Title
Approval of the Eastside Street Art Crossing Concept Plan
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
The Arts Commission recommends Council approval of the Eastside Street Art Crossing concept plan.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve the Eastside Street Art Crossing Public Art concept plan as recommended by the Arts Commission.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve the Eastside Street Art Crossing Public Art concept plan. If approved, the final concept will return to the Arts Commission on February 11 for refining of structural details. When those details are finalized, the project artist will move into fabrication. Installation and project completion are projected for fall of 2021.
Staff Contact:
Stephanie Johnson, Arts Program Manager, Parks, Arts & Recreation, 360.709.2678
Presenter(s):
Stephanie Johnson, Parks, Arts & Recreation
Andrea Wilbur-Sigo, Eastside Street Art Crossing Project Public Artist
Background and Analysis:
On July 7, 2020, the City Council approved the Arts Commission’s recommendation of Andrea Wilbur-Sigo as the project artist for the Eastside Street Art Crossings Project. The five-member jury that formed the recommendation included a member of the Planning Commission, the Eastside Neighborhood Association (ENA), and Indian Creek Neighborhood association (ICNA) in addition to one Arts Commissioner and the City’s on-call Landscape Architect.
On September 4, Ms. Wilbur-Sigo participated in a site tour, meeting with the City’s Historic Preservation Officer and Transportation Engineer, to better understand the site. On October 14, Ms. Wilbur-Sigo met with members of the adjacent neighborhoods - Eastside Neighborhood Association (ENA) and Indian Creek Neighborhood Association (ICNA) and the general public, to better understand the community around the site. She has also had the opportunity to review the Art Crossing Master Plan and the Washington State Arts Commission Materials and Fabrication Handbook.
The Arts Commission conducted a public hearing on December 10 to receive and collect feedback from the public regarding the Eastside Street Art Crossing concept plan. Ms. Wilbur-Sigo shared her concept presentation for the Eastside Street location. Entitled "Unity," the proposal of two, 10' tall cedar carvings, are reflective of the house posts of the Salish dwellings that once covered all the shores of the Salish Sea. Representing the Tree People and the People of the Water, the sculptures tell the story of community made stronger by standing together.
The Arts Commission and staff discussed the concept plan with Ms. Wilbur-Sigo. Seven people were in attendance, Kasia Pierzga spoke in favor of the concept plan.
In addition to the Arts Commission Public Hearing, staff will share the artist’s concept plan with
• the Coalition of Neighborhood Associations on January 10
• ENA leadership committee on January 13
• the Planning Commission on January 25
• the Heritage Commission agenda in January or February
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
The Eastside and Indian Creek Neighborhood Associations have been very involved in this project, from the Master Plan stage through to artist selection and community input.
Options:
Approve the Eastside Street Art Crossing Public Art concept plan as presented
Do not approve the plan and provide feedback to the Arts Commission
Do not approve the concept plan
Financial Impact:
Budget for the artwork is $50,000 from the Municipal Art Fund
Attachments:
Eastside Street Art Crossing Concept Plan