Commission increases Night Sky mural budget after artist feedback; discusses dark‑sky concerns

The Cultural Community Cultural Commission discussed selection and funding for a Night Sky mural intended for the Snack Shack at Big Rock Ball Field and increased the project budget in response to artist feedback.

Commission staff explained the site is part of a broader effort to preserve nighttime viewing conditions tied to monthly star‑party events hosted by community volunteers and the Seattle Astronomical Society. "We are painting the snapshot in the night sky mural and then hoping this year to apply to become an official night sky city," the meeting facilitator said, framing the mural as part of a dark‑sky preservation strategy.

The facilitator told commissioners the initial call for artists listed a budget of about $3,500, which several artists flagged as insufficient. "So we increased it to 7,000," she said. The commission noted that many applicant artists were from out of state and that the city does not plan to cover travel expenses.

Design and operational constraints were discussed to avoid degrading star parties. Commissioners and staff agreed that doors and ADA‑related signage must remain in place but said the building façade could be used; lights at the site will be minimized during star‑party events and non‑essential lighting turned off. Staff described using red marker lighting and other low‑impact options to maintain night vision for attendees.

The commission also reviewed a planned blind dot‑voting method to rank competing mural proposals, allowing commissioners to place up to five dots across submissions (all on one proposal or split among them). The commission did not record an artist selection or award in the transcript; further procurement and award steps will follow once scoring and selection are completed.

Next steps: staff will administer the dot vote, report results, and return with recommended artist contracts and implementation details at a subsequent meeting.