HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-03-19 Public Art Commission Agenda PacketPUBLIC ART COMMISSION
Regular Meeting
Thursday, March 19, 2026
Community Meeting Room & Hybrid
7:00 PM
Public Art Commission meetings will be held as “hybrid” meetings with the option to attend by
teleconference/video conference or in person. To maximize public safety while still maintaining
transparency and public access, members of the public can choose to participate from home or
attend in person. Information on how the public may observe and participate in the meeting is
located at the end of the agenda. Masks are strongly encouraged if attending in person. The
meeting will be broadcast on Cable TV Channel 26, live on
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/cityofpaloalto, and streamed to Midpen Media
Center https://midpenmedia.org.
VIRTUAL PARTICIPATION CLICK HERE TO JOIN (https://cityofpaloalto.zoom.us/j/88627841441)
Meeting ID: 886 2784 1441 Phone: 1(669)900-6833
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Public comments will be accepted both in person and via Zoom for up to three minutes or an
amount of time determined by the Chair. All requests to speak will be taken until 5 minutes
after the staff’s presentation. Written public comments can be submitted in advance to
pac@PaloAlto.gov and will be provided to the Council and available for inspection on the City’s
website three days before the meeting. Please clearly indicate which agenda item you are
referencing in your subject line.
PowerPoints, videos, or other media to be presented during public comment are accepted only
by email to pac@PaloAlto.gov at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. Once received, the Clerk
will have them shared at public comment for the specified item. To uphold strong cybersecurity
management practices, USB’s or other physical electronic storage devices are not accepted.
Signs and symbolic materials less than 2 feet by 3 feet are permitted provided that: (1) sticks,
posts, poles or similar/other type of handle objects are strictly prohibited; (2) the items do not
create a facility, fire, or safety hazard; and (3) persons with such items remain seated when
displaying them and must not raise the items above shoulder level, obstruct the view or passage
of other attendees, or otherwise disturb the business of the meeting.
CALL TO ORDER
AGENDA CHANGES, ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS
The Chair or Commission majority may modify the agenda order to improve meeting management.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Members of the public may speak to any item NOT on the agenda.
SPECIAL ITEM
1.Special Presentation and Discussion on partnering norms between staff and
Commissioners for maximum effectiveness by Ed Shikada, City of Palo Alto City Manager.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
2.February 12, 2026 PAC Special Meeting Minutes
CITY OFFICIAL COMMENTS
ACTION ITEMS
3.Acceptance of Donation of Artwork - Acceptance of an artwork to the City's public art
collection by CASP artist Charlotta Hauksdottir.
4.Collection Care - Allocation of funds for maintenance treatment of Universal Woman by
Nathan Oliveira.
NON-ACTION ITEMS
5.ArtLift Grants 2026 – Informational update on artist selection process for ArtLift Grants.
COMMISSIONER QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS OR FUTURE MEETINGS AND
AGENDAS
Members of the public may not speak to the item(s)
ADJOURNMENT
PUBLIC COMMENT INSTRUCTIONS
Members of the Public may provide public comments to teleconference meetings via email,
teleconference, or by phone.
1.Written public comments may be submitted by email to pac@PaloAlto.gov.
2.Spoken public comments using a computer will be accepted through the teleconference
meeting. To address the Council, click on the link below to access a Zoom-based meeting.
Please read the following instructions carefully.
◦You may download the Zoom client or connect to the meeting in- browser. If using
your browser, make sure you are using a current, up-to-date browser: Chrome 30 ,
Firefox 27 , Microsoft Edge 12 , Safari 7 . Certain functionality may be disabled in
older browsers including Internet Explorer.
◦You may be asked to enter an email address and name. We request that you
identify yourself by name as this will be visible online and will be used to notify you
that it is your turn to speak.
◦When you wish to speak on an Agenda Item, click on “raise hand.” The Clerk will
activate and unmute speakers in turn. Speakers will be notified shortly before they
are called to speak.
