Arts Commission

Bellingham Arts Commission — May 5, 2026

This was a regular meeting of the Bellingham Arts Commission, held in the Mayor's Boardroom and via Teams. All eight commissioners were present, including Joe Clark, whose term officially begins May 22. The meeting covered several active public art projects and produced two formal votes on artwork approaches.

Approval of Minutes

The February 2026 meeting minutes were approved unanimously.

Vote: All ayes (McDonnell/Chaloupka)

Update on Public Art Collection Conservation Plan

Staff member Katy Sullivan reported on progress made over the past several months to improve how the city manages its public art collection. The work includes completing artwork inventories, developing a condition rubric to assess the state of individual pieces, and creating intake templates for logging new acquisitions. The condition rubric will help prioritize which artworks most urgently need conservation funding. Commissioners asked that staff return at a future meeting for a deeper look at both the rubric and the intake templates — no vote was taken.

Big Rock Garden Park Guest Presentation

Andrew Molliter and Molli Kaiser presented on the newly incorporated Friends of Big Rock Garden Park, a 501(c)(3) organization formed to steward the park and its public art collection, with a mission centered on connecting art and nature. The group is entering a formal agreement with the Parks Department and is building a working relationship with Planning and Community Development Department (PCDD) arts staff. Staff will follow up with the Friends on shared interests and next steps — no vote was required.

Percent for Art — Central Library Remodel

Library staff Annette Bagley and Bethany Hoglund presented the proposed artwork approach for the Central Library's planned basement renovation, which will create a new space dedicated to youth and teens from birth to age 18. Library staff have actively involved local youth in the design process, gathering their preferences through examples of public art from around the world. Youth expressed interest in natural themes, local landmarks, local art styles, and imagery reflecting youth growth over time.

Staff proposed a two-track approach: using the existing Artist Roster to select a primary artist for one or more three-dimensional pieces, while issuing a separate Call for Muralists aimed at engaging local artists for mural work. If the selected primary artist proposes a different approach, it would be brought back to staff, the youth committee, and the Commission. The artwork jury would include library staff, an Arts Commission representative, and a student or youth representative. Blake Hudson was named the Commission's representative for this project.

Vote: Motion passes 7–0 (McDonnell/Hudson)

Proposed Relocation of *Two Lines Oblique* by George Rickey

Commissioner Amy Chaloupka presented a brief history of *Two Lines Oblique*, a kinetic sculpture by renowned artist George Rickey, and proposed re-siting the piece outside the Lightcatcher Museum. Commissioners were generally supportive of the new location, though some raised concerns about protecting the sculpture from vehicular traffic. Staff will coordinate with Museum staff to redesign the surrounding landscaping in conjunction with the installation. Amy Chaloupka abstained from the vote, having presented the item.

Vote: Motion passes 6–0, Chaloupka abstained (Shew/à'Kinlochaline)

Commercial Street Parking Garage Artwork Concepts

Representatives from the Downtown Bellingham Partnership (DBP), Lindsey Payne-Johnstone and Nathalie Wagler, presented two artwork proposals received in response to a Call for Art, funded by a People's Bank grant and guided by an Art Plan adopted last year. Commissioners voiced significant concern about the piecemeal nature of the approach — addressing the garage's art needs one grant at a time rather than comprehensively. There were also practical concerns about paint durability, with commissioners noting that painted murals typically last only a few years and present ongoing maintenance challenges. The Commission could not reach consensus on either proposal or the overall approach, though some directional feedback was offered on the designs. Staff will work internally and with DBP to refine the proposal and bring it back at the next meeting — no vote was taken.

Public Comment

Andrew Molliter (one of the Friends of Big Rock Garden Park presenters) spoke in support of the Library remodel artwork approach, emphasizing the importance of keeping youth ideas as the primary inspiration for the selected artist's design, not just a starting point.

For the Good of the Order and Announcements

Commissioner Eric Shew is terming off the Commission after two terms of service. Because he served as Vice Chair, a new Vice Chair was needed. Adonia Cairns was nominated and accepted; the motion passed 6–0 (Chaloupka/McDonnell). Staff also noted that juries are underway to select artists for the James-Bakerview Roundabout and Parkview Safe Routes to School percent-for-art projects. Separate calls specifically for indigenous artists are planned for the Waterfront Skatepark and Old Town percent-for-art projects within the next couple of months. A board training session is scheduled for next month.

Key Takeaways