HomeMy WebLinkAbout21 - Acceptance of the Sculpture Sunset into the City Art Inventory�EWPR CITY OF
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- z NEWPORT BEACH
<,FoR�P City Council Staff Report
September 13, 2016
Agenda Item No. 21
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Tim Netherton, Library Services Director - 949-717-3801,
thetherton@newportbeachca.gov
PREPARED BY: Tim Netherton, Library Services Director,
thetherton@newportbeachca.gov
PHONE: 949-717-3810
TITLE: Acceptance of the Sculpture Sunset into the City Art Inventory
ABSTRACT:
Sculptors Miriam Baker and Rhonda Jones, with support from the Balboa Island
Improvement Association have offered to donate the sculpture Sunset to the City of
Newport Beach. The piece satisfies the criteria of Council Policies 1-9, Art in Public
Places, and 1-11, Donation of Art to City of Newport Beach. The sculpture, which is
estimated to have a cost of $50,000, is being funded through private donations.
RECOMMENDATION:
a) The City Arts Commission recommends that the City Council accept the work into
the City Arts inventory; and
b) Determine that the action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines
because it will not result in a physical change to the environment, directly or
indirectly.
FUNDING REQUIREMENTS:
The cost of the sculpture and its shipping and installation will be paid for through private
donations to the Balboa Island Improvement Association. The current adopted budget
includes sufficient funding for the maintenance of this piece. The long term maintenance
and conservation of the art work is estimated at $250.00 annually and will be covered
by Account No. 4002-8160, "Maintenance and Repair."
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Acceptance of the Sculpture Sunset into the City Art Inventory
August 9, 2016
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DISCUSSION:
Sculptors Miriam Baker and Rhonda Jones, with support from the Balboa Island
Improvement Association, have offered to donate Sunset to the City of Newport Beach
(see Attachment A for photos of the maquette). The piece, created by Ms. Baker and fellow
artist Rhonda Jones, is a representational life-size bronze of an elderly couple seated on a
bench enjoying the sunset. The piece is meant to serve as an appreciation and celebration
of Balboa Island life. The finished work will weigh between 400 and 500 pounds and
measure 47" high by 33" wide by 30" deep. The work will also serve as a functional bench,
which will be situated at the end of Turquoise Avenue on a view point facing the peninsula
(see Attachment B). Sunset is expected to be completed in time to be dedicated at the
Balboa Island Centennial Celebration on September 18, 2016.
Miriam Baker is a sculptor and Balboa Island resident. Ms. Baker's initial studies were at the
Chicago Academy of Fine Art and the Art Institute of Chicago. Later, she studied painting
with Vincent Farrell and Frank Tauriello. Her formal training as a sculptor also includes
studies at Golden West College with Darrell Ebert; master classes at the Scottsdale Artist
School with Bruno Lucchesi, Richard Macdonald, and Blair Buswell; and in numerous
workshops with Paul Lucchesi in Pietrasanti, Italy and the Artist's League in Virginia. She has
also enjoyed a long career as an interior designer. In 2011, Ms. Baker was commissioned by
the City of Newport Beach to sculpt a life-sized bronze figure of the late President Ronald
Reagan. This piece is currently situated in Bonita Canyon Sports Park.
Rhonda Jones has studied art at Golden West and Orange Coast Colleges, and has
participated in workshops with Paul Lucchesi, Blair Buswell, Stanley Bleifeld, John
Coleman, Eugene Daubs and the Artist's League in Virginia. Ms. Jones owns and operates
a private studio in Huntington Beach. She has had her work exhibited at Keller Fine Art in
Palm Desert, the Anaheim Museum, the National Sculpture Society in New York, the
Scottsdale Artist's School, Palm Springs Desert Museum, Long Beach Playhouse Gallery,
and the San Bernardino County Museum of Art, among many others.
In order to recommend the gift for acceptance, the City Arts Commission is required to
ensure that the gift meets the criteria of Council Policies 1-9, Art in Public Places
(Attachment C), and 1-11, Donation of Art to City of Newport Beach (Attachment D).
The Fine Arts Ad Hoc Subcommittee advises the City Arts Commission that Sunset
meets these criteria. Ms. Baker and Ms. Jones have proven track records that
demonstrate their experience, skill and ability as artists. The aesthetic concept, quality,
scale, and form of Sunset, and its appropriateness for the site, satisfy Council Policies I-
9 and 1-11. The proposed location for Sunset is on a site that is easily visible and
accessible to the general public. Its placement near the public pathway ensures that the
work will receive a great deal of exposure to both residents and guests. The cost
associated with acquiring and installing the piece is provided through private
fundraising. Sunset is a hand -made original creation: it was not mass-produced from a
standard design, nor is it a reproduction of an original art work. The work is solely the
creation of the project artists. It adds significantly to the balanced inventory of the City's
collection, representing a variety of style, design and media. The piece is consistent
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Acceptance of the Sculpture Sunset into the City Art Inventory
August 9, 2016
Page 3
with and relevant to the civic interests and broad variety of tastes within the Newport
Beach community and particularly Balboa Island, as evidenced by the strong private
fundraising effort for the project.
