Bolingbrook Arts Council approves agenda, previews summer events and public-art bench

The Bolingbrook Arts Council met Tuesday night in the Village Boardroom and approved its meeting agenda and the minutes of April 7, 2026. Chair Mithra Zaucha led reports from multiple committees that outlined event schedules, a public-art bench installation and subcommittee budgets for the coming year.

The council formally approved the meeting agenda and prior minutes by voice vote. Bobbie Speer moved to approve the previous meeting minutes, and Jason Arthur seconded; the motion carried. A motion to adjourn later in the meeting was made by Treasurer Ocie Koonce, seconded by Julie Guida, and carried by voice vote.

Mithra Zaucha, chair of the Arts Council, reviewed officer business including plans to explore high school band performances at the Village Picnic and volunteer needs for the Arbor Day plant-potting activity organized with the Special Events Commission. The chair also noted ShredFest will be hosted again in Bolingbrook by Josh of Controlled Chaos on Saturday, July 18, and reminded commissioners that the fiscal year ends April 30 and receipts should be submitted to Treasurer Ocie Koonce.

The Visual Arts Committee—co-chaired by Lea Moore-Beulah, Richard Humphreys and Mithra Zaucha—reported several exhibition and public-art items. Commissioners were asked to pick up works from the current "Commissioner’s Choice" display ahead of the "Bloom" exhibit opening May 1; banners for the show were printed and selected artists will be notified. For Earth Day at Hidden Oaks (April 25), the committee confirmed logistics: a Nature Center tent, art installation timing, and handling of panels before and after the event. The committee also announced delivery of the first swinging Noble Wins bench on May 8, to be installed in Knights of Columbus Park; the bench includes an archway planned for painting and the council intends to issue a Call for Artists that will specify compensation for concept, materials and labor. Commissioners discussed videoing the bench-painting process to publicize the project.

Arts On the Row concert dates were confirmed for June 11 (Boy Band Night), July 9 (Styx tribute) and Aug. 13 (Jolly Ringwalds 1980s night), with two artists per event. The Bolingbrook Arts Expo will return to the Village Picnic on June 28 from noon to 5 p.m.

The Performing Arts Committee, co-chaired by Jesse Gaffney and Kathleen Lamb, reported that the most recent Blues Lab Jam (held April 15) was successful and that one student performer was invited to play at the Chicago Blues Fest on June 7. The committee plans to recruit performing-arts interns; Jesse will coordinate dates and prepare a job description for outreach and a planned press release.

Community Events co-chairs Linda Lawrence and Julie Guida confirmed final preparations for the Arbor Day event (April 25, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. at Village Hall) and noted poster framing and printing arrangements. The Digital Design Committee requested website updates to include Art in the Windows (AIW) details, Linktree links and a refreshed front page to better inform the public.

The council reviewed subcommittee budgets for 2025–2026: Visual Arts $11,550; Adaptive & Accessible Arts $8,000; Performing Arts $6,700; Community Events $3,500; Digital Design $750. A parking-lot proposal asked the Arts Commission to support higher-quality mat boards and adhesives for student exhibits next January, expand participation beyond Bolingbrook High School, and offer workshops on matting and framing.

The meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.; the next Arts Council meeting is scheduled for May 5, 2026. Minutes were recorded by Lea Moore-Beulah.