HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/04/2016 - Minutes
RENTON MUNICIPAL ARTS COMMISSION MINUTES
October 4, 2016 Renton City Hall, 7th Floor –Conference Center
Members Present:
Marsha Rollinger, Mitch Shepherd, Jerri Everett, Bill Huls, Paul Hebron, Ben Andrews, Neil Sheesley,
Samantha Goetz-Granquist, Aaron Blalack , and Evelyn Reingold
Excused Absence: Adrienne LaFaye, Mary Clymer, and Kimberly Eshelman
Staff Present: Elizabeth Higgins, RMAC Staff Liaison; Chip Vincent, Administrator, Jennifer Henning, Planning
Director, and John Collum, Project Manager, City of Renton Department of Community and Economic
Development; and Liz Stewart, Renton History Museum
Guests Present: Carol Ann Witschi, Renton City Council and Drama Kids; South Renton Connection (SRC) -
Bruce McIntyre, Barb Mandic, Jeff Dineen, and Betsy Prather; Studio OHM – Yousman Okano, Plamena
Milosheva and Brianna Holan; and Virginia Merrill, City of Renton Downtown Partnership
Call to Order: Meeting was called to order by RMAC - Chair, Marsha Rollinger at 6:03 pm.
Guest Presentations and Reports:
*Renton History Museum - Liz Stewart reported that the Renton History Museum’s “Time Machine”
exhibition, curated by UW Exhibit Design Student Intern, Amy Elizabeth Gorton, will open on November 8,
2016 with a public reception on Wednesday, November 9, 2016. The collaborative exhibit will feature
artwork from the City of Renton’s Art Collection and objects from the Renton Historical Museum’s
permanent collection. RMAC members are invited to attend.
*2nd and Main Project – Studio OHM presented a revised “Gateway to Downtown” design concept with an
interactive infinity loop sculpture (Mobius). The design is intended to engage the public with dynamic
lighting and apps for on-site involvement. The RMAC committee and the Studio OHM artists will work closely
with affected Renton City departments to minimize potential design issues. MSC (Bill/Sam) - The RMAC
committee will move forward with Studio OHM and the City of Renton’s Design Process.
*Renton Downtown Pop-up – John Collum reported that Pop-up event was a huge success. He gave
personal thanks to the work and participation of the RMAC, Arts Unlimited, and the Owl Project for all the
efforts made for this event. The RMAC Parklet space in front of the Cortona Building (former Western Wear
Building) won First Place! Our inviting tables and benches allowed visitors to color and hang their art.
*Downtown Holiday Event - Virginia Merrill reported that the Downtown Partnership will start the annual
holiday event on Small Business Saturday, November 26, 2016. The Tree Lighting event/holiday season will
be enhanced by filling vacant storefronts with lighted winter holiday themed artwork. Artists chosen will
receive a small stipend based on assigned storefront space. MSC (Ben/Mitch) – The amount of $250 will be
allocated to the Downtown Partnership for RMAC sponsorship of the Downtown Holiday and Tree Lighting
Event.
*South Renton Connection – The Art-Cultural Project Committee members announced that they have
Evelyn Reingold, Marsha Rollinger,
RMAC Secretary Chair
requested Mayor Law to release and earmark the Eastside Interceptor Mitigation Fund that was assigned to
the South Renton neighborhood. The funds will be used in 2017 for a significant piece of Public Art to
acknowledge the contributions of this historic neighborhood. The committee has been working with RMAC
staff, Elizabeth Higgins, and the RMAC will be involved as necessary to help fulfill their mission.
Approval of Minutes: Minutes of the September 6, 2016 RMAC meeting were read and accepted. MSC
(Mitch/Neil)
Budget Update:
*2016 Unexpended funds - According to our current budget, we will potentially have funds that will not be
spent by yearend. Chip will assure that any unspent funds will be carried over for next year.
*Owl Project – The cost of the Owl Project Pop-up Activity for wood panels, paints and brushes was $350.
People of all ages painted the panels and it was a successful galvanizing art activity. MSC (Ben/Bill) An
allocation of $350 will be made to the Owl Project for the wood panels and art supplies used at the Renton
Downtown Pop-up Event.
New Business:
*Lodging Tax Advisory Committee – It was announced by Cliff Long, Director, City of Renton Economic
Development Department, that a position on the committee is available to a member of the RMAC. Both
Mitch and Aaron expressed interest in the position. It was determined that Mitch be the designated
member and that Aaron be the backup so there will always be a RMAC member in attendance at the
quarterly meetings.
*Advance /Strategic Meeting – Tentatively scheduled for January 2017.
Old Business:
*The Muybridge” (Bridge on Williams Ave South over the Cedar River) – The bridge is one-way, headed
into downtown from the North. This installation of individual panels that feature the work of famed
photographer, Eadweard Muybridge’s “The Horse in Motion” photo series is complete. Each panel is part of
an “animation” that makes it seem as if the horse and rider are galloping across the bridge as you drive.
Many thanks to Marsha Rollinger for this amazing RMAC Art Project.
*Renton School District - A meeting with representatives from the Renton School District has been
scheduled for October 31, 2016 by Elizabeth. RMAC members Sam, Aaron, Mitch and Evelyn will attend.
* Band Concert - The “Lost Dogma Band” will be the playing in concert on Saturday, November 12, 2016 at
the Renton Civic Theater. This RMAC project will be presented by Neil and Bill.
Correspondence and announcements: The correspondence and event folders were circulated for individual
review.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:12pm.