The City Arts Commission has considered these criteria and requests that City Council
accept the work into the City Arts inventory.
Upon completion and delivery of the statue from the foundry, the Departments of Public
Works and Municipal Operations will work with the artists and the BIIA with the
installation of the art work at the designated location.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
Staff recommends the City Council find this action is not subject to the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not
result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment)
and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378) of the CEQA
Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no
potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly.
NOTICING -
The agenda item has been noticed according to the Brown Act (72 hours in advance of
the meeting at which the City Council considers the item).
ATTACHMENTS:
ATTACHMENT A: Images of Sunset Years Maquette
ATTACHMENT B: Proposed Site of Sunset Years
ATTACHMENT C: Council Policy 1-9, Art in Public Places
ATTACHMENT D: Council Policy 1-11, Donation of Art to City of Newport Beach
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ATTACHMENT A - images of Sunset Years maquette
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ATTACHMENT A - images of Sunset Years maquette
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ATTACHMENT B: proposed site of Sunset Years
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Aerial view of Turquoise Avenue site.
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ATTACHMENT C
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A RT IN AUBIIIC BLACES
A. The City of Newport Beach recognizes tf a imk oyitarice and desv abi ity of
enhanainifl and beautifying) the plublia I laces within the City, b} acquiring anKl
dispilaying )publicly) accessible Warks oft art flar the cultuyial llenef't of the City, :its
c�tzew and) "ts v+ stails.
B. THe City seelds tci inuol-Ae FIrafessicmal artists in City pl:lanninigl and design
piiojeats; to iniegrale art%ui&s in City aaFlital impaiovement plrajecb; and tri
canunissicmi anK I/cir lllurahase new art -,A oaks for plub:lic places.
C. Public art can include but is nal limited to pejimanienl and tempciray y scu 1ptuiie,
mura s, as well as art'st-c asigried ilauntaiins, mosaics and file wcirk, Ilanners, planll
klevOes anc cither street ilurniture, water featumes, lain shelters, streethi Pts and
'I an] ernsi, kiaslds, relainirug w i`, anc /on haildsaaple treatments.
D. The resplcinsib:'litN ail the Arts Canu issicmi is to:
1. lderitif anc assess platenitial Art in Public Hlaaes pipjeats and sites;
.J. Confev witf citheii Howids and Commissions Mal maA be imlpaatec EA the
m iomm ender li sl cif wit plrc rjects;
3. Make applroprial a recammiend atcm; to Ciity Caunci ;
4. Hartidylate in the select'an oll artists for Ari in Public Places plrcgects;
5. Hlan and civeaisee the artistic design plracess;
G World with aplppiuppriale City Delllaitments to endure coruect im, tallation at
the sir a and :I ori€ I term i mainil enance and conservation co I the art world.
H. TNa Arls Ccnun'iss'on shall consider tlia ilullowinig criteria :in making
recomrruenc atacin ilcrr an Art in Hub:lic Places plrcgect:
1. The aesthet'c aancepl, quality, scale, anc iloyim oil t1le work of arl, and IS
aplpiioplr'ateriess 11cw the site;
.J. A site tHat is easilM visible anic /crr accessible to the genera Flublic;
1
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3. The explenience, skill anic abi it) oil the art.'st to ptioducie the world oil arl;
The plrapeii mecium ikir the wand of art, consicuingl dUrabilitN against
uanc abirri, theft grid weatf er, and the sai ety of the viieweir,
5. The ccisi favi tt e City to acquire, install and maintain the warkl oil art;
6. N o arl objects wilt be ccros:idered that are rmiss-priac ucec frlam a stanc arc
c es:ign, aiie replrciductions cel arigina arl world, and /cir are c ecciratime ar
furlctf anial ele rrieni s tH at are c es:igned by an awhii ect as app lc is ed la the
plrcgect artist.
7. 'lemplauary arl mal be acqu irec and placec flu ouglh the same plrocedures
as pf Irmanenl w cuiks.
F. Fiiorri time la gime, the Arts Carnm issi c in may sub mit la the C'Ity Managler's
Olfliae a list oil projects wilh estimated aosts. Saic llsil is to be cciruWerec in the
pjia plaratroni of the next Iliscal year bu dglet. Huridir g far this plrag:i am sha I be
del ermir ed by 1 he City Caunci , and may He c erh ed hiorri Oe e City Ari in Public
Places Reserve Fu nc , Ai is Corn: ssi c in eN eni s, the Newport in Beach Atits
Haunc atian, plriivale ind:ivic ual, carpcuiate and ikiunidaftri donaitians;
gaNemmerd grants, other City ilunic s, avid/oii valuriitaq paxticipatfori by primate
demelopgs.
