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
Approve Location and Disburse Funds to Add the Sculpture Circles, by CJ Rench, to the Sculpture Garden Program (Parks and Recreation Director Leyman).
a) DISCUSS AND PROVIDE DIRECTION
b) APPROVE
c) DISBURSE FUNDS
Line
_________________________________________________________
Recommended Action
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council approve a location and disburse funds to add the Sculpture Circles, by CJ Rench, to the Sculpture Garden Program.
Body
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. At the December 18, 2018, City Council meeting an additional $31,000 was approved. Staff requests an additional $14,000 ($12,000 for the sculpture loan and $2,000 for site preparation) to add Circles by CJ Rench to the 2018-2019 Sculpture Garden grouping.
The current allocated balance of the Public Art Trust Fund, including the original Sculpture Garden funding, is $737,533. The unallocated balance as of December 20, 2018, is $1,049,371.
BACKGROUND:
As part of the City’s 2002 Work Plan, City Council directed the Cultural Arts Commission to research and create a proposal for an outdoor Sculpture Garden. The artworks displayed in the garden 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 finalists’ submissions for the 2018-2019 installation (four finalists had been chosen and one withdrew). After reviewing the finalists’ models and proposals, three were selected for recommendation to City Council. 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. In addition, a request was made to recommend the purchase of one of the current sculptures from the 2016 submissions.
The Cultural Arts Commission reconsidered the submissions from the original competition at their October 15, 2018 meeting. At the December 18, 2018, meeting, City Council approved four finalists (1,2,3,4), one purchase (5), and one donation (6) with suggested locations as follows:
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 - Greenbelt-permanent location
Donation
6. Margaret Lazzari and Lauren Evans - Botanical Gardens (Polliwog Park)
DISCUSSION:
At the December 18, 2018, the City Council directed staff to identify an appropriate location for an additional sculpture by CJ Rench, Circles. The following locations are recommended:
OPTION #1:
Veterans Parkway
PROS:
• High visibility
• Develops the possibility to add other sculptures to a natural location for multiple art installations
CONS:
• Possible climbing hazard
OPTION #2:
Median on Manhattan Beach Blvd., across from the Manhattan Beach Art Center
PROS:
• Visual interest near Manhattan Beach Art Center
• Artwork naturally protected by location accessibility
• High visibility
• Precedent set with Beverly Hills, West Hollywood and Palm Desert’s sculpture program locations in medians
CONS:
• Possibility of pedestrians entering roadway for photo opportunities
OPTION #3:
Polliwog Park
PROS:
• Public space with heavy traffic
• Multiple access points
• High visibility
CONS:
• Possible climbing hazard
Staff recommends that the City Council approve a location and disburse funds to add the Sculpture Circles, by CJ Rench, to the Sculpture Garden Program.
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. At the December 18, 2018, meeting, City Council discussed and approved adding specific art pieces to the Sculpture Garden Program.
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.
Attachment:
1. PowerPoint Presentation