◦When called, please limit your remarks to the time limit allotted. A timer will be
shown on the computer to help keep track of your comments.
3.Spoken public comments using a smart phone will be accepted through the
teleconference meeting. To address the Council, download the Zoom application onto
your phone from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and enter the Meeting ID
below. Please follow the instructions B-E above.
4.Spoken public comments using a phone use the telephone number listed below. When
you wish to speak on an agenda item hit *9 on your phone so we know that you wish to
speak. You will be asked to provide your first and last name before addressing the Council.
You will be advised how long you have to speak. When called please limit your remarks to
the agenda item and time limit allotted.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN Meeting ID: 886 2784 1441 Phone: 1-669-900-6833
Americans with Disability Act (ADA) It is the policy of the City of Palo Alto to offer its public
programs, services and meetings in a manner that is readily accessible to all. Persons with
disabilities who require materials in an appropriate alternative format or who require auxiliary
aids to access City meetings, programs, or services may contact the City’s ADA Coordinator at
(650) 329-2550 (voice) or by emailing ada@PaloAlto.gov. Requests for assistance or
accommodations must be submitted at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting, program, or
service.
Public Art Commission
Staff Report
From: Elise DeMarzo, Manager Community Services Sr Programs
Meeting Date: March 19, 2026
Report #: 2603-6112
TITLE
Special Presentation and Discussion on partnering norms between staff and Commissioners for
maximum effectiveness by Ed Shikada, City of Palo Alto City Manager.
BACKGROUND
On a citywide basis, the Boards, Commissions, and Committees (BCC) Handbook1 provides
comprehensive guidance for the operation of the City’s BCC’s. City departments that provide
staff to BCC’s periodically discuss opportunities to enhance effectiveness in providing support
to the work and BCC‘s, and one recently identified area for exploration is establishment of
norms for interactions between BCC’s and staff.
In addition to addressing issues of importance to the Palo Alto community, the City’s Boards
and Commissions provide an important role in staff development as well as potentially in the
development of community volunteers. As such it is important that the city provide all
participants an environment that is welcoming and conducive to professional and personal
development, while also effectively and efficiently conducting the work entrusted to each
body.
On an ongoing basis, staff works with individual commissioners on concerns with staff
interactions as they arise. This report and discussion represent an effort to proactively address
issues before they become concerns, for the benefit of all. Staff hopes to discuss this topic
citywide, with all BCC’s. This was discussed the Human Relations Commission on October 16,
and Parks and Recreation Commission on December 16, 2025.
ANALYSIS
Recognizing the broad range of topic areas and procedures involved with the City’s advisory
bodies, staff is not recommending that a uniform set of norms be established. At the same
1 City Boards, Commissions, and Committees Handbook; https://www.paloalto.gov/files/assets/public/v/4/city-
clerk/board-and-commission-handbook.pdf
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time, in order to facilitate a starting point for each discussion it may be useful to provide an
initial draft of topic areas for discussion.
FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT
ATTACHMENTS
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IS POSTED IN ACCORDANCE
WITH GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION
54954.2(a) OR SECTION 54956
PUBLIC ART COMMISSION
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
Thursday, February 12, 2026
Community Meeting Room & Virtual
7:00 p.m.
Commissioners Participating: Hsinya Shen, Tara de la Garza, Robin Mullery, Simon Tran,
Harriet Stern, Amber Smith, Anjana Joshi (joined at 7:03 pm)
Commissioners Absent: None
City Council Participating: George Lu
Staff Present: Elise DeMarzo, Public Art Program Director, CSD
Nadya Chuprina, Public Art Program Coordinator, CSD
Amanda Deml, Assistant Director, CSD
CALL TO ORDER –Chair Shen called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
AGENDA CHANGES, REQUESTS, DELETIONS – None.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS – None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES – January 15, 2026 PAC Regular Meeting Minutes: Moved by Vice Chair Stern.
