HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-08-24 Arts & Commission Meeting PacketAgenda
Arts and Culture Commission
City Of Edina, Minnesota
City Hall - Community Room
Thursday, August 24, 2023
4:30 AM
I.Call To Order
II.Roll Call
III.Approval Of Meeting Agenda
IV.Approval Of Meeting Minutes
A.Minutes: Arts and Culture Commission, July 27, 2023
V.Community Comment
During "Community Comment," the Board/Commission will invite residents to share relevant issues
or concerns. Individuals must limit their comments to three minutes. The Chair may limit the
number of speakers on the same issue in the interest of time and topic. Generally speaking, items
that are elsewhere on tonight's agenda may not be addressed during Community Comment.
Individuals should not expect the Chair or Board/Commission Members to respond to their
comments tonight. Instead, the Board/Commission might refer the matter to sta% for
consideration at a future meeting.
VI.Reports/Recommendations
A.2023 ACC Workplan Updates
B.2024 Work Plan Development
VII.Chair And Member Comments
VIII.Sta/ Comments
A.Upcoming ACC Meetings and Events
B.Upcoming Classes and Events at the Art Center
IX.Adjournment
The City of Edina wants all residents to be comfortable being part of the public
process. If you need assistance in the way of hearing ampli4cation, an
interpreter, large-print documents or something else, please call 952-927-8861
72 hours in advance of the meeting.
Date: August 24, 2023 Agenda Item #: IV.A.
To:Arts and Culture Commission Item Type:
Minutes
From:Laura Fulton, Recreation Supervisor
Item Activity:
Subject:Minutes: Arts and Culture Commission, July 27, 2023 Information
CITY OF EDINA
4801 West 50th Street
Edina, MN 55424
www.edinamn.gov
ACTION REQUESTED:
Approve the minutes from the July 27, 2023 Arts and Culture Commission Meeting.
INTRODUCTION:
Attached, please find the minutes from the July 27, 2023 Arts and Culture Commission Meeting.
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Minutes: Arts and Culture Commission, July 27, 2023
Draft Minutes☒
Approved Minutes☐
Approved Date:
Minutes
City Of Edina, Minnesota
Arts and Culture Commission
City Hall Community Room
Thursday, July 27, 2023
I. Call To Order
Chair Westlund called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m.
II. Roll Call
Answering roll call were Commissioners Amlaw, Curtin, Faeth, Fram, Scully, Stemmler, Zbaren; and Chair
Westlund.
Staff Present: Staff member Laura Fulton
III. Approval Of Meeting Agenda
Motion made by Fram to approve the meeting agenda of the July 27, 2023 meeting, seconded
by Faeth. Motion carried.
IV. Approval Of Meeting Minutes
Motion made by Amlaw to approve the June 22, 2023 meeting minutes, seconded by Curtain.
Motion carried.
V. Reports/Recommendations
A. 2023 ACC Workplan Updates
• Initiative 1.1.1: Grandview Public Art
i. No update at this time
• Initiative 1.1.2: Street Art Policy and Practices
i. Commissioner Stemmler updated the Commission on report progress. Initiative
group submitted first draft for feedback and comments. Requested feedback by
August 10 and will address comments in next draft.
ii. Fulton reported that Forecast submitted Phase 1 to staff and that public
engagement is currently on hold.
• Initiative 1.1.3: Public Art Incorporated in Planning and Development
i. No updates at this time, initiative is on hold.
• Initiative 1.1.4: New Art Center
i. Fulton shared a short update on the movement of the possible collocation of a
new art center at the Southdale Hennepin County Library site.
ii. Commission discussed tour of the White Bear Center for the Arts location and
expressed their gratitude to staff at WBCA for their willingness to share
information about their location.
iii. Commission requested to be kept informed when community engagement
begins. Commission would like to assist.
iv. Initiative will carry in to 2024 Work Plan
Draft Minutes☒
Approved Minutes☐
Approved Date:
• Initiative 1.1.5: Utility Boxes
i. Chair Westlund reported that the BetterTogetherEdina Utility Box Art
Submission site has received 122 submissions as of meeting time.
ii. Commission initiative members will be judging the art submissions on August 3.
iii. Staff recommended that five utility boxes be covered this year.
• Initiative 1.1.6: ACC Involvement at Performances on the Plaza and other Community
Events
i. Commissioners Stemmler and Fram discussed citywide activities, specifically the
Edina Fall into the Arts Festival. Commission discussed how to present ACC
projects. Initiative group will be creating posters, FAQ sheets and hosting a
scavenger hunt/giveaway.
ii. Staff will assist in ordering and printing displays and giveaways.
iii. Commission brainstormed ideas for displays and presentations.
iv. Initiative will carry in to 2024 Work Plan
• Initiative 1.1.7: Micro Grant Phase 2
i. Commissioner Faeth presented a final microgrant report to the Commission.
ii. Commission discussed revising wording for criteria guidelines and that the report
is meant to provide background of how the program will work.
iii. Commission discussed evaluations and processes for review criteria of
microgrant language and altered language in report to reflect discussion.
iv. Staff discussed that a report will be written in conjunction with the guidelines
report as the submission to City Council.
• Motion by Westlund to approve the Edina Arts Grants Guidelines as will be revised by
the members of the initiative to submit document to City Council.
i. Ayes: Amlaw, Curtin, Faeth, Fram, Scully, Stemmler, Zbaren, Westlund
ii. Nays
iii. Abstain
iv. Motion carried.
B. 2024 Work Plan Development
• Chair Westlund opened discussion about the 2024 draft work plan
• Commission discussed rolling certain 2023 initiatives into the 2024 work plan, including
the initiative for a New Edina Art Center; the Art Grants for Edina Program; rewording
the Grandview Public Art initiative to encompass multiple upcoming public projects; and
Commission Participation in Community Events.
• Commission discussed their role in engagement to assist in development of Public Art
policy and the opportunity to give community feedback.
• Commission discussed the opportunity to develop a plan to fill empty storefronts with
artist works. Commissioner Scully will research.
• Commission discussed an opportunity to work jointly with the Transportation
Commission to propose an Asphalt Art initiative in 2024.
VI. Chair and Member Comments
Draft Minutes☒
Approved Minutes☐
Approved Date:
A. Westlund requested that Commission meet on September 14 meeting to focus on the finalization
of the ACC workplan.
• Motion by Westlund to change the meeting in September from Sept. 28 to Sept. 14 at
4:30 p.m.
i. Ayes: Amlaw, Curtin, Faeth, Fram, Scully, Stemmler, Zbaren, Westlund
ii. Nays
iii. Abstain
iv. Motion carried.
VII. Staff Comments
A. Fulton updated Commissioners on summer programming.
VIII. Adjournment
Motion was made by Amlaw to adjourn the July 27, 2023 meeting of the Arts and Culture
Commission, seconded by Scully. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 6:58 p.m.
Date: August 24, 2023 Agenda Item #: VI.A.
To:Arts and Culture Commission Item Type:
Other
From:Laura Fulton, Recreation Supervisor
Item Activity:
Subject:2023 ACC Workplan Updates Discussion
CITY OF EDINA
4801 West 50th Street
Edina, MN 55424
www.edinamn.gov
ACTION REQUESTED:
No action required
INTRODUCTION:
Attached, please find the 2023 Arts and Culture Commission Workplan Updates for discussion.
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
2023 Workplan Updates
Initiative 1.1.2 Street Art Policy and Practices
Arts and Culture Commission:Street Art Initiative Update
Draft 02 –8/21/23
Initiative:Street Art Policy and Practices
Research and review programs related to street art currently implemented in Edina and
other cities around the metro.Analyze local data and evaluate how a street art policy can
be established in the City of Edina.
Overview
As the City continues to work to implement goals listed in the Comprehensive Plan,we
believe that special attention needs to be made to update consideration and
implementation of new forms of public art installations.Through our research,we have
discovered a quickly growing trend of cities around the country not only accepting new
forms of public art into their public spaces,but utilizing public art as a method for
improving public safety,area beautification,community engagement,etc.Street art is
becoming mainstream as a strategy to enhance blank wall space,enhance bland-looking
utility boxes,and make existing public spaces more interesting and inviting.
We have reviewed the public policies of some cities which have implemented more
diversified public art programs and compared their policies to Edina’s.Here is a report of
our findings,along with recommendations for implementation.
Introduction
The Street Art Initiative Team is excited to engage in this research project.It is a
serendipitous time for this research,as there is increasing interest and activity around
street art nationally and locally.For the purpose of this report,we reviewed the ordinances
of neighboring cities in the Twin Cities Metro,as well as cities in other states per the
suggestion of Mayor Hovland.We reviewed what changes (or lack of changes)other cities
have made to their city codes for mural art specifically,since mural art is one of the most
common forms of art installation that can be displayed publicly on public and private
property.
We also researched current and past “street art”installations in the City of Edina,to see
how those projects were reviewed and approved,and what city code was referenced in the
approval process.
We reviewed the City of Edina’s city code,along with the Comprehensive Plan to see if the
city code is keeping up with changing trends.
1
PLEASE NOTE:The following is NOT a comprehensive or formal study.As a volunteer
commission,we unfortunately do not have the time or resources to do one.However,we
hope this document can spark discussion and review by the City staff and City Council on
how the City can improve policy to participate in these new trends in public art installation.
