robbins—local, experienced, and community-
oriented
▪ Current scope is for design and project concepts
• Sunset Highlands Public Art repair:
o Replacement artwork is currently being removed and the repairs
conducted by Western Neon.
• Art Walk
o Clara attended; businesses hosted multiple artists (e.g., Urban Sprouts
hosted 5 artists in-store)
o Noted that the info booth was oddly placed mid-walk
o Discussion: RMAC members should wear name badges and attend as
participants rather than host a booth at RDP events
o Suggestion: host artists at the Arts & Culture Space for future Art Walks
• Commissioner Status
o Pending commissioner applications and recommitments remain
unresolved due to delays at the City Council Committee level
New Business:
• Sound Transit looking for artist(s) for Renton Transit Center, Jake participating in
selection process
• Request from Sara for City or RMAC greeting cards, stickers for
communications
Adjournment: 7:29 pm