Second by Commissioner Smith. All in Favor; February 10, 2026 PAC Annual Retreat Minutes: Moved by
Commissioner Mullery. Second by Commissioner Smith. All in Favor.
STAFF COMMENTS –Staff announced that a new mural on the roll-up door of the Fire Station 5 will be
painted February 26 – March 3 by artist Bodeck Luna.
ACTION:
1. King Artist-in-Residency Program – Staff provided a summary background for the ongoing King
AIR project by artist Kiana Honarmand focusing on lived experiences of BIPOC and immigrant
communities in Palo Alto. The artist made a presentation to the PAC regarding her ongoing
residency project, including, her initial research and partner outreach, the scope and outcomes
of her community engagement, findings and emerging themes. The artist shared some images
and key data points, and community quotes that she collected throughout the project. Through
outreach to local organizations and historical research, followed by multilingual surveys,
interviews, and hands-on workshops held across Palo Alto, the artist engaged residents to share
personal stories and reflections on home and belonging. In total, 181 survey responses were
collected in six languages, representing family histories from more than 45 countries.
Honarmand drafted a detailed report that summarizes findings from this first phase of the
residency, documenting key themes, outreach efforts, and community insights. The copy of the
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reports was shared with the commissioners and can be also found on the King AIR website.
Drawn directly from her research and community stories, survey findings, and workshop
insights, Honarmand developed a concept for a site-specific public art installation for King Plaza.
The artist presented a digital rendering and statement for the proposed temporary artwork to
the Commission for their review and approval. Commissioners led discussion about the
materials the artist was considering for the artwork, its intended interactive functionality and
exhibition duration. Motion: Commissioner Mullery moved to approve conceptual design for a
temporary artwork by Kiana Honarmand as part of her King AIR project. Second: Commissioner
Tran. All in Favor.
2. FY 27 PAC Priorities and Workplan – PAC Chair Shed led discussion about the working process
to draft the new workplan and update PAC priorities. Commissioners reviewed the updated
draft language for the PAC priorities and featured projects and discussed how they relay to the
set priorities. The Workplan and Priorities were drafted by the PAC Chair and Vice Chair in
collaboration with staff and shared with the PAC at the Annual Retreat on February 10 for the
Commissioners’ review and input. No further changes were made to the presented draft. The
Workplan is scheduled to be presented by PAC Chair to City Council for their approval on April 6.
Motion: Vice Chair Stern moved to approve the FY 27 PAC Priorities and Workplan. Second:
Commissioner Smith. All in Favor.
3. Downtown Murals – Staff provided a project background for commissioning three long-term
temporary murals in downtown Palo Alto. In 2024, artists Mona Caron, Nigel Sussman, and
Harumo Sato were selected to create site-specific murals. Sussman and Caron’s murals designs
were approved by the PAC in January 2026 and the artists completed painting the murals the
same month. Sato completed her conceptual design in early February – it was reviewed and
approved by the site host. Staff shared additional details about Harumo Sato’s project
background, including artist selection process, stakeholder and community engagement, and
shared Sato’s digital rendering and statement for the proposed mural for the wall of the All
Saints Episcopal Church at 555 Waverley Street. Staff will coordinate painting dates with the
artist and the site host. The painting will take place in Spring 2026. The mural will be temporary
in nature with a minimum life span of five years. Motion: Commissioner Smith moved to
approve conceptual design of a mural by artist Harumo Sato to be painted in downtown Palo
Alto. Second: Vice Chair Stern. All in Favor.
