Arts Commission

City Hall Meeting Minutes 601 4th Avenue E Olympia, WA 98501 Arts Commission Contact: Stephanie Johnson 360.709.2678 Thursday, May 11, 2023 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 6:01 p.m. 1.A ROLL CALL Present: 6 - Chair Jim Burlingame, Vice Chair Kathryn Dorgan, Commissioner Joe Batt, Commissioner Rose Clifthorne, Commissioner Tracy Schreiber and Commissioner Christie Tran Absent: 2 - Commissioner Jace Hoag and Commissioner Katherine Ransom 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The agenda was approved. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 23-0411 Approval of March 9, 2023 Arts Commission Meeting Minutes The minutes were approved. 4. PUBLIC COMMENT - None 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS Commissioners shared information about past and upcoming art events. Commissioners introduced themselves and welcomed new Commissioner Schreiber. 6. BUSINESS ITEMS 23-0412 Meet Armory Building Manager Valerie Roberts Commissioners had the opportunity to meet with Valerie Roberts and learn about Armory Building efforts to date. The discussion was completed. City of Olympia Page 1 Arts Commission Meeting Minutes May 11, 2023 23-0414 Gift of Art - “Arc of Aging” Mural Proposal Senior Services for South Sound Boardmember Anna Schlecht provided more information about the gift of art proposal to recreate a section of the "Arc of Aging" mural, formerly inside The Olympia Center (TOC) off Columbia Street. Schlecht shared a more concise description of the changes to the composition of the mural, based on the smaller space available in the proposed location. They found that of the 55 seniors surveyed (including 8 staff members), 98% approved of the design, affirming the interest of the wider senior community beyond the Board of Directors. Commissioner Dorgan moved, seconded by Commissioner Tran, to forward a recommendation to the City Council to approve the "Arc of Aging" gift of art work as a donation to the Art in Public Places Program. The motion passed unanimously. 23-0413 2023-2025 Poet Laureate Recommendation Ms. Johnson shared the recommendation of the selection committee of Kathleen Byrd for Olympia's next Poet Laureate. She noted the Committee found Byrd's application to contain a nuanced, rich and deep perspective on community. The topic of climate change in her work struck a balance between urgency and reflection, while her project proposals focused on making connections, experiences, and meeting people where they are at. Commissioner Clifthorne asked about the lower turnout of applicants compared to the previous process. Ms. Johnson shared the various ways the opportunity was made known, from social media to networking, from direct outreach to raising the honoraria. Commissioner Tran noticed Byrd referenced Climate Justice but did not elaborate; she would like to learn more. Should she be appointed by City Council, Commissioners intend to invite Byrd to a future Commission meeting. Commissioner Tran moved, seconded by Commissioner Schreiber, to forward the selection committee recommendation of Kathleen Byrd for Olympia Poet Laureate from 2023 - 2025 to City Council for consideration and approval. The motion passed unanimously. 23-0418 Arts Walk Recap Ms. Johnson shared an update provided by Arts Walk coordinator Angel Nava: The Olympia Arts Walk took place on April 28-29 and had 98 participating locations, 34 arts market booths, over 225 artists and art groups, and great weather. The community event saw the return of a growing Luminary Procession, and thousands of community members filled the streets on both Friday and Saturday. · As of April 30, the Arts Walk website (artswalkoly.com) saw 16,142 unique web users in 2023, double compared to the same timeframe in 2022, and 10 times greater than the same period in 2021 when the site was launched. · Registration participation surpassed our most recent spring 2019 pre-pandemic event that had 96 participating locations. · The growing Arts Market lowered barriers to participation through a partnership City of Olympia Page 2 Arts Commission Meeting Minutes May 11, 2023 with Gallery Boom, quadrupling the market since it’s launch in fall 2022. Several artists mentioned it was their highest grossing market of the year and are excited to participate in the fall. · Street closure arts activities expanded with the addition of activities presented by TC Media, Climate Resiliency Community Mural by Energize Olympia, Mosaic Mural Making by Jennifer Kuhns (fall cover artist), expanded HOCM offerings and expanded City offerings. · In addition, Arts Walk saw the return of the Innovation Awards honoring five projects for excellence and innovation in community engagement through the arts. Honorees included: Window Seat Media, Arbutus Folk School, OlyFilm & OlyActing, Thurston County Museum of Fine Art, and The Rachel Corrie Foundation for Peace and Justice. Commissioners shared their own experiences at the event. They appreciated the hand held maps and expressed similar observations about how "normal" the event felt - both the shock and the familiarity. The report was received. 7. REPORTS Ms. Johnson shared a quick update on the Uncaged Art exhibition at City Hall, and noted there will be crosswalks painted at the intersection of 5th Avenue and Washington Street in the colors of the Transgender Flag. She also noted an intent to merge the spring and fall retreats to August, due to planned absences. 8. OTHER TOPICS - None 9. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:43 p.m. City of Olympia Page 3