Placement: New Business
Action Requested: Motion / Vote
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Approve a Public Art Sculpture for City Hall that will be Displayed for Two Years.
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Submitted By: Bethany Grubbs, Planner III
Strategic Plan Link: The City's Goal to enjoy culture, nature and fun activities.
Executive Summary (General Business): The City issued a Call to Artists for a temporary sculpture in front of City Hall. Twenty-three submissions were received. The artwork will be installed in August 2023 and remain in place until August 2025. The Public Art Advisory Board (PAAB) endorsed the highest-ranked sculpture entitled “The Feathers Three” by artist Kirk Seese for Council’s consideration.
Presentation Information: Staff and/or Designing Local, the City’s consultant, may provide a presentation.
Staff Recommendation: Move that the Council select the highest-ranked temporary sculpture to be installed in front of City Hall as recommended and endorsed by the PAAB.
Alternate Recommendations:
1. Move that the Council amend the recommendation and select another of the top four submittals.
2. Move that the Council not approve the selection and provide staff and the Public Art Advisory Board with direction.
Background: The Call to Artists is an initiative of the PAAB to increase public art in the City. The Call to Artists is for a temporary sculpture in front of City Hall that will be on loan to the City for a period of two years. The Call to Artists stated that the selected artist will receive a total of $10,000 for the term of the loan; however, “The Feathers Three” by Kirk Seese was submitted at $5,000 for the two-year loan. Prior to the end of the two-year period, the City will issue a new Call to Artists for a temporary sculpture. The intent is for the public art piece in front of City Hall to rotate every two years.
Issues/Analysis: The City Hall Temporary Public Art Selection Committee received 23 sculpture submissions for consideration. The committee was tasked with rating the artwork for artistic excellence of work and the appropriateness in context of the location. The ratings were evaluated, and the committee selected a frontrunner and three alternates. The selection committee presented the findings to the PAAB for consideration and endorsement. The PAAB endorsed the frontrunner “The Feathers Three” by artist Kirk Seese. This sculpture is dimensioned at 14’ H x 10’ W x 10’ D and is comprised of steel, MDO board, and acrylic sealer.
Ranked highest to lowest are the committee’s recommended sculptures.
1. Kirk Seese - The Feathers Three (Frontrunner)
2. Richard Herzog - Dalband Satellite Flower (Tied for alternate #2)
3. Dale Montagne - Eagle (Tied for alternate #2)
4. Lee Bell - Nouveau Crane (Alternate #3)
5. Call to artists
6. Public Art Board draft minutes July 2023
7. Staff presentation
Financial Information: If “The Feathers Three” by Kirk Sees is selected, the artist will receive a total of $5,000 for the term of the loan. The alternate sculptures placed bids for $10,000 as offered in the Call to Artists. Funding for this program is through the City’s Art in Public Places Fund. As stated under Section 162.06, the Art in Public Places Fund shall be used by the city for the selection, commission, acquisition, and maintenance of art in public places anywhere in the city. The amount includes costs for transportation. The City will provide a plaque that will include the title of the piece, the artist’s name, and contact information.
Special Consideration: The City will provide the foundation to support the artwork and a plaque with the title of the piece, the artist’s name, and contact information.
Location of Project: The proposed location for the sculpture is on the lawn in front of City Hall approximately 50 feet to the north of the existing concrete pad (plinth) which is 4‘ 11.5” x 4’ 11.5”.
Attachments:
1. Kirk Seese - The Feathers Three
2. Richard Herzog - Dalband Satellite Flower
3. Dale Montagne - Eagle
4. Lee Bell - Nouveau Crane
5. Call to Artists Flyer 2023
6. Draft Minutes - Public Art Advisory Board’s July Meeting
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 City Council packets are available upon request from the City Clerk.
Internal Reference Number: 23220-05
Legal Sufficiency Review:
Reviewed by Frank Moehrle, Deputy City Attorney. Approved as to Legal form and sufficiency by James D. Stokes, City Attorney.