4. Sherman Ave Parking Garage Temporary Mural – Staff provided a summary for the project. In
2025, public art staff, in consultation with the City’s Public Works Department, explored the
feasibility of integrating a permanent mounting system to support the installation of large-scale,
digitally printed temporary murals on the Sherman Avenue Garage wall. These murals would be
displayed on a rotating basis for periods of six to twelve months. Staff conducted the necessary
structural studies and worked with a structural engineer to design an appropriate support
system, which was reviewed and approved by the City’s Building Department. The total
estimated cost associated with the installation of permanent mounting hardware, obtaining
necessary permits and printing and installation of the temporary banner-style mural, and artist
fees for mural design development is $35,000. Staff recommended that the PAC approve
funding in the amount of $35,000 Commissioners had clarifying questions about the banner
material and longevity of each mural display. Motion: Commissioner Mullery moved to approve
the funds in the amount of up to $35,000 for the installation of permanent mounting hardware,
artist design fee, and mural production and installation costs. Second: Commissioner Smith. All
in Favor.
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COMMISSIONER QUESTIONS, ANNOUNCEMENTS, OR FUTURE ITEMS: Staff announced upcoming
frescoes grant application presentation to the County of Santa Clara’s Historical Heritage Commission
and invited commissioners to attend the public meeting.
CALENDAR: PAC Regular Meeting – March 19, 2026, at 7 pm. PAC Regular Meeting on February 19 has
been canceled.
MEETING ADJOURNED: at 8:14 pm by Chair Shen.
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Public Art Commission
Staff Report
From: Elise DeMarzo, Manager Community Services Sr Programs
Meeting Date: March 19, 2026
Report #: 2603-6114
TITLE
Acceptance of Donation of Artwork - Acceptance of an artwork to the City's public art collection
by CASP artist Charlotta Hauksdóttir.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Public Art Commission accept the donation of artwork by Cubberley
artist Charlotta Hauksdottir into the City Collection.
BACKGROUND
This gift of artwork is being offered by a CASP artist as part of the Cubberley Artist Studio
Program (CASP) agreement. According to the CASP Guidelines, all CASP artists are expected to
donate one of their artworks in their first (4-year) residency term to the City’s Public Art
Program. The donation is subject to the approval of the Public Art Commission and, upon
acceptance, will be deemed a gift made under terms and conditions established by the City.
DISCUSSION
Charlotta María Hauksdóttir is an Icelandic visual artist based in California whose work explores
the relationship between people, memory, and the landscapes that shape our sense of place.
Working with photography, collage, and mixed media, Hauksdóttir examines how environments
hold traces of time and human presence, and how our experiences of place become embedded
in memory.
Having lived in the United States for more than two decades, Hauksdóttir’s practice draws from
the landscapes of both her native Iceland and her adopted home of California. Over the past
twenty years she has photographed these environments, observing the subtle and profound
changes occurring within them, including the visible impacts of climate change. Hauksdóttir has
been a Cubberley Artist-in-Residence since 2023. Her ongoing series Imprints reflects on the
evolving relationship between humanity and the natural world, inviting contemplation about
how our actions shape and leave marks on the environment.
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In this body of work, Hauksdóttir transforms her photographs into sculptural objects through a
process of cutting, layering, and assembling images by hand. Sections of the landscape are
hollowed out and reconfigured, creating three-dimensional compositions that echo the physical
contours of natural terrain. The layered surfaces evoke geological formations and shifting
topographies, while the deliberate removal of portions of the image encourages viewers to
reflect on the traces humans leave behind.
Artwork Description:
Impression XXVII (2022) is part of Hauksdóttir’s Imprints series and is created from a
photograph of a California landscape. The image is hand-cut into a fingerprint pattern and
layered onto an oval-shaped wooden panel with mixed media elements between the layers,
resulting in a sculptural photographic collage. The carved pattern both reveals and obscures the
landscape, referencing the human fingerprint as a symbol of identity and presence while
suggesting the lasting imprint humanity leaves on the environment.
ATTACHMENTS
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Imprints
In my work I seek to invoke contemplation about our relationship with nature and the
intricate interplay between humanity and the environment. For two decades, I've
photographed landscapes of my native Iceland and my home in California, witnessing
firsthand the impacts of climate change. This ongoing project is a visual articulation of
these changes and our impact on the natural world.