Definitions
Creative Placemaking
“Creative Placemaking”is generally understood as the use of arts and culture by diverse
partners to strategically shape the physical and social character of a place in order to spur
economic development,promote enduring social change and improve the physical
environment.1
Street Art
For the purposes of our initiative,we narrow the definition to the following:“street art”is
any form of visual art that uses publicly accessible existing and permanent public or
private property as its canvas.
Because street art can encompass many forms of art currently in existence or not yet
invented,for the purposes of making policy we recommend focusing on forms of “street
art”actively implemented now in cities.
●Temporary and Semi Permanent Murals
●Sandblasted Sidewalk Poetry
●Utility Box Wraps
●Temporary Building Wraps
●Asphalt Art
Current Status
While some murals and what could be defined as Street Art already exist in the City of
Edina,each of these installation requests were approved individually,using city code
pertaining to new construction and signage restrictions.These codes are fairly limited in
scope and could benefit from policies and procedures specific to street art installation
proposals.
1Markusen,Ann and Anne Gadwa.2010.Creative Placemaking.National Endowment for the Arts.Washington,
D.C.,Nowak,Jeremy.2007.The Power of Placemaking:A Summary of Creativity and Neighborhood
Development Strategies for Community Investing.The Reinvestment Fund.Philadelphia,Pennsylvania
2
Street art initiatives have already been implemented by the City (utility box wraps,sidewalk
poetry),but we are not aware of any public art policy yet established that could help
instruct future installations.The creation of a public art policy that can help identify and
prioritize the types and genres of public art the City wishes to promote could be a great
benefit in guiding future initiatives.
We would like to help the City not only prepare for this art form but to be a progressive
actor in the incorporation of Street Art into its portfolio of public art initiatives.
Current Installation Projects
The City of Edina has a few existing installations that meet our definition of street art.
There are some existing utility box art wraps,and the Arts and Culture Commission is
engaged in an initiative with the City to wrap eight more this year.
The Arts and Culture Commission and City staff are completing a sidewalk poetry project in
which five Earth Day themed poems have been sandblasted into Edina City Park sidewalks.
The City of Edina recently approved two new private property–hosted murals,located on
the east and west sides of the offices of Berkshire Hathaway at 3920 Market Street.The
only other permanent mural in Edina that we are aware of is a private work commissioned
by Caribou Coffee,located at the Caribou Coffee drive thru at the corner of Vernon Ave.
and Interlachen.
In 2021,Galleria Edina produced a temporary building art wrap that decorated the exterior
of the Galleria building with a colorful decal.
Challenges
●We currently lack appropriate city ordinances to address mural art;applicants for
projects must currently rely on the City’s signage ordinances.
●The City does not have a creative placemaking strategy.
●We could benefit from the development of a formal public arts plan for the City,
beyond what is described in Edina’s Comprehensive Plan.
●We do not have a formal review and approval process.
○Review and approvals are now on a project-by-project basis,rather than by a
consistent review board designated with the responsibility to review and
approve the installation against the public art plan,Comprehensive Plan,and
arts and decor rubric.
3
Qualification
As highlighted in the Comprehensive Plan,there is a desire to weave “arts,culture and
creative expression into the fabric of the community”and link to “as many aspects of the
community and life as possible”.These points of connection “contribute to a community
where arts and culture are always visible and in the consciousness of observers”.
We believe that embracing street art forms of public art would help fulfill the following
goals set forth in the Comprehensive Plan:
●Goal 1:Distribute and promote arts and culture across all of Edina to provide
opportunities for people to come together in the creation and celebration of art and
culture,building inclusive communities.
●Goal 2:Leverage the Edina Arts and Culture Commission (ACC)to form strong and
enduring collaborative partnerships between the ACC and other Edina commissions
and associations to incorporate arts and culture into planning and implementation
processes.
●Goal 6:Research,decide on,and implement the necessary funding and governance
plans for supporting arts and culture in Edina.
As specified in chapter 14 of the City’s Comprehensive Plan:
“In this sense,arts and culture are not to be viewed as isolated and abstract things
and events but,instead,elements that are woven into the fabric of the community
and linked to as many aspects of the community and life as possible.”“As Edina
moves into the next ten years,facing myriad changes in demographics and shifts in
economic realities,the community can build cohesion and resilience based in part
on the positive impact of arts and culture.”This chapter of the Comprehensive Plan
also dictates that it is dedicated to “incorporate arts and culture into Edina’s
planning and implementation processes through strong collaborative partnerships.”
Trends
According to the Comprehensive Plan,current and near-horizon trends will impact the way
arts and culture are incorporated into daily life in our community.The Edina Arts and
Culture Commission supports the following trends,as listed in the Art Grants for Edina
Program guidelines:
●Demographic changes —increased diversity and population density.Art and
culture opportunities within neighborhoods are easily accessible.
4
●Lifelong learning interest —residents seeking experiences that inform and
inspire
●Range of experiences —opportunity to leverage arts and culture initiatives to
bring Edina residents together as a community.
●Relevance —ability for residents to respond to current events and
community changes.
Expanding the City’s public art portfolio and policies to accept new genres of public art can
help address these trends.
Examples in Edina
Two wall murals on Berkshire Hathaway offices at Nolan Mains
This artwork was commissioned by the property owners and developers of the Nolan
Mains complex.It was submitted as part of the site plan review application for the district.
The art was reviewed against the City sign ordinance to ensure it was in compliance with no
commercial advertising or inappropriate messaging,but the artwork itself did not go
through any review process.The murals were painted in May 2023.
5
Temporary building wrap on Galleria Edina
Initial discussions with a marketing manager at the Galleria revealed that Galleria Edina
received permission from Edina’s city planner,using the signage city ordinance as
reference.Restrictions were that the display could not advertise any brand or commercial
service.Art was commissioned by the Galleria and it is not known if a city representative
was included in the selection.The mural,applied as a decal,was displayed during the
summer of 2021.
6
Caribou Coffee Mural
This mural was commissioned by the property owner and produced by a local marketing
firm,which contracted a local artist.The mural plan was submitted to the City of Edina as
part of the property development plan for the new coffee shop and was reviewed and
approved by the planning commission.The mural had to comply with the city’s sign
ordinances but no known “creative review”was done for this project.The mural was
painted in 2021.
7
Arts and Culture Commission Initiative:Sidewalk Poetry
This initiative was implemented by the Arts and Culture Commission as part of its 2022
work plan.A call for poetry was launched with the focus on Earth Day themed poems.
Review and selection was conducted by the Arts and Culture Commission,and site
identification and selection was conducted by the Parks and Recreation Department.A
vendor was hired by the City to install the artwork.
Arts and Culture Commission Initiative:Edina City Utility Box Wraps
8
An initiative for five new utility box art wraps is on the 2023 work plan for the Arts and
Culture Commission.Eight possible locations have been designated by the City,and
submissions for artwork were received by the City this summer.In August 2023,members
of the Arts and Culture Commission working on this initiative will select the art,and the
utility box art wraps will be completed during autumn 2023.
Examples from Other Cities
Napa,California
The City of Napa,California,is quite forward thinking in its approach to mural art and has
addressed the inclusion of mural art comprehensively.The city has a thorough and detailed
Master Art Plan (exhibit),in which they specify how the city wants to integrate art.The city
has updated its ordinances to the signage code,which makes stipulations for further
guidance should a mural fall outside the parameters of the signage ordinance.They have
created additional code to address any building painting or art that falls outside the
signage parameters.They require permits for any unique painting activity on buildings as
well as a possible neighborhood hearing depending on the zone.
●The city has designated an art corridor in Napa,with the intention to fill it with
public art,with mural art strongly encouraged.
●The city also defines which types and scope of public art projects would require a
public comment period.
See Exhibit A
15.108.020 Definitions.
17.10.050 Design review required.
17.62.050 Improvements subject to review.
Bloomington,Minnesota
The City of Bloomington is taking a comprehensive approach to incorporating street art
into the City’s landscape.They have designated creative placemaking areas which they
have zoned for public art placement.They have also implemented a public arts
commission to oversee placement initiatives.Additionally,the City has made
additions/changes to their ordinances to address private placement of murals and
differentiate mural art in their sign ordinance.
9
See Exhibit B
DIVISION D:CREATIVE PLACEMAKING COMMISSION
ARTICLE X:SIGN REGULATIONS
§19.105 REGULATED SIGNS EXEMPT FROM OBTAINING A SIGN PERMIT.
§19.104 DEFINITIONS.
§19.63.08 EXTERIOR MATERIALS AND FINISH.
§19.03 DEFINITIONS.
Creative Arts Zone in the Midway District,Twin Cities
The cities of St.Paul and St.Anthony Park have designated a predominantly industrial area
as a “Creative Enterprise Zone”,with the goal to attract small business.Along with
development of new retail,residential,and corporate office space,the city is working with
nonprofits and creative placemaking organizations to find successful collaborations
between property owners and mural artists.They created a structure to greenlight and
fast track permissions to expand their building murals in this district,which now stands at
[40]Murals in a 10 block area.
