Arts Commission

City Hall Meeting Minutes 601 4th Avenue E Olympia, WA 98501 Arts Commission Contact: Stephanie Johnson 360.709.2678 Thursday, November 10, 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 6:03 p.m. 1.A ROLL CALL Present: 6 - Chair Jim Burlingame, Vice Chair Kathryn Dorgan, Commissioner Joe Batt, Commissioner Rose Clifthorne, Commissioner Kathy Murray and Commissioner Hathor Vergotis Absent: 2 - Commissioner Jace Hoag and Commissioner Christie Tran 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The agenda was approved. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 3.A 22-1052 Approval of October 13, 2022 Arts Commission Meeting Minutes The minutes were approved. 4. PUBLIC HEARING 3.B 22-1049 PUBLIC HEARING - Martin Way & Pacific Avenue Art Crossing Public Art Concept Plan Project artists Jennifer Corio and Dave Frei presented their concept design for the Martin Way and Pacific Avenue Art Crossing. Working from community meetings, surveys and neighborhood plans, the artists built their concept design around values such as connection, collaboration and diversity. The proposed sculptures consist of an apple tree in the west triangle of the intersection and the sharing of the harvest in the sculpture to the east. The fruit tree figures prominently in the history of the East side, and represents abundance and the gifts and assets of the community. The different colors of apples and the hands sharing fruit pick up the theme of diversity, and the circle shapes represent wholeness and reiterate the shape of wheels in the multimodal corridor. City of Olympia Page 1 Arts Commission Meeting Minutes November 10, 2022 Commissioners and staff appreciated the concept and presentation and asked that the design also be presented to the community groups the artists had formerly reached out to, as they were not present at the public hearing. Commissioners and staff also suggested changes to the smaller sculpture that could better help tell the story the artists intended. Chair Burlingame opened the public hearing. There were no attendees signed up in advance. When asked if anyone wished to speak, Dana McAvoy from Olympia Northeast Neighborhoods Alliance said they appreciated the proposal: the colors, the concept of apples and hands, and the connectivity of the circle. Roger Horn from Eastside Neighborhood Association appreciated the process and asked if it were possible to make the tree three-dimensional. Ms. Corio responded that the budget did not allow for that. Mr. Horn also noted there were a lot of birds in the neighborhood, and wondered if it was possible to add a bird. Chair Burlingame closed the public hearing. Commissioner Batt moved, seconded by Commissioner Dorgan, to direct staff to work with the project artists to modify the concept plan, reach out to Lien Hoa Temple and Risen Faith Fellowship, and return the Plan to the Arts Commission in December for consideration. The motion passed unanimously. 5. PUBLIC COMMENT - None 6. ANNOUNCEMENTS Commissioners shared information about past and upcoming arts events. Ms. Johnson announced that 2023 Arts Commission leadership would be determined at the December meeting. Chair Burlingame shared that he and Vice-Chair Dorgan would be willing to serve a second term. 7. BUSINESS ITEMS 7.A 22-1050 Review of Grants to Arts & Culture Organizations applications Commissioners reviewed and discussed the eleven applications received for the 2023 Grants to Arts and Culture Organizations opportunity, with a total request of $47,880. Following discussion, Commissioners sent their review sheets to Ms. Johnson to tally. The discussion was completed. 7.B 22-1053 Yelm Highway Community Park Master Plan Parks Planning and Design Manager Laura Keehan provided an overview of the Yelm Highway Community Park Master Plan, including public art design concepts by project artist John Fleming, working as a member of the design team. The concepts were of earthworks installed in the landscape. Chair Burlingame shared concern that the sculptural elements associated with the grove of trees and the Garry oak tree not City of Olympia Page 2 Arts Commission Meeting Minutes November 10, 2022 compromise the health of the trees or the wildlife. Ms. Keehan noted she would share the concerns with the environment specialists on the project team. The discussion was completed. 7.C 22-1051 Recommendation of Grants to Arts & Culture Organizations applications Ms. Johnson shared the compiled tally of Commissioner evaluations. Chair Burlingame noted they were all great applications, very solid with a mix of old and new applicants. Commissioner Vergotis announced they were teaching classes with one of applicant organizations and recused themselves from providing response. Commissioner Batt shared that he had donated artwork to one of the applicants in the past, but felt he could be an impartial reviewer. The tally was determined by the average of the scores. Commissioners agreed to recommend full funding for the top four applicants: The Bridge Music Project ($4,410), Collaborative Assn. for Reintegration & Education - CARE ($5,000), West Central Park Project ($3965), and Earthbound Productions ($2130), they also agreed to partially fund the 5th applicant, Arbutus Folk School ($4495) in order to meet the overall budget of $20,000. Commissioner Vergotis moved, seconded by Commissioner Clifthorne, to recommend the top five applicants for Council consideration. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 5 - Chair Burlingame, Vice Chair Dorgan, Commissioner Batt, Commissioner Clifthorne and Commissioner Murray Absent: 2 - Commissioner Hoag and Commissioner Tran Recused: 1 - Commissioner Vergotis 8. REPORTS - None 9. OTHER TOPICS - None 10. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:34 p.m. City of Olympia Page 3