Title
Three Recommendations from the Art in Public Places Board: 1) Acceptance of a Cash Donation from Charles Bowman to Purchase a Kinetic Wind Sculpture in Honor of His Late Wife, Nona Bowman and Approval of Project Budget; 2) Disposal of Artwork from the Public Collection; 3) Acceptance of an Artwork Donation from Valentina Devine
Recommended Action
I move that Council accept a cash donation from Charles Bowman for the purchase of a kinetic wind sculpture from the Mark White Gallery in Santa Fe and further move approval of an Art in Public Places project budget of up to $25,000 to purchase two additional wind sculptures to create a coordinated grouping plus cover delivery, installation, plaques, a dedication event, lighting and contingency funding. The location of the wind sculptures will be determined at a later date by the APPB and appropriate County staff in consultation with Mr. Bowman.
I move that Council approve the disposal of "Inside Out" and APP funding of up to $100 to pack and ship the artwork back to the artist.
I further move that Council accept the donation offer from Valentina Devine of "Berlin," a 10 ft by 10 ft knitted fiber piece currently installed in the Mesa Public Library.
County Manager's Recommendation
The County Manager recommends that Council approve the Art in Public Places Board recommendations as requested.
Board, Commission or Committee Recommendation
The Art in Public Places Board approved these recommendations at their regular meeting on February 22, 2018.
Body
The Art in Public Places Board is seeking Council approval to accept a cash donation from Charles Bowman to purchase a kinetic wind sculpture from the Mark White Gallery in Santa Fe and to use APP funds, up to $25,000, for the purchase of two companion wind sculptures, delivery, installation, a dedication event, plaques, contingency funding and lighting, if needed.
Mr. Bowman contacted the APPB staff liaison in December to make a generous donation offer to purchase a kinetic wind sculpture in remembrance of his late wife, Nona Bowman who served two terms on the County Council and also served on the Art in Public Places Board as Chair for many years. Mr. Bowman selected a wind sculpture from the Mark White Gallery in Santa Fe called "Ripples Sphere." A picture is provided in Attachment A. The APPB discussed Mr, Bowman's offer and decided that a coordinated grouping of three wind sculptures (like at the WR Visitor's Center) would create a better display than one wind sculpture by itself. An APPB member visited the Mark White Gallery and selected two additional wind sculptures to coordinate with the sculpture Mr. Bowman selected.
The APPB discussed several options for locations for the wind sculptures: 1) the small park-like area at 1010 Central. 2) beside the curved sidewalk between Bathtub Row and Central Park Square; 3) the area between Mesa Public Library and Central Avenue near the small playground and the memorial benches; or 4) somewhere in Guaje Pines Cemetary. More information and pictures of these locations will be given in a Power Point presentation this evening. The Board wold like to get Council's approval to accept Mr. Bowman's donation check and will then work with the Bowman family, the Historic Preservation Advisory Board, plus County Parks and Facilities staff to identify the best location for the sculptures. The Board would like for Council to let them know tonight if any identified locations above should be removed from consideration.
The APPB is also seeking Council approval to to dispose/deaccession a piece of artwork in the public collection. The piece, "Inside Out' by Janice Sanders was purchased from the artist in 1992 for the public collection. Over the past few years, the APPB conducted a comprehensive inventory of the collection of 2-D works. and feels that this piece is no longer relevant to the collection. Some may remember that this piece was displayed for many years in the Stout Room (conference room for the County Administrator's Office) of the former Municipal Building. Unfortunately, the APPB has not been able to identify a suitable location in the new Municipal Building or any other County Facility for this piece. It has been in storage for the past 3-4 years. The APPB disposal process has been followed and the artist has been contacted. If this piece is deaccessioned from the collection, Ms. Sanders would like to have it returned to her. A picture of the artwork is included in Attachment A.
In addition, the APPB seeks Council approval tonight to accept a donation offer from Valentina Devine for a 10 ft by 10 ft knitted fiber piece titled "Berlin" that is currently hanging in the Mesa Public Library. Ms. Devine originally offered to donate the piece to the Library, but it has been determined that the public collection would be more appropriate.
Pictures and additional information regarding these recommendations are provided in Attachment A
Alternatives
The Council can decide not to accept the APPB recommendations.
The Council can direct the APPB to develop alternative recommendations.
Fiscal and Staff Impact/Planned Item
There are sufficient funds in the Art in Public Places Fund to cover all expenditures recommended this evening.
Attachments
A - Recommendations from the Art in Public Places Board
B - Donation Form from Charles Bowman
C - Donation Form from Valentina Devine
D - Art in Public Places Board Presentation