Arts Commission

Arts Commission Minutes City of Bellingham, Washington Tuesday 5:00 PM November 4, 2025 Mayor's Boardroom & Zoom Video Recorded https://meetings.cob.org Call to Order The Arts Commission meeting (video link) was called to order by the Chair at 5:00 PM. Members: ☐ Patricia McDonnell (CDAB Chair) ☒ Eric Shew ☒ Adonia Cairns ☒ Jody Bento ☒ Amy Chaloupka ☒ Phillip Freytag ☐ Blake Hudson Staff/ Other Panelists: Darby Galligan, PCDD Taylor Littrell, PCDD Paul Knippel, Parks -Approval of minutes from previous meeting Jody Bento/Amy Chaloupka moved to approve the October 2025 meeting minutes. VOTE: ALL AYES Agenda Items . Middle Fork Trail, Percent for Art approach p. 6 Paul Knippel, the Parks project manager for the Middle Fork Spring Trail – a new park in north Bellingham – shared an overview of the project. The site is highly encumbered by critical areas and a boardwalk trail is proposed for the site to minimize impacts. Possible approaches for art include attaching the artwork to the boardwalk railing and/or adding design elements/ embellishments to the interpretive signage on site. Commissioners discussed similar boardwalk railings getting vandalized and that artwork incorporation could minimize that. They also mentioned that due to the small budget of this project (just over $20,000), this could be a good opportunity to involve students from Western or Lummi Nation School and or emerging local artists. MOTION: Jody motioned to incorporate the Percent for Art funds into the interpretive signage, Phillip seconded. Motion approved 5-0. . Recommendation to deaccession artwork: "Our Time" by Weston Lambert p. 9 Darby shared that the piece Our Time by Weston Lambert was originally brought forth as a temporary piece in 2008 and was later purchased by the City to become part of the permanent collection – although there is little documentation about the purchase to be found. Lambert came to Bellingham to assess the piece in person and determined that it should be deaccessioned.  Amy mentioned we need to ensure there is proper record-keeping of deaccessioned pieces. Staff will follow up with the Museum. The importance of a strong communications approach was also discussed, and staff agreed that clear communication prior to the removal of such a high profile piece is important. MOTION: Amy motioned to deaccession “Our Time”, Phillip seconded. Motion passes, 5-0. . Discussion of upcoming Percent for Art projects p. 16 Staff briefly went over a timeline of several Percent for Art projects they plan to advance in the next 6 months to one year. This entails using the recently approved art roster to select qualified artists from and extend request for proposals to, form juries to evaluate proposals, select an artist, and enter into contracts with. The timeline is not yet final, but staff hopes to establish several artist contracts next year. Other Business . Public Comment Period Andrew mentioned that “Our Time” was in poor condition for several months before the vote to deaccession. He urged staff to consider a balance between the normal process (report and contact with the artist) and public safety. . For the Good of the Order and Announcements - Art is currently being installed in the new Pacific Street Operations building and staff has arranged a tour for commissioners to see the installation process. - Staff recapped the recent tour of Big Rock Garden Park. It was great to get everyone together, take stock of that portion of our collection, and build better relationships with Friends of Big Rock Garden Park. - On behalf of Patricia, staff mentioned that she is interested in getting a subcommittee together to review and update the Arts Commission’s policy and procedures. She is requesting for other commissioners to join her in this effort. - Adonia mentioned it is Native American Heritage Month and there is an upcoming event at the Paramount Theater in Seattle which will showcase indigenous artists and performers. - Amy reminded folks of the upcoming Free First Fridays at the Museum This Friday will have additional events with industry experts that worth checking out Minutes prepared by: ____________________________________________ Taylor Littrell, Development Specialist II Minutes edited by both staff and Arts Commission members.