Lakewood Arts Commission approves leadership, forms four subcommittees and selects Q2 rotating artist

The Lakewood Arts Commission on an early‑2025 meeting approved its chair and vice chair, formed four subcommittees to carry out its 2025 workplan and selected a community art studio to occupy the commission’s second‑quarter rotating exhibit at City Hall.

The commission approved the December meeting minutes, confirmed the chair and named Earl as vice chair, then moved into a substantive discussion about subcommittees to support public‑art work and community programming. Commissioners agreed to create four subcommittees: (1) a collecting‑policy group to draft guidance for purchases after a City Council request to buy artwork; (2) a plinths subcommittee to manage rotating sculpture installations on outdoor plinths; (3) an “Art in the Park” community‑education subcommittee; and (4) a committee to lead the Fiesta de la Familia art show. Members volunteered during the meeting to staff each group.

Commissioners said the collecting‑policy work will mainly involve adapting templates: one member noted examples from the American Association of Museums are available to use as a starting point. The plinths group’s work was described as largely research and updating prior recommendations, but commissioners flagged a funding uncertainty for outdoor sculpture installations and said that could limit what the committee can accomplish without additional budget support.

On programming and outreach, commissioners discussed broadening the City Hall rotating series and making community events more inclusive of performance and participatory activity — such as drum circles, dance or student art — and discussed timing for any new events to ensure student participation and avoid conflicts with other festivals. Commissioners confirmed communications for events run through the city communications office; Brynn Grimley, the city’s director of communications, was named as the staff contact who posts or shares commission events rather than individual commissioners operating the commission’s social accounts.

For the second‑quarter rotating exhibit at City Hall, the commission reviewed proposals and held a multi‑round vote. The commission selected a community art program based in DuPont (presented as “Wausau Art Studio” in the materials) as the Q2 rotating artist; commissioners said the group reaches multiple ages and cultures and had previously proposed themed exhibitions and outreach. Commissioners identified artist Carlos Lagos as a backup and agreed to set a reception and hanging window so the exhibit would be on view in April‑June, with a tentative reception date discussed for April 7.

The meeting also included event reminders: a Beloved Community Walk set for Jan. 11, an artist reception for Rodney King on Jan. 13, and a notation that a Martin Luther King Jr. proclamation was on that evening’s City Council agenda. Commissioners were encouraged to attend those events to represent the commission.

Votes at a glance - Approve minutes from Dec. 2 meeting — motion approved (mover/second: not specified). - Approve commission chair (self‑nomination) — motion approved (mover: not specified; second: not specified). - Approve Earl as vice chair — motion approved (mover: Phil; second: Daryl). - Select Q2 rotating artist (City Hall exhibit) — motion approved; selected: Wausau Art Studio (DuPont); backup: Carlos Lagos. Reception timing: tentative April 7.

Commissioners left the meeting with subcommittees formed and initial assignments made; several volunteers said they will begin separate subcommittee meetings to draft proposals and timelines for the commission’s next regular meeting. Plinth installation plans were left for the plinths subcommittee to refine and for staff to seek any required budget or city approvals.