HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-20-2021 Public Art Committee Agenda PacketSaratoga Public Art Committee Agenda - Page 1 of 3
SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL
PUBLIC ART COMMITTEE
April 20, 2021
4:00 P.M. REGULAR MEETING
Teleconference/Public Participation Information to Mitigate the Spread of COVID‐19
This meeting will be entirely by teleconference. All Council/Commission members, staff, and public
will only participate via the Zoom platform using the process described below. The meeting is
being conducted in compliance with the Governor’s Executive Order N ‐29‐20 suspending certain
teleconference rules required by the Ralph M. Brown Act. The purpose of this order was to provide
the safest environment for the public, elected officials, and staff while allowing for continued
operation of the government and public participation during the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Members of the public can observe and participate in the meeting by:
1. Using the Zoom website at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88445173419 or through the Zoom
App (Webinar ID 884 4517 3419and using the tool to raise their hand in the Zoom platform
when prompted to speak on an agenda item; OR
2. Calling 1.408.638.0968 or 1.669.900.6833, entering the Webinar ID 884 4517 3419, and
pressing *9 when prompted to raise their hand to speak on an agenda item.
The public will not be able to participate in the meeting in person. During the meeting, the process
for members of the public to be recognized to offer public comment will be explained.
As always, members of the public can send written comments to the Committee prior to the
meeting by commenting online at www.saratoga.ca.us/publicart prior to the start of the meeting.
These emails will be provided to the members of the Council/Commission and will become part
of the official record of the meeting.
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Governor’s Executive Order, if you
need assistance to participate in this meeting due to a disability, please contact the City Clerk at
debbieb@saratoga.ca.us or calling 408.868.1216 as soon as possible before the meeting. The City
will use its best efforts to provide reasonable accommodations to provide as much accessibility
as possible while also maintaining public safety.
Saratoga Public Art Committee Agenda - Page 2 of 3
ROLL CALL
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS
Any member of the public may address the Public Art Committee for up to three (3) minutes on
matters not on the Agenda. The law generally prohibits the Public Art Committee from discussing
or taking action on such items. However, the Public Art Committee may schedule the item for
discussion at a future meeting.
AGENDA ITEMS:
1. Public Art Committee Minutes
Recommended Action:
Review and approve the Public Art Committee minutes from March 16, 2021.
2. Wall Mural Opportunities
Recommended Action:
Discuss opportunities for wall murals in the Village.
3. Banksy-Style Street Art
Recommended Action:
Receive presentation on Banksy-style street art.
4. PLACE Bench
Recommended Action:
Recommend that the City Council accept the PLACE Bench as a donation from Montalvo
Arts Center.
5. Shadow Art Program
Recommended Action:
Receive update on the Shadow Art Program.
6. Process for Raising New Ideas
Recommended Action:
Discuss ways in which Committee members may raise new public art ideas.
7. Public Art Budget
Recommended Action:
Receive status update on the Public Art Fiscal Year 2020/21 budget.
8. Updates on Existing Projects
Recommended Action:
Receive updates on existing projects and programs.
Saratoga Public Art Committee Agenda - Page 3 of 3
9. Future Meetings
Recommended Action:
Discuss agenda topics for future meetings. The next regular meeting is on May 18, 2021
at 4:00 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
CERTIFICATE OF POSTING OF THE AGENDA, DISTRIBUTION OF AGENDA PACKET, &
COMPLIANCE WITH AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT
I, Crystal Bothelio, Assistant City Manager for the City of Saratoga, declare that the foregoing
agenda for the meeting of the Public Art Committee was posted and available for review on April
14, 2021 at the City of Saratoga, 13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, CA 95070 and on the City's
website at www.saratoga.ca.us
Signed the 14th day of April 2021 at Saratoga, California.