St.Petersburg,Florida
St.Petersburg has defined terms for public art placement and has designated an arts
commission to participate in the review process for new projects.(see exhibit)
See Exhibit C
ARTICLE III.-WORKS OF ART IN THE CITY
Possible Recommendations
1.Define Street Art as it pertains to the City Code and how it is treated in relation to
installation policy with other forms of public art.
2.Recommend the addition of street art to the list of public art accepted for
consideration by the City government.
3.Write new City Code to deal with street art and more specifically,murals,with
reference to City’s signage requirements.
10
4.Require permits for any unconventional painting project to exterior surfaces on
publicly accessible commercial property to be reviewed by city planners.
5.Explore options for a creative placemaking commission or the assigning of creative
placemaking review to the Arts and Culture Commission.This responsibility would
not take the place of any existing authority responsible for enforcing City Code,but
would work in conjunction with them in an advisory capacity.
Exhibits can be reviewed at this link:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/12M-VxlfOJ4aPrOk7SZNeWABFKk9MkXCA?usp=shari
ng
Date: August 24, 2023 Agenda Item #: VI.B.
To:Arts and Culture Commission Item Type:
Other
From:Laura Fulton, Recreation Supervisor
Item Activity:
Subject:2024 Work Plan Development Discussion
CITY OF EDINA
4801 West 50th Street
Edina, MN 55424
www.edinamn.gov
ACTION REQUESTED:
Review and discuss 2024 Work plan.
INTRODUCTION:
Attached, please find the 2024 Draft Work plan for the Edina Arts and Culture Commission. At this meeting, we
will need to discuss and decide what will be on the ACC's 2024 work plan.
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
2024 ACC Draft Work Plan
Edina Comprehensive Plan - Arts and Culture, Chapter 14
Page 1 of 2
Commission Name
2024 Proposed Work Plan
1 Initiative Type:
Ongoing
Target Completion Date:
Lead(s): Westlund, Zbaren, Amlaw, Curtin
Initiative Title: New Art Center
Initiative Description: Continue Advocating for a new art space and bring the community perspective to the staff
process that will review facility space needs and projects of probable cost scenarios.
Deliverable:
Council Charge: ☐ 1: Study & Report ☐ 2: Review & Comment ☐ 3: Review & Recommend ☐ 4: Review & Decide
Budget Required (completed by staff): Are there funds for this project? If there are not funds available, explain the
impact of Council approving this initiative.
Staff Support Required (completed by staff): Who in addition to the staff liaison will have to support this initiative?
How many hours of support are needed? Communications/marketing?
Liaison Comments: Liaison comments should be completed prior to submitting the proposed work plan to MJ.
City Manager Comments:
2 Initiative Type: Ongoing/Annual
Target Completion Date:
Lead(s): Faeth, Curtin
Initiative Title: Edina Art Grant Program
Initiative Description: Work with City staff to develop the Edina Art Grant Program.
Deliverable: Review and select art application projects to be implemented.
Council Charge: ☐ 1: Study & Report ☒ 2: Review & Comment ☐ 3: Review & Recommend ☐ 4: Review & Decide
Budget Required (completed by staff): Are there funds for this project? If there are not funds available, explain the
impact of Council approving this initiative.
Staff Support Required (completed by staff): Who in addition to the staff liaison will have to support this initiative?
How many hours of support are needed? Communications/marketing?
Liaison Comments: Liaison comments should be completed prior to submitting the proposed work plan to MJ.
City Manager Comments:
= commission
= staff
Page 2 of 2
3 Initiative Type: Ongoing
Target Completion Date:
Lead(s): Fram, Faeth, Scully, Stemmler
Initiative Title: Public Art Opportunities for New City Facilities and Locations
Initiative Description: As the City builds out Grandview, a Community Health Facility, Fred Richards and other projects,
the Arts and Culture Commission will review art and décor elements and make public art recommendations.
Deliverable: Review and recommend public art projects to be implemented.
Council Charge: ☐ 1: Study & Report ☐ 2: Review & Comment ☒ 3: Review & Recommend ☐ 4: Review & Decide
Budget Required (completed by staff): Are there funds for this project? If there are not funds available, explain the
impact of Council approving this initiative.
Staff Support Required (completed by staff): Who in addition to the staff liaison will have to support this initiative?
How many hours of support are needed? Communications/marketing?
Liaison Comments: Liaison comments should be completed prior to submitting the proposed work plan to MJ.
City Manager Comments:
4 Initiative Type:
Event
Target Completion Date:
Quarter or month
Lead(s): Stemmler, Scully, Fram
Initiative Title: Commission Participation in Community Events
Initiative Description: Promote Commission initiatives and art in Edina through increased ACC presence at public
events, including Edina Fall into the Arts Festival at Centennial Lakes Park and other City events though out the year.
Deliverable:
Council Charge: ☐ 1: Study & Report ☐ 2: Review & Comment ☐ 3: Review & Recommend ☒ 4: Review & Decide
Budget Required (completed by staff): Are there funds for this project? If there are not funds available, explain the
impact of Council approving this initiative.
Staff Support Required (completed by staff): Who in addition to the staff liaison will have to support this initiative?
How many hours of support are needed? Communications/marketing?
Liaison Comments: Liaison comments should be completed prior to submitting the proposed work plan to MJ.
City Manager Comments:
To discuss: Asphalt Art, Art displays in vacant shop windows
14-1
14. Arts and Culture
Chapter Highlights
This chapter looks at: 1) arts, creative expression, and
culture in the City of Edina and 2) the Arts and Culture
Commission’s efforts to tie these to the community in
ways that will enrich residents and visitors and
contribute to a high quality of living. In this sense, arts
and culture are not to be viewed as isolated and
abstract things and events but, instead, elements that
are woven into the fabric of the community and linked
to as many aspects of the community and life as
possible. It is these linkages (some obvious, and
others not so obvious) that will contribute to a
community where arts and culture are always visible
and in the consciousnesses of observers.
This chapter discusses:
• Historical contexts and inventory of the City’s
arts and cultural events
• Direct benefits of arts and culture to a City’s
image and livability
• The future vision for arts and culture
• The City’s venues for artistic expression
• Trends and challenges
• Goals and objectives
Six goals developed for this chapter are summarized
below. Together, with policies developed for this
chapter, the six goals will serve to inform the
development of the Arts and Culture Commission’s
annual work plans for the next ten years.
Goal 1: Distribute and promote arts and culture
across all of Edina to provide opportunities for people
to come together in the creation and celebration of art
and culture, building inclusive communities.
Goal 2: Leverage the Edina Arts and Culture Commission (ACC) to form strong and enduring collaborative
partnerships between the ACC and other Edina commissions and associations to incorporate arts and culture
into planning and implementation processes.
Goal 3: Improve and maintain dedicated spaces and venues for arts and culture; activate each with dynamic
programming that includes a broad array of art forms and expressions accessible to all.
Goal 4: Expand and continue to drive awareness of and participation in Edina’s Public Art program and art
collection..
Vision and Challenges
Vision – Edina will be a community where:
• Everyday life is integrated with art,
culture, expression, and creativity.
• Community growth is coupled with arts
and culture.
• The number of people who appreciate,
engage with and create art is increased.
• Arts and culture are accessible and
inclusive of all members of the
community.
• High value is demonstrated on arts and
culture.
• As a “creative city,” arts and culture
positively impact livability, diversity,
inclusion, and economic development.
Challenges:
• Demographic changes within the
community.
• Capture opportunities to integrate life-
long learning and appreciation of the arts.
• Demand for arts and culture experiences
has currently out-paced the supply.
• Need for a new Edina Art Center to
accommodate the City’s growing demand
for artistic and cultural activities.
• Resistance to change.
• Funding availability.
Edina Comprehensive Plan
14. Arts and Culture Chapter – Approved 08-18-20
14-2
Goal 5: Establish a formal role for artists and other creative thinkers to participate in forward-looking plans
for Edina.
Goal 6: Research, decide on, and implement the necessary funding and governance plans for supporting arts
and culture in Edina.
Introduction
The City of Edina is well-known for excellence in quality of life, education, and parks and recreational
facilities. In Edina and similar communities, there is a growing expectation that arts, culture, and creative
expression are equally important to a vibrant and strong community. As highly-valued aspects of everyday
life, arts and culture make substantial contributions to livability, the local economy, and cultural industry
competitiveness. Toward these ends, the Edina Comprehensive Plan 2018 includes - for the first time - a
stated commitment to arts and culture as part of the essential objectives for the City of Edina.
As Edina moves into the next ten years, facing myriad changes in demographics and shifts in economic
realities, the community can build cohesion and resilience based in part on the positive impact of arts and
culture
The highest-priority objectives for arts and culture are:
1. Incorporate arts and culture across all of Edina to provide opportunities for people to
come together, share experiences, and build an inclusive and cohesive community.
2. Improve and maintain dedicated spaces and venues for arts and culture; activate each with
dynamic programming that includes a broad array of art forms and expressions that are
accessible to all.
Edina Comprehensive Plan
14. Arts and Culture Chapter – Approved 08-18-20
14-3
3. Incorporate arts and culture into Edina’s planning and implementation processes through
strong collaborative partnerships.
The City of Edina, during the life of this Comprehensive Plan, stands to benefit immensely from an
intentional and deliberate approach to weave arts and culture into the very fabric of the community;
and thus, engage as many people as possible and help the City reach its overall strategic goals.
