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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 8.2 - 1899 Veterans Art Selection Page 1 of 3 STAFF REPORT CITY COUNCIL DATE: March 20, 2018 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers FROM: Christopher L. Foss, City Manager SUBJECT: Veterans Art Selection Prepared by: Tegan McLane, Cultural Arts and Heritage Manager EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The City Council is being asked to approve the selection of an artist and design for a public art piece honoring veterans and military personnel, to be placed in the future Dublin Crossing Community Park. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approve the selection of artist Steven Whyte's design of a public art monument honoring veterans and military personnel, to be placed in the future Dublin Crossing Community Park. FINANCIAL IMPACT: The cost of this public art piece is $500,000, to be covered by the Public Art Fund. Upon City Council approval, the Capital Improvement Program will be updated to reflect this, and to account for a $200,000 contribution from Brookfield Residential Properties as part of their public art requirement. After installation, routine annual maintenance on the piece is expected to cost $3,000 - $6,000, with occasional re-applications of patina, perhaps every third or fourth year, costing $8,000. The light-colored patina that the artist is recommending allows for more striking variations in uniforms, but is also more expensive to maintain. No General Fund dollars are being expended on this project. DESCRIPTION: On February 21, 2017, the City Council selected the future Dublin Crossing Community Park as the site for a public artwork to be commissioned by the City to honor all who have served and currently serve, and to celebrate the values that the military holds dear: loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage. On June 26, 2017, Staff issued a public Request for Qualifications from public artists Page 2 of 3 interested in being considered as candidates to design and fabricate monumental sculptures for two upcoming City of Dublin monuments -- the Veterans art piece and a piece for the Public Safety Complex. On October 24, 2017, a specially assembled public art selection committee consisting of representatives from City Council, Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission, Parks and Community Services Commission, Parks Reserve Forces Training Area, Boulevard developer Brookfield Residential Properties, and two Dublin residents reviewed portfolios of 15 potential public artists. The Veterans Art Selection Committee selected seven artists to invite to create site specific design proposals. On January 23, 2018, the Committee reconvened to review designs proposals from the seven artists: Alan Cottrill, Mario Chiodo, John Fisher, Gordon Huether, Brian Keith, Adan and Jesus Romo, and Steven Whyte. A design submitted by Steven Whyte, a Carmel -based artist specializing in life-size and larger-than-life bronze figures, was the overwhelming choice of the selection committee (Attachment 1 - Resume, Attachment 2 - Crossroads Design Proposal). This design was presented at Special Joint Meeting of the Heritage and Cultural Ar ts and Parks and Community Services Commissions on February 8 and unanimously approved. Mr. Whyte has extensive experience creating this type of artwork. His resume includes a number of bronze statues of historic figures, including A National Tribute to Bob Hope and the Military at the San Diego Port Authority; General Benjamin O. Davis Jr., commander of the World War II Tuskegee Airmen, for the U.S. Military Academy at West Point; and the National Monument to John Steinbeck and Cannery Row in Monterey. Mr. Whyte's proposed design, Crossroads, features four larger-than-life bronze figures, representing veterans of different eras, branches of service and demographics, standing at attention before four flags. Tentatively the figures are: an older male Caucas ian Seabee from World War II, representative of tradesmen who left established careers to join the war effort and trained at the newly established Camp Parks; a African -American airman from the Korea period, when Camp Parks was a U.S. Air Force facility; a Caucasian male marine from the Vietnam era, and a modern-day Latina or Filipina reservist. An earlier version of this piece showed an African-American Navy sailor from World War II; a WAVES member; a veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan wars; and a Coast Guar d Veteran from the Vietnam War. Mr. Whyte revised the figure selection after gathering additional historic details from Heritage Staff and local historian Steve Minniear, who is the author of a book on the history of Camp Parks. Mr. Whyte is amenable to consulting with the City on the choices of the figures to be represented. The figures will stand on a 26-foot square plaza, composed of granite pavers and featuring an intersection of two concrete "roads" at its center. The roads will be Page 3 of 3 constructed with a variety of textures to suggest jeep tracks, Marston matting used by the Seabees, and footprints representing the many servicemen and women who have passed through Dublin. It has been suggested that the flag poles fly the flags of the United States, Cali fornia and Dublin, with a fourth pole available to fly various military flags, perhaps to be changed out by veteran's groups for various events. This would be a way to celebrate and represent veterans and military groups not physically represented by one of the four figures. For example, the U.S. Coast Guard might be raised on Coast Guard Day, August 4, or the Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Flag might be raised on National POW/MIA Day, September 21. Members of the Committee, commissions and public have commented favorably on the lifelike quality Mr. Whyte's figures, the large scale of the work, inclusion of actual flags, and the piece's potential to educate the public about Dublin's history. The monument would be cast at ArtWorks Foundry in Berkeley, with the general contractor Hathaway Dinwiddie installing under the supervision of Steven Whyte Studios. Sheedy Drayage Company would oversee the crane and rigging. Public Works staff and the City's contracted art conservator, SF Art Conservation, have conducted preliminary reviews of Mr. Whyte's design and identified only minor concerns, which Staff and the artist are working to address. These include designing the sculpture in such a way to ensure that rain water does not pool on the bronze, especially for any parts embedded in the roadway; and altering the stance of the figures to stand at attention in front of the flags, rather than saluting (because the crooked elbows would provide a place for vandals to jam items) or standing with hands over heart (which is inaccurate, for military personnel in uniform). Engineering documents will be required soon after a contract is awarded, and a detailed review will be conducted early in the public art process to ensure any concerns are addressed in a timely fashion and do not delay the project. Staff has also conducted reference checks with other organizations that have commissioned works by Mr. Whyte, and he is reported to be extremely professional, responsive to the client organization's concerns, and able to deliver projects on time and on budget. NOTICING REQUIREMENTS/PUBLIC OUTREACH: Stakeholders, including Parks Reserve Forces Training Area, Boulevard and local Veterans groups were notified by email of this meeting. ATTACHMENTS: 1. Steven Whyte Resume 2. Steven Whyte Crossroads Design Concept Art Education 1987 Lincoln School of Art, Lincoln, England 1988 - 1991 Sir Henry Doulton School of Sculpture, Staffordshire, England Studied under Professor Colin Melbourne ARCA and Dame Elizabeth Frink Relevant Employment 2002 - Current Director/Sculptor, Steven Whyte Sculpture Studios, Carmel, California § Sixty-three life-size or larger public bronze figures in the United States and Europe. § Public sculpture projects range in scale from life-size busts to over twice life size action figures, and budgets from $30,000 to $2,100,000. § Perform research on subjects, develop fundraising strategies, consult with civic organizations and governments on public art, and develop public interest projects. 1994 - 2000 Director/Partner/Sculptor, Sculptural Solutions Public Sculpture, Stoke-on-Trent, England § With the studio team, prepared cast-bronze figurative sculpture for various private and national commissions and limited edition bronzes for collectors and galleries. § Completed projects include: figurative bronze monuments, bronze reliefs, sculpted brick murals. Subjects ranged from inventors, to soldiers, to local history and community spirit. Monuments are located in a variety of public spaces including: parks, city portals, schools and museums. 