Crystal Bothelio, Assistant City Manager
In accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act, copies of the staff reports and other materials
provided to the Public Art Committee by City staff in connection with this agenda are available at
the office of the City Clerk at 13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, CA 95070. Any materials
distributed by staff after the posting of the agenda are made available for public review at the
office of the City Clerk at the time they are distributed to the Public Art Committee.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need assistance to participate in this
meeting, please contact the City Clerk at debbieb@saratoga.ca.us or by calling 408.868.1216 as
soon as possible before the meeting. [28 CFR 5.102-35.104 ADA title II]
Saratoga Public Art Committee Minutes - Page 1 of 4
MINUTES
MARCH 16, 2021
PUBLIC ART COMMITTEE
REGULAR MEETING
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Council Members Mary-Lynne Bernald, Kookie Fitzsimmons
Advisory Members Judy Dennis, Cristina Meiser, Maggie Tsai
ABSENT: Advisory Member
ALSO PRESENT: Crystal Bothelio, Assistant City Manager
Kayla Nakamoto, Administrative Analyst
Mary Furey, Finance & Administrative Services Director
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS
None
AGENDA ITEMS:
1. Public Art Committee Minutes
Recommended Action:
Review and approve the Public Art Committee minutes from February 16, 2021.
FITZSIMMONS/BERNALD MOVED TO APPROVE THE PUBLIC ART COMMITTEE
MINUTES FROM FEBRUARY 16, 2021. MOTION PASSED. AYES: BERNALD,
FITZSIMMONS. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
2. Public Art Policy
Recommended Action:
Consider whether to recommend changes to the Public Art Policy related to the lease,
purchase, or donation of artwork.
Crystal Bothelio, Assistant City Manager, introduced the item and shared draft
language that would introduce criteria in the Public Art Policy related to when the
Committee is authorized to approve placement of artwork that is leased, purchased,
or donated.
Mary Furey, Finance and Administrative Services Director, responded to questions
from the Committee.
The Committee considered changes to the Public Art Policy that would define when
the Committee is authorized to approve placement of artwork that is leased,
purchased, or donated on City property.
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Saratoga Public Art Committee Minutes - Page 2 of 4
FITZSIMMONS MOVED TO RECOMMEND THAT THE PUBLIC ART POLICY BE
CONSIDERED BY THE ENTIRE CITY COUNCIL AND TO REQUEST THAT THE FINANCE
COMMITTEE MAKE NO RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE POLICY.
BERNALD/FITZSIMMONS MOVED TO RECOMMEND THAT THE CITY COUNCIL ADOPT
A REVISION TO THE PUBLIC ART POLICY THAT WOULD AUTHORIZE THE PUBLIC
ART COMMITTEE TO APPROVE PLACEMENT OF LEASED ARTWORK ON CITY
PROPERTY VALUED AT AN AMOUNT THAT DOES NOT EXCEED THE CITY
MANAGER’S PURCHASING AUTHORITY AS DEFINED IN THE CITY’S PURCHASING
POLICY. MOTION PASSED. AYES: BERNALD, FITZSIMMONS. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN:
NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
BERNALD/FITZSIMMONS MOVED TO RECOMMEND THAT THE CITY COUNCIL ADOPT
A REVISION TO THE PUBLIC ART POLICY THAT WOULD AUTHORIZE THE PUBLIC
ART COMMITTEE TO APPROVE PLACEMENT OF DONATED ARTWORK ON CITY
PROPERTY VALUED AT $500 PER THE CITY’S DONATION POLICY. MOTION PASSED.
