TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
Bruce Moe, City Manager
FROM:
Mark Leyman, Director of Parks and Recreation
Martin Betz, Cultural Arts Manager
SUBJECT:Title
Cultural Arts Commission Recommendation for Approval and Disbursement of Funds for the Revised List of Four Sculpture Garden Projects, Purchase of One Sculpture, and Accept Donation of One Sculpture (Parks and Recreation Director Leyman).
a) APPROVE
b) DISBURSE FUNDS
c) ACCEPT DONATION
Line
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Recommended Action
RECOMMENDATION:
The Cultural Arts Commission recommends that the City Council approve and disburse funds for the revised list of four sculpture garden projects, purchase of one sculpture, and accept donation of one sculpture.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
The Sculpture Garden program is funded through the Public Art Trust Fund. At the October 17, 2018, City Council meeting, $36,500 was appropriated from the Public Arts Trust Fund for the Sculpture Garden program. An additional $31,000 is requested to: 1) add an additional sculpture ($12,000), 2) purchase of a sculpture from the current Sculpture Garden grouping ($18,500), and 3) prepare the site for a donated sculpture ($500).
The current allocated balance including the original Sculpture Garden funding is $715,329. The unallocated balance as of 12/4/2018 is $727,530.
BACKGROUND:
As part of the City’s 2002 Work Plan, City Council directed the Cultural Arts Commission to begin research and create a proposal for an outdoor Sculpture Garden. The artworks displayed in the garden would rotate on an annual basis.
The purpose of the Sculpture Garden is to display a variety of public artworks in a community setting that prompts the viewer to appreciate the broader meaning of public art. In addition, the Sculpture Garden brings enjoyment to residents and visitors while cultivating a sense of community pride.
The Sculpture Garden’s inaugural installation took place in June 2009 with seven sculptures exhibited at three sites: Civic Center, Veteran’s Memorial Parkway, and the Metlox/13th Street corner. Many positive responses were received from community members who expressed appreciation for the addition of these artworks in the Civic Center. The program has been successfully implemented over the past nine years.
In 2017, the City Council sought to upgrade the quality of the submissions and approved the following changes to the Sculpture Garden program:
• Reduce the number of artists from six to three
• Increase the stipend for each artist from $3,000 to $12,000
• Extend the term from one year to two years
At the Cultural Arts Commission’s June 18, 2018, meeting, Commissioners reviewed the finalist’s submissions for the 2018-2019 installation (four finalists had been chosen and one withdrew). After reviewing the finalist’s models and proposals, the following three were selected for recommendation to City Council (formatted in artist name, title of work, dimensions, materials used):
1. Jenna Gibson, Untitled, 5’ X 12’, Aluminum spheres
2. Patricia Vader, How’s Traffic Today, 18’ X 9’ X 5’ Powder coated Steel and Aluminum.
3. Timothy McHargue, Beach Bubbles, 12’ X 10’X4’ Acrylic and Steel
At the September 4, 2018, City Council meeting, these submissions were presented for approval. At that time the City Council asked the Cultural Arts Commission to return to the City Council with a revised list of Sculpture Garden finalists under the parameter that pieces be whimsical, movable and colorful. Furthermore, the City Council requested that two additional locations be identified in order to add two artists for a total of five. At the September 4, 2018, City Council meeting, a request was made to recommend the purchasing of one of the current sculptures from the 2016 submissions.
DISCUSSION:
At the request of the City Council, the Cultural Arts Commission reconsidered the submissions from the original competition at their October 15, 2018 meeting. Four finalists (1,2,3,4), one purchase (5), and one donation (6) with suggested locations were chosen as follows: (see attached score sheet).
Finalists
1. CJ Rench - Civic Center Plaza
2. John and Nico Meyer - Metlox Plaza
3. Peter Mitten - Civic Center Plaza
4. Patricia Vader - Water-Wise Park
Purchase
5. Randall and Sterling - Greenway-permanent location
Donation
6. Margaret Lazzari and Lauren Evans - Botanical Gardens (Polliwog Park)
Each artist will enter into a two-year agreement and will be responsible for coordinating the installation and de-installation of the artwork. Following City Council, approval for the 2018-2019 Sculpture Garden program, staff will coordinate the removal and installation schedule with the Public Works Department.
The Cultural Arts Commission also chose three additional locations for Sculpture Garden artwork.
1. Water Wise Park located at Aviation Blvd. and Nelson Street.
• Pocket park has pathways and a drought tolerant plant scheme.
2. Greenbelt location at Ardmore and 2nd Street.
• The Greenbelt is a natural place to install public art. Excellent visual spacing and foot traffic.
3. Botanical Gardens in Polliwog Park
• Integrates well into the garden, and the significance of egrets and their presence in Polliwog Park in its natural state.
The Cultural Arts Commission recommends the purchase of the sculpture by Randall Ranch, “Fairy Tales” to be placed in the Greenbelt location. The cost of the artwork is $13,500 with installation and site preparation costs of $5,000.
Manhattan Beach artist Margaret Lazzari and Lauren Evans have offered to donate the sculpture Egrets in Flight (currently on display in Metlox Plaza) to the City and have it relocated to the Botanical Gardens in Polliwog Park. Site preparation cost is estimated at $500.
PUBLIC OUTREACH/INTEREST:
Initial Submissions were judged, discussed, and public input was considered at various public meetings of the Cultural Arts Commission (April 16, 2018) and the City Council (September 4, 2018).
Following City Council direction, the Cultural Arts Commission reconsidered the submissions at the October 15th, 2018, meeting where additional public input was considered.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The City has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that there is no possibility that the activity may have a significant effect on the environment; therefore, pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines the activity is not subject to CEQA. Thus, no environmental review is necessary.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney has reviewed this report and determined that no additional legal analysis is necessary.
Attachments:
1. Sculpture Garden Finalists Presentation
2. Cultural Arts Commission Score Sheet