The Arts Commission was invited to a study session with the Redmond Mayor and Council last week. Rob Leavitt, Chair of the commission and staffer Josua Heim ran most of the meeting. Rob said the purpose of the Arts Commission is a "catalyst for Redmond's diverse and inventive community - and incubator for creativity."
Rob highlighted the diverse population Redmond serves. He claimed one in three Redmond residents are people of color with 25% of the residents born outside the U.S. Redmond is a young community with 25% of the residents between 20-34 years of age and 33% between 30-55 years.
Rob wanted his Arts Commission to be known as the "Arts and Culture Commission" owing to the diverse ethnic populations within Redmond. Councilmember Hank Myers said the diversity of Redmond gives Redmond "a lot of clay" to work with from which to build art works. He recommended our arts and culture "be fun for our residents." Councilmember Kimberly Allen said our niche appears to be in the digital arts and that we should celebrate our diversity with ethnic festivals. She said outdoor festivals are our strong suit, alluding to Derby Days, summer events, the Bon Fire, Winter Lights, and Ananda Mela at City Hall. Councilmember Tom Flynn liked the idea of Redmond being "a cultural arts town" saying "it brings good vibes."
Councilmember John Stilin, a past Redmond arts commission chair said "we need to put something out there - a little daring - we may have some misses - but the essence of a lot of art is it challenges people to think differently." Council spent a lot of time giving staff feedback on the "Cultural Corridor 2030 Master Plan" in the downtown. A large, manufactured "erratic" (glacial boulder) will be installed in the corridor as a centerpiece. A center for the performing arts is in the 2020 plan for the Overlake area but the city is also working with Eastside cities for a possible regional center.
Councilmember Hank Margeson said "It's hard to be all things to all people. We don't have to be a Park City, Utah (Sun Dance Film Festival) or an Ashland, Or (Shakespeare Festival). We want to be Redmond...to find our own niche and piece of the puzzle." Councilmember Carson said Redmond's niche is in Digital Arts without even a seedling for a performing arts center.
Mayor Marchione challenged the commission to ask "What's the best Redmond we can be? Who are we? What's our soul?" He said Redmond's roots are in lumber and agriculture.
In my opinion, perhaps a mural could be painted on one of the old cinder block buildings on Cleveland Street attesting to our pioneer days. The City of Bothell has some good examples of quality murals. Do you have any ideas for art or culture events in Redmond? Is it time some new art was installed?
By Bob Yoder
Rob highlighted the diverse population Redmond serves. He claimed one in three Redmond residents are people of color with 25% of the residents born outside the U.S. Redmond is a young community with 25% of the residents between 20-34 years of age and 33% between 30-55 years.
Rob wanted his Arts Commission to be known as the "Arts and Culture Commission" owing to the diverse ethnic populations within Redmond. Councilmember Hank Myers said the diversity of Redmond gives Redmond "a lot of clay" to work with from which to build art works. He recommended our arts and culture "be fun for our residents." Councilmember Kimberly Allen said our niche appears to be in the digital arts and that we should celebrate our diversity with ethnic festivals. She said outdoor festivals are our strong suit, alluding to Derby Days, summer events, the Bon Fire, Winter Lights, and Ananda Mela at City Hall. Councilmember Tom Flynn liked the idea of Redmond being "a cultural arts town" saying "it brings good vibes."
Councilmember John Stilin, a past Redmond arts commission chair said "we need to put something out there - a little daring - we may have some misses - but the essence of a lot of art is it challenges people to think differently." Council spent a lot of time giving staff feedback on the "Cultural Corridor 2030 Master Plan" in the downtown. A large, manufactured "erratic" (glacial boulder) will be installed in the corridor as a centerpiece. A center for the performing arts is in the 2020 plan for the Overlake area but the city is also working with Eastside cities for a possible regional center.
Councilmember Hank Margeson said "It's hard to be all things to all people. We don't have to be a Park City, Utah (Sun Dance Film Festival) or an Ashland, Or (Shakespeare Festival). We want to be Redmond...to find our own niche and piece of the puzzle." Councilmember Carson said Redmond's niche is in Digital Arts without even a seedling for a performing arts center.
Mayor Marchione challenged the commission to ask "What's the best Redmond we can be? Who are we? What's our soul?" He said Redmond's roots are in lumber and agriculture.
In my opinion, perhaps a mural could be painted on one of the old cinder block buildings on Cleveland Street attesting to our pioneer days. The City of Bothell has some good examples of quality murals. Do you have any ideas for art or culture events in Redmond? Is it time some new art was installed?
By Bob Yoder