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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/09/2019 - Minutes1 | Page RENTON MUNICIPAL ARTS COMMISSION MINUTES Tuesday, July 9, 2019 Members Present: Brianna Burroughs, Dave Samek, Evelyn Reingold, Kaie Wise, Mary Clymer, Neil Sheesley, Susan Jessick Staff Present: Chip Vincent, CED Administrator Jessie Kotarski, RMAC Administrative Assistant Call to Order: Meeting was called to order by RMAC Chair, Neil Sheesley at 6:03 pm. Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the June 2019 meeting were read and approved. MSC (Dave/Kaie) Correspondence and Announcements: • RTC Art reception– Artist Britt Greenland will be hosting the opening of her exhibit at Renton Technical College on Thursday, July 11 in the Culinaire Gallery • Creating Stellar Storefronts– Consultants, Frontdoor Back from Vancouver, will be presenting to the Downtown businesses on Wednesday, July 17 to provide tips and tricks for creating storefronts that inspire business and attract customers. The Arts Commissioners are encouraged to attend to help build relationships with downtown businesses and foster future storefront/arts programs. • Downtown Mural opportunity – The South Renton neighborhood has a call out for muralists for a farmer’s markets mural project on the alley-side of the Burger Town building off of Smithers Ave S. • Owl Project - Meena Merchant has announced that she is looking for her replacement to run the Owl Project, the community art initiative to make art accessible to all. She will be turning in the three community art projects currently looking for permanent installation homes (the River Days project from 2014, the owl panels from the 2016 pop up project and the “eyes” from the 2018 pop up event). Additionally, the Owl Project is seeking volunteers for help with the mural on Carco Theatre to be installed at the 2019 River Days event on July 26. • Talbot Hill Bus Shelter – the offices of Code Compliance and Neighborhoods is offering $1000 to an artist or team of artists whose concepts are selected to cover the Talbot Hill bus shelter in an effort to reduce the graffiti in the area. An open call for artists will close on July 15. The recommendation was made to approach Metro about the possibility of installing a permanent bus shelter in place of the homemade effort currently in place. Committee Reports: • Vacancy Committee: o The Selection Committee is still seeking to fill two open Arts Commission seats. • Grants Committee: o The Grants committee met to review the Sustained Support grant applicants that were received by the June 15 deadline. They have requested additional time to review all the applicants and report back to the Commission at the August meeting.  Due to the time constraints of upcoming events, the Grants Committee recommended that the Arts Commission support the Renton River Days with an award in the amount of $2000 for the 2019 event on July 26, 27 and 28. A motion was made and passed to award $2000 to support the stage performances at the 2019 River Days event. MSC (Susan/Kaie) 2 | Page  The Grants Committee further recommended that the Arts Commission support the 2019 Summerfest event in Downtown Renton with an award of $3000 with the caveat that the event organizers present a full report on the event following the July 20th schedule of events and prepare future requests for funding with more detailed accounts of how the funds will be used to support local arts. A motion was made and passed to support Summerfest 2019 with an award of $3000. MSC (Mary/Dave) On-going Projects, Events & Programs: • Downtown Storefront Windows – The decision was made to place the Shunpiike storefronts window program on hold temporarily until future windows can be identified for programming. The current display in the windows of the Drapery building will be removed at the end of July. The property owner has plans to being construction and has agreed to allow the Arts Commission to continue to use the space with the understanding that he may call for the removal of any displays at any time (with a two week notice). Due to these limitations, the Commission has decided to postpone any future window displays until a more long-term window display opportunity can be identified. • Vigor Mural update – Vigor Fitness owner, Luka Hocevar, has decided not to support the design of the Renton Athletes mural as prepared by artists Alexander Codd under the direction of the Arts Commission. Alexander will work with the Arts Commission to identify a different building for the potential home for the designed mural. The project is currently on hold until a building can be identified. • The Renton Loop – the Renton City Council has approved the request to move forward in pursuit of a contract with Western Neon for the creation of the Renton Loop art project on S. 2nd and Main Ave S. • Statues for Equality – a committee has been formed to move forward in the possible partnership with husband and wife team, Gillie and Marc, in the creation of a woman-themed piece of bronze sculpture to celebrate a local Renton figure. Duffy, Kaie, Neil and Brianna will meet to further discuss the project and how to move forward. • Tribute to the Pacific Northwest (Downtown River Days concert) – The Arts Commission will host the second annual “Tribute to the Pacific NW” concert with a concert on Wells Ave S following the end of the River Days parade on Saturday, July 27. Three bands will perform to pay homage to musical legends of the Pacific NW and selected artists will present their craft and engage the community in displays and the creation of music-themed art. A motion was made and passed to support the organization of the tribute concert with an award of up to $5,500 to the Renton Downtown Partnership to fund local performers and the purchase of a rented stage for the weekend event. MSC (Mary/Evelyn) The meeting was adjourned at 7:52p.m.