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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-05-18 Public Art Commission Action Minutes MINUTES PUBLIC ART COMMISSION MEETING Thursday, May 18, 2023 Community Meeting Room & Virtual 7:00 p.m. Commissioners Participating: Lisa Waltuch, Loren Gordon, Hsinya Shen, Ben Miyaji, Nia Taylor Commissioners Absent: None Staff Present: Kristen O’Kane, CSD Director Nadya Chuprina, Public Art Program Coordinator CALL TO ORDER – Chair Shen called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. AGENDA CHANGES, REQUESTS, DELETIONS – Non-Action Item 4 moved to the beginning of the meeting. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS – None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - PAC Regular Meeting April 20, 2023 Moved: Commissioner Miyaji; Second: Vice Chair Gordon. All in Favor. STAFF COMMENTS – None. NON-ACTION: 4. Public Art in Private Development – Interim review of Public Art in Private Development art plan for the 3200 Park Boulevard (former Fry’s site). Staff provided a background overview for the development project, including the scope of the proposed construction project, its budget and preliminary timeline. In January 2023 the Initial Review meeting, the Public Art Commission gave feedback to the Sobrato team during on appropriate themes and types of public art that would celebrate the historic and cultural heritage of the site and neighborhood. The applicant intends to use the public art funds associated with Phase I of the overall construction project to commission art on site with the estimated budget of $420,000. Art Consultant Jennifer Eastern then made a presentation to the PAC about comprehensive research, artist selection process by the applicant team, pointed out some changes to the initial architectural plans and indicated potential key sites for the placement of artwork. Artist Kyungmi Shin was identified as the project artist based on her previous body of work and artistic practice rooted in investigations of connections between site, its history, nature and perception and personal identity. Tim Steele of Sobrato addressed the PAC with various clarifications about the development project. The Commissioners expressed support of the thoughtful selection process and research efforts by the team and shared excitement about the team’s choice of the project artist. There was some discussion about potential types and scale of artwork and if it could be architecturally integrated. The development project team anticipates returning to the PAC for the Final Review and Approval of the public art plan in August 2023. ACTION ITEMS: 1. California Avenue District Murals - Staff provided a comprehensive overview of the murals pilot project, including the timeline and scope for the launch of an open call for muralists, outreach to community stakeholders and call for walls, artist selection process and previously approved funding. Staff identified California Avenue as the area for commissioning three long -term temporary murals and secured two walls from private property owners at California Ave Central HOA (149 California Ave) and Izzy’s Brooklyn Bagels (477 California Ave) in additi on to commissioning a large scale street-scape mural at the intersection of Ash St and California Avenue. The artists including Olivia Losee-Unger, Nicole Ponsler, and Paz de la Calzada were recommended for the commissions and approved by the PAC in Spring 2023. The artists were provided with a design intent brief, met with property owners to learn their preferences for the designs and conducted research. Additionally, artists and staff led a community meeting to gather public input about the district that would further inform artists’ design development. In consultation with the public art staff, artists developed their conceptual designed that were shared with and approved by the property owners. Staff presented the conceptual designs and statements to the Commissioners and recommended the approval of conceptual designs for three new temporary murals to be painted in the California Avenue District June 1-9, 2023. There was some discussion about the thematic ties between the presented conceptual designs and the California Ave District. Additionally, staff shared volunteer opportunities for the commissioners and members of the public. Moved: Vice Chair Gordon moved to approve conceptual designs by artists Olivia Losee- Unger, Nicole Ponsler, and Paz de la Calzada for three murals along California Ave to be painted between June 1-9, 2023. Second: Commissioner Miyaji. All in Favor. 2. Public Art Commission Work Plan – Commissioners reviewed the finalized 2023-24 PAC Work Plan to be submitted to City Council for their approval in June 2023 and discussed the need to include images of recently completed and in-progress projects to support the workplan. Moved: Chair Shen made a friendly amendment to the motion to approve the finalized plan with a selection of annotated images to highlight various artworks, projects and commissions. Second: Commissioner Miyaji. All in Favor. 3. Collection Care - Staff provided an overview about a neon artwork titled Excel by late artist Bryan Coleman permanently installed on the façade wall of the Palo Alto Art Center. The report included commissioning history, previous repair and care treatments and the need for a comprehensive repair of the artwork. Staff recommended approval of maintenance funds in the amount of up to $6,500 for the neon artwork. Moved: Chair Shen. Second: Commissioner Miyaji. All in Favor. COMMISSIONER REQUESTS: Commissioner Miyaji requested that a discussion item about reinstating the PAC to a 7-member commission to be added to the next meeting agenda. CALENDAR: Next PAC Regular Meeting – June 15, 7 pm at City Hall Community Meeting Room. MEETING ADJOURNED: at 8:27 pm by Chair Shen.