HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-03-19 Public Art Commission Action Minutes
IS POSTED IN ACCORDANCE
WITH GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION
54954.2(a) OR SECTION 54956
PUBLIC ART COMMISSION
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
Thursday, March 19, 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.
PUBLIC COMMENT – None
SPECIAL ITEM – City Manager Ed Shikada made a presentation to the PAC about partnering norms
between City staff and Commissioners for maximum effective collaboration and clarity on roles and
responsibilities. The City Manager shared draft guidelines with the PAC and invited their questions and
comments. Commissioners, City Manager, Council Liaison and staff discussed various aspects of the
guidelines. No action taken.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES – February 12, 2026 PAC Speical Meeting Minutes: Moved by Commissioner
Smith. Second by Commissioner de la Garza. All in Favor.
STAFF COMMENTS –Staff announced an upcoming murals tour in downtown Palo Alto on March 20th to
celebrate recently completed by artists Nigel Sussman and Mona Caron. Staff also reported that artist
Bodeck Luna completed his mural at the Fire Station #5 in Barron Park neighborhood. Staff also reported
on a highly attended recent public tour of Victor Arnautoff frescoes at the Roth Building.
ACTION:
1. Acceptance of donation of artwork - Staff presented a digital image of artwork titled Impression
XXVII by CASP artist Charlotta Kauksdottir offered by the artist to the City in accordance
with the Cubberley Artist Studio Program (CASP) agreement. The offered artwork a digital inkjet
print collage on wood. Conceptually, the artwork explores our relationship with nature and the
intricate interplay between humanity and the environment. Motion: Commissioner de la Garza
moved to accept the donation of artwork to the City’s public art
collection. Second: Commissioner Mullery. All in Favor.
2. Collection Care – Staff shared images and provided description and commissioning history for a
large-scale bronze sculpture titled Universal Woman by artist Nathan Oliveira, permanently
sited in the Art Center’s sculpture garden. The sculpture, which has been part of the City’s
permanent public art collection since 2014, receives regular preventative maintenance and
cleaning and is currently due for specialized conservation treatment. Staff recommended
allocation of $3,700 to fund a conservation treatment. Motion: Commissioner Mullery moved to
approve funding in the amount of up to $3,700 for maintenance of Universal Woman by Nathan
Oliveira. Second: Commissioner Smith. All in Favor.
NON-ACTION:
3. ArtLift Grants 2026 – Staff provided a project summary, including the vision and goals, artist
selection process, and funding for the 2026 edition of ArtLift Grants. Staff received 68 artist
applications. As a result of a two-step review and evaluation process, ten applications were
selected by the panel, including proposals by artist Miguel Novelo, Ala Mohseni, Lisa Van Dusen,
Michelle Wilson, Zoe Caron, Karen Ladenheim, Jaya Griscom, Inna Razmakhova, Sophia Lee, and
Charles Gadeken. The selected projects will encourage play, belonging, community participation,
and promote shared experiences throughout Palo Alto, centering on Downtown, California
Avenue, and Cubberley Community Center. The grant recipients will be awarded $5,000 each
and realize their projects throughout year 2026. Staff then showed some images from selected
artists’ proposals and shared projects’ descriptions and locations.
COMMISSIONER QUESTIONS, ANNOUNCEMENTS, OR FUTURE ITEMS: Staff announced upcoming CASP
open studios event scheduled on April 25, 1-5 pm at Cubberley Community Center.
CALENDAR: PAC Regular Meeting – April 16, 2026, at 7 pm.
MEETING ADJOURNED: at 8:18 pm by Chair Shen.