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Arts Commission debates catalogue of plein‑air posters, sales strategy and moving paint‑out to spring
Summary
Commissioners reviewed unsold print inventory from plein‑air events, discussed resizing and reprinting, possible donations to schools and museums, and recommended moving the annual plein‑air paint‑out from mid‑summer to a spring date to increase participation.
The Snoqualmie Arts Commission spent much of its meeting reviewing inventory from recent plein‑air paint‑outs and discussing how to improve sales and participation in future events. Commissioners considered smaller print sizes, greeting cards, limited editions and outreach to local schools and museums to move unsold stock.
Why it matters: Commissioners said large, dated posters and inconsistent design have depressed sales and that smaller prints, limited editions and better gallery placement could boost revenue for the gallery and the commission. They also discussed event timing and marketing to attract more artists and visitors.
Key details and proposals: Commissioners reported the gallery’s existing contract splits print sales (described in the meeting as a $10 gallery / $20 city split on a prior $30 poster) and that the commission currently carries significant poster inventory, some of it large and out of standard gallery bin sizes. Commissioners proposed trimming large posters, selling greeting‑card versions or limited runs, using backing boards and sleeves to preserve inventory, and asking the gallery for more prominent placement and promotional support.
Event timing: Commissioners discussed lower attendance at the July plein‑air event and considered moving the annual paint‑out to spring or fall rather than July. "July is the worst month to do anything," one commissioner said; another urged consistency and proposed making the event a spring fixture to avoid summer scheduling conflicts with other regional art fairs and markets.
Fundraising and community uses: Ideas raised included donating selected prints to school art auctions (an art teacher present offered to frame donated prints for local school auctions), offering smaller card‑size reproductions for impulse purchases, and exploring themed reprints for higher demand pieces. Commissioners suggested testing packaging and display changes before funding additional print runs.
Next steps: Commissioners asked staff to get pricing for smaller print runs, backing and sleeves from local printers (Minute Man Press was mentioned), to consult with the gallery on placement and marketing, and to plan for an October agenda item to finalize event timing and a spring schedule. No formal motion or council action was taken on sales strategy at the meeting.
Ending: Commissioners agreed to prioritize marketing and display changes, to experiment with smaller print offerings and limited editions, and to revisit the plein‑air schedule and gallery partnership at an upcoming meeting.
