Title
Approval of the 2024 Percival Plinth Project Peoples’ Choice Award
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
The Arts Commission recommends approval of the purchase of Ember 2 by Karen Sixkiller as determined by public vote.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve the Arts Commission recommendation to purchase Ember 2 by Karen Sixkiller as determined by public vote.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve the purchase of Ember 2 by Karen Sixkiller as determined by public vote.
Staff Contact:
Valerie Roberts, Armory Building Manager, Parks, Arts & Recreation, 360.753.8468
Presenter(s):
Valerie Roberts, Armory Building Manager, Parks, Arts and Recreation
Kathryn Dorgan, Chair, Olympia Arts Commission
Background and Analysis:
Annually, the first month of the Percival Plinth Project loaned sculpture exhibition is dedicated to a public vote to determine the winner of the Peoples’ Choice Award, which is a purchase prize. The vote took place July 1-30, through the City platform Engage Olympia.
On August 8, 2024 Ms. Johnson shared the results of the 2024 Percival Plinth Project Peoples’ Choice vote with the Arts Commission, who voted unanimously to forward the recommendation to City Council for approval.
661 votes were received over the course of the voting period. With 109 votes, Ember 2 by Karen Sixkiller took first place in the public vote.
Of the sculpture Ember 2, the artist notes:
This realistic bronze spider peers from a steel web. A red crystal sphere rests in the pot on her back, representing the legendary fire she brought to the mainland in the Cherokee traditional stories. The sculpture is designed to allow light through the red crystal orb from multiple angles and the back as in a set gem, adding interest and pop to the sculpture from all viewing angles. Often called, "Grandmother Spider," she is a reminder of the importance of "the small;" to recognize and respect everyone in our community.
Comments submitted by the public with their vote for Ember 2 include:
“I love the story of the tiny spider bringing fire to humans. The red gem is beautiful and it shows how every creature has something to gift the world.”
“Because it's absolutely gorgeous, but also water & fire, and I love the inclusion of art by First Peoples.”
“Karen is my favorite artist, I've been following her for a while. I actually live in Zurich Switzerland, but was visiting the states and able to add Olympia to my travels. The beetle is nice too, but I like the way light moves through the spider.”
“I like how the red orb illuminates in the light and I appreciate all the things spiders do for us.“
“Clean, thought-provoking design which seems to convey a philosophy with which I relate. Well executed by a known talented artist.”
Climate Analysis:
While the project does not directly impact climate strategies, having sculptures displayed on Percival Landing encourages use of active forms of travel such as walking along the waterfront. Artwork in public spaces promotes safe and welcoming public spaces and a walkable city.
Equity Analysis:
Multiple strategies of the project are intended to shift traditional power dynamics of how art is accessed and selected at its core an outdoor public art exhibit is designed to be accessible to the whole community year-round. The People’s Choice Award is designed to share decision-making power by including a community vote as a key determining factor of the final purchase award.
Between 2023 and 2024, voting jumped from 221 to 661 votes. Part of that increase might have been due to removing the user registration form for Engage Olympia which had been identified by comments received by the public as a hinderance to voting. Removing the registration form unfortunately also took away our demographic information for the vote. Next year, we plan to strike a balance by incorporating three questions into the voting form that are also being used the Parks, Arts & Recreation Department for Activenet registration: Gender, Ethnicity, Primary Language.
What we do know, through geofencing data, is that between July 1-30, 10.7 thousand people visited Percival Landing. 35.4% identified as non-white, including Hispanic/Latino (10.7%), Asian (10%), and Black (5%). Another 7% of Percival Landing visitors identified as two or more races.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Public input is solicited through banners, press releases and an online vote.
Financial Impact:
$10,000 from the Municipal Art Fund.
Options:
1. Approve purchase of Ember 2 by Karen Sixkiller as winner of the 2024 Percival Plinth People’s Choice vote.
2. Do not approve purchase of Ember 2 by Karen Sixkiller and direct the Arts Commission to revisit the recommendation.
3. Take other action.
Attachments:
Ember 2 by Karen Sixkiller