Arts Commission

City Hall Meeting Minutes 601 4th Avenue E Olympia, WA 98501 Arts Commission Contact: Stephanie Johnson 360.709.2678 Thursday, August 12, 2021 6:00 PM Online or via Phone Register to attend: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_H0GeF245RUeLHuoI3BBkvA 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Dobler called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 1.A ROLL CALL Present: 8 - Chair Frederick Dobler, Vice Chair Jim Burlingame, Commissioner Rose Clifthorne, Commissioner Kathryn Dorgan, Commissioner Stacy Hicks, Commissioner Kathy Murray, Commissioner Joe Batt and Commissioner Jace Hoag Absent: 1 - Commissioner Shameka Gagnier OTHERS PRESENT Enterprise for Equity Creative Outreach Specialist Erika Naficy Arts Program Specialist Angel Nava 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The agenda was approved. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 3.A 21-0762 Approval of July 8, 2021 Arts Commission Meeting Minutes The minutes were approved. 4. PUBLIC COMMENT - None 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS Commissioners shared information about past and upcoming arts events. Ms. Johnson announced Olympia Family Theater founding Artistic Director Jen Ryle is stepping down. Commissioners agreed to her offer to draft a letter of appreciation for Chair Dobler to sign and send on their behalf. City of Olympia Page 1 Arts Commission Meeting Minutes August 12, 2021 6. BUSINESS ITEMS 6.A 21-0774 Enterprise for Equity Briefing Ms. Naficy provided an overview of the organization's business planning program, micro-loans and other specialized classes. She noted Enterprise for Equity is working on a business hub website called Create Western Washington, which will allow the community to source and shop local. There won't be a cost to join and registation will be easy. The information was provided. 6.B 21-0772 Review and recommendation of Percival Plinth Project Peoples’ Choice Award Ms. Nava shared the results of the 2021 Percival Plinth Project Peoples' Choice vote. Voting took place the month of July, using the Engage Olympia platform. 334 votes were received with 218 or 65% of voters viewing the sculptures in person and 236 voters providing comments about the work. With 23% of the vote, Woman with Graves at Her Back by Aisha Harrison took the lead, with Bough and Bend by Jennifer Kapnek (18.5%) and Memories of a Heron by Shawn Johnson (14.4%) coming in Runner Up and Honorable mention, respectively. Comments included: -“Very sophisticated piece. Would grace any collection.” -“Beautiful, thought provoking, skillful.” -“It is evocative, solid, and well crafted. She has a strong presence and I want to sit with her. She invites us to pause and reflect on the past, present, and future.” -“There is something about this sculpture that touches the part of me that has endured loss.” -“It's awesome to see representational figure sculpture that has deep metaphorical historical meaning and features a BIPOC woman. Genius that she isn't looking at us!!! Ms. Nava shared demographic information and Commissioners discussed additional ways to get the word out about the voting opportunity. Vice-Chair Burlingame moved, seconded by Commissioner Hicks, to recommend purchase of Woman with Graves at Her Back to City Council. The motion passed unanimously. 7. REPORTS 7.A 21-0758 Policy and Program Recommendations to City Council Chair Dobler and Commissioner Clifthorne provided an update on the mural tours City of Olympia Page 2 Arts Commission Meeting Minutes August 12, 2021 developing in association with PBIA. The first will have the theme of salmon and extend from the location of the annual salmon return viewing station on the 5th Avenue bridge to Fish Brewing, winding through salmon-themed artwork located in between. Ms. Johnson shared that Ring Dance #2 by Don Freas, owned by the PBIA, has been removed from the construction corridor on Franklin Street, and will be returned at some point to a new downtown location. The report was received. 7.B 21-0759 Arts Program Support Ms. Nava provided a brief update on fall Arts Walk planning. Commissioners Dorgan and Batt provided feedback to staff on the new digital public art assessment format. Ms. Johnson noted Creative Branches was up and running for the Poet Laureate program, and the City Hall exhibition will be installed at the end of August, as will the foundation for Art Crossing #2. She also shared the Climate Justice mural concept for the lower Harrison wall, which is the culmination of the Thurston Climate Action Team community workshop and education project awarded a 2021 GACO grant. The report was received. 7.C 21-0761 ARCH Support Ms. Nava shared an update on the Armory project to date, noting the first community outreach efforts will coincide with Fall Arts Walk. The report was received. 8. OTHER TOPICS - None 9. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:54 p.m. City of Olympia Page 3