AYES: BERNALD, FITZSIMMONS. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
BERNALD MOVED TO RECOMMEND THAT THE CITY COUNCIL ADOPT A REVISION
TO THE PUBLIC ART POLICY THAT WOULD AUTHORIZE THE PUBLIC ART
COMMITTEE TO APPROVE PLACEMENT OF PURCHASED ARTWORK ON CITY
PROPERTY FOR ARTWORK PURCHASED IN AN AMOUNT THAT THAT DOES NOT
EXCEED THE CITY MANAGER’S PURCHASING AUTHORITY AS DEFINED IN THE
CITY’S PURCHASING POLICY
FITZSIMMONS/BERNALD MOVED TO RECOMMEND THAT THE FINANCE COMMITTEE
MAKE NO RECOMMENDATION ON REVISIONS TO THE PUBLIC ART POLICY THAT
DEFINE WHEN THE COMMITTEE IS AUTHORIZED TO APPROVE PLACEMENT OF
PURCHASED ARTWORK ON CITY PROPERTY AND THAT THE CITY COUNCIL
DISCUSS THE PUBLIC ART POLICY AS A GROUP. MOTION PASSED. AYES: BERNALD,
FITZSIMMONS. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
3. Paint the City 2021
Recommended Action:
Review results of the Paint the City voting. Recommend City Council acceptance of
artwork for each utility box and authorization of artist stipends.
Kayla Nakamoto, Administrative Analyst, shared the results of the Paint the City voting
and requested that the Committee recommend that City Council accept artwork of
the top vote recipients at each utility box location and authorize issuance of artist
stipends.
BERNALD/FITZSIMMONS MOVED TO RECOMMEND THAT THE CITY COUNCIL
ACCEPT THE ARTWORK THAT RECEIVED THE MOST VOTES AT EACH OF THE 3
UTILITY BOX LOCATIONS AND AUTHORIZE ISSUANCE OF ARTIST STIPENDS.
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Saratoga Public Art Committee Minutes - Page 3 of 4
MOTION PASSED. AYES: BERNALD, FITZSIMMONS. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE.
ABSENT: NONE.
4. Courtyard Sculpture
Recommended Action:
Receive update on placement of sculptures by Colleen Wilcox in the City Hall
Courtyard. Provide direction on how to proceed with artist negotiations.
Crystal Bothelio, Assistant City Manager, shared an update on placement of
sculptures in the City Hall Courtyard.
FITZSIMMONS/BERNALD MOVED TO ASK STAFF TO WORK WITH THE ARTIST TO
EXPLORE OPTIONS FOR A LEASE THAT IS 3-YEARS, LESS THAN $3,000, AND
INCLUDES AN OPTION TO PURCHASE ARTWORK AT THE END OF THE LEASE.
MOTION PASSED. AYES: BERNALD, FITZSIMMONS. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE.
ABSENT: NONE.
5. Banksy-Style Street Art
Recommended Action:
Receive presentation on Banksy-style street art.
BERNALD/FITZSIMMONS MOVED TO CONTINUE THE BANKSY-STYLE STREET ART
PRESENTATION TO A FUTURE MEETING. MOTION PASSED. AYES: BERNALD,
FITZSIMMONS. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
6. Public Art Budget
Recommended Action:
Receive status update on the Public Art Fiscal Year 2020/21 budget.
Kayla Nakamoto, Administrative Analyst, provided an update on the status of the
Public Art Budget.
7. Updates on Existing Projects
Recommended Action:
Receive updates on existing projects and programs.
Kayla Nakamoto, Administrative Analyst, provided an update on the status of existing
projects and noted that the bronze acorn replacement is still pending installation.
8. Future Meetings
Recommended Action:
Discuss agenda topics for the next meeting on April 20, 2021 at 4:00 p.m.
The Committee requested the following items to be included on the April 20 agenda:
• Discussion on the process or procedures to raise new ideas
• Donation of PLACE
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Saratoga Public Art Committee Minutes - Page 4 of 4
• Banksy-Style Street Art Presentation
• Courtyard Sculpture
• Gateway Sculpture
ADJOURNMENT
FITZSIMMONS/BERNALD MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 5:39 P.M. MOTION
PASSED. AYES: BERNALD, FITZSIMMONS. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
Minutes respectfully submitted:
Crystal Bothelio, Assistant City Manager
City of Saratoga
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CITY OF SARATOGA
Memorandum
To:Public Art Committee
From:Kayla Nakamoto, Analyst
Date:April 20, 2021
Subject:Wall Mural Opportunities
The Public Art Committee installed the first wall mural in the Village during the Winter of
2020 with the help from artist, Michelle Liu. The mural features grape vines on a trellis
that is located on the wall of the Mint Leaf Cuisine nearest to the Wells Fargo Bank. This
mural is approximately 13 feet tall by 20 feet wide.
