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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-02-12 Public Art Commission Summary Minutes 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 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. 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.