In the handmade three-dimensional pieces, parts of nature have been hollowed out, and
the photographs layered, mimicking physical features of the landscape, with various
cuts and shapes evoking different connotations.
Incorporating templates of human biological patterns—such as fingerprints resembling
tree rings and retinal veins echoing roots—reinforces the deep connection between us
and nature. The missing sections of the photographs invite reflection on the imprints we
leave on the world.
Impression XXVII, 2022
Archival Inkjet Print Collage on Wood
8x10in, 12x16in framed
Edition Variee 1/5
Impression XXVII is created using an image of a California landscape. It is hand cut in a
fingerprint pattern and layered on top of an oval shaped wood plate with mixed media in
between resulting in a sculptural collage.
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Education Iceland Academy of the Arts
Prisma, Diploma in Creative and Critical Thinking, 2009
San Francisco Art Institute
Master of Fine Arts in Photography, 2004
Istituto Europeo di Design
Bachelor of Arts in Photography, 1997
Solo Exhibitions
2022 Perceptions, Chung 24, San Francisco, California
2019 A Sense of Place - Imprints of Iceland, Mengi, Reykjavik, Iceland
2017 A Matter of Some Moments, Ramskram Gallery, Reykjavik, Iceland
2016 Outlook, Reykjavík Museum of Photography, Reykjavik, Iceland
2014 Moments, VI International Festival of Photography PhotoVisa, Krasnodar, Russia
2012 Echo/Bergmál, Reykjavik Museum of Photography, Reykjavik, Iceland
2005 Scapes, First Street Gallery, Eureka, California
2004 Dreamscapes, Zinc Details, San Francisco, California
1997 Christmas in Historical Reykjavik, Reykjavik City Museum, Reykjavik, Iceland
Select Group Exhibitions
2026 Startup Art Fair Los Angeles, The Kinney, Los Angeles, California
2025 Into The Complete Unknown, Harvey Milk Photo Center, San Francisco, California
(S)light of Hand, The Photographer ’s Eye, Escondido, California
As Above, So Below, Icelandic Landscape Re-imagined, Chung24, San Francisco, California
2025 Members Juried Exhibition, Center for Photographic Art, Carmel, California
Lost Landscapes, Blue Sky Gallery, Portland, OR
Of Land and Place, Vermont Center for Photography, Battleboro, VT
Where Have We Been? Where Are We Going?, Atlanta Photography Group Gallery, Atlanta, GA
2024 2024 Photography Prize Exhibition, Kühlhaus Berlin, Berlin, Germany
Transformative Landscapes: A Contemporary Perspective, Art Works Downtown, San Rafael, CA
Action for a Green Future, Imago Lisboa Photo Festival 2024, Lisbon, Portugal
Left Hand – Right Hand, The Pingyao International Photography Festival, Pingyao, China
2024 Berkeley Art Center Members Exhibition, Berkeley Art Center, Berkeley, California
ArtSpan’s Golden Benefit Auction, Heron Arts, San Francisco, California
In Flux: Recalibrating the Unknown, Museum of Northern California Art, Chico, California
Metamorphosis, Mercury 20 Gallery, Oakland, California
2023 Far Away is Now, 120710 gallery, Berkeley, California
Greater Bay Area Open, New Museum Los Gatos, Los Gatos, California
Select West 2023, Garvey Simon, San Anselmo, California
Earth, Palo Alto Art Center, Palo Alto, California
Hold Up Half the Sky!, Dallas Center for Photography, Dallas, Texas
International Festival of Photography San Jose Foto, San Jose Foto Festival, San Jose, Uruguay
18th National Photography Competition, fotofoto gallery, NYC, New York
2022 Adopted Landscapes, Collective 62, Miami, Florida
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Alternative, Chung Namont, San Francisco, California
Trailblazing 2022, Atlanta Photography Group, Atlanta, Georgia
RESTART, Palo Alto Art Center, Palo Alto, California
MINE: What is Ours in the Wake of Extraction, Midway Gallery, San Francisco, California
