Richfield Arts Commission Feb 2023 Minutes
Call to Order 7:02pm
•Present: Larry Nelson, Sharon Chris:ensen, Joyce Marie, Aric Bieganek, Amy Markle, Karin Wolverton,
Stephanie Jacobson, Janie Mork, Karl Huemiller, Stephanie Kopp
Approval of Agenda
•Agenda approved; all in favor
Approval of Minutes
•Minutes approved; all in favor
Welcome/intro to new members
•New members: Stephanie Kapp (RAC member), Sharon Chris:ensen (City Council), Karl Huemiller (staff
liaison)
Elec:on of Chair(s) and Secretary
•Larry Nelson and Aric Bieganek elected co-chairs (all in favor); Karin Wolverton elected secretary (all in
favor)
Chase Bank Sculpture
•Sculpture to be installed in the pocket park at Lyndale and 66th. Amy Markle will follow up via email to
see when the installa:on will take place.
Re cap of December Planter Decora:on Project
•Aric and Stephanie J. decorated the planters. Aric volunteered to clean up the planters. RAC discussed
poten:al future planter decora:ng possibili:es.
State Arts Board Equity Input
•The State Arts Board is conduc:ng a survey and is asking the city to help with encouraging
par:cipa:on. The city has done posts on social media to encourage filling out the survey. The survey
will close at the end of February. RAC members are encouraged to share the survey as well as
par:cipate.
LiJle Library
•LiVle library located near the bandshell at veterans park is maintained by RAC. Staff will ensure access
to the library is not hampered by parking lot plowing. There are 3 boxes of books at the community
center. Staff encouraged members to take books with them to replenish the liVle library supply.
Richfield Arts Commission (RAC) Agenda
February 2, 2023, 7 :00 PM to 8:30 PM
Richfield Community Center 7000 Nicollet
Community Services Commission Update
•Per Amy Markle, there will be a focus on a new bike skills park at TaZ park including a tot trail. Long
term plans include a bike fleet and classes. There will be a kick off in July with a ribbon cu\ng in
September. RAC discussed partnering to host a decorate your bike event in conjunc:on with the
ribbon cu\ng.
•Other projects include a new Woodlake Nature center building, new liner for the Richfield outdoor
pool and a new community center.
Proposed 2023 Ac:vi:es Discussion
Art show for High School Seniors
•Amy Markle will reach out to the high school art teacher to see if there is interest this year for another
senior showcase.
RAC Farmers Market Events (3)
•Farmers Market; dates picked are 6/10/23, 7/15/23 and 8/12/23. Karl will check with Bonnie to make
sure these will work. In keeping with the theme of encouraging biking and walking RAC will explore
hos:ng a bike decora:on event. RAC asked if any Rec. staff could be available to help as in years past.
This is TBD.
CrossRoads Panorama event
•Crossroads Panorama will host a gathering/Fundraiser at the bandshell the end of August or early
September. The theme is “Reflec:on of Hope’. RAC has supported this event in the past.
PennFest
•The date for Pennfest is 9/1723. RAC discussed partnering with another commission as in years past
Dogs Take the Stage
• Dogs Take the Stage: there were not enough sing ups to host the 2022 event so it was cancelled.
Sugges:ons were to move the event from the bandshell to the dog park. Parks and Rec has a portable
sound system RAC could u:lize. Karl will follow up with Wei to explore this possible event.
Electrical Box Wraps
•U:lity wraps; RAC has historically helped to pick the artwork for u:lity wraps. There is 1 budgeted for
2023. Richfield holds a winter photo contest which RAC has also helped to judge in the past and have
used the entries to select suitable artwork for the boxes. The first u:lity wrap at the corner of Lyndale
and 65th will be moved and the original ar:st has been promised another box wrap for her artwork.
LiJle Library
•RAC will con:nue to monitor and keep library well stocked with books.
Art Displays- community center, city hall
•Community center is currently hos:ng Geoff Grudzinski’s artwork. There was a January Sun Current
ar:cle highligh:ng the artwork and backstory. There is an opening for May/June.
•City hall currently is hos:ng a J. Kanowski poVery and boat display. Members were encouraged to
stop by to see the artwork.
•There will be an adver:sement in the summer parks and rec brochure calling for ar:sts to display their
artwork.
New ideas
•Richfield authors event; RAC discussed ideas including hos:ng a meet and greet or a reading event.
Possible collabora:ons with the library and promo:ng the event via a storybook walk also discussed.
•Poetry walk at Richfield lake is due for new poems to be installed. Karin Wolverton will reach out to
Mississippi Valley Poet Society for more informa:on.
•Pizza Luce; original Mpls loca:on typically hangs artwork. Stephanie Jacobsen will reach out to the
Richfield loca:on to see if they are open to hos:ng local ar:sts in a similar vein.
•Roundabouts; Amy Markle will follow up at the next directors mee:ng to see if there are plans for the
remaining two roundabouts on Lyndale. Future plans will need to consider ongoing maintenance costs
as the city does not budget for this.
Staff Update
•The summer brochure is done and will be sent out soon.
•White Caps hockey team launched; their 2/18 game with be na:onally televised on ESPN+
•New splash pad construc:on will begin and the an:cipated opening will be 2024.
Mee:ng adjourned 8:30pm, Next mee:ng March 2nd, 2023