Puyallup Arts & Culture Commission Meeting – August 25, 2025
Puyallup Arts & Culture Commission Meeting Summary – August 25, 2025
The Puyallup Arts & Culture Commission met on Monday, August 25, 2025, at 4:00 PM in the Council Chambers of City Hall, with a quorum of four members present (Chair Brad Pugh, Commissioners Patience Chege, Paige Rooney, and Ashley Veal; Vice-Chair Amora Bussey absent). Staff included Administrative Clerk Erin Priddy and Public Affairs Officer Eric Johnson. The meeting was called to order at 4:03 PM and adjourned at 4:40 PM.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Agenda: Motion by Chair Pugh, seconded by Commissioner Veal, to approve the agenda as published. Passed 4-0.
- Approval of Minutes: Motion by Chair Pugh, seconded by Commissioner Rooney, to approve the April 28, 2025 minutes. Passed 4-0.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No public comments were received.
Discussion Items
- Signal Cabinet Wrap Submissions: The Commission reviewed a record 197 total submissions (most ever) for the signal cabinet wrap program, which aims to beautify infrastructure and celebrate student artwork.
- Student Submissions: Commissioners shared their top picks, narrowing to three with at least two votes: #17 (featuring birds and trees), #39 (bees and daffodils), and #42 (crayon-style artwork). Discussion emphasized variety in subject matter and avoiding duplication of existing wraps (e.g., daffodils, bees).
- Adult Submissions: The Commission considered five finalists: #13 (berries), #33 (mosaic daffodils and hearts), #55, #126 (Fisher scones), and #150 (Native American-themed dancing figures). After debate, consensus narrowed to #13 and #33, with #13 ultimately preferred for its unique representation of local agriculture and farmers market themes.
- New Commission Member: Commissioner Ashley Veal was introduced. She shared her background in banking and her desire to engage with the community through arts and culture. She noted that reviewing the wrap submissions was an excellent introduction to her role.
- Other Updates: PAO Johnson reported that the wood sculpture “Nature’s Throne” by Tomas Verba was installed in Pioneer Park. He also updated the Commission on progress toward moving the fifth-floor art gallery to the Puyallup Public Library, where a display cabinet is being explored to increase public accessibility.
Key Outcomes
- Motion to Accept Student Submissions: Chair Pugh moved, seconded by Commissioner Veal, to accept student submissions #17, #39, and #42. Passed 4-0.
- Motion to Accept Adult Submission: Chair Pugh moved, seconded by Commissioner Chege, to accept adult submission #13. Passed 4-0.
- Next Steps: Staff will contact the four selected artists to obtain final files and coordinate with the vendor and Public Works for installation, projected for late September or early October 2025. Locations for the wraps will be discussed at the October 27, 2025 meeting.
- Future Collaboration: Commissioners discussed sharing information about the Washington State Fair’s spring art programs with applicants to provide additional exhibition opportunities.
- Next Meeting: The Commission will meet on October 27, 2025, at 4:00 PM.
Meeting Transcript
There's one. There's Ashley. Hi, Ashley. No sound. Commissioner Veal, looks like you're muted. There's Paige. I see Commissioner Page. Hi there. Rooney. There we go. Okay, so I believe we have a quorum. No, Commissioner Bussy. As of right now, no. Okay, fine. All right. So we have a quorum, so we'll do it. So we're at uh 403. We'll adjourn or we'll not adjourn the meeting. We'll start the meeting. So first order business is Pledge of Allegiance. I Pledge of Leeches to the flag of the United States of America. Republic for which it stands. One nation, under God, indivisible, liberty and justice rule. Excellent. All right, I'll start the roll call and we'll go to my right. So Commissioner Shiz will do second and then we'll do our folks on Zoom. So Commissioner uh Chairman Pew present. Commissioner Chegett present. Commissioner Rooney present. Commissioner Vale present. Perfect. Thank you guys. Um so next order business is approval the I apologize, Chair. Uh we do have to mark that Vice Chair Pusi is not here. Oh, thank you. And then we do have a quorum. Okay. So we're good now? All right, thank you. Next item is approval of the agenda. I assume everyone's read it. Okay. Uh I'll go ahead and if there's no changes or any discussion. Okay. All right. Then I'm gonna uh start and say that I motion to approve the agenda and I need a second. Anyone I'll second. Perfect. Thank you, Commissioner Veal. Um we'll vote.
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