HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-01-18 Public Art Commission Summary Minutes
IS POSTED IN ACCORDANCE
WITH GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION
54954.2(a) OR SECTION 54956
PUBLIC ART COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
Thursday, January 18, 2024
Community Meeting Room & Virtual
7:00 p.m.
Commissioners Participating: Nia Taylor, Lisa Waltuch, Ben Miyaji, Loren Gordon,
Hsinya Shen
Commissioners Absent: None
City Council Participating: Patrick Burt, Council Member
Staff Present: Elise DeMarzo, Public Art Program Director
Nadya Chuprina, Public Art Program Coordinator
Amanda Deml, CSD Assistant Director
Joseph Saxe, Public Art Project Manager
CALL TO ORDER – Chair Shen called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
AGENDA CHANGES, REQUESTS, DELETIONS – None.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS –
APPROVAL OF MINUTES - PAC Special Meeting November 29, 2023Moved: Commissioner Miyaji;
Second: Commissioner Taylor. All in Favor.
STAFF COMMENTS – Staff announced an ongoing call for artists for the King Artist Residency
program with the submission deadline on February 2, 2024. Staff also thanked the Commissioners for
participating in a productive Annual Retreat on Friday, January 12 to discuss and prioritize upcoming
projects and initiatives and set new work priorities and objectives for 2024/25. Staff also introduced the
new Council Liaison Patrick Burt to the commissioners.
ACTION:
1. Public Art at Fire Station 4 – Staff provided a summary of the project background including the
timeline for the artist’s research and community engagement to inform the artwork concept and
design. Artist Stephen Galloway made a presentation of the proposed artwork conceptual design
to the Commissioners and answered Commissioners’ clarifying questions. The proposed artwork
will be a two-dimensional artwork that pays homage to the resilience symbolized by a compelling
Palo Alto oak tree, blending seamlessly with the station's architectural design, integrated into the
façade of the new building and spanning two adjacent walls facing Middlefield and East
Meadow. It will have a distinct day and night presence. Motion: Commissioner Miyaji moved to
approve the conceptual design of artwork for Fire Station #4 by artist Stephen Galloway. Second:
Vice Chair Gordon. All in Favor.
2. Adoption of Priorities for 2024 – Commissioners reviewed the PAC Priorities for 2024 drafted
at the PAC Annual Retreat held on January 12. Upon some discussion and final edits, the
priorities were approved as follows:
Building Community Priority: Develop public art that encourages engagement, belonging, and
community participation, and that promotes shared experiences in and around Palo Alto
Neighborhoods and commercial corridors.
Social Justice Priority: Develop public art projects that will continue to advance empathy, ethnic and
cultural inclusion and celebration, and social, racial, and gender equity.
Public Art Education Priority: Widen and strengthen education and advocacy for public art,
including through the roll-out and implementation of the California Avenue District Master Plan and
the Baylands Art Plan, and PAMP long-term goals, while responding to current issues and supporting
a wider network of artists.
Motion: Vice Chair Gordon made a motion to approve the PAC Priorities for 2024. Second: Chair
Shen. All in Favor.
COMMISSIONER QUESTIONS, ANNOUNCEMENTS, OR FUTURE ITEMS: Commissioner Miyaji
proposed to consider a succession plan for the outgoing commissioners offering mentoring for the new
PAC commissioners.
CALENDAR: Next PAC Regular Meeting – February 15, 7 pm (hybrid) at City Hall Community
Meeting Room.
MEETING ADJOURNED: at 8:03 pm by Chair Shen.