LensCulture New York 2022 Exhibition, Caelum Gallery, NYC, New York
2021 Barcelona Foto Biennale, Barcelona, Spain
2021 International Juried Show, Center for Photographic Art, Carmel, California
Imago Lisboa Photo Festival 2021, Gallery Imago Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
BBA Photography Prize at Berlin Photo, BBA Gallery, Berlin, Germany
In Conversation with the Land, Center for Fine Art Photography, Colorado
Alt-Photo: Alternative Processes in Contemporary Photography, Analog Gallery, California
2020 Reimagined Landscapes, Center for Photographic Art, Carmel, California
2020 San Francisco Bay International Photography Exhibition, Berkeley, California
Distinction, 23rd Juried Photography Exhibition, Photographic Center Northwest, Seattle
2019 2019 San Francisco Bay International Photography Exhibition, Berkeley, California
39th Annual Connect and Collect, San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art, San Jose, California
ARTBOX.PROJECT ZÜRICH 1.0, Swiss Art Expo, Zurich, Switzerland
2018 Memory and Perception, Marin Museum of Contemporary Art, Marin, California
2018 International Juried Exhibition, Center for Photographic Art, Carmel, California, 3rd place
Bay Area Currents, Smith Andersen North Gallery, San Anselmo, California
2018 National Best Contemporary Photography, Fort Wayne Museum of Art, Fort Wayne, Indiana
The Fence 2018, Brooklyn, NY, Denver, CO, Santa Fe, NM, Boston, MA, Atlanta, GA, Durham,
NC, Sarasota, FL, Calgary Canada
2017 Contemporary Landscape, Marin Museum of Contemporary Art, California
Kuala Lumpur International Photoawards 2017, WHITEBOX Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Art of Living Photography Gallery Awards, ACCI Gallery, Berkeley, California
Cascade, Nordic Innovation House, Palo Alto, California
4th Annual Juried Art Show, Piedmont Center for the Arts, Piedmont, California
2016 Connect and Collect, San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art, San Jose, California
11th National Juried Exhibition, Axis Gallery, Sacramento, California, Jurors award
Dwelling, Susan Eley Fine Art, NYC, New York
Family Portraits, Richmond Art Center, Richmond, California, Jurors award
2015 Domestic, PHOTO Gallery, Oakland, California
Connect and Collect, San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art, San Jose, California
Family Matters, PhotoPlace Gallery, Middlebury, Vermont
On the Road, The Club at SJC, San Jose, California
2014 Open, The Center for Fine Art Photography, Fort Collins, Colorado
Landforms, Northern Lights Festival, Norwegian House, Stykkisholmur, Iceland
Of Memory, Bone and Myth, The Rourke Art Museum, Moorhead, Minnesota
Icelandic Women Photographers 1872-2013, National Museum of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
2013 Context Art Fair, Miami, Florida
Imagining the Real, Carnegie Art Center, Turlock, California
Unfamiliar Landscapes, O’Hanlon Center for the Arts, Mill Valley, California
Origin and Geography in the Digital Era, Italian Cultural Institute, San Francisco, California
2012 Arles 2012 Vois Off, Arles, France
2012 International Exhibition of Women’s Fine Art Photography, .NO Gallery, NYC
New York, Honorable mention
Water, Ministry for the Environment, Reykjavik, Iceland
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2011 Shaped by Water, Los Altos History Museum, Los Altos, California
California!, Berkeley Art Center, Berkeley, California
2009 Flash at a Moment of Danger, LA Art Museum, Hveragerdi, Iceland
2006 Diptychs, Soke Fine Art, Minturn, Colorado
2003 Feminology, Diego Rivera Gallery, San Francisco, California
2002 Fragments of Life in the Urban Environment, City Hall, San Francisco, California
Awards
2024 Photolucida Critical Mass, Top 50
BBA Photography Prize 2024, Shortlisted