C. In acditiani, io maTinla:in the aiitistc iriteotN cif designatec Ari in Putllic Places
sates/works, trle Ants Comrnnssion shall remiaw arty futt tie madHoaticn s,
relocation, repairs, and /car iieplacemerit cul plarts or works at these sides. The Arts
Cumrniissicin shall ccrostit witl• the (wigijnaiI witist if plossible cir a recognized
expert it i the fielc , arc shall them make the aplplragrii to iiecommer id aticin far
madii iaatic in 1 c i tt le City Cou nail.
A c of tec - Slepl emtl a ri 8.1986
Reafl irmec - ]am ary 24, 1994
Amer id& - MaH 26,11998
A rnenidk &I Reassigned - A pril 8., 2003
Flurmemlyl I-18
K
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ATTACHMENT D
ACQUISITION OF ART BY THE CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
A. The City of Newport Beach ("City") believes that paintings, sculptures, drawings
and other art (collectively, "Art") placed on City property and in City buildings
increases the aesthetic appeal and beauty of such property and buildings, and of
the City in general.
B. All proposals to donate, exhibit, loan, sell or commission Art to the City
(collectively, "Convey(s)," "Conveyed," "Conveying" or "Conveyance") shall be
reviewed by the Arts Commission for recommendation to the City Council.
C. The Arts Commission shall be responsible to:
1. Confer with persons who have offered to Convey Art to the City,
informing them of this policy, including criteria for approving Art and the
policies, criteria and approval process.
2. Advise the City Council of the artistic merit and value of Art offered to the
City.
3. Advise the City Council regarding appropriate City property or City
buildings for display of Art, in conjunction with the City commission,
committee, board and/or department which has responsibility for
planning or maintaining the proposed location.
D. The Arts Commission shall consider the following criteria in making a
recommendation for accepting an offer to Convey Art to the City:
1. The Art should be an original creation or a limited edition by the original
artist, and be of the highest quality and level of artistic excellence.
2. The Art should add to the balanced inventory of the City's collection,
representing a variety of style, design and media.
3. The person(s) seeking to Convey Art to the City shall complete all
required forms, as provided by the Library Services Department.
4. The Art should be of satisfactory physical condition, be sufficiently
durable as to not be easily damaged or destroyed, should not require
restoration or extensive long term conservation, and should be of a
physical size and weight that the Art can be managed in storage, transport
and public display without difficulty. Art requiring restoration may only
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be considered with full disclosure of the restoration costs provided by a
licensed art appraiser.
5. The Art should be consistent with and relevant to the civic interests and
broad variety of tastes within the Newport Beach community.
E. Art may only be recommended by the Arts Commission to the City Council for
acceptance upon the majority vote of the Arts Commission.
F. Art accepted into the City collection by the City Council is accepted with the
understanding that the City Council reserves the right to place the Art on public
display on either a permanent or temporary basis, and to store the Art when not
on display. Acceptance of Art by the City Council does not guarantee that the
Art will be displayed in perpetuity. The City Council may sell, donate or
otherwise remove any Art in the City collection. Any proceeds received by the
City from the transfer of Art shall be expended to acquire, restore or display Art.
G. Art considered for inclusion in the City's collection must conform to City Council
Policy I-9 (Art in Public Places).
H. The City does not provide valuations or appraisals of Art Conveyed to the City.
The value of Art should be presented by the person(s) Conveying Art to the City
at the time of Conveyance. It is the responsibility of the person(s) Conveying Art
to the City to furnish a valuation to the appropriate government tax agency.
I. The person(s) Conveying Art to the City shall obtain all intellectual and
photographic property rights to the Art and transfer such rights to the City. The
City reserves the right to photograph Art for any and all purposes, including, but
not limited to, publicity and informational literature.
J. Any person(s) that Conveys Art to the City shall represent and warrant in writing
that it owns the Art and that the Art shall be Conveyed to the City free and clear of
all liens, restrictions, security interests or agreements by which the City would be
bound, but subject to all laws generally applicable to the transfer of title of any
work of Art.
K. Subject to compliance with California Civil Code Section 987, the City shall assume
no liability in the event of loss or damage to any Art accepted into the City's
collection.
21-11
Adopted- February 24,1986
Reaffirmed -January 24,1994
Amended & Reassigned -April 8, 2003
Amended - May 12, 2015
Formerly F-23
Formerly I-13
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