Star Arts Commission outlines summer public-art events, kids programming and mayor video

The Star Arts Commission on an ongoing meeting confirmed plans for summer public-art activities and children’s programming, including weekly participation at the farmers market, a series of sidewalk-chalk events and a short promotional video segment with the mayor.

The commission said it will staff a “kids patch” at the farmers market, which runs Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon (the market continues to about 12:30 p.m.). Commission members confirmed they will provide craft kits for children and that volunteers and market staff will set up and break down the children’s area. The commission discussed three specific summer dates for sidewalk-chalk or pop-up activities: June 17, July 15 and Aug. 12. A member said the group will “include it at the park” for the June 17 demonstration and that marketing staff will edit and promote any video recorded with the mayor.

Commission members described logistics for volunteers and kit distribution. One member said volunteers do not need to stay until the market closes and that the kids patch typically finishes at noon so volunteers can leave earlier if needed. The group also agreed to use an online sign-up tool (SignUpGenius) to organize volunteer coverage and to list the arts commission booth rotation on that schedule. The market will feature special elements tied to the commission’s activities: paper-mâché fruits and vegetables created by local artist Lavonne Fawcett will be decorated by children and placed in a parade truck, and the commission will display artists’ work on single-day exhibits through the season.

The commission also discussed promotional timing. Members agreed to coordinate with Brooke (city staff) and marketing to produce a short step-by-step demonstration video that can be edited and reused in promotion of the “Color Your City” or similar campaign. A commission member asked that anyone who can’t attend a particular date sign up via the shared schedule, and the group committed to have at least two people staffing pop-up tables when possible.

Less-critical notes from the meeting: the farmers market runs through the first Saturday in October and the commission customarily paints pumpkins on that last Saturday. Volunteers and organizers said the kids patch is an established attraction with recurring participants.