HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/10/2018 - Minutes �
RENTON MUNICIPAL ARTS COMMISSION MINUTES
� � Tuesday, July 10, 2018
Members Present: Neil Sheesley, Dave Samek, Kim Patterson, Marsha Rollinger, Evelyn Reingold, Susan Jessick
Excused Absences: Mary Clymer, Bill Huls, Samantha Goetz-Granquist, Adrienne La Faye
Staff Present:
Jessie Kotarski, RMAC Administrative Assistant
Chip Vincent, Administrator, Community and Economic Development
Guests:
Leslie Betlach, Parks Planning and Natural Resources Director, Community Services Department
Alan Wyatt, Capital Project Coordinator, Parks Planning, Community Services Department
Vanessa Dolbee, Planning Manager, Community and Economic Development
Mark Santos-Johnson, Project Manager, Community and Economic Development
Anthony Marris-Swann, Intern, Community and Economic Development
Call to Order: Meeting was called to order by RMAC Chair, Neil Sheesley at 6:00 pm.
Art in Sunset Park:The Community Service Department, represented by Leslie and Alan, presented an update
on the Sunset Neighborhood Park and the next phase of development that will include art elements as
identified in the Master Plan. The response from the public comment period of the Park concept building (in
2014) identified locations at the north and south Harrington Avenue portals and the portal across the street
from the central plaza as areas to enhance wayfinding with artistic features. The Park Master Plan agreed to
calculate 1%for Art at the completion of the Park in order to calculate costs based on the entire construction
budget. Based on their construction calculations (minus the grant funding that stipulates it cannot be used for
art), the contribution from the project to the 1%for Art fund totals$17,226.68.
Community Services is seeking support from the Arts Commission to request a commitment from City Council
for the total Sunset Park contributions ($17,226.68) and the current uncommitted funds in the 1% account
($63,909)to support art in Sunset Park.They are also asking the Arts Commission to act as a partner in the
project by selecting/securing an artist and ensuring the successful design, fabrication and installation of art in
the Park in partnership with the design consultants and construction teams.
No additional funds have been budgeted for art in the Sunset Park project and no grants were sought to
support art in the Park.
Interstate Hood Building:The business located at 339 Wells Ave S is currently under review for a building
permit and is seeking approval for a proposed four-part mural along Wells Ave S.
The Planning Department has asked to bring the project to the attention of the Arts Commission for feedback
and any comments about the proposed art. The business is Interstate Hood Company. They sell and install
grease hoods, exhaust fans, and make-up air units.The artist has elected to highlight the inner workings of
complex machinery to reflect the manner in which the functions of exhaust hoods and other modern
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engineered systems are often overlooked in spite of their importance in everyday life. A motion was made to
approve the mural design as submitted. MSC(Evelyn/Susan)
Approval of Minutes: The May 2018 minutes were read and approved. MSC(Kim/Dave)
The June 2018 minutes were read and approved. MSC(Evelyn/Susan)
Correspondence and Announcements:
• Anthony Marris-Swann presented an update on the Chalk Art activity at the Sunset Park Grand opening
that was funded by the Arts Commission. More than 100 kids participated in the sidewalk art activities on June
16; and there were between 300 and 400 people in attendance during the event between 11am and 2pm.
Police drone footage was taken at the event and will be available for viewing soon.
Budget: The Sunset Park Art activity is the first complete RMAC-supported expense for 2018. The current
funding commitments for 2018 total $30,300. The available (uncommitted)funds total $37,929. This total
does not include the projects that were discussed and agreed upon at the Board Retreat in February.
Chip Vincent provided an update on current budget requests which were recently submitted by the Community
and Economic Development Department for 2019/2020. Requests were made to increase the Arts and Culture
annual general fund by$50,000 and for an FTE "Arts Coordinator" position.
Galvanizin�Art Proiects:
New Business:
• South Renton Neighborhood—The South Renton Neighborhood has identified a project that they will
be pursuing with their Arts-reserved funding. They are currently working with artist, Vikram Madan, on a
"mini mural" project that will include 20-30 pieces of art on the back of traffic signs throughout the South
Renton neighborhood. Vikram is currently working to create designs that will reflect the history of the
neighborhood and will present his ideas for approval to the neighborhood this fall.
• Renton Civic Theatre—Summer Teen Musical—the musical this year will be You're a Good Man, Charlie
Brown and will run Aug. 3-Aug. 18. The GAP worksheet and 2018 budget were presented to the Board for
their approval. A motion was made and approved to support the 2018 Summer Teen Musical with the
total amount requested of$2,500. MSC(Marsha/Evelyn)
Old Business:
• City Center Parking Garage Display Cabinets (update)—The artist, Yvonne Chan, has submitted her
initial concept for the garage poster designs. Her concept will illustrate how art transforms both the
artist and the landscape around them. Costumed "heroes/warriors" embody their medium through their
items and clothing. Each character(visual art, music, dance, theater, poetry/literature). The art will be
installed and revealed at the Pop-Up event downtown in September.
• Utility Box wraps in Sunset(update)—The selected artist,Jean Bradbury, will be conducting a workshop
at the Highlands Community Center on July 16 with the kids participating in the Explorer's Day Camp. She
will work with the kids to capture their ideas/creations that reflect the local flora and fauna and will then
turn these images into 3 unique designs for the utility boxes. The wraps will installed no later than
October 31, 2018.
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• Boone Kirkman mural (update)—The call for artists received 6 responses. The selection committee will
be reviewing the responses and making their selection in the upcoming week.
• Renton Technical College (update)—The call for artists for the gallery space at Renton Technical College
has gone out and needs to be promoted further. The first artist has been selected, Bonnie Hopper, and
her art will be installed in September. The opening date and reception will be announced and the Arts
Commissioners are encouraged to attend.
• Summerfest(update)—The Arts Commissioners have been invited to participate and support the art
programming offered at Summerfest on July 21 at Piazza Park.
• Pacific Northwest Concert(update)—Wells Ave S will be closed between S 3rd St and S 2nd for the event
on July 28. The event will feature three bands and a community art project(a mosaic that will feature the
likenesses of local musical talent in the form of Mount Rushmore).
• Dragon Dedication event—The dragon project has been postponed while the design is discussed further.
Final design drawings have not yet been submitted for review and further discussion is necessary to
ensure the final design meets the standards for the project.
Committee Reports:The Arts and Culture grant is now open. The application can be accessed on the
rentonwa.gov website and announcements have been made on the Arts Commission Facebook page and an
email blast to the Arts and Culture registry has gone out.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
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