If the Committee would like to
pursue the addition of another
wall mural in the Village, staff
suggests that the Committee
identifies a location that would
be interested in having a wall
mural and to come up with a
theme that the property owner
agrees with. Then, the next step
would be contacting an artist
that has worked with the City
previously through programs
like Paint the City and may be
interested in collaborating with the City on the desired theme for a wall mural. The
selected artist would then be asked to provide a conceptual design for the Public Art
Committee, business owner, property management company, and Council to review and
approve. Per the Public Art policy, City Council approval is required for artwork that is
displayed for longer than 3 years.
As an incentive, the Committee provided a stipend of $2,500 to the artist to help cover
costs associated with paint and supplies. If the Committee is interested in a smaller mural,
the stipend may be scaled depending on the detail desired in the conceptual design.
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The overall project timeline is estimated at 3 months, including artist selection, conceptual
artwork approval, and installation. The Committee might consider starting this project in
the warmer months to avoid any weather delays in the installation process.
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CITY OF SARATOGA
Memorandum
To: Public Art Committee
From: Crystal Bothelio, Assistant City Manager
Date: April 20, 2021
Subject: Banksy-Style Street Art
At the December 2020 Public Art Committee meeting, Advisory Member Maggie Tsai
proposed that the Committee consider opportunities to do public art projects
inspired by the artist Banksy. Advisory Member Maggie Tsai will be presenting
information about Banksy-style street art at the March 2021 meeting. Presentation
slides are attached.
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Banksy Street Art
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Banksy is a pseudonym for an England-based street artist.
Distinctive stenciling technique.11
Integrating the environment.12
Many pieces combine dark humour with graffiti.
13
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Street Art
Inspired by Banksy
15
Something similar on Big Basin Way 16
AfterBefore 17
AfterBefore
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AfterBefore 19
AfterBefore 20
AfterBefore
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AfterBefore
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AfterBefore
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AfterBefore 24
AfterBefore 25
Pros:
●Fun project
●Turning stones into gems
Cons:
●Individual spots
●Relatively high requirements on artists
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Street Post Art
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Crossroad of Saratoga Ave.
and Saratoga-Sunnyvale Rd.,
opposite fire station 29
Street Post
Wire Art
by Spencer Little
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https://thinkspaceprojects.com/artis
ts/spenser-little/
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Extra Miles for Funart
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CITY OF SARATOGA
Memorandum
To: Public Art Committee
From: Crystal Bothelio, Assistant City Manager
Date: April 20, 2021
Subject: PLACE Bench
In 2016, the City entered into a lease agreement with Montalvo Arts Center for PLACE.
The steel five letter bench was created by the artist Steven Simon in 2008 and has been
located outside of the Saratoga Library. It is used often by Library patrons who use it to
enjoy their latest checkout in the open air. Last year, Montalvo Arts Center shared that it
intended to donate the PLACE bench to the City of Saratoga at the end of the City’s lease
in October 2021. Montalvo Arts Center offered to gift the artwork to the City earlier with
the final lease payment. If desired, the City can use operating funds to make the final
payment and the Public Art Committee may recommend that City Council accept the
artwork. If the Committee takes this action, acceptance of the artwork will be scheduled
for the City Council Meeting on May 5, 2021.
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CITY OF SARATOGA
Memorandum
To: Public Art Committee
From: Crystal Bothelio, Assistant City Manager
Date: April 20, 2021
Subject: Shadow Art Program
During the January 2021 meeting, the Public Art Committee asked staff to connect with
the Saratoga High School and Prospect High School student art programs to gauge their
interest in a shadow art project
inspired by a project
implemented in Redwood City.
