HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/07/2025 - MinutesRenton Municipal Arts Commission
Tuesday, October 7, 2025
City Hall, Council Conference Room 726 or Zoom
Commissioners Present: Alycia Ruiz, Brianna Burroughs, Brooke Ciquera, Evelyn
Reingold, Jake Heare, Nadya Helt, Sujata Acharya, Sara Palmer.
Renton Staff (RMAC liaison): Jessie Kotarski
Call to order: 6:00 pm
Introduction of Guests: No guests present
Correspondence & Announcements:
• Chardonae Odegard: applicant
• Divya Rajan, Commission applicant
• Emma Foster: Commission applicant
• Melanie Cates: Commission applicant
• Steven Bixby: Commission applicant
• Hania Marien, artist - Grants applicant: PhD with youth arts-based methods with
social issues, justice
• Yi Du, local artist, shared about the Paint with Purpose mural project behind the
Highlands Safeway. Yi lives near the project site, has previously collaborated with
Urban Artworks, and is excited to contribute to the community through this work.
• Alex Nason, Urban Artworks, provided an overview of the project and collaboration
with Yi Du on the mural’s concept design. The artwork incorporates community
input gathered through a poll on favorite flowers—used as a metaphor for diversity—
and includes imagery of Mother Nature, hikers, sunset colors, and Mt. Rainier.
Volunteer opportunities to help paint the mural are being shared through Renton
Housing Authority, local apartment buildings, Safeway employees, the Sunset
Transformation Council, and social media. The volunteer paint day is scheduled for
October 25, with Urban Artworks staff managing preparation and follow-up.
• C.M. Ruiz, Urban Artworks
Correspondence & Announcements:
• A guerrilla art installation featuring a ballerina on a pillar was recently placed along
Sunset near I-405.
• The Benson Bruins container murals on 116th in Fairwood have been completed.
• A new mural commissioned by Wizards of the Coast is currently in progress on
Wells Ave S near Erasmus.
Review of minutes from September meeting:
• Brooke moved to accept the September 2nd meeting minutes. Seconded by Sujata.
Motion passed.
Budget update:
The 2025 budget has been fully allocated and remains on target.
Awaiting receipt submissions from the Promotions and Grants categories as expected.
Committee updates:
Selection Committee:
• Three commissioner vacancies including one youth position remain open.
• Interviews are planned for October.
Metrics Committee:
• The dashboard is live.
• Feedback was received regarding how attendance is calculated; discussion
scheduled for the annual retreat meeting.
Grants Committee:
• Evelyn attended the Battle of the Bands as a judge on 10/4 at Drum Roll Winery
(2:30–8:30 p.m.). The event featured mostly solo acts with some duets/trios and was
family- and pet-friendly. Evelyn reported a positive experience.
• Q1 2026 grant cycle is open until 10/24/25 for events occurring through March 2026;
review to take place in November.
• Yarn Art project by artist Christy Caravaglio has been installed at Kennydale Park.
• JR Learning Labs mobile Cedar River mural sessions at Renton Library: 10/11 and
10/25, 12–3 p.m.
• Tipsy Typers Zombie Writing Session at Luther’s Table on 10/17, 7–9 p.m.
Promotions Committee:
• Costume Swap (9/27): 260 attendees. Vera Project volunteers screen printed ghost
faces on fabric. Next year’s event is scheduled for 9/26/26 at Renton Highlands
Neighborhood Center.
• Olde Time Halloween (10/25): RDP event at Cugini Florist parking lot. In-person
costume contest with categories for Creative, Funniest, Spookiest, and group vs.
individual entries. Free photo booth available.
• Trunk or Treat (10/24): RMAC has been asked to support the installation by the CED
department at the city event and will use the opportunity to promote the Olde
Fashioned Halloween event.
• Small Business Saturday (11/29): a self-guided artist studio activity featuring a
collaborative puzzle frame commissioned from Foxwood Engraving. Participants
can collect 24 puzzle pieces from local businesses and studios on Small Business
Saturday, Artists’ Sunday, and throughout December. Only 125 frame puzzles will be
produced. No purchase required to collect pieces; those who make a purchase or
pick up a free frame will be entered to win the original artwork.
• Dragon’s Landing event (April): RFQ for Project Manager to be released soon. Poster
contest and stamp art collaboration with a local artist are in development.
• Art Lounge (10/15): Foxwood Engraving will lead a metal stamp art workshop.
Old Business Updates
• Legacy Square Update: Final art plan has been received.
o RFPs will be offered to local artists soon, based on the planned spaces and
concepts.
New Business:
• Retreat: A December date will be scheduled, including new commission members.
Adjournment 7:29 PM