Landscapes & Cityscapes, FotoNostrum Magazine, Winner
The Handmade Tale, L.A. Photo Curator, 2nd Place
2023 Gomma Photography Grant, New Flavour Award Finalist
2023 Members Juried Exhibition, Center for Photographic Art, Honorable Mention
Water 2023, New York Center for Photographic Art, 3rd Place
2022 Photolucida Critical Mass, Top 200
RESTART, Palo Alto Art Center, Award
Moscow International Foto Awards, Silver award winner
Fine Art Photography Awards, Nomination in Professional Abstract Category
2021 Chromatic Awards, Honorable Mention
International Photography Awards, Honorable Mention
Tokyo Foto Awards, Honorable Mention
Budapest International Foto Awards 2021, Honorable Mention
17th Julia Margaret Cameron Award, Professional Section, Honorable Mention
2021 Rfotofolio Selections, Work of Merit
New York Photography Awards, Silver Winner, Abstract and Landscape categories
In Conversation With The Land, Center For Fine Art Photography, Honorable Mention
The Prix de la Photographie, Paris, Honorable Mention
Photolucida Critical Mass, Top 200
Lensculture Art Photography Awards, Juror ’s pick
Abstract 2020-21, New York Center for Photographic Art, 2nd Place
2020 International Photography Awards, Honorable mention
15th Pollux Awards, Honorable mention
2020 San Francisco Bay International Photo Awards, 3rd place
Distinction, 23rd Juried Photography Exhibition, Photographic Center Northwest, Honorable mention
Tokyo International Photography Competition - 7th Edition, winner
2019 Tokyo International Foto Awards, Honorable mention
2019 San Francisco Bay International Photography Exhibition, Gold award winner
2018 ND Awards, Honorable mention
International Photography Awards, Honorable mention
Photolucida Critical Mass, Top 50
London International Creative Competition, Honorable mention
2018 International Juried Exhibition, Center for Photographic Art, Carmel, 3rd place
2017 Kuala Lumpur International Photoawards 2017, Finalist
The Art of Living Photography Show, ACCI Gallery, Gallery Award Winner
2016 11th National Juried Exhibition, Axis Gallery, Jurors Award
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Family Portraits, Richmond Art Center, Jurors Award
2012 2012 International Exhibition of Women’s Fine Art Photography, .NO Gallery, New York,
New York, Bandaríkin, Jurors Award
Select Bibliography
2024 Charlotta Maria Hauksdottir: Emotions of Landscape and Memory, Aatonau, Ewan Shah
2023 An Icelandic artist’s response to climate change, Palo Alto Online, Sherry Listgarten
Conceptual Photography, Artdoc Magazine
“Earth Week: Charlotta Hauksdóttir: Imprints”, Lenscratch
2022 “A Sense of Place, Imprints of Iceland, Europe Now Journal
2021 “The Family in Transition”, KATALOG-Journal, Rui Prata
“A Sense of Place”, Lensculture, Interview with Magali Duzant
2020 “The Eternal Footprint: A Project on Human Impact on the Landscape”, Bird in Flight magazine,
Olga Bubich
“An Interview with Charlotta Maria Hauksdottir”, Photographic Center Northwest, Kris Graves
“Charlotta Hauksdottir: A Sense of Place: Imprints of Iceland, Lenscratch, Aline Smithson
“Surreal and fantastical Landscape” Morgunbladid Daily Newspaper, Árni Matthíasson
2019 “Fjords, glaciers and rocks, the Icelandic landscapes sublimated by Charlotta María Hauksdóttir”,
Konbini Arts, Lisa Lanot
“A Sense of Place by Charlotta Maria Hauksdottir”, All About Photo
“Book Review: A Sense of Place by Charlotta María Hauksdóttir”, F-Stop Magazine, Hans Durrer
“Charlotta Hauksdóttir – Finding a “Sense of Place” in Iceland”, Formed from Light, Chris Romans
“Charlotta Maria Hauksdottir”, Aint-Bad Magazine
“Imprints by Charlotta Hauksdottir”, Dodho Magazine
2018 “Charlotta María Hauksdóttir - Imprints”, KATALOG-Journal, Jens Friis
“Imagined Landscapes”, Frettabladid Daily Newspaper, Stefán Þór