Saratoga High School was invited
to provide shadow art concepts
for Congress Springs Park and
Prospect High School was invited
to do the same at El Quito Park in
exchange for a stipend of $750 stipend per school. Initially, the Public Art Committee
proposed placement of 1 design in each of the two parks.
Prospect High School provided several conceptual designs for the Committee to consider
recommending that the City Council accept the artwork and authorize the stipend. Once
the artwork is approved by the City Council and the stipend is authorized, staff will convert
the selected design(s) into reusable stencils and coordinate a visit to the park with the
student artists to install the art. Staff is estimating installation to be complete by July 2021.
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A summary of the shadow art project is below.
Topic Detail
Cost $3,000
• Materials: $1,500
• Stipend: $1,500 ($750 per school)
Locations Congress Springs Park
El Quito Park
Partners Saratoga High School (Congress Springs Park)
Prospect High School (El Quito Park)
Timeline Jan. – Feb. 2021 Once program implementation is approved by the
Public Art Committee, reach out to student art
programs to determine interest in program.
Feb. – April 2021 Identify specific placement of art at the two selected
program locations. Prepare conceptual designs.
April 2021 Public Art Committee approval of conceptual designs
and recommendation of City Council acceptance and
issuance of stipends.
May 2021 City Council authorization to install art and issue
stipends.
May – July 2021 Installation of shadow art.
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What could these
shadows become?
Just add sun & fun.
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El Quito Park
9 41
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Use Your Imagination!
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Fidan Jabrayilova
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Ethan Castillo
12 44
Kyle Arikata
13 45
Kayli Flores
14 46
Sydney Lindman
15 47
Christina Zhang
16 48
Rina Kanamaki
17 49
Mariah Gonzalez
18 50
Jamie Charoenratchroon
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Credits
Special thanks to all the people
who made and released these
awesome resources for free:
⊷Presentation template by
SlidesCarnival
⊷Photographs by Unsplash
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CITY OF SARATOGA
Memorandum
To:Public Art Committee
From:Kayla Nakamoto, Administrative Analyst
Date:April 20, 2021
Subject:Public Art Budget
This item has been placed as a standing item on the Public Art Committee meeting
agendas to provide regular budget updates. The table below shows the estimated
amounts that are projected to be spent on each project and the actual expenditures. The
bottom of the table shows the remaining balances in the CIP, Lease and operating funds.
The Committee discussed some of the possible public art costs for Fiscal Year 2020/21.
The budget below reflects the programs and activities that the Committee agreed to
consider for Fiscal Year 2020/21. Expenses can be adjusted based on Public Art Committee
priorities. Additionally, many of the costs can be scaled.
Since the March 16, 2021 meeting, the budget table been updated to reflect the following
expenditures.
-Paint the City (artist stipends): $1,800
-Saratoga ROCKS (supplies): $390
Fiscal Year 2020/21 Budget
Public Art Programs
CIP
(est.)
CIP
(act.)
Lease
(est.)
Lease
(act.)
Operating
(est.)
Operating
(act.)
Sidewalk Hopscotch $750 $435
Saratoga ROCKS $600 $390
Rainy Day Poetry $1,750 $690
Paint the City 2021 $2,400 $2,000
Wall Mural $2,500 $2,500
Sculpture Program
Shadow Art $3,000
PLACE Lease $1,500 $1,500
Total Expenditures $5,500 $2,500 $1,500 $1,500 $5,500 $3,515
Original Allocation $31,000 $31,000 $1,500 $1,500 $6,600 $6,600
Balance $25,500 $28,500 $0 $0 $1,100 $3,085
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Public Art Committee Agenda Planner – April 2021 – Page 1
City of Saratoga
Public Art Committee
MEMBERSHIP
NAME POSITION
Mary-Lynