The January 8th Committee Of the Whole (COW) meeting of the Fremont Arts Council (FAC) was short and sparsely attended. Yet, the meeting still shared news worth noting!
Most significant, the upcoming 2013 Solstice Parade will take place on Saturday, June 22nd at 3p! An announcement of the date came a few months ago, on Fremocentrist.com, but the time has changed, again.
The later time comes from continuing concerns over traffic headaches made likely by the Seattle Rock & Roll Marathon scheduled for earlier that same day. FAC Board Member Christie Wolf reported that the Marathon will move, in the future, to Sundays, to avoid this conflict.
However, this, the 25th Annual FAC Solstice Parade, will start at 3p – and several FAC members have serious concerns about letting everyone know. Please spread the word! And if you know of any cyclists that plan to ride before the Parade, sans clothes, you might mention this to them as well.
One more bit of Parade news – Honk Fest West will take place as part of the FAC Parade weekend! The celebration of street band culture, with marching bands, drum corps, and samba lines, will invade the Parade and Gas Works Park on June 22nd.
Board Elections Still Upcoming
The election for the 2013 FAC Board will take place the night of the March COW meeting, on the 12th. This will allow those who want to vote to become a paid member (before February 12th,) and allow for repairs to the database so members will know if they are eligible to vote.
The Board of Directors would like to see some new folk nominated, and elected. As of this meeting, current Board Members Christie Wolf, Rodman Miller, Jerry Smith, Ricky Gene Powell, Jeff Pierce, Barb Luecke, and Maque da Vis have formally accepted nomination. Nominees agree to help with administrative work for the FAC, they will attend monthly Board meetings, attend/facilitate a COW meeting (or two,) and lead at least one event (not necessarily one of the big ones,) during the year.
Other News
At the COW, attendees also reported on the success of the Winter Solstice Feast, held December 21st. However, since none of the organizers of the Feast were in attendance, no formal report was presented.
Among the announcements made, one concerned upcoming workshops for artists (and crafters) to make their work safer. Led by Dave Waddell of the Art Chemical Hazards Project, these sessions contain helpful information on how to do art/craft projects with safer products in less toxic settings.
On January 24th, from 12:30p – 1:30p, at Gage Academy of the Art, a Hidden Hazards In the Studio workshop will focus on the mediums of painting, drawing and sculpture. The class takes place in the Geo Studio, on the 3rd Floor.
At 4Culture (101 Prefontaine Pl S,) two specific workshops will take place:
Chemical hazards in painting, encaustic, pastels, and adhesives on March 14th from 6p – 8p
Chemical hazards in studio glass on May 9th, from Noon – 2p
All workshops are free, and encourage the production of vibrant art – in safer surroundings for the artist, and everyone around them.
To find out more about the Solstice Parade, the FAC, and other art related news, attend the next COW meeting on February 12th at 7:10p at The Powerhouse (3940 Fremont Ave N.) The meeting is open to all and everyone is welcomed – and encouraged to attend!