Estacada Arts Commission finalizes Poetry-in-Public-Places details, schedules Feb. 15 planning meeting

The Estacada Arts Commission reviewed a final draft of its “Poetry in Public Places” call and agreed on program details and outreach timelines while also setting a planning meeting for Saturday, Feb. 15, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

Commission members read through the public call for poems and confirmed submission rules: each writer may submit up to five poems on separate sheets; poems must be original, suitable for readers of all ages, no longer than 15 lines and no more than 40 characters per line. The commission plans to select up to 20 poems for durable display in Estacada public places; the commission asked staff to set the submission deadline for March 1, 2025, and to notify applicants of selections on or before May 1, 2025. The commission discussed posting and display timing for summer 2025 and left some deadlines flexible pending funding and final staff review.

Commissioners also reviewed a proposed graphic-design contest that will produce a single logo/artwork to brand the poetry displays and related events. Commissioners said the design contest timeline can be adjusted if Portland General Electric (PGE) funding is confirmed; staff and volunteers will aim to post the design call in February and, if necessary, extend deadlines to mid-March for designers. Emily and Chelsea confirmed they will serve as judges for the poetry submissions, and commissioners discussed additional judging logistics and an artist agreement that would not require artists to carry insurance (artists may display at their own risk so student artists are not excluded).

Staff said a web form for artist submissions is being developed with Alex to accept online applications. Commissioners discussed promotional strategy: the city’s official social-media posting rules limit what the commission can publish directly, so the group will rely on the city Facebook page, the Downtown Estacada Commission newsletter, partners such as the Clackamas County Arts Alliance, and word-of-mouth (including asking participating artists and local schools to share posts).

Funding and partnerships were discussed. Commissioners reported conversations with a PGE contact who is planning 2025 donations; the commission will submit two separate funding requests (one for the poetry/display project and one for the graphic-design contest) if the PGE allocation permits. Commissioners also discussed crediting Clackamas County Arts Alliance funding if a grant from that organization is used, and noted that any sponsor logo placement will need to be vetted by staff before publication.

The commission set a planning meeting for Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., to finalize the year’s events, subcommittees, and the budget timeline. Commissioners asked that staff and subcommittee members meet in advance so the full commission can receive focused proposals and avoid spending the full planning meeting on items that can be settled in small teams.

The commission also discussed Arts at the Creek and Estacada Uncorked as separate events that will coordinate with the poetry displays and the 4th of July parade-themed branding; volunteers and vendor coordination (including food vendors) were raised as priorities for summer events.

Commissioners asked staff to circulate the final call and the design contest brief for review before posting, and to use the city’s channels and partner networks to maximize outreach. The meeting ended with staff and commissioners agreeing to continue promotion and finalize logistics ahead of the Feb. 15 planning meeting.