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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/07/2021 - Minutes RENTON MUNICIPAL ARTS COMMISSION MINUTES Tuesday, September 7, 2021 (via Zoom) Members Present: Amelia Ossorio, Bill Huls, Brianna Burroughs, Christie Randolph, Evelyn Reingold, Kiley Thornton, Marsha Rollinger, Mary Clymer, Neil Sheesley, Susan Jessick Staff Present: Jessie Kotarski, RMAC Staff liaison Guests Present: Dr. Vasudha Sharma, Voice of the Planet Erin Churchill, City of Renton Graffiti Abatement team Call to Order: Meeting was called to order by RMAC Chair, Mary Clymer at 6:02 pm. Introduction of Guests: • Dr. Vashudha Sharma and her organization the Renton Voice of Planet is organizing a Multicultural Art Exhibit for the first time to portray and felicitate diverse and talented artists who would like to showcase their artwork in an exhibit that will be held as part of the Renton Multicultural Festival. The exhibit will feature an opportunity for artists to interact with visitors to the festival and will include a stipend to artists who are selected to participate in the exhibit. The exhibit has been postponed to spring 2021 (after the recent announcement of the postponement of the 2021 Multicultural Festival). A mini version of the exhibit is still planned for September 18 at the Urban Market Pop up at the Hyatt. A request to the Grants Committee was recently made for support for the exhibit and the request to the Arts Commission to participate in the selection of the awards at the exhibit and support getting the word out to encourage artist participation. • Erin Churchill works with the City’s Graffiti abatement team and is working on a proposal that will include some opportunities to use murals as a deterrent to graffiti city-wide. Erin is currently looking into the programs for abatement in neighboring cities including Kent and Auburn for possible solutions. She is seeking feedback from the Arts Commission on the process and how to assist business owners interested in putting a mural on their building. The issue of anti-graffiti coating and the costs associated with the layer of protection is a conversation the Commissioners have requested be added to the conversations at the planning retreat in January. Approval of Minutes: A motion was made to approve the minutes from the August 2021 meeting. MSC (Evelyn/Neil) Announcements: • The Seattle Film Summit is this week with the in-person events taking place at the Hyatt on Saturday, September 11. The Arts Commission will have a table at the event to engage with the audience. • The Renton Civic Theatre is celebrating their grand re-opening on September 24th. • The 2021 Multicultural Festival (and celebration of Renton’s 120th Anniversary) originally scheduled for September 18 and 19 has been cancelled. The Multicultural Festival will look to reschedule in the spring of 2022. Promotions Committee update: • The dedication of the Little Free Library was held recently on September 4. The proud hosts of the library are excited to continue to offer free programming and have plans for scheduled follow up “celebrations” to feature additional offerings of themed art supply hand out opportunities. Outreach Committee: • There are three market days left that will be covered by the Roadshow program. The Committee plans to host a few more roadshows before the end of the year, including stage opportunities at the downtown Halloween party and Small Business Saturday. • A motion was made and approved to confirm a vote made via email in August to purchase RMAC- branded t-shirts for the purpose of representing the Arts Commission and identifying Commissioners participating at community events. MSC (Bill/Neil) Grants Committee Update: • There are no updates from the Grants Committee at this time. Project Updates: • Trestle Bridge Mural the community mural was completed August 27. A total of 22 volunteers came out to help in the effort. The color “splash” design was intended to be unintimidating and bright to draw attention to the area, deter graffiti and provide an opportunity for the public to join in the creation of public art. The process took 3 days. • Black Lives Matter Street Mural The mural was completed and a dedication held on Friday, September 3. The recommendation was made to create a sign to provide background for the project and provide more information about the partners involved. • Liberty Park Mural The artist submitted a proposal for an anti-graffiti coating to go over the completed panels before they are installed. The proposal requested an additional $1,487 to purchase the materials and cover additional costs of labor. A motion was made and approved to increase the amount of the contract with artist, Alexander Codd, for the application of an anti- graffiti coat up to $1,500. MSC (Brianna/Marsha) • Utility Box Wraps (downtown) – The call for art for 3 utility boxes downtown closed on August 27 and received 16 submissions. A selection committee will be formed to select the proposals for the wraps. The committee will include residents of downtown, downtown business owners and representatives from the Arts Commission. Kiley, Bill and Marsha expressed an interest in serving on the committee. • Monument Signs (downtown) – The call for art for the gateway monument signs closed on August 27 and received 9 submissions. A selection committee will be formed to select the proposals for the wraps. The committee will include residents of downtown, downtown business owners, representation from the Renton Downtown Partnership, Renton Chamber of Commerce, and representatives from the Arts Commission. Bill expressed an interest in serving on the committee. New Business: The Renton Downtown Partnership and City of Renton are preparing for fall events in the downtown. The request has been made to the Arts Commission to get involved in the planning and offering of activities in the upcoming months. The decision was made to delegate representatives to serve on the planning committees for the three scheduled holidays events. Mary and Neil will work together to support Small Business Saturday on November 27. Kiley, Bill and Brianna will assist with plans for the Olde Fashioned Halloween Scavenger Hunt and downtown party and Bill will be assisting with the weekend Santa House which will be hosted at the Renton Civic Theatre in December. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 7:23 pm.