HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/13/2014 - City Arts Commission - 06 Placement of Easels in the Civic Center Bay Lobbies
ABSTRACT:
At the October 9th City Arts Commission meeting, staff was directed to explore the acquisition and
placement of easels in the Civic Center Bay Lobbies.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the Arts Commission approve the acquisition of easels, wall flats, or room
dividers for placement in Civic Center Bay Lobbies.
FUNDING REQUIREMENTS:
To be determined.
DISCUSSION:
The Bay Lobbies in the Civic Center building feature rails on the floor beneath the stairwells to serve as a
warning and directional device for the visually impaired. While the rail is easily seen by the sighted, and
returns a distinct sound and feel when tapped by a visually impaired person's cane, it can also present a
tripping hazard. An easel, small divider, or moveable flat in the area would prevent tripping and would
also provide an opportunity to display art in the Civic Center.
One solution is to block the rails with an easel or “portable wall”. A number of vendors sell portable
walls of various sizes. Stability and durability are important factors. The Council on Aging used
Screenflex portable room dividers to display photographs in the Central Library last summer, which
worked very well. The room divider application could also be used for the Cultural Arts Division’s
temporary exhibitions in the Central Library, providing additional space for the display of art. A small
divider in the 6 feet 9 inches wide and 6 feet high costs approximately $680.00.
Another solution is the implementation of moveable flats as used in the Seattle Civic Center, also
designed by Bohlin, Cywinski, and Jackson. Employing these flats would enable staff to hang art on
them and provide an elegant solution to the problem presented by the low rails. These flats could be
used in other places in the both the Civic Center or Library. Staff has reached out to Bohlin, Cywinski,
Jackson for information on the flats.
NOTICING:
This agenda item has been noticed according to the Brown Act (72 hours in advance of the meeting at
which the Board of Library Trustees considers the item).paragraph describing any methods of
notification, if applicable.]
TO: CITY ARTS COMMISSION
FROM: Library Services Department
Tim Hetherton, Library Services Director
949-717-3810, thetherton@newportbeachca.gov
PREPARED BY: Tim Hetherton
TITLE: Placement of Easels in the Civic Center Bay Lobbies