2026-03 Arts MinutesRichfield Arts Commission (RAC) Minutes
February 5th, 2026 | 7:00 PM
Richfield Community Center | 7000 Nicollet, Richfield, MN
In attendance: Aric Bieganek (Chair), Stephanie Jacobson, Crystina Clauson (Secretary),
Luke Smith, John Blackshear (VIce Chair), Karmen Metnichuk, Ann Bieganek, Paul
Chillman, Stephanie Eaton, Jill Murphy (City Liaison)
Absent: Sharon Christianson (City Council Liaison)
Administrative Duties
- Call to Order at 7:02
- Approval of Agenda:
o First: Stephanie Eaton
o Second: Paul Chillman
- Approval of Minutes:
o First: Aric Bieganek
o Second: John Blackshear
- Open Forum:
o Stephanie Jacobson - resident suggested community sing-a-long. Objective
to bring singing to people who might still be sheltering in place. Maybe
around apartment buildings. Aric pointed out that we could also do this for
elderly residents. Jill suggested maybe bringing in singers from high school.
Stephanie E talked about maybe the marching band.
▪ Action Items:
● Jill to connect w/ High school to see if there are singers or
bands available.
- Reports/ Recommendations
o Budget Update:
▪ Parks + Rec Community Activity Kits
● Spent $55.98 of $200 budget on supplies for community
activity kits and some bins for collection.
● Community involvement was overwhelming so we didn’t need
to buy additional supplies.
▪ Friendship Art Packages
● $136.50 of $100 budget spent on origami, mechanical pencils,
bags, foam stickers. We went over budget because we ran out
of origami partway through so Aric purchased emergency
origami.
▪ Approve change of funds from Community Activity kits to Friendship
Art Packages.
● First: Stephanie Jacobson
● Second: Ann Bieganek
▪ Total of $192.48 spent
▪ $1307.52 remaining
- Regular Business
o Previous Activities Review
▪ RDLS hosted a Friendship Art Package packing event since the
Friendship Dance was cancelled. Many volunteers. Packing went
really well. Some volunteers decided to make them at home on their
own.
▪ Parks + Rec had overwhelming donations for Community Activity Kits.
New backpacks were donated. Made 150 packs w/ puzzles, crayons,
games. 40 went to community ed, 20 to middle school, rest to
elementary. Brought extra puzzles for teachers. Teachers were told to
use discernment in distribution. Jill still has office full of stuff. Did get
3 boxes of books that we can put towards the little library. High
School afterschool Beacons is coming to get some of the games.
o New Theme for 2026 “Making Art Accessible” for all Richfield Residents
o Future Activities
▪ Earth Day (April 25 1-4 @ Community Center)
● Discussed rock painting with affirmations.Ann suggested a
more permanent paint option. Karmen mentioned that we
could use acrylic paint markers.
● Action Items:
o Aric to rinse rocks
o OPEN ITEM: Need a drop cloth. Ann might donate one
or we may purchase one.
o Aric to research (****call for volunteers to help***):
▪ Cost of rocks.
▪ Cost of acrylic paint markers.
o Aric and Ann to inventory our current supplies to see:
▪ How many rocks we have and if we’ll need more.
▪ If we have wipes or paper towels (this project
can get a little messy).
▪ To generally inventory what supplies we have.
o Vote at next meeting on budget based on cost.
▪ State of Community - June 10th-ish
● Consider debuting the coloring book if it’s finished. Reassess
at next meeting.
▪ Juneteenth (June 19th. Centennial Lakes Friday 6/19)
● Action Items:
o Jill will find out if Edina Arts Commission/ Edina Art
Center will be involved and if we can coordinate art
activity with them.
▪ Farmers Market (May event, Ntnl FM Week 8/8)
● May: Bike to Farmers Market Day. Aric would like to do that day
since we have a lot of supplies that would be applicable. And
Bells.
o Action Items:
▪ Jill will find the date for May Bike Day. Since it
might be early in May then we need to address in
April
▪ Aric and Ann will check supplies for bike
decorating items. Also, we have BELLS.
▪ Entertainment in the Park (Tuesdays June-Aug)
● Line-up is not finalized yet.
o OPEN ITEM:
▪ When we find out which bands are playing and
know their demographic, we can evaluate if
they’re more likely to have families and if we
should be involved. Jill adv that we’re looking for
a food truck to grow interest. Karmen noted that
high schoolers don’t tend to go to the concerts
but might be inclined if there’s a food truck.
▪ Senior High Art Show
● High school would like to do this in May. There is more
ceramics and 3D art this year.
● Hennepin County Librarian mentioned to Crystina that they’d
be interested in student art at the library.
● Action Items:
o Crystina will give Jill librarian contact to give to the High
School teacher so they can connect.
▪ Photo Contest
● Jill advised that we’ve had some submissions. The website had
issues but people can submit now. Art teacher from the high
school has students that want to submit.
● June 1st is deadline. Parks+Rec will make a big push for
submissions.
▪ Unity in the Community - August-ish. Date TBD. OPEN ITEM.
● Suggestion that some of our donations might be appropriate
for building backpacks.
o Additional Ideas
▪ Community Coloring Book
● Deadline before May Meeting. Stephanie E suggested that we
require submission of form. Jill wants to hold on until/unless
we get an overwhelming response.
● Deadline May 1st. Aric suggests we can move to June 1st if
there’s little interest.
● 1st Name + Last Initial.
● Age for Junior Artists
● Action Items:
o Crystina will post on FB.
o Crystina will advise the Cabinet when posted.
o Aric will share out w/ Commission.
▪ Website/Online Brochure (Art Walk Promo Videos)
● City’s new website just launched this week.
● Jill asked what we’re looking for, for an interactive map. Adv
google pins like to sidewalk poetry
o Action Items:
▪ Jill will come w/ feedback f/ website team.
▪ Crystina needs to add pics to the drive. Will take
offline to get correct folder and access.
▪ Senior Residents
● Gramercy Senior Living has art committee is looking for art in
their lobby and might reach out.
▪ LomaBonita mural celebration
● Action Items:
o Aric to reach out to group to see if they want to do a
celebration.
o Jill will send Crystina out the artist information.
o Crystina will add murals to brochure
▪ Celebrate Richfield Word Mural
● OPEN ITEM. Looking for an appropriate event to continue this
project.
▪ Artist Directory
● Jill asked questions about what we’re looking for, what
information we’d include. Discussed social media or websites.
Concern about redirecting people to questionable content.
John said that we could include pictures rather than point to
websites so we can curate what the community sees.
Stephanie Eaton pointed out that websites can change quickly
so this would be a better idea.
o Action Items:
▪ Crystina will provide Jill with a preliminary list of
information that we’re looking for from artists.
▪ Crystina + John will look for examples of where
other communities have created an artist
directory.
▪ Jill will check with the legal dept on what we
should be aware of.
▪ Bylaws:
● Action Items:
o Jill will print and bring to next meeting so larger group
can review
- Other Business
- Community Reports
o Community Services Commission Update
▪ No new liaison will be coming to our commission to replace BJ. Aric
mentioned that BJ may still provide input and inspiration but not in an
official capacity.
o Branding + Placemaking Advisory Committee Update
▪ Approved downtown placemaking strategy at Feb meeting.
● Playbook: There is a framework but no firm plans but a guide.
They will implement banners and some other things this year,
but other ideas need more discussion. John advised that there
will be many opportunities for RAC to be involved.
o Action Items:
▪ Jill will send the Commission the 35 page
playbook to read through.
o Summer Activity sign up started this week!
o Commission training coming up at city hall. Open to everyone.
▪ March 11 - General
▪ March 18 - Chair + Vice Chair
▪ Both with networking before and after.
o Staff Update
o Ann updated us on community events from the Richfield Community Safety
Network:
▪ Animals Helping Humans. House of Prayer Lutheran Church. March
21st Noon - 3pm. Sponsored by Richfield Community Safety Network
and Happy Jolly Llamas - there will be a puppy party, and so many
other animals. Everyone invited.
▪ February Community Safety Art Auction Silent Auction raised
$13,000. Next deadline is mid-March. Silent auction is at the end of
March. If you want to donate your art, reach out to Ann.
o Round About Painting.
▪ Need to add round-about painting. OPEN ITEM: Confirm dates/colors
at next meeting.
▪ Action Items:
● Luke will check colors.
- Next Meeting/ Announcement
o April 2nd @ 7pm
- Adjournment at 8:21pm.