Current Conditions: Historic Contexts and Inventory
The City of Edina’s vision statement (Vision Edina, 2015) describes the community as a “… preeminent
place for living, learning, raising families, and doing business.” It also speaks to a “livable environment” as a
distinguishing hallmark not only for our residents but also for those who work here and those who choose
Edina as an entertainment destination. https://www.edinamn.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1629/Strategic-
Vision-and-Framework-PDF?bidId=
During the past 10 years covered by the most-recent comprehensive plan (2008- 2018), the City of
Edina has moved well beyond its basic role of providing residential neighborhoods with high quality and
effective urban services. In fact, Edina has steered toward innovative growth enabling the development
of:
• Commercial areas that offer more dining options
• New entertainment venues and unique shopping zones
• Places to relax, exercise, and enjoy our best-in-class lifestyle, including excellent parks, trails and green
spaces
Moving into the next decade, Edina is poised to build on these accomplishments while at the same time
continuing to increase the quality of its livable environment. One of the most-impactful ways to do this is to
weave arts and culture into the fabric of the community.
Interestingly, it’s getting more difficult to define “arts and culture” as we move into the 21st Century. The
national strategy firm LaPlaca Cohen conducts an ongoing longitudinal study called Culture Track, which is
a national survey of people’s attitudes, motivators, and barriers to taking part in cultural experiences. Over
time, respondents have demonstrated a vastly expanded definition of culture, which now includes not only
traditional art forms, (e.g., opera, symphony concerts, ballet, and art museums) but also street fairs, food
trucks, culinary arts, and popular music festivals. Audiences now describe culture as any activity that “ …
questions what you already know; brings people who may not think they have much in common together;
and broadens horizons, understanding of life situations and helps me learn about other peoples in the
world.”
When discussing the value of arts and culture, at both a community-level and to wider society, people
typically begin with its intrinsic value: how arts and culture illuminate our inner lives and enrich our
emotional world. In addition, it is understood that arts and culture have a wider impact on our economy,
education, health and well- being, and community-building. In fact, arts and culture are valuable strategic
resources, and Edina has an opportunity to apply those resources in exciting and effective ways.
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In the white paper titled “Creative Placemaking,” commissioned by The Mayors’ Institute on City Design,
co-authors Markuson and Gadwa report on the results of extensive research on placemaking that is led by
arts and culture. Their findings are outlined below:
• Cities and neighborhoods no longer compete for major infrastructure commitments nor aspire to
move up an urban hierarchy of look-alikes. Instead, they look beyond physical alterations and pay
more attention to the animation of places with cultural and economic activity.
• Significant arts and cultural investments revitalize local economies, create and provide jobs,
nurture local businesses, and stabilize neighborhoods.
• Arts-anchored revitalization encourages families and companies—even those without ties to the
arts—to commit to place and to participate actively in remaking where they live and work.
• Local arts offerings—public art, murals, art parades, art fairs and crawls, museums, performances,
and open studio nights—offer people an opportunity to enjoy and participate.
• Federal research shows arts and cultural participants are more likely to be civically engaged in
their communities than non-participants, even after controlling for other factors (2006, National
Endowment for the Arts).
• A culture-based initiative is best when it is appropriate to local circumstances, not simply a replica
of what other cities and towns are doing. The best projects nurture distinctive qualities and
resources that already exist in a community and can serve community members while also
drawing in visitors and new businesses.
The role of arts and culture in this broad context is to increase the value of living in, working in, and
exploring Edina, from the perspective of personal and communal experiences, as well as economic impact.
By taking an informed and strategic approach to incorporating arts and culture even more deeply into the
community, Edina has an opportunity to build upon its strengths and achieve its aspirational vision.
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Arts and Culture in the Comprehensive Plan
There are two significant reasons for incorporating arts and culture into the City of Edina’s 2018
comprehensive plan: direct benefits to the community and positive economic impact.
Arts and Culture Offer Direct Benefits to a Community
Research has demonstrated many benefits to a community and its citizens when the arts and art centers
are present and readily accessible. Arts and culture can:
• Build community identity, pride, and status
• Activate a vibrant community, where people of all ages are connected to one another
• Increase the sense of welcoming, promote neighborhood cultural diversity, and create inclusive
communities
• Improve people’s sense of belonging to a community
• Bring people together who might not otherwise come into contact with each other, increasing
empathy and tolerance of others, and building social networks
• Increase livability, which attracts people (especially visitors and highly-skilled workers)
• Reduce stress, improve happiness, increase physical health
• Attract businesses and increase economic investment
Source: Joshua Guetzkow, How the Arts Impact Communities, 2002, Princeton University Center for Arts
and Cultural Policy Studies.
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Arts and Culture Drive Positive Economic Impact
Arts and culture have been shown to contribute to the economic vitality of a community. Studies have
shown the positive impact that a strong portfolio of arts-related activities and destinations has on other
businesses, including retail, hospitality and services. For example:
• In a 2015 study completed by the Washington, DC organization Americans for the Arts, data
demonstrated that the nonprofit arts and culture sector is “... a substantial industry in the State
of Minnesota generating $1.2 billion in total economic impact annually.”
• Creative MN has reported that the total economic impact of arts and culture on the City of
Minneapolis alone totals $541 million, a number which includes both direct expenditures by arts
organizations along with spending by audiences.
• When a community attracts cultural tourists, it harnesses significant economic rewards.
Researchers from Americans for the Arts estimate that 85.6 percent of the City of Minneapolis’ 7.8
million nonprofit arts attendees were residents of the Seven-County Twin Cities Metro Area, with 14.4
percent were non-residents. Non-resident attendees spend an average of 52 percent more per person
than local attendees ($39.16 vs. $25.82) as a result of their attendance to cultural events. As would be
expected from a traveler, higher spending was typically found in the categories of lodging, meals, and
transportation.
The data indicate that a vibrant arts community not only keeps residents and their discretionary
spending close to home, it also provides jobs and attracts visitors who spend money and help local
businesses thrive.
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Vision for Arts and Culture in Edina
In taking the long view, the opportunity to deeply embed arts and culture into the Edina community
inspires a vision of the future, so that in ten years’ time:
Edina will be known as a community that embraces arts and culture, weaving it into all aspects of daily life.
• The experience of living in Edina will be integrated with art, culture, expression, and creativity.
• As it applies within the community, Edina will have expanded upon the meaning and impact of
arts and culture.
• Edina will have significantly increased the number of people who appreciate, engage with, and
create arts and culture.
• Arts and culture in Edina will be accessible accessible and inclusive of all members of the
community, playing an important role in building bridges to create stronger, more
collaborative, and diverse communities.
• Edina will demonstrate that it places a high value on arts and culture through prioritization and
provision of sustainable funding streams.
• Edina will be seen as a “creative city,” where arts and culture positively impact livability,
diversity, inclusion, and economic development. In addition, arts and culture will contribute to
increased safety, aesthetics, expressiveness, and environmental stewardship, all to the benefit
of the people who live, work, and visit.
Edina has a strong history of arts and cultural activities that represent a wide array of experiences,
including:
• Edina Art Center
• Public Art Edina
• The annual Edina Art Fair
• The John Philip Sousa Memorial Band concerts
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• The annual Edina Fall into the Arts Festival
• The Edina Historic Museum in Arneson Acres Park
• Edina Reads program
• Edina High School plays and concerts (such as the annual Pops concert)
• Morningside After Dark poetry and music events
• The Edina Theater
• Centennial Lakes Park summer concerts
• Edina Student Art Show at the Edina Library
• The Edina High School Teen Art Salon at the Edina Art Center
• Edina’s collection of award-winning artworks
Other arts and cultural activities in Edina contribute more subtly, such as: requirements for design
elements in new buildings, the historic preservation of the Edina Country Club District, and city-wide
signage. Our parks, trails and green spaces also contribute to the beauty and artistic impact the City offers.
As a community, we recognize the need to create visual appeal throughout our City’s tangible assets and
enliven our public spaces with performances, art installations, and participatory activities for all ages and
abilities.
Dedicated Venues and Spaces
The City of Edina is fortunate to have several venues that currently offer opportunities to experience and
participate in arts and culture activities, including: The Edina Promenade, Centennial Lakes Park, Edina Art
Center, Braemar Park, and the 50th and France Business District. Moving forward, Edina will benefit from
further development and activation at each of these venues as designated and recognized centers of art and
culture activities. Edina can also explore the potential of identifying and creating additional venues for arts
and culture, particularly alongside real estate development initiatives. In this way, Edina can increase the
visibility and participation rate in arts and culture activities by utilizing and re-purposing the significant amount
of public and park space already at our disposal.
The Edina Art Center
Perhaps most-recognizable among the venues dedicated to arts and culture in our community is the Edina
Art Center (EAC). The EAC opened in 1976 with classrooms, studios and two small display galleries. The
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EAC is open 52 weeks per year. It currently serves 2,800 people annually with over 230 different class
offerings, more than a dozen exhibitions, and nearly 100 different summer camps for children. In addition,
27 events are programmed by the EAC that are held outside the facility draw an estimated 33,000
additional participants per year.