“Wild Icelandic Landscapes as you’ve never seen them”, WIRED Magazine
“The Face of the Earth Editors’ Pick”, Life Framer
2017 “Moments turn into memories”, Fréttablaðið, Ragnheiður Tryggvadóttir
“Le donne fotografe dalla nascita della fotografia ad oggi: uno sguardo di genere”,
Patrizia Pulga, (Italy)
2016 “Charlotta María Hauksdóttir: Outlook" at the Reykjavik Museum of Photography,
www.all-about-photo.com, Ann Jastrab
2015 “Family Matters”, Show Catalog, PhotoPlace Gallery, (VT, USA)
2014 “Behold” Photo Blog, Slate Magazine, www.slate.com
“Betur sjá augu”, National Museum of Iceland, Show Catalog, (Reykjavik, Iceland)
2013 “Art in 365 Days”, Icelandic Art Calendar, (Reykjavik, Iceland)
2012 “2012 International Exhibition of Fine Art Photography”, Professional Women Photographers,
Public collections
2024 Fidelity Investments Corporation, Boston, Massachusetts
2022 Fairmont Banff Springs, Banff, Canada
2016 Stanford Health Care, Palo Alto, California
2012 Reykjavik Museum of Photography, Reykjavik, Iceland
2007 Affymetrix, Santa Clara, California
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2004 Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, California
1997 Reykjavik City Museum, Reykjavik, Iceland
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Public Art Commission
Staff Report
From: Elise DeMarzo, Manager Community Services Sr Programs
Meeting Date: March 19, 2026
Report #: 2603-6119
TITLE
Collection Care - Allocation of funds for maintenance treatment of Universal Woman by Nathan
Oliveira.
BACKGROUND
Universal Woman by Bay Area-based artist Nathan Oliveira (1928-2010) is a monumental cast
bronze sculpture with a unique patina, permanently installed in the sculpture garden of the
Palo Alto Art Center at 1313 Newell Road. Created in 2008, the work was donated to the City by
the artist’s family in 2013.
Internationally acclaimed Oliveira maintained strong ties to the City of Palo Alto. He grew up in
the San Francisco Bay Area and studied at Mills College and the California College of Arts and
Crafts, where he earned both his BA and MFA. In 1964, he joined the faculty at Stanford
University, where he taught until his retirement in 1995, mentoring and inspiring hundreds of
artists and scholars. For 25 years, the artist also maintained a studio at the corner of Emerson
Street and Hamilton Avenue in downtown Palo Alto. A longtime Stanford resident, his children
attended Palo Alto schools.
Oliveira’s paintings and prints have been widely exhibited and collected by major institutions
around the world, including the Tate, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Art Institute of
Chicago, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.
Universal Woman is an important example of Oliveira’s sculptural work. The sculpture was
featured in the 2008 exhibition Nathan Oliveira: The Painter’s Bronzes. Following the exhibition,
it remained on view in the Art Center’s historic courtyard for two years as a long-term loan
before being permanently installed in the sculpture garden.
ANALYSIS
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FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT
Staff obtained a treatment estimate for approximately $3,700 from a Bay Area-based fine art
conservation professional, experienced in cleaning and restoration of outdoor bronze artworks
by artist Nathan Olveira.
Should the Public Art Commission approve the allocation of funds for the maintenance
treatment of the sculpture, staff will schedule a two-day onsite treatment project in late April
2026. The funds in the amount of up t o$3,700 for the repainting project will be allocated from
the Public Art Program annual collection maintenance budget from the City’s General Fund.
ATTACHMENTS
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