HomeMy WebLinkAbout4.11 Public Art Donation
STAFF REPORT
CITY COUNCIL
DATE:August 16, 2016
TO:
Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM:
Christopher L. Foss, City Manager
SUBJECT:
Acceptance of Public Art Donation - Steel Watercolor #99
Prepared by: Tegan McLane, Cultural Arts & Heritage Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The City Council will consider an offer of donation from the owners of Steel Watercolor
#99, a sculpture which has been on long-term loan to the City since 1996 located in
front the Dublin City Hall building on the lawn.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that City Council accept the donation of Steel Watercolor #99 by
KLMLP, LP.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Any artwork displayed by the City, whether actually owned by the City or on long-term
loan, results in routine maintenance costs and occasional repair costs. Estimated
annual maintenance costs for Steel Watercolor #99 are $900. Some repairs to rust
damage were also scheduled for 2016-17. Because the piece has been on long-term
loan to the City, these maintenance and repair costs are budgeted and approved by City
Council. Public art maintenance and repairs are funded by Public Art Fund.
DESCRIPTION:
The Fletcher Benton sculpture Steel Watercolor #99, which sits on the lawn in front of
City Hall, was loaned to the City for long-term display in 1996, through a deal brokered
by the now-defunct Dublin Fine Arts Foundation.
The piece, which was valued by an art conservator at $150,000 during an inspection
done in Spring 2015, is a very recognizable part of Dublin's public art collection. The
artist, Fletcher Benton, is an award-winning sculptor who taught at Bay Area art
institutions 1959-1986. He is well-known for his kinetic and geometric steel sculptures.
The piece's current owner, KLMPL, LP, is divesting of its assets and has notified that
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City that it wishes to donate Steel Watercolor #99 to the City, so that it can continue to
be enjoyed by the public in its current location. (Attachment 1)
NOTICING REQUIREMENTS/PUBLIC OUTREACH:
None.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Letter Offering Donation of Steel Watercolor #99
2. Photo of Steel Watercolor #99
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