FAIRFAX TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
STAFF REPORT
SPECIAL AGENDA ITEM #1
MEETING DATE April 2, 2025
PREPARED FOR Mayor and Town Council
PREPARED BY Anne Mannes, Recreation and Community Services Manager SUBJECT Interview and Consider Appointments for the Artist-in-Residence Collaborative
RECOMMENDATION
Interview artists David Porcello, Sharon Virtue and Stephanie Mohan to the Artist-in- Residence (AIR) Collaborative and consider appointments, each for a two-year term ending April 2027.
BACKGROUND
Since 2018, the Artist in Residence has been a three-artist collaborative, with each artist serving a two to three-year term. The term for all three artists, painter Sharon Virtue, expires May 2025, photographer Stephanie Mohan, and sculptor Susan Pascal Beran expired February 2025 leaving three vacancies.
Per the approved process, the Parks and Recreation Commission (PARC) and town staff issues the Request for Proposals (RFP) for AIR vacancies and interviews the applicants. PARC then refers to the top applicants for the Artist-in-Residence position to the Council to be interviewed.
DISCUSSION
The RFP for the Artist in Residence Collaborative was issued on January 27, 2025. The application deadline was Friday, February 28, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. We received six applications. An interview panel consisting of two Town staff members and two Parks and Recreation Commissioners interviewed the applicants for the Artist in Residence positions: David Porcello, Jeffrey Bean, Karrie Hovey, Steven Black, Sharon Virtue and Stephanie Mohan.
A primary criterion for selection of the Artist in Residence is to ensure that the artist’s area of expertise complements and supplements each other. Ideally, the artist should be able to bring a new talent and skills to help elevate the structure of the program, be able to work collaboratively with other artists, give a flexible amount of time to the town and work cooperatively with Town staff. Another main consideration for selection is possessing the critical organizational skills needed to execute the Fairfax Art Walk, a beloved town event birthed under the AIR Collaborative in 2018 and has become an annual tradition for downtown merchants and residents
Below is a summary of each applicant based on information they provided.
David Porcello: Mixed Media Artist is an ethical hacker, cybersecurity professional, instructor, mentor and entrepreneur with expertise in theater, performance tech, sound, lighting, mixed media, game design and community event production. He is the founder of Pwnie Express and the creator of the Pwn Plug ethical hacking device featured on Good Morning America, Wired Magazine and Mr. Robot.
He has been an adjunct professor at Norwich University and advisor for NPR and several public figures. Prior event production includes Geek Week events in Vermont, DJ/Dance parties, fundraisers and more.
New to Fairfax and excited to create and contribute, David holds an Associate Degree in Music and Recording Arts from Mass Communications in Boston.
Sharon Virtue: Painter is an established artist and teacher. Throughout her career she has taught art and completed community projects in a variety of settings across the globe, including USA, UK, Africa, Haiti and Brazil. She’s been an Artist in Residence at Esalen and the De Young Museum and performs as a dancer. Sharon is a multi-ethnic woman and cultural pioneer. Her work narrates stories of shape shifting, initiation, metamorphosis, and power. Her work is inspired by work and travel within the African Diaspora and her own cultural heritage. She demonstrates a focus on community arts and abilities to work collaboratively. Sharon is a Fairfax resident in the Cascades and has lived in the Bay Area for over 30 years. Sharon graduated from Goldsmiths University in London with a M.A. in Participatory and Community Arts degree and holds a B.A. in Fine Art from Sheffield City Polytechnic in England.
Stephanie Mohan: Photographer is a local Fairfax businesswoman and a portrait and event photographer for the last 30 years. Her work has been exhibited and featured throughout California in libraries, gallery settings and currently showcased at the Bartolli Theater at the Marin County Civic Center. With a focus on social justice, she uses her photography to bring light to marches and protests in the Bay Area. Stephanie is the co-founder of the Fairfax Art Walk under the town’s Artist in Residence Collaborative program. She holds a BA in Journalism from San Francisco State University.
For your reference, attached are the applications, interview questions, evaluation criteria and the RFP.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Parks and Recreation budget includes $1,500 annual stipend for each AIR and a supply budget of $3500.
ATTACHMENTS
A. Applications
B. Interview Questions
C. RFP
ATTACHMENT A
Artist in Residence Application : Entry # 6558
workshops at the pavillion building. I was able to pay four artists to host workshops each with 12 - 15 participants. This was really an introduction to the creative community of Fairfax, and I quickly built a mailing list of over 54 local creatives. I started an Instagram account for Fairfax Artist in residence to promote the program and what it potentially has to offer for the community. We now have a following of almost 400 local people and businesses. I continue to post on social media and use NextDoor and Event Brite to promote projects and events, as well as the Town of Fairfax website.
I’ve consistently hosted one off Pop Up art classes with adults since 2022, in - painting, collage work continuing to build relationships and inspire other local artists to host creative events, currently Wawi Amasha a previous workshop leader, and Steve Schreibman a local art therapist have made proposals to host their own workshops, continuing to widen the circle and build creative offerings for our community.
In 2023 and 2024 I created The Art Cart. This engaged around 60 children directly with hands on art activities in Peri Park, and was seen by hundreds of people who attended the Fairfax Parade and festival, as I rode the Art Cart in the Fairfax parade. It was another great way to promote the artist in residence program. I decorated a donated bicycle from local resident John Bela (planning committee) and 3 other adult residents volunteered to help.
In 2023 and again in 2024, I organized the Spring Artisan Fair highlighting a total of over 60 artisans and offering them a place to sell their work. Inspired by the December Craft fair. The fairs were well attended by locals with a total of over 300 people passing thru the doors and purchasing artwork.
This inspired local crafts people to create the Craft Club, a group that met in person on a regular basis to discuss best practices as small business, sharing ideas and resources. We also created a Fairfax Craft Club Facebook page so folks can communicate directly outside of meetings, we currently have 20 members.
In 2023 I was invited to work with the department of public works to design our Pride crosswalk. This was a great opportunity to meet the DPW staff and build a relationship with them . Three local artists volunteered with the painting. It also gave good insight into the general population of Fairfax, with the majority of people being positive and receptive to the ideas of inclusion and civil rights. I’m glad to say that it was repainted again in 2024 and stands as a symbol of what I believe to be important in our community.
In 2024 I designed created a mosaic project at the parkade. I thought the space needed to be highlighted, as it’s designated as a place to showcase local artists. I pitched the idea to Park and Rec as another way of engaging local community. Mosaic is the perfect way to have people with less skills in the arts to feel like they can participate. Over 50 local volunteers, some participating for the first time helped make the parkade space special for years to come with this mosaic. This project was funded in part by a local resident’s family trust, and included many volunteer hours by local residents and myself. It was another opportunity to working in collaboration with Public works and be on the street to hear comments from the wider local community. I was also able to meet Tilly Nylin, the mosaic artist who created the beautiful RePack benches, and we are planning to work together in the future. Tilly is also attending my community art workshops.
I can say with confidence everyone wants to see more art! In the fall of 2024 I volunteered time to host 3 ‘taster’, workshops to see if there was interest for an ongoing afterschool ceramic project for children. There were a total of 10 children in attendance, and the parents are really eager to continue. I am seeking funding to continue these workshops as it is labor intensive and requires expensive materials.
As artist in residence I volunteered (along with Stephanie Mohan) to jury the proposals for a mural along the wall of the parkade.
We were able to create a fair system to choose the beautiful artwork, and I look forward to meeting the artists Karrie Hovey and thinking about new places to paint murals in town. We also voted on the proposal by long time resident Sam Parry to place new artworks at the parkade. If you haven’t noticed them yet you are in for a treat, really wonderful.
In November 2024 I hosted two sessions of ‘Art for the Heart’. This was prompted by a local resident who was seeking a creative outlet. A total of 35 people attended these sessions of art making in collaboration and community. It was a show of support for folks who needed to feel connected during this stressful time. This group is becoming more autonomous and currently deciding on
ATTACHMENT B
Artist in Residence –March 2025
Interview Questions
GENERAL:
1. Tell us about yourself and why you have decided to apply for this position?
2. What skills do you feel make you the best candidate for this position?
3. The AIR position requires a strong sense of initiative. We are in the process of re-defining the AIR position and want to work with the new AIR to help define it. Can you describe a project or idea (not necessarily your own) that was implemented successfully primarily because of your efforts?
4. What motivates you to do your best work?
Youth and Community Work: Part of the AIR position is working to create and implement art classes and also to volunteer during the festival or town picnic to create art and craft projects?
1. Give an example on how you’ve played a role in creating community? What was required? How did you do it? How was it challenging/successful? How did it go?
2. Tell us about the experience you have had working with children and adults in a class setting? What knowledge and skills have you gained that will help you in this position?
3. An important part of the AIR role is to serve as a liaison to increase and strengthen communication between the Town of Fairfax, PARC and to the community at large.
Understanding that you would be the face for the Town of Fairfax, how do you foresee yourself developing relationships with all the stakeholders involved?
4. As a working artist what skills or tactics would you see yourself avoiding or emulating to make this position successful?
ARTIST IN RESIDENCE REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL 2025
The Town of Fairfax requests proposals to fill three Artist-In-Residence positions for a two-year term, April 2, 2025-April 1, 2027.
The position is open to all types of artists (graphic, multi-media, sculptor, culinary, etc.) with preferences given to those who can work in a collaborative environment and demonstrate proficiency in computer skills. The purpose of the position is to bring creative experiences to the residents of Fairfax.
ABOUT THE POSITION
For the past two decades, the Town of Fairfax has benefited from the services of the Artist in Residence. These artists have given their time and creative energy to the citizens of Fairfax. Any type of mixed media art is encouraged. Some offerings included: Open Studios, pop up concerts and art exhibits, after-school classes for youth, working with teens in the community, art classes for adults, art workshops for the Ross Valley Seniors Club, overseeing art projects in town, such as the creation and execution of the Art Walk, and contributing art activities and projects at the Fairfax Festival and the Town-wide picnic. Artists should also maintain their own website to keep the community informed of their classes and events on an on-going basis.
Our Artist in Residence receives free use of studio space in the Pavilion Loft, free use of other town facilities based on availability for classes and workshops, an annual stipend of $1,500, minimal supply budget, and the title of Artist in Residence. In addition, the Artist in Residence has considerable latitude in the creation of the Artist in Residence role for the Town of Fairfax. It is expected that the artist will collaborate with the team that is appointed, the Recreation Department, provide art assistance and/or programming during the Fairfax Festival and for the annual Town Picnic, and attend the Parks and Recreation Commission (PARC) meetings to report on activities. The Artist should reside in Ross Valley, preferably Fairfax.
HOW TO APPLY
1. Name ____________
2. Address ___________
3. Phone_____________
4. E-mail ____________
5. Website _____________
6. Experience and Education______________________________________
7. Three professional/personal references with phone numbers and addresses _____-
8. What types of programs will you offer as Artist-in-Residence __________
9. Please share with us your Vision Statement as Artist-in-Resident in Fairfax.
APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS
To apply, please submit a completed online application no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday February 28, 2025.
Applications can be submitted on-line through the Town’s website.
No samples of work are required at the time of application submission. They will be required at the time of the interview.
Submissions will be reviewed by Recreation and Community Services staff, and volunteers from the Parks and Recreation Commission. Once interviews are complete, we will recommend to the Town Council for approval. The Town reserves the right to reject any or all submissions, at its sole discretion.
Proposers will be notified via e-mail if they are selected for a panel interview tentatively scheduled for the week of March 10, 2025.
Please contact Anne Mannes [email protected] or Maria Baird [email protected] with any questions.
PROPOSED PROJECT TIMELINE
APPLICATION RELEASE DATE: January 27, 2025
DUE DATE: February 28, 2025
REVIEW BY TOWN STAFF: March 3, 2025
INTERVIEWS: March 10, 2025
STAFF REPORT: April 2, 2025
TWO YEAR CONTRACT April 2, 2025-2027