HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/03/2026 - MinutesRenton Municipal Arts Commission
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
City Hall, Council Conference Room 726 or Zoom
Commissioners Present:
Alycia Ruiz
Brooke Ciquera
Emma Foster
Evelyn Reingold
Jake Heare
Melanie Cates
Nadya Helt
Sara Palmer
Scott Douwes
Sujata Acharya
Susan Jessick
Renton Staff (RMAC liaison):
• Jessie Kotarski
Guests:
• Gianna Grisolia, Dragon’s Landing Event Planner
Call to Order: 6:04 PM
Correspondence & Announcements:
o Renton Civic Theatre presents She Loves Me February 13 through March 1.
Review of Minutes from January Meeting:
• Minutes were reviewed and approved. MSC: Sara/Brooke
Budget Update –
• Anticipated carryforward from 2025 estimated at approximately $30,000.
• Second year of a three-year 4Culture grant is available, along with a graffiti
abatement grant opportunity to support the second year of the Paint with Purpose
program
• Commissioners are encouraged to watch for additional grant opportunities,
particularly those supporting community partnerships or municipalities
Committee Updates:
Grants Committee
• Current grant session (covering March–July activities) closes Friday, February 6.
• Committee members: Sara, Sujata, Evelyn, Brooke, Emma, and Melanie (Melanie
auditing before formally joining).
• Two virtual Q&A sessions were held on January 28 and 29.
• Upcoming grant deadlines: April 17 and July 18.
Selection Committee
• Members: Sara, Brooke, and Jake.
• Susan is conducting outreach for the Youth Position (ages 16–21) and will provide
guidance on that role.
Promotions Committee
Dragon’s Landing (Dragon Day)
• Project planner selected and actively coordinating event logistics.
• Full street closure has been approved.
• Poster design competition and art show flyers are ready for distribution, with a
theme highlighting multicultural dragons.
• Treasure Hunt format updated was only during event weekend, as previous two-
week windows led to items being found too quickly.
• Event website live: rentonwa.gov/dragonslanding.
Dragon’s Landing Action Items:
• Seeking artist demonstrations and vendors.
• Activity booth fees will be waived; Gianna will help coordinate activity-based
booths.
• Commissioners are canvassing businesses with posters and flyers outlining ways to
participate.
Art Lounge Series
• February: Renton Art Oasis (near Family First Center).
• March: IKEA – coaster project.
• April: Denim art (rescheduled from December due to flooding).
• May: Nikki Jost – watercolor bookmarks.
• June: Folk box painting.
• July: Macadons (artists TBD).
• August: Legacy Square (TBD)
Other Updates
• The winner of the November Artist Sunday Puzzle Contest picked up their painting at
the January Art Lounge.
Old Business:
• Retreat Action Plan
o Bylaws & policies review: Jake & Sara
o RMAC identity and storytelling: Emma & Scott
• Legacy Square RFQs
o Artist submissions reviewed for two Public art projects in the Square
o 70 RFI / interest forms submitted to Community Programming
o 12 watch parties scheduled – especially interested in cultural activities for
those countries’ game participants
Potentially RMAC or City Economy tent(s) at each watch party
• Utility box art selection committee picked four artists for the boxes on S 7th St:
Alaina Johnson, Michael Cressy, Corinna Bakke, Darcy Geodecke
New Business:
• State of the City tabling opportunity March 25th
o Sara, Alycia, Emma (TBD Jake)
• Farmers Market Support – Roadshow model update
o History: Since 2020, RMAC has supported music and entertainment
programming, including sound support.
o The Farmers Market would like to continue entertainment programming in
2026 on the Legacy Square stage.
o RMAC is proposing to allocate $10,000 to fund the 2026 Farmers Market
entertainment program at the Legacy Square stage, continuing a long-
standing tradition of live music while shifting coordination responsibilities to
the Farmers Market. This model would pay local artists and a sound/host
professional for weekly performances from June through September,
reducing the administrative burden on commissioners while maintaining
RMAC’s visible support for the creative community.
o Emma moves to approve funding artists and event management at the
Farmers’ Market at Legacy Square for the amount $10,000. Seconded by
Susan. Motions passes.
• Artist, James Lilly has requested support from the Commission to find a permanent
location for his commissioned artwork formerly on display in Ballard. Triptic 4’x6’
4’x8’ wood and metal. Details emailed to Commissioners.
Adjournment: 7:34 pm