The Sunnyside Arts Commission elected Diana Gutierrez chair and Chelsea Dimas vice chair and set murals and community-based public art as its initial priorities, members said at an organizational meeting.

The commission, convened for introductions and planning, confirmed the leadership after vocal nominations and an aye vote. Jackie, the city staff liaison, reported "three yes votes for Diana," and Diana accepted the chair role, thanking members. Chelsea agreed to serve as vice chair.

The new commission immediately turned to work requested by the City Council: compiling potential public-art sites and supporting Sunnyside's participation in America's 250th anniversary events. Jackie distributed a handout that lists key dates and suggested the commission could lead projects for a June 14 day of service and other milestone events. "Art has the power," said Chelsea Dimas, "in terms of inspiring and activating community," urging the group to use murals and performances to boost civic engagement.

Members agreed that murals should be the first major effort. Diana Gutierrez said the commission should center local stories and proposed work that "highlights our farmworker community," noting artists, students and businesses could all be involved. Commissioners discussed models used in nearby cities: Pasco's program, for example, asks businesses to initially cover installation costs and can reimburse up to $5,000, a structure the Sunnyside group said it would study.

The commission assigned research and outreach tasks: Chelsea will follow up on the Arts Washington grant she had identified and contact the Mezcla (spelled "Mezcla" in the meeting) artist collective; Diana and other commissioners will contact local high-school, middle-school and elementary art teachers and recruit student volunteers; Jackie will prepare a shared tracking document and a draft city form for businesses to propose mural sites. The staff liaison also offered to draft proposed municipal-code language to create a youth seat on the commission for council consideration.

On funding, members said grants and business donations will be sought; the group also discussed longer-term capital ideas, such as amphitheater seating in Central Park and possible use of lodging-tax (LTAC) revenue to support events. Commissioners agreed to coordinate with parks & recreation staff and to reach out to neighboring cities for lessons learned.

Next steps: Chelsea said she had contacted the Arts Washington program manager about whether a deadline could be extended to allow the newly formed commission to apply; she will report back by the next meeting. Commissioners set a follow-up meeting for the nineteenth at noon to review grant eligibility, report on outreach, and refine the mural project scope.

The meeting ended after members reviewed assignments and confirmed follow-up dates.