Arts Commission

City Hall Meeting Minutes 601 4th Avenue E Olympia, WA 98501 Arts Commission Contact: Stephanie Johnson 360.709.2678 Thursday, August 11, 2022 6:00 PM Online or via phone Register to attend: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_H0GeF245RUeLHuoI3BBkvA 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Burlingame called the meeting to order at 6:12 p.m. 1.A ROLL CALL Present: 6 - Chair Jim Burlingame, Commissioner Joe Batt, Commissioner Shameka Gagnier, Commissioner Kathy Murray, Commissioner Christie Tran and Commissioner Hathor Vergotis Absent: 3 - Vice Chair Kathryn Dorgan, Commissioner Rose Clifthorne and Commissioner Jace Hoag OTHERS PRESENT Staff Liaison Stephanie Johnson City Historic Preservation Officer and ArCH Coordinator Marygrace Goddu Arts Program Specialist Angel Nava 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The agenda was approved. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 22-0639 Approval of July 14, 2022 Arts Commission Meeting Minutes The minutes were approved. 4. PUBLIC COMMENT Jonathon Graber spoke to the Gift of Art proposal on the agenda, noting it would be important for the Word family to have the sculpture placed in the community. 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS Commissioners shared information about past and upcoming arts events. City of Olympia Page 1 Arts Commission Meeting Minutes August 11, 2022 6. BUSINESS ITEMS 22-0645 Inspire Olympia Update Ms. Goddu provided an overview of the process for developing the Inspire Olympia program, including a proposed timeline. She is working with City Council on final approval for next steps. The information was provided. 22-0640 Review and Recommendation of Percival Plinth Project Peoples’ Choice Award Ms. Nava shared the results of the 2022 Percival Plinth Project Peoples’ Choice vote with the Arts Commission. During the month of July, 522 votes were received through the Engage Olympia platform, a 30% increase from 2021. With each receiving 80 votes, both “Salmon Romance” by Pat McVay and “Underwater Disagreement” by Eileen Lagasse tied for first place in the public vote. Commissioners deliberated ways to resolve the tie, including a re-vote among the two winners and making a recommendation to Council of just one sculpture. Staff noted there were sufficient funds in the Municipal Art Fund to purchase both pieces. Without a process in place for the occasion of a tie, Commissioners determined to support the results of the public vote by recommending to City Council purchase of both sculptures receiving top votes, and will revisit the process before the next installation of the Percival Plinth Project. Commissioner Batt moved, seconded by Commissioner Vergotis, to recommend purchase of both “Salmon Romance” by Pat McVay and “Underwater Disagreement” by Eileen Lagasse to City Council. The motion passed unanimously. 22-0674 Fall Arts Walk Preview Ms. Nava shared a preview of the upcoming Arts Walk including the poster, the Makers' Market and Food Village planned additions, and several awards recently received: the Legacy Grant Award from the Washington Festivals and Events Association, and Bronze Award for Best Annual Event/Festival from Best of the South Sound for 2022. The report was received. 22-0675 Review of City Hall Exhibition Call for Art Chair Burlingame shared an interest in creating a theme for the 2023 City Hall loaned art exhibitions on the topic of community response to the COVID pandemic. He asked if there were concerns with the concept. Hearing none, he indicated he and Ms. Johnson would work together in shaping the revised Call for Art for Arts Commission review at the September meeting. City of Olympia Page 2 Arts Commission Meeting Minutes August 11, 2022 The discussion was completed. 22-0688 Gift of Art Proposal Ms. Johnson reviewed materials submitted for consideration of a gift of art for "The Sense", a concrete sculpture offered by the Word family. The sculpture was the work of 12 year old Gary Word, created in 1965. Mr. Word went on to have a career in the arts in clay, glass and two-dimensional artwork. Commissioners discussed the proposal. While they appreciated the offer of the artwork and history of the Word family in the community, they also shared the following concerns: - While the sculpture appears to be in good shape in photos, at 57 years, the age of the artwork and material of the sculpture place it at the upper end of its life cycle. - The proposal letter references a wooden structure that historically covered the piece which would be a departure from typical presentation in the City's collection and an additional cost. - In general the collection is composed of artwork created by commission or selected through competitive process. While the sculpture exhibits a precocious command of the arts, it is not indicative of the artist's mature work which makes it not in keeping with the majority of the City's permanent collection. Commissioner Vergotis moved, seconded by Commissioner Murray, to decline the proposed gift of art. The motion was unanimously approved. 7. REPORTS 7a. COMMITTEE REPORT Ms. Johnson reported she and Vice-Chair Dorgan met with members of the Community Livability and Public Safety Committee on July 27 and the Call for Artist in Residence was forwarded to the City Council on the Consent Calendar for consideration on August 16. 7b. STAFF REPORT Ms. Johnson shared Board and Commission purpose statements gathered to help inform the ongoing discussion about the Arts Commission mission statement, which she forwarded to Commissioner Tran. She noted the Traffic Box Wrap installation was postponed until a cooler stretch of weather becomes available, and that the Arts as Agent of Social Change subcommittee, composed of Commissioners Gagnier, Tran and Vergotis and Vice-Chair Dorgan had met and had a few meetings coming up mid-August. Finally she shared that the Arts Crossing #3 project overview and site visit took place August 9 and provided the project artists a good overview of the project location and surrounding neighborhoods. A community meeting is scheduled for September 29 at the Armory. She also noted the Armory team was working on an application process for facility rental in the interim period before renovation begins. City of Olympia Page 3 Arts Commission Meeting Minutes August 11, 2022 8. OTHER TOPICS - None 9. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:57 p.m. City of Olympia Page 4