1992 - 1995 Associate Professor of Figurative Sculpture, Stafford College, Staffordshire, England § Co-wrote the first validated figurative sculpture course in the United Kingdom, which received, in 1993-1994, more first choice applications than any other high-level sculpture course in the United Kingdom. § Responsible for student admissions procedures. § Developed curriculum for the sculpture department. § Managed course budget. Portraiture: Completed more than 60 commissioned live portraits. Past subjects include the following: [Edited List] § Congressman John J. Conyers: Congressman, Chairman of the Judicial Committee, Dean of the House § John David Crow: 1957 Heisman Trophy Winner § Sir John Harvey-Jones: Chairman Imperial Chemical Industries, Television Host § Herm Edwards: FLF Player and Coach, ESPN Host § Lord Forte: President, Forte PLC § Gustavo de la Garza: Chairman, Marcatel Com. § Dr. Stephen Lock: Editor, The British Medical Journal § William T. Moore: [Posthumous] Texas State Senator § David and Lucille Packard: Founder, Hewlett Packard, Inc. § Secretary Leon E. Panetta: Chief of Staff to President Clinton, Director of the CIA, Secretary of Defense § Sir Evelyn de Rothschild: Chairman, Rothschild Bank § The Earl of Stockton: President, Macmillan Publishers Ltd. § Lord Weatherill MP: Speaker, The House of Commons § Congressman John Lewis: Congressman, Civil Rights Icon Steven Whyte Sculpture Studio & Gallery PO BOX 148, Carmel, CA 93921 www.stevenwhytesculptor.com & www.swbronze.com | Studio: (831) 620-1917 | Cell: (831) 521-6045 | sw@stevenwhytestudios.com | www.Facebook.com/stevenwhytecarmel | Awards and Honors § Vice President, Royal Society of Portrait Sculptors, United Kingdom. § Sport Artist of the Year. United States Sports Academy and The American Sport Art Museum & Archives. 2016. § Portrait bust of the longest serving Dean of the United States House of Representatives acquired by the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery’s permanent collection. 2016. § Three figure maquette of 9/11 first responders rescuing the Pentagon’s Marine Corps flag acquired by the National Museum of the Marine Corps. 2017. § Congressional Record Honoree for acceptance of bronze bust by the Smithsonian Institute. Representative Jimmy Panetta. 115th Congress. 2017. Public Commissions § (Current) Five Saints. Five half life-size figures sculpted for niches in the Cloisters on the Platte chapel. Omaha, NE. 2018. (Project budget: $125,000). § (Current) Cloisters Chapel Garden. 7ft figures of Mary and Joseph. Cloisters on the Platte, Omaha, NE. 2018. (Project budget: $212,000). § (Current) Stewart Morris, Sr. A life-size figure of one of Houston Baptist University’s founding fathers. Houston Baptist University, Houston, TX. 2017. (Project budget: $65,000). § (Current) Jesse L. Easterwood Bust. A life-size portrait bust of WWI aviator, pioneer in military aviation, and Texas A&M University alumnus. Easterwood Airport, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX. 2018. (Project budget: $20,000). § (Current) General Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. A life-size figure of United States Air Force general and commander of the WWII Tuskegee Airmen. United States Military Academy at West Point. 2018. (Project budget: $65,000). § (Current) Police and Fire: The Fallen Heroes. Three twice life-size first responders and one twice life-size dog. Oakland CA. 2018. (Project budget: $1,000,000). § Comfort Women’s Column of Strength. Four life-size figures of WWII Comfort Women. San Francisco, CA. 2017. (Project budget: $250,000). § Jumbo the Elephant. Life-size (11ft) African elephant monument for Tufts University’s mascot. Tufts University, Medford, MA. 2014. (Project budget: $300,000). § Aggie War Hymn Monument. Twelve 1.6 times life-size figures on a 40’ x 7’ base. Representing Aggie students standing side-by-side during a traditional “sawing off Varsity’s horns” cheer. Texas A&M University, College Station, TX. 2014. (Project budget: $1.9 Million) § A National Monument to John Steinbeck and Cannery Row. Nine slightly over life-size figures on a 17’ x 20’ x 16’ stone formation. Author John Steinbeck and eight characters from his novel Cannery Row. Cannery Row, Monterey, CA. 2014. (Project budget: $1 Million) § Tribute to Fallen Deputies. Four life-size figures in tribute to fallen officers and their families. San Diego Sheriffs Deputies Association, San Diego, CA. 2011. (Project budget: $350,000) § John David Crow. Twice life-size portrait action figure of 1957 Heisman Trophy Winner John David Crow for Texas A&M. Texas A&M University, College Station, TX. 2010. (Project budget $250,000) § Dream Speech Bust. 1.5 times life-size portrait bust of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. displayed above a plaque containing his “I Have a Dream” speech in its entirety. City of Hollywood, FL. 2008. (Project budget: $25,000) § Column of Knowledge. 1.5 times life-size portrait bust of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. perched on a stack of books that had influenced his life and work. City of Fontana, CA. 2008. (Project budget: $55,000) § A National Tribute to Bob Hope and the Military. Eight life-size figures representing various eras of service men, women and veterans. San Diego Port Authority, San Diego, CA. 2008. (Project budget $2,000,000) § Spirit of 1948. Three life-size figures in cast stone as a tribute to the Staffordshire Fire Service. Staffordshire, England. 1998. (Project budget: $90,000) § The Lance Sergeant Jack Baskeyfield VC Tribute. Twice life-size (12ft) full memorial figure of the Victoria Cross winner, and the only monument to a non-commissioned soldier in Britain. Hanley, England. 1996. (Project budget: $250,000) § The Silverdale Mining Memorial. 1.5 times life-size miner, pushing mining tub with eleven bronze plaques including four life size portrait reliefs. Newcastle-under-Lyme, England. 1996. (Project budget: $250,000) Design Concept 2: Crossroads In considering a veterans’ memorial for the City of Dublin, Steven Whyte Sculpture Studios is committed to creating a unique piece of public art that celebrates servicemen and women and the city of Dublin itself. Inspirational and uplifting, Whyte’s concept is designed to be authentic, reverent and engaging while featuring clear details specific to Camp Parks’ past and future heroes. The footprint of the monument will be constructed from granite pavers measuring 26 feet square. Dissecting the plaza are two roads creating a crossroads that echoes Dublin’s history as a destination for two intersecting stagecoach routes. Constructed in concrete, the two roads are sculpted with a variety of textures to indicate everything from evolving jeep tire treads to a large variety of footprints representing the many varieties of servicemen and women who have left their mark on Camp Parks and Dublin. These elements allow for public participation and engagement, encouraging visitors to walk in the footsteps of these heroes. The two roads are also designed to symbolize the universal journey of military service and the long path that begins with enlistment and travels through training, deployment and the eventual return to civilian life. Standing at the four corners of the intersection are four 9 foot tall figures of veterans standing at attention in front of flags erected at each junction. These lit flagpoles would be the tallest element of the design measuring 25 feet high. The flags would feature an American flag, the flag for the state of California and the flag for the City of Dublin. The fourth flag pole would allow for rotating representation and could be switched out for ceremonial events. Each figure represents a military branch and time period significant to Camp Parks. Steven Whyte Sculpture studios would work with the committee and Camp Parks to determine the best subjects for these figures and ensure the authenticity of each detail. Based on discussion with local historians it has been suggested that the figures represent the following military branches, genders and ethnicities: a WWII Navy Sea Bea, this figure would be Caucasian and slightly older than a new recruit; an African - American male member of the Korean Air Force; a Caucasian male marine from the Vietnam era; an d finally a Latina or Filipina representing a modern member of the Army reserves. One of the most important elements of public work is the manner in which it allows for public engagement. Figurative work is unique in its ability to strike an immediate connection with the public. There would be no safety concerns and visitors would be encouraged to stand alongside the figures and walk along the crossroads as well as follow the footprints of the servicemen and women who marched on behalf of their country. Materials for the monument are cast bronze, poured concrete and granite. These materials are extremely durable to both age and weather and have a life expectancy of several hundred years at a minimum. They also require very little maintenance. Recommended care would include washing down once a year and waxing. The monument would be cast at Art Works Foundry in Berkeley, California, one of the leading foundries in the nation. Steven Whyte Sculptor Studios would complete all other work. Installation would be relatively simple and would involve the following actions creating a concrete pad, laying granite slabs, and installing the bronze. This work would be completed by the general contractor team of Hathaway Dinwiddie under the supervision of Steven Whyte Studios. Very little special equipment would be required, but the studio would engage the Bay Area firm Sheedy Drayage Company to oversee the crane and rigging. Steven Whyte Sculpture Studios is honored to be considered for this important project. Design Concept: Crossroads Veterans Memorial for the City of Dublin, Steven Whyte Sculpture Studios Original version, seen by the Selection Committee and Commissions: Revised figure selections, based following historical input and military protocol input: