Board approves recommended Falkirk Cultural Center 2026 exhibit schedule

The board approved a staff-recommended schedule of exhibitions for the Falkirk Cultural Center’s 2026 program after an extended review of 15 applications and detailed discussion of room allocations, availability and programmatic themes.

Staff said the city received 15 applications and summarized 2025 activity at Falkirk, noting the winter juried exhibit had roughly 70 participating artists and that Falkirk offers three gallery rooms for rotating exhibits. Patty Macaulay and Debbie Unken, who coordinate Falkirk programming, walked the board through staff scoring and logistics used to assess proposals.

Board members heard presentations from individual applicants and collectives. Proposals the board reviewed included Nikki Contini’s "Illuminated Hearts" fused-glass pieces; a multigenerational family retrospective from Maura Harvey and collaborators; Marin 6 (a six-artist consortium); a three-artist exhibition titled "Reverie" (Gail Caulfield, Kaye Russell and Rainey Strauss); New Moon (a nine-woman collective); Spence Snyder’s collaborative studio-portrait show; the Second Friday Art Salon’s group show "Thresholds"; Adrienne Biggs’ "Bookagami" (folded-book sculptures); Tiffany Bozek’s large-scale ecology-themed "The Fragile Key" (requesting three rooms and associated programming); Bill Russell’s "Narratives in Black and White"; Peter Moen’s "Ordinary People" portrait series; John McDonald’s landscapes; and Grace Lehi’s ocean watercolors.

Board discussion focused on four recurring constraints: thematic fit, physical logistics (two- vs. three-dimensional work and ceiling suspensions), artists’ date availability and the commission’s desire to balance solo shows and group exhibitions. Members repeatedly noted that some applicants requested multiple gallery rooms or limited availability, which complicated slotting decisions.

Using a staff-shared spreadsheet, the board recorded yes/maybe/no preferences and began slotting shows into three quarterly exhibit blocks. The adopted recommendation grouped exhibits to strengthen programmatic themes: a first block that emphasized representation and inclusion, a second themed around community and studio practices (including Spence Snyder, Marin 6 and Adrienne Biggs), and a third block prioritizing storytelling and collaborative projects (including New Moon and a family retrospective). Board members identified John McDonald and several others as alternates if logistics change.

A commissioner moved to approve the schedule as displayed on the staff spreadsheet; the motion was seconded and passed by roll-call vote. Staff will now follow up with selected artists to confirm rooms, dates and any programming details, and will notify alternates as necessary.

The board also asked staff to provide clearer guidance in future application materials about flexibility in room counts and date availability to ease scheduling. Staff noted a plan to post project information and a public comment period about Downtown San Rafael Art District grants Oct. 20–Nov. 3 and reminded members the board’s next regular meeting will be in January 2026.