The EAC is one of six enterprise facilities owned and operated by the City of Edina within the Parks and
Recreation Department, along with the Braemar Golf Course and Dome, Edinborough Park and Aquatic
Center, Braemar Ice Arena, Centennial Lakes Park, and the Senior Center. The EAC is considered to be
an ‘arts affiliate’, owned by the City of Edina - a municipality that operates under the Plan B form of
government. As such, the EAC has benefitted from years of stable financial support and has not had to
carry the overhead costs and intensive work effort of independent fund-raising activities. At present, the
EAC is not proposing any changes to this arrangement (i.e., no shift to another governance model, such as
a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization) without first conducting extensive research and planning.
For the last 40+ years, the Edina Art Center has served people of all ages and abilities with exhibitions and
classes in the fine arts, including pottery and clay sculpture, watercolor, drawing, painting, jewelry,
photography, printmaking, and classes for youth. The EAC has an outstanding reputation for arts-making
experiences, with the pottery and ceramics classes considered especially top-notch and popular. Available
classes and camps are typically sold out rapidly, often with a waiting list of eager prospective participants.
Edina Art Center at 4701 W 64th St, Edina, MN 55435
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Three separate, independent studies conducted within the past six years all concluded that an improved
EAC is vital to the City of Edina:
• 2012 Sutton Report found that the Edina Art Center was a cherished community asset but had
challenges to remain competitive in the market, including building design and size, ADA
compliance issues, circulation, and location. Two outcomes of the Sutton Report were the
formation of the Arts and Culture Commission and the hiring of a full-time Edina Art Center
director.
• 2014 Schuler Shook analysis of physical space found that the Edina Art Center lacked sufficient size
to meet its needs or allow for growth.
• 2016 Grandview Task Force proposed to build a community center on the 3.3 acre Grandview
site. That project featured a new and larger art center, along with a senior center, recreation
spaces and underground parking. While the final proposed cost was significant, the proposal
clearly indicated the viability and potential of a new art center.
The current Edina Art Center is facing several challenges, all related to the limitations of the existing facility.
1. The EAC sits within a building that was originally designed as a residential dwelling. Through
the years, the EAC has been modified to the extent possible in order to provide the space and
facilities required for a functioning art center. Additional modifications are neither prudent
financially nor feasible structurally.
2. The size of the facility is small and inflexible. As a result, the class and studio offerings are
neither able to meet current demand nor adapt to future growth.
3. The facility is not compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Individuals with physical
disabilities, whether temporary or permanent, cannot fully navigate the space.
4. The location is secluded, not on or near public transit routes, and can be difficult to find. The
surrounding area has very little foot traffic, and no nearby businesses or amenities.
5. Supply of available classes and camps - limited by the constraints listed above - is unable to
meet demand, which decreases potential earned revenue.
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More than 2,800 participants use the EAC facilities each year; approximately 65 percent of whom reside
outside of Edina. By developing a new EAC, there is an opportunity to grow the number and percentage of
Edina residents taking part. With just under 1,000 Edina residents actively using the EAC each year, it
currently attracts less than 2 percent of the community. Increasing that percentage is an achievable goal for
a new, improved, and more accessible EAC with a greater number of offerings.
Art and Artists in Edina
The City of Edina owns a collection of original
works of art, referred to as the Public Art
Edina Permanent Collection. The collection
originated in the early 1990s as part of the
activities of the Edina Public Art Committee
(now called Public Art Edina). With assistance
from the Edina Community Foundation and
oversight provided by the Edina Arts and
Culture Commission, works of art are
submitted for review and approval by the
Edina City Council for acceptance in the
Collection.
The Public Art Edina Permanent Collection includes a variety of objects, including: stained glass (2 story
window at Edina City Hall), sculpture (glass, steel, bronze, rock, marble and limestone, Black Belgian
marble, ceramic), photographs, watercolors, pastels, mixed media, and oil paintings. The Collection is
displayed throughout Edina: City Hall, Edina Senior Center, Edina Art Center, Hennepin County Library
Edina Branch, Edina Promenade, Centennial Lakes Park, 50th & France Business District, Grandview
Square Park, and Southview Middle School gymnasium.
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There are currently 40 works of art in the Public Art Edina Permanent Collection. The Collection is
documented at the Edina Art Center (in a binder of information about each work of art in the collection)
and information shared with the public on the Edina Art Center portion of the City of Edina website.
Future use of this valuable collection will provide for greater exposure and appreciation across Edina.
Adding works of art to areas of high traffic in commercial zones can enhance the feel and ambience of
these locations.
The City of Edina is rich with artistic talent and home to many strong supporters of arts and culture.
There are a number of practicing visual artists, musicians, actors and directors, and writers, several of
whom have been nationally recognized and award- winning, who reside in Edina. Deeper relationships
between these artists and the community can be developed with a program of frequent and welcoming
events that connect these individuals with Edina residents.
Edina benefits when arts and culture are incorporated into daily life. As part of demonstrating shared
values across the community, the City of Edina - in collaboration with artists and other creative thinkers -
can develop a set of recommendations as part of the planning process that include spaces and
opportunities to display works of art, venues for performances, and other dedicated community spaces
where residents and visitors can share experiences of arts and culture that enhance Edina’s quality of life.
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Arts and Culture Commission
The Edina Arts and Culture Commission was established in May 2013 to help build a vibrant community
through art and culture, as the Edina City Council finds that the encouragement and enhancement of the
arts in Edina is vital to the social and cultural well-being of the City and its residents. The Edina Arts and
Culture Commission is, by City Ordinance, a formalized independent advisory board of the Edina City
Council.
Along with the Edina Art Center staff, this working Commission guides and supports general
development of artistic initiatives in the City of Edina, including the Edina Art Center. The Commission
provides recommendations to the City Council concerning collaboration, communication, facilities,
activities and programs in arts and cultural activities.
The Edina Arts and Culture Commission works in close collaboration with the City of Edina Government
and all other City Commissions to incorporate the perspective and advantages of arts and culture across
Edina, using the conceptual framework of “How can we help?”
a. Help make Edina an outstanding community in every respect.
b. Help sustain excellent quality of life.
c. Help drive economic impact.
d. Help the community adapt to changes over time.
e. Help teach tolerance and empathy through cultural exchange and exposure.
f. Help other Edina Commissions complete their assigned tasks, from the perspectives of creative
placemaking and community-building.
g. Help ensure that any culture-based efforts in Edina are matched to the community’s distinctive
qualities and resources.
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Summary of Current Conditions
Edina has an opportunity to build on its history of dedicating venues and sponsoring highly-regarded
annual activities that provide arts and cultural experiences to thousands of people. Research has
demonstrated that these resources and activities provide direct benefits to a community and offer lasting,
positive economic impact. A community with vibrant arts and culture keeps residents and their
discretionary spending close to home and also provides jobs and attracts visitors who spend money and
help local businesses thrive. In addition, the City of Edina is rich with artistic talent and home to many
strong supporters of the arts. By taking a coordinated, strategic approach to arts and culture over the
next ten years, Edina will continue to utilize existing resources and also develop additional, improved
venues and initiatives that will serve to embed arts and culture even more deeply into the community.
This will increase the value of living in, working in, and visiting Edina.
Edina: A Community of Learning. Edina has a prized education system of high-quality
public schools. The Arts and Culture chapter of the Comprehensive Plan recognizes the importance of
extending the benefits of education to the entire community, recognizing that art and culture can be
vehicles for expanding awareness, increasing exposure, and instilling values.
Collaborating with Edina public schools and Edina’s various municipal departments, the Arts and
Culture Commission could: involve students and their parents in programs to:
• Create and install visual art in parks, along City streets (consistent with the Living Streets
Policy), and in commercial nodes.
• Develop directional signage for installation along recreational trails
• Recognize and honor the contributions of individuals who founded and built the City.
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Trends and Challenges
Arts and culture occur within the context of time and place. That context includes a number of relevant
trends and challenges that Edina will be facing in the coming years. Each can point the way toward
opportunities for the arts to contribute meaningfully and productively to the community.
Trends
There are numbers of current and near-horizon trends that will have an impact on the way arts and
culture are incorporated into daily life in Edina. Chief among these are:
1. Demographic changes:
• Trends for Minnesota and Edina point to increased diversity and population density.
• As population diversity increases, Edina will face issues of inclusion, equity, and accessibility
around characteristics such as race, socioeconomic class, culture, and creed.
• Aging, especially aging in place, is a demographic trend that will particularly affect Edina.
Ensuring accessibility for all is key.
• Opportunities: Plan arts and culture initiatives that are inclusive of all ages, abilities and
backgrounds. See Goals 1, 3, and 5 below.
2. Interest in lifelong learning continues to grow, with people seeking experiences that inform
and inspire:
• Opportunities: Increase offerings for Edina residents to participate in classes and other
events that combine arts and culture with learning and education for all ages and
abilities. See Goals 1 and 3 below.
3. The definition of “culture” is evolving rapidly and now includes a range of experiences
and activities that involve events at which people gather and interact, in what has been
termed a “meeting of like-minded strangers”.
• Art as activism is increasingly apparent, with artists responding to current events
and community changes.
• Opportunities: Leverage arts and culture initiatives to bring Edina citizens together
as a community. See Goals 1, 2, 3 and 4 below.
4. Technology and social media continue to change rapidly; we can know more and find it
fast, but we can also become isolated and be susceptible to phenomena like fake news or
scams.
• There is also a push back against technology, which recognizes the value of face-to-
face contact (examples include local meet up groups or the maker culture).
• Opportunities: Utilize technology to inform and invite participation in arts and culture
activities. See Goal 1 below.
• It is important to take note of trends that may be specific to the Edina community
5. Shifting demographics and politics - Edina is becoming more heterogeneous, with more points
of view which can differ significantly on some pertinent issues.
6. Commercial development and changes are taking place and/or are planned for areas such as
Southdale, 50th and France, Grandview, and Pentagon Park.
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7. Opportunities: Use arts and culture activities and perspectives to support a resilient and
cohesive community in Edina. See Goals 1 through 5 below.
Challenges
A number of current and near-horizon challenges will have an impact on the way that arts and culture are
incorporated into daily life in Edina. Chief among these include:
1. The demand for arts and culture experiences is currently out-paced the supply.
• There is an established need for a new Edina Art Center. There is a strong opportunity
to increase both the overall customer base and the percentage of Edina residents taking
part in the offerings of the Edina Art Center.
• Opportunities: Provide additional arts and culture experiences for citizens and visitors
of Edina. See Goals 3 and 6 below.
2. There will be a number of changes to the city, including real estate development
• There can be tension between property development and maintaining historic
continuity. This will have an impact on potential location of a new art center
• Resistance to change is common in most communities, including Edina. That requires a
thoughtful, creative, and community-engaged planning process. As population density
increases, there is a need for an intentional approach to design that allows for necessary
change, but respects history and local neighborhood identity.
• Development plans for the Southdale area are likely to lead to numerous changes to
that part of Edina.
• There are risks in the local retail sector: reduction in bricks-and- mortar retail stores,
likely increases in experiential customer focus, more restaurants and entertainment
venues.
• Opportunities: Incorporate arts and culture perspectives to engage the community, add
creativity, and augment decision-making. See Goals 2, 5, and 6 below.
3. Funding and organizational structures for arts and culture can be improved
• Funding for arts and culture remains a challenge. It is important for arts and culture
efforts in Edina to take a strategic and planned approach to fund-raising and sustainable
funding models. There are opportunities in Minnesota, such as the Legacy Amendment
Funding1, that might be tapped.
• Opportunities: Establish sustained funding models for arts and culture in Edina. See Goal 6
below.
4. Transportation undergoing a number of significant changes
• The next ten years is likely to see an increase in hybrid and electric cars, light rail lines and
services, and the implementation of assisted and/or autonomous vehicles.
1 In 2008, Minnesota passed the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment to the State Constitution. This
Amendment increased state sales tax by three-eighths of one percent, from July 1, 2009 through 2034. A portion of
the revenue (19.75%) is dedicated to The Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund which is used to support arts, arts
education and arts access, and to preserve Minnesota's history and cultural heritage.
Based on current sales tax revenue, Minnesotans will invest more than $1.2 billion in arts and cultural heritage fund
projects and programs over the 25-year life span of the tax.
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• Edina is also anticipating an increase in walking and bicycling.
• Opportunities: Incorporate a creative placemaking perspective to enable Edina to embrace
change over time. See Goals 2, 4 and 5 below.
Summary of Trends and Challenges
Edina is changing, along with the rest of the region and the country. As demographics shift and the
community evolves, Edina is becoming more heterogeneous, and the investment in efforts that are inclusive
and accessible will provide value. While change can be hard for any community, this can be eased when
leaders are aware of the trends and challenges, so that they can anticipate and plan for the impact they will
have on the city. Arts and culture initiatives can help enable Edina to take advantage of opportunities and
therefore support the city’s overall strategic goals. Those opportunities are reflecting in the Goals and
Policies listed below.
Goals and Policies
As Edina looks forward into the next ten years, there are six major goals for arts and culture that
consider the Trends and Challenges listed above along with the unique needs and resources of Edina.
The City of Edina, through its Arts and Culture Commission, prepares annual work plans that define how
goals will be implemented. The first step in this process is the development of policies that will lead to a list
of tactics or implementation steps. The tactics for arts and culture (presented below) are paired with the
goals and policy statements.
Recognizing that ten years is a long timeframe, the following tactics are listed with an understanding that
they may shift and evolve over time and in response to changing conditions or unforeseen
circumstances.
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Goal 1: Distribute and promote arts and culture across all of Edina to provide opportunities for
people to come together in the creation and celebration of art and culture, building inclusive
communities.
Policy 1: The City will continue to support and promote arts and culture activities and programs
across Edina.
Goal 2: Leverage the Edina Arts and Culture Commission (ACC) to form strong and enduring
collaborative partnerships between the ACC and other Edina commissions and associations to
incorporate arts and culture into planning and implementation processes.
Policy: The City will incorporate arts and culture into planning and implementation processes by
supporting collaborative partnerships between the ACC and other Edina commissions and associations.
Goal 3: Improve and maintain dedicated spaces and venues for arts and culture; activate each with
dynamic programming that includes a broad array of art forms and expressions accessible to all.
Policy: The City will continue to support dedicated venues for arts and culture, and actively support the
construction of a new Edina Art Center.
Goal 4: Expand and continue to drive awareness of and participation in Edina’s Public Art
program and art collection.
Policy: The City will continue to support the Edina Public Art program and art collection,
including ongoing financial support.
Goal 5: Establish a formal role for artists and other creative thinkers to participate
in forward-looking plans for Edina.
Policy: The City will actively seek and include the perspective of arts and culture to contribute to
decision-making and policy-setting in Edina.
Goal 6: Research, decide on, and implement the necessary funding and governance
plans for supporting arts and culture in Edina.
Policy: The City will work closely with the ACC to plan for sustainable financial support of arts
and culture across Edina.
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Taken together, these goals and policies will serve to inform the development of the Arts and Culture
Commission’s annual work plans for the next ten years and will enrich community life in Edina, drawing
participation from residents and non-residents alike. The result of this is to reinforce the positive image
of Edina as a preeminent place to live, work, and visit.
The inclusion of a chapter dedicated to arts and culture as part of the 2018 City of Edina Comprehensive
Plan is a powerful statement that recognizes the importance of arts, culture, and creative expression - which
are as valuable to a vibrant and strong community as are quality of life, education, parks and recreational
facilities. By incorporating strategies and objectives for arts and culture that are thoughtfully woven into the
fabric of Edina, the plan increases the benefits to residents and visitors, and works in support of achieving
the inspirational vision for the city as a “… preeminent place for living, learning, raising families and doing
business”.
Date: August 24, 2023 Agenda Item #: VIII.A.
To:Arts and Culture Commission Item Type:
Other
From:Laura Fulton, Recreation Supervisor
Item Activity:
Subject:Upcoming ACC Meetings and Events Information
CITY OF EDINA
4801 West 50th Street
Edina, MN 55424
www.edinamn.gov
ACTION REQUESTED:
No action required
INTRODUCTION:
Attached please find the upcoming meetings for the Arts and Culture Commission. Please note the change to the
September meeting.
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Upcoming ACC meetings and events
August 24, 2023
Arts and Culture Commission
Laura Fulton, Recreation Supervisor
Upcoming 2023 Meetings and Events
Date 2022 Meetings Time Location
Sept. 9 & 10 Fall into the Arts Festival Sign up now! Centennial Lakes Park
*Thurs. Sept. 14 Regular Meeting 4:30 pm Edina City Hall; Community Room
Thurs. Oct. 26 Regular Meeting 4:30 pm Edina City Hall; Community Room
**Thurs. Nov. 16 Regular Meeting 4:30 pm Edina City Hall; Community Room
**Thurs. Dec. 14 Regular Meeting 4:30 pm Edina City Hall; Community Room
* Meeting adjusted per Commission vote
** Meetings adjusted due to holiday schedule.
Date: August 24, 2023 Agenda Item #: VIII.B.
To:Arts and Culture Commission Item Type:
Other
From:Laura Fulton, Recreation Supervisor
Item Activity:
Subject:Upcoming Classes and Events at the Art Center Information
CITY OF EDINA
4801 West 50th Street
Edina, MN 55424
www.edinamn.gov
ACTION REQUESTED:
No action required
INTRODUCTION:
Attached please find the upcoming classes and events for the Fall/Winter season at the Edina Art Center.
Registration started on August 23 at noon.
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Upcoming Classes and Events at the Edina Art Center
August 24, 2023
Arts and Culture Commission
Laura Fulton, Recreation Supervisor
Upcoming Art Center Programming and Events
Family Classes and Events
Pop Art Portraits Ages 5+ Saturday Sept 16,
March 9
10 am -
noon
Art
Center
Have you ever wanted to turn yourself into a work of art? Submit a photo of yourself, a loved
one or a pet before class. We'll prepare a canvas for you, and you'll be given materials and
instruction to turn that photo into an acrylic on canvas pop art painting on paint day! This class is
great for individuals, friends or families for a fun time together! (Fee is per person.) Instructor:
Amanda Wirig
Color Me Autumn
pARTy
Ages 2+ Saturday Sept 23 4:30 – 6:30
pm
Art
Center
On the first day of fall (equinox), celebrate the changing of seasons as a family and create fall
themed art for your home. Registration fee is per adult/child pair. Instructor: Kim Lartz
First Saturday Art
Lab
Ages 2+ Saturday Oct 7, Nov
4, Dec 2,
Jan 6
10 am -
noon
Art
Center
With so many art options, let’s explore them all! Staff will be on hand to assist as families explore
the many different mediums and create fun projects.
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Canvas Fun:
Pumpkins & Glow
Ages 6
– 12
Thursday Oct 19 1 – 2 pm Art
Center
MEA Break Day! Spend a fun afternoon with your friends painting a festive fall scene on real
canvas. Paint pumpkins using neon and glow-in-the-dark paint on a 11x14 stretched canvas.
Instructor: Lisa Vitkus
Halloween Craft Day Ages 2+ Saturday Oct 28 10 – 11:30
am
Art
Center
Kick-off Halloween weekend at the art center and create some spooky decorations with us!
Instructor: Kim Lartz
Diwali Celebration Ages 2+ Saturday Nov 11 10 – 11:30
am
Art
Center
Learn about Diwali, the Hindu holiday - Festival of Lights, and create a colorful lantern in the
traditional style! We will focus on creating beautiful lanterns to adorn your home for the
holiday. All ages welcome, supplies provided. Fee is per adult/child pair. Instructor: Kim Lartz
Cupcakes & Canvas: Frosty
the Snowman!
Ages
6+
Saturday Dec
2
Noon –
1:30pm
Art
Center
Grab the whole family for a fun family painting event. Everyone will create their own painting of a
snowman on an 11x14" stretched canvas. Enjoy a cupcake while your painting dries. Instructor:
Lisa Vitkus
Holiday Ornament
Making
Ages 2-
7,
Ages 8-
12
Saturday Dec 16 10 – 11:30
am,
Noon – 2
pm
Art
Center
Spend a fun morning crafting holiday decorations! We will focus on creating beautiful ornaments
to adorn your home, as well as gift to others. The morning session is for youngers with an adult
(ages 2-7) and the afternoon session gives the older kids (ages 8-12) a chance to get crafty with
their adult family or friend (or on their own!). If you have children in both age groups, choose
the session you prefer. Supplies provided; fee is per adult/child pair.
Winter Wonderland
Fairy Garden
Ages 6 –
12
Friday Jan 19 Noon – 2
pm
Art
Center
Our winter wonderland fairy garden will be the perfect place for fairies, snowmen, and gnomes
to celebrate the frozen world of winter. We will use model magic, paint, and Shrinky-dinks to
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build our imaginary winter scenes. Create a miniature fairy garden with a winter twist! Supplies
included. Instructor: Lisa Vitkus
Canvas Fun: Winter
Northern Lights
Ages
7+
Monday Feb 26 6 – 7 pm Art
Center
Spend an evening painting a magical winter night with a sky full of northern lights, mountains, and
a polar bear. Everyone will use acrylic paints including fluorescent colors to paint our winter
landscape on an 11x14” canvas. Supplies included. For kids, with or without their adult.
(Registration is per person.) Instructor: Lisa Vitkus
Cupcakes & Canvas:
Spring Bunnies
Ages
6+
Saturday March
9
Noon –
1:30 pm
Art
Center
Grab the whole family and join us for a fun family painting event. Everyone will create their own
painting of bunnies and springtime flowers with acrylic paints on an 8x20” stretched canvas.
Enjoy a cookie while we wait for our paintings to dry. All supplies included. Instructor: Lisa
Vitkus
Youth Classes
Art: Try it Out! for
Preschoolers
Ages 2
- 5
Fridays Sept –
ongoing
10:30 –
11:30 am
Art
Center
Every Friday morning! Use a variety of art materials and techniques, including drawing, painting,
sculpture and collage to create unique projects! Must be accompanied by a caregiver. $16 per
session. Come when you can, week by week registration. Because we prepare for each class,
we're sorry that can't accommodate same-day registration.
Pint-sized Picassos Ages 5 -
7
Thursdays Sept –
ongoing
4:45 –
5:45 pm
Art
Center
For younger elementary students who love to create! Explore art concepts, vocabulary and tools
with award-winning art teacher Lockie Chapman. $16 per session, all supplies included. Come
when you can, week by week registration.
Art Sampler for
Kids
Ages 7
- 10
Wednesdays Sept 13 –
Oct 18,
Oct 25 –
Nov 28
4:45 –
5:45 pm
Art
Center
STAFF REPORT Page 4
Join us for a variety of lessons you may not get in school! Pop Art sculpting, plaster gauze mask
making, watercolor landscape, Wayang Indonesian puppets and acrylic Impressionism painting are
topics that will be covered over this 6-week session. Instructor: Mike Bedard
Art Fusion Studio
for Teens
Ages
13-18
Wednesday Sept 13 – Dec
6, Jan 10 –
March 27
4:30 –
6:30
pm
Art
Center
Designed for Teens who love art, this program offers you an escape to the Edina Art Center!
We’re offering time and space for you to practice your craft in the company of other teen artists
like you. Each meeting will start with a different short lesson with a supportive mentor-teacher,
followed by open studio time. With the teacher available for advice and consultation, you’ll be
able to paint, draw, create digital artwork, and more.
Creative Cartooning Ages 9 -
14
Monday Sept 11 &
18
5:30 - 7:30
pm
Art
Center
What are the basics of bringing a character to life? In this class, we will explore the head, facial
features and hairstyles, as well as emotions and expressive poses. Put them all together and you'll
be ready to start illustrating your own characters in your own story world! Supplies included or
bring your own sketchbook. Instructor: Violet Sunde
Arty Animals Ages 9 -
14
Mondays Oct 16 –
30
5:30 – 7:30
pm
Art
Center
Calling all animal lovers! Use a variety of materials to create your favorite animals. In this class,
we will use drawing, painting, collage and watercolors to portray the natural beauty and joy of
our animal friends. Three sessions help you build your skills with a variety of mediums.
Instructor: Violet Sunde
Monster Felt Plushies Ages 9 -
15
Mondays Dec 4 - 18 5:30 – 7
pm
Art
Center
Design your own cartoon-style monster and turn it in to a monster felt plushie! Incorporate
whimsy and fun like any good toy. Create a pattern, transfer to felt, then use embroidery,
buttons, and other embellishments to make your monster come to life. You will learn how to do
basic embroidery stitches with some special effects to sew your feltie together and give it extra
personality. Instructor: Lockie Chapman
Fashion & Costume
Design
Ages 9 -
14
Mondays Jan 22 &
29
5:30 – 7:30
pm
Art
Center
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What kind of outfit would you design for an imaginary character? In this class, we'll learn to draw
all sorts of clothes, shoes and accessories to create styles that show off your character's
personality! Instructor: Violet Sunde
Drawing Action &
Adventure
Ages 9 -
14
Mondays Feb 26 &
March 4
5:30 –
7:30 pm
Art
Center
Who will save the day? Let your imagination run wild as we create heroes, sidekicks, villains and
more! We will learn to draw outfits, superpower effects and action poses to illustrate our
characters' adventures. Instructor: Violet Sunde
Adult and Teen Workshops
Introduction to
Intuitive Watercolor
Ages
18+
Friday Sept 8 Noon –
2pm
Senior
Center
Explore the Hauschka Method of intuitive watercolor painting. You begin the painting without
knowing what the final image or theme will be as you open to your unconscious, and through the
process, allow an image to emerge. The time spent with these pure colors and liquids is
rejuvenating to the body and soul. Supply fee of $10 to instructor.
Curated
Conversations
Ages
16+
Wednesday Sept 20,
Oct 18,
Nov 15,
Dec 20
1 – 2:30
pm
Arneson
Acres
Park
Join us in exploring works of art in the Minneapolis Institute of Art’s (Mia) collection and beyond.
Whether you’re new to art or have a degree in art history, bring your knowledge and
perspectives to these engaging discussions. Each session will focus on a theme presented in a
Power Point format; discussion and conversation encouraged! Come for one session or as many
as you’d like. Facilitator: Jeanette Colby
Alcohol Inks:
Introduction
Ages
14+
Saturday Sept 30 2 – 4 pm Art
Center
Pigment-intense and vibrant, free-flowing and filled with energy, alcohol inks are fun to work with
and create amazing designs. Come learn about this medium and leave with beautiful creations to
display! Instructor: Lisa Vitkus
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Macrame Coasters Ages
16+
Tuesday Oct 3 5 – 8 pm Art
Center
Learn to macrame multicolored coasters. You will leave with two coasters to enjoy using at
home! In addition to the registration fee, a student supply kit will be $35 paid directly to the
instructor on class night. Instructor: Aratrika Chatteraj
Jewelry: Fused Silver
Rings
Ages
16+
Tuesday Oct 10 5:30 – 8:30
pm
Art
Center
Do you love jewelry? Love creating? Love playing with fire? Join us for an evening of making three
silver rings! You will learn to fuse silver, which is a way of connecting the metal with a torch and
nothing else. Plenty of help and support means no experience needed. This class is a blast - and
even better with a friend! In addition to the registration fee, a student supply kit will be $35 paid
directly to the instructor on class night. Instructor: Tai Salisbury
Impressionist
Inspirations
Ages
16+
Saturday Oct 14,
Nov 18
10 am –
noon
Art
Center
Create a canvas inspired by Van Gogh or Monet! In 1889, Vincent van Gogh painted a series of
15 paintings featuring olive trees. Your creation during October workshop will be inspired by his
painting of Olive Trees on view at The Minneapolis Institute of Art. Claude Monet’s 1906
Waterlilies painting in the Chicago Institute of Art will inspire your November canvas. Register
for each workshop separately. All supplies included. Instructor: Mike Bedard
Gel Printing
Workshop
Ages
16+
Saturday Oct 28 1 – 4 pm Art
Center
Gel plate printmaking is an exciting way to add more variety to your collages, mixed media,
journals and more with one-of-a-kind colorful monoprints. Work with color, layers, stencils and
masks to create dynamic prints and collages. Supplies included. Instructor: Lockie Chapman
TeenzArt: Mosaic
Workshop
Ages 11
- 16
Saturday Nov 4 1 – 4 pm Art
Center
Bring your friends and get creative as you learn about the art of mosaics! We will explore a
variety of mosaic mediums and learn how to create a colorful mosaic using glass, tiles, beads, and
other found objects. Discover the processes and techniques used in creating and grouting
mosaics to bring home a completed work of art. Supplies provided. Instructor: Lisa Vitkus
Beginning Ukulele Ages
12+
Saturday Nov 11 10 am –
noon
Senior
Center
The ukulele is one of the most popular instruments to learn. It's an easy and fun way to start on
your musical journey! Bring your own ukulele and you'll be given handouts and initial instruction
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on tuning, chords and strumming patterns while you learn in a fun group setting. Instructor:
Amanda Wirig
Acrylic Pour: Up
North
Ages
16+
Monday Nov 13 6:30 – 8
pm
Art
Center
Discover the magical world of acrylic pour painting! Using fluid acrylics and pouring medium,
your instructor will show you how to produce beautiful abstract artwork. Create an acrylic pour
on a 12" wooden cut-out. Choose between three options: Outline of Minnesota, Bear, or Fish.
We'll provide a tray to carry your painting home. Instructor: Lisa Vitkus
Acrylic Pour:
Ornaments
Ages
16+
Monday Nov 27 6:30 – 8:30
pm
Art
Center
Take the art of acrylic pouring to a whole new level by creating fun festive ornaments for the
holiday season. Create unique one-of-a-kind seasonal décor to keep or give away as gifts. First
learn different acrylic pouring techniques. Then it is your turn to try out these techniques on 2
round bulb ornaments and 2 wooden cut out silhouettes. All supplies provided including a tray to
transport your works home in. Instructor: Lisa Vitkus
Jewelry: Wire
Wrapped Earrings
Ages
16+
Tuesday Dec 5 5:30 – 8:30
pm
Art
Center
A pair of earrings to go with every outfit - what could be more fun? Making them yourself, of
course. Join us for an evening of fun, creativity and tools. Using only wire and beads, you will
make 2 to 3 pairs of colorful earrings and learn an extremely useful wire linking process along
the way. In addition to the registration fee, a student supply kit will be $20 paid directly to the
instructor on class night. Instructor: Tai Salisbury
Printmaking: Holiday
Cards
Ages
12+
Saturday Dec 9 10 am – 1
pm
Art
Center
Design and create your own holiday cards - or cards for any occasion! Using soft-cut blocks,
learn to carve your image, apply ink and print 20 cards to share with friends and loved ones. This
class is great for adults and teens, as well as children 8+ accompanied by an adult. All supplies
included. Instructor: Mike Bedard
Pet Portraits Ages 8 -
17
Monday Feb 5 6:30 - 8
pm
Art
Center
Dog, cat, hamster or horse - no matter your favorite animal, paint a portrait of your furry friend!
Once you sign up, email a photo. We will sketch it on canvas then walk you through the steps to
creating your final masterpiece on an 11x14 canvas! Instructor: Lisa Vitkus
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Adult Classes
Art Essentials Ages
16+
Wednesdays Sept 13 –
Oct 4
6:00 –
7:30
Art
Center
Delve into color, composition, perspective, and value and shading in this 4-week class. Designed
for beginners and students with some experience seeking to reinvigorate their passion for art.
Build skills to make drawing and painting accessible and fun. Instructor: Mike Bedard
Beginning Abstract
Painting
Ages
16+
Mondays Sept 11 –
25,
Dec 4 - 18
5:30 – 7:30
pm
Art
Center
Get started with abstract painting in this three-session class. You will learn to select and mix a
personal palette, explore mark making with various tools, learn how to work in layers and
deepen your understanding of contrast and composition. Supplies included.
Beginning Drawing Ages
16+
Mondays Sept 18 –
Oct 23
2 – 4
pm
Senior
Center
Drawing can be intimidating, but learning a few basic techniques can improve your skills and
make drawing much more fun! This no-pressure group setting will present such techniques as
portraits, still life, perspective, shading and measuring. Instructor Amanda Wirig leads this fun and
engaging six-week class. Supplies you will need are a sketchbook, and artist-quality pencils and
eraser.
Drawing Portraits
for Beginners
Ages
16+
Wednesdays Oct 25 –
Nov 20
6 - 7:30
pm
Art
Center
Learn to draw a portrait with instructor Mike Bedard.
Beginning
Watercolor Painting
Ages
16+
Wednesdays Oct 4 -
18
10 -
noon
Senior
Center
Learn basic concepts of design, value and color theory. Learn and practice various watercolor
techniques and use them in creating simple landscapes, florals and other still life. This class is
appropriate for people who are brand-new to watercolor painting. Instructor: Amanda Wirig
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Beginning
Watercolor Painting
Ages
16+
Thursdays Oct 26 –
Nov 9
6 – 8 pm Art
Center
Learn basic concepts of design, value and color theory. Learn and practice various watercolor
techniques and use them in creating simple landscapes, florals and other still life. This class is
appropriate for people who are brand-new to watercolor painting. Instructor: Amanda Wirig
Alcohol Inks:
Beyond Basics
Ages
16+
Tuesdays Oct 3 - 24 Noon - 2
pm
Art
Center
Dive into the world of Alcohol Inks in this four-week workshop series. We will learn about
these pigment-intense and vibrant, free-flowing inks and experiment with designs on a variety of
surfaces. Make abstract compositions, flowers, landscapes, use stencils and more. You will leave
the workshop with knowledge of new techniques that you can then take home and expand your
artistic interest. All supplies included in class fee. Instructor: Lisa Vitkus
The Secret Life of
Color
Ages
18+
Fridays Oct 27 –
Dec 8
Noon - 2
pm
Senior
Center
Using the Hauschka intuitive watercolor painting process, this beginning class will cover exercises
to explore the nature of each color and color mixing. This method of painting is a gentle
introduction to the creative process. It invites us to open to our unconscious and, through the
process, allow an image to emerge. Instructor: Donna Webb
Intermediate
Abstract Painting
Ages
16+
Mondays Oct 23 –
Nov 27,
Jan 8 – Feb
12
6 – 8:30
pm
Art
Center
Take your work to the next level! This is a great class to advance your understanding of
abstraction and develop your abstract painting skills. Learn tools to move past creative blocks
and evolve your expression in abstract painting. Instructor: Lockie Chapman
Intermediate Oil
Painting
Ages
16+
Tuesdays Sept 12 –
Oct 17,
Oct 24 –
Nov 28
6:00 –
8:30 pm
Art
Center
This class is for those that have taken beginning oil painting or have some experience with the
medium. Continue to learn color mixing as you paint subjects of your choice. Instructor Scott
Lloyd Anderson will work with you on design, brushwork, and understanding color as value.
Students will practice drawing with the brush and explore different ways to achieve paintings you
will be proud of.
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Drawing Portraits –
Studio
Ages
18+
Tuesdays Sept 12 –
Oct 17, Oct
24 – Nov 28
1 – 4
pm
Senior
Center
For advanced artists, join us for focused study and guidance with artist instructor and coach
Louise Gillis.
Drawing & Painting
with a Clothed
Model
Ages
18+
Thursdays Sept 14 –
Nov 9
1 – 4 pm Art
Center
With a live model, capture the human form in both quick-action poses and sustained poses.
Learn how to finish a drawing incorporating form, anatomy, beauty of line and “sculpting” the
body from within. Instructor: Louise Gillis
Acrylic Pouring:
Basics and Beyond
Ages
16+
Tuesdays Feb 13 -
27
Noon –
1:30 pm
Art
Center
Experience the magical world of fluid acrylics and pouring medium. No experience required to learn how to
create the same beautiful abstract canvases you see on Pinterest. Instead of paint brushes we will use a
variety of tools to create our works of art including sink strainers, plastic bottles, and pull chains. This class
will show you different techniques and tools than our previous class over the course of three weeks.
Instructor: Lisa Vitkus
Realistic Painting –
Studio
Ages
16+
Mondays Sept 11 – Oct
16,
Oct 23 – Nov
27
1 – 4 pm Art
Center
If you have had some painting experience, join us for a studio-style class with instructor Louise
Gillis. Your instructor provides lessons and coaching as you work with flowers or still life, or
paint from photos.