Placement: New Business
Action Requested: Motion / Vote
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City Hall Lobby Suspended Artwork - Artist Selection Recommendation
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Submitted By: Bethany Grubbs, AICP, Senior Planner/Public Art Program
Strategic Plan Link: The City's Goal to enjoy culture, nature and fun activities.
Executive Summary (General Business): Staff is requesting that the Public Art Advisory Board (PAAB) recommend the selection of artist Talley Fisher to City Council for the design, fabrication, and installation of suspended artwork in the City Hall lobby. This project aligns with the City’s public art goals, complements the City’s branding, and will contribute to a visually welcoming community environment.
Presentation Information: Staff and Anna Talarico, the city’s consultant with Designing Local, will make a presentation.
Staff Recommendation: Move that the Public Art Advisory Board recommend to City Council the selection of Talley Fisher for the City Hall Lobby Suspended Artwork commission.
1. Move that the Board amend the recommendation and approve as amended.
2. Move that the Board not approve the recommendation and provide alternative direction to staff (i.e., reject, or revise scope).
Background: The City of Port St. Lucie is commissioning a suspended artwork for the interior vestibule of the newly remodeled City Hall. The project aims to enhance the civic space with a visually impactful and site-responsive installation.
A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) was issued on June 9, 2025, and the City received eight (8) submissions by the July 21 deadline. A Selection Committee, comprising representatives from the Community Redevelopment Agency, Communications, Planning and Zoning, Special Events, Parks and Recreation, and Facilities, reviewed the submissions and shortlisted three (3) finalists.
On August 12, 2025, a Request for Proposals (RFP) was issued to the finalists. Each artist presented their concept to the Selection Committee on September 30, 2025. After careful evaluation, Talley Fisher was ranked highest and is recommended for the commission.
Talley Fisher’s artwork is inspired by the patterns of the surrounding landscape, waves of perorated aluminum will ripple and swirl around the lobby, celebrating the natural beauty of the Florida coast and its many waterways. Abstracted birds illuminated by fiery colors of the setting sun appear to sail over the water. This immersive sculpture not only references the Treasure Coast but also represents the interconnectivity and diversity of the Port St. Lucie community. As shown in the ceiling plan, the installation will consist of six (6) distinct groupings, each with a unique composition.
Approximate Dimensions:
30 feet (L) × 21 feet (W) × 10 feet (H)
Materials:
• Powder-coated perforated aluminum
• Stainless steel cable
• Aluminum mounting plates
Issues/Analysis: In alignment with Port St. Lucie’s public art plan, the artwork should reflect the character of Port St. Lucie and enhance the City’s visual landscape. Specific goals for the artwork include:
● Offer a visually stimulating, welcoming, and inspiring experience
● Utilize iridescent, reflective, and/or polychromatic materials (but no desire for metallic or industrial materials to comprise the artwork)
● Be lightweight (less than 300 lbs. upon installation) and require minimal long-term maintenance
● Artwork may not have electrical or digital components
● Enhance the City’s brand, identity, and sense of place
Financial Information: A total budget of $150,000 has been allocated for the artist’s scope of services. This includes all associated costs: artist fees, travel, fabrication, installation, engineering, permits, insurance, and taxes. Any costs exceeding this amount will be the responsibility of the artist.
Additionally, RFP finalists will receive an honorarium of $2,000 each to develop their proposals, to be paid to the artists by the City of Port St. Lucie upon invoice.
Special Consideration: Installation is anticipated in late spring or early summer 2026.
Location of Project: City Hall North Lobby, Located at 121 SW Port St. Lucie Boulevard
Attachments:
1. PAAB Presentation
2. Interior Lobby Elevations
3. Wall Coverings
4. Talley Fisher
5. Sabin Aell
6. Kana Tanaka
7. Request for Qualifications (RFQ)
8. Request for Proposals (RFP)
NOTE: All of the listed items in the “Attachment” section above are in the custody of the City Clerk. Any item(s) not provided in packets are available upon request from the City Clerk.
Internal Reference Number: N/A