Title
Approval of Martin Way/Pacific Avenue Art Crossing Project Artist
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
The Arts Commission recommends the City Council move to approve the team of Jennifer Corio and Dave Frei as project artists for the Martin Way/Pacific Avenue Art Crossing.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve the Arts Commission recommendation of Jennifer Corio and Dave Frei as project artists for the Martin Way/Pacific Avenue Art Crossing.
Report
Issue:
Whether to authorize staff to bring Jennifer Corio and Dave Frei under contract as project artists for the Martin Way/Pacific Avenue Art Crossing.
Staff Contact:
Stephanie Johnson, Arts Program Manager, Parks, Arts & Recreation, 360.709.2678
Presenter(s):
Stephanie Johnson, Arts Commission Staff Liaison
Jim Burlingame, Chair, Olympia Arts Commission
Background and Analysis:
The Olympia Arts Commission and Olympia Planning Commission have developed a Master Plan for placing unique public art at eight major "gateways" throughout the City. This accomplishes several goals:
• Places public art deep into Olympia’s neighborhoods
• Contributes to a sense of community identity
• Introduces place making elements that help to define and bring together different areas of our community
City staff and the Arts Commission began the process for the third Art Crossing, at Martin Way and Pacific Avenue in late 2021. Staff worked closely with the Eastside Neighborhood Association (ENA) and the Olympia Northeast Neighborhoods Alliance (ONNA) to develop the Call for Art (or Request for Qualifications). Some of the key elements include:
• Initial conversation with interested Neighborhood Associations to develop the Call for Art for the Martin Way/Pacific Avenue Art Crossing location
• Participation by Neighborhood Association representatives on the juries
• A two-part application process with an RFQ followed by finalist interviews
Following review by the Community Livability and Public Safety Committee on February 23, 2022, the Call for Art was released, with a workshop for interested applicants conducted before the deadline for application.
On April 5, 2022, the jury committee for the Martin Way/Pacific Avenue Art Crossing project reviewed the 10 applications received and narrowed the list down to three finalists. Interviews took place via Zoom on May 4, 2022 following Arts Commission review and approval of the recommended finalists. Following the three interviews, the jury unanimously recommended the team of Jennifer Corio and Dave Frei for the project. They came to the opportunity with similar projects completed in traffic corridors in addition to a strong demonstrated interest in getting to know the community around the project area and using that understanding as a context and foundation for the artwork design. The jurors appreciated the use of color in the work samples presented that the artwork made them smile.
If approved, following the contract process, the schedule for design development and approval follows:
• Artist familiarization tour with City Historic Preservation Officer and
Transportation Engineer followed by neighborhood meeting(s).
• Draft Concept Plan presented during a public hearing at an Arts Commission meeting
• City Council approves art direction (Concept Plan)
• Arts Commission reviews final design details
• Artist moves into fabrication and installation
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
In addition to initial outreach in the neighborhoods, the jury committee included neighborhood representation:
Tom Badger, Olympia Northeast Neighborhoods Alliance Representative
Bob Droll, Landscape Architect
Kathy Murray, Arts Commissioner
Zainab Nejati, Planning Commissioner
Jim Rioux, Eastside Neighborhood Representative
Options:
1. Approve Jennifer Corio and Dave Frei as project artists for the Martin Way/Pacific Avenue Art Crossing, and direct staff to move forward in the project.
2. Do not approve Jennifer Corio and Dave Frei as project artists for the Martin Way/Pacific Avenue Art Crossing, and do not move forward in the project.
3. Make an alternate decision.
Financial Impact:
$50,000 for sculpture design and fabrication from the Municipal Art Fund.
Attachments:
Artist Recommendation
Artist Letter of Interest
Olympia Art Crossings Master Plan