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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/07/2019 - Minutes 1 | P a g e RENTON MUNICIPAL ARTS COMMISSION MINUTES Tuesday, May 7, 2019 Members Present: Bill Huls, Brianna Burroughs, Dave Samek, Duffy Delgado, Evelyn Reingold, Kaie Wise, Mary Clymer, Neil Sheesley, Susan Jessick Staff Present: Chip Vincent, CED Administrator Jessie Kotarski, RMAC Administrative Assistant Guests:  Eric Ott, Civil Engineer, City of Renton  Abdoul Gafour, Water Utility Engineering Manager, City of Renton  Brian Morris, ZakLabs/Renton City Comicon  Christy Caravaglio, SoCoCulture Ambassador  Alexander Codd, muralist  Luka Hocevar, Vigor Fitness Owner  Bill Jepson Call to Order: Meeting was called to order by RMAC Vice Chair, Bill Huls at 6:09 pm. Introduction of guests: Brian Morris, owner of ZakLabs and RenCon CEO, provided a presentation on cosplay and the function of ZakLabs as a creative space for artists to come together to create costumes, props and other large scale creative projects. Brian wanted to serve as a voice for the art of cosplay crafting and provide education to the Commission about the wide variety of skills and artistic mediums involved as well as the growing popularity of the craft in the local area. Christy Caravaglio, speaking on behalf of SoCoCulture, spoke briefly about a Summit that they will be hosting in September for Local Arts Agencies. She passed around a survey of topics for the Commissioners to select which would be most valuable to be covered at the Summit. Eric Ott, from the Public Works department in the City of Renton, presented the three artists who submitted proposals for the art on the water tower project in Kennydale. He expressed the Department’s concerns regarding maintenance of the intricate designs submitted by two of the artists and whether it would be feasible to enter into contract with these artists without understanding the ability to maintain the art over the life of the tower. The third artist is local artist, Rick Moreno, who has worked on several art projects in the City and submitted a design that was both easy to apply and to maintain with a minimal number of colors and easily replicated design. The Commission reviewed the submissions and made a motion to formally express their confidence in the ability of Rick Moreno’s ability to create a design and deliver on the criteria outlined in the RFP. MSC (Evelyn/Mary) The request was made that all future RFPS for public art clearly spell out maintenance criteria to provide applicants the opportunity to address concerns. Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the April 2019 meeting were read and approved. MSC (Kaie/Neil) Correspondence and Announcements: 2 | P a g e  Dragon naming – The Rooftop dragon was officially named “Erasmus” for Renton City founder, Erasmus Smithers at a ceremony at the Renton History Museum just minutes before the start of the May Arts Commission meeting.  Renton Civic Theatre– The theatre is installing a 16 foot movie screen and currently in the process of selecting a projector to purchase. Committee Reports:  Vacancy Committee: o The Selection Committee recommended that Carlos Michel be appointed to the Arts Commission in the Youth Position role. A motion was made and passed to approve Carlos appointment to the Commission. MSC (Evelyn/Bill) On-going Projects, Events & Programs:  Downtown Storefront Windows – Shunpike will host a table at the Renton Wine Walk and the storefront artists will be invited to join to speak about their displays and engage the Renton community in their process.  Sunset Fence Project – The weaving will be complete by Friday, May 10. The celebration of the fence has been scheduled for Sunday, June 9.  Vigor Mural update – Alexander Codd and Vigor Fitness gym owner, Luka Hocevar, discussed the possibility of making changes to the proposed mural design. Luka felt it was important for the mural to include images that would be recognizable to a broad audience outside of Renton (his concern being that Renton athletes would not be a draw for individuals outside of the city). The Commission recommended that Alexander work with Luka to come up with a design that would honor local athletes and please the gym owner; with the understanding that the mural need not be an advertisement or sign for the business. The final design will be presented to the Arts Commission for approval, but in the meantime, the artist will work directly with the building owner to make changes to the design.  Sunset Call for Art – the Selection Committee reviewed the 6 proposals that were received through the Call for Art. Supplementary questions were sent to three of the artists and the Committee will reconvene to review the responses and make their final selection. New Business:  Tacoma Art Museum (TAM) Loan Request – TAM has requested the loan of the Jacob Elshin mural, currently located in the former Highlands Library (and on loan to the Renton Housing Authority), for an exhibit on WPA and Federal Art projects. The Commission discussed the proposed loan and requested more information from TAM before making a decision. The request was made for a review of the art and its current condition to ensure that the piece can handle the move before a decision could be made. The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.