New chair for City arts commission

Lorna Sheridan has been named chair of Sonoma’s Cultural and Fine Arts Commission (CFAC). A one-year member of the panel, the journalism teacher and college counselor replaces Kathy Swett, who will remain on the commission in a non-officer capacity. The new vice chair is Gerry Simmel.
The seven-member CFAC advises the City Council on all matters affecting the arts, culture and aesthetics of the city. “The commission includes fantastic artists and people who understand the arts,” says Sheridan. “I think I bring a general business sense and organizational skills. It’s a good mix.”
Swett stated she enjoyed being the chair of a commission whose members worked so hard on a public art ordinance for the community. “I’m looking forward to Lorna’s leadership on a program that will bring a new dimension of beauty and intellectual stimulation to Sonoma,” she said.
Sheridan, a Princeton graduate, lived in New York City where she immersed herself in the arts. When she and her husband relocated to Sonoma three-and-a-half years ago, she delved into the local cultural scene, including support of the film festival and Sonoma Jazz+. For a lifelong arts lover, it was time to take the next step.
“I wanted to get more involved in the town,” she said. “I had a civic-minded desire to help out.” When she shared her ambition with Mayor Ken Brown, he recommended that she serve on the CFAC. She was appointed a year ago.
“We live in a beautiful town, and residents spend time out and about enjoying every aspect of it,” Sheridan said. Incorporating new public art into that dynamic was the focus of the CFAC’s public art ordinance, which she helped through its final stages before initial approval by the City Council in March.
“The joy that lies ahead will be the acquisition of beautiful and appropriate public art for this city,” she said. “Sonoma has a rich artistic history, and so it’s exciting to help execute the plan to put meaningful and appropriate art on display where everyone can enjoy it.”
The first project under the new policy, according to Sheridan is an artist-created bike rack for the Plaza. The CFAC is currently requesting design proposals for this creation. Longer-term projects are essentially on hold pending the city finalizing its annual budget.
“We have a great commission made up of both new and seasoned members who have both fresh ideas and a historical understanding of what kind of public art would be welcomed and appropriate in Sonoma,” Sheridan said. “As one of the newer members, it is daunting to follow Kathy Swett as chair, but thank goodness she’ll still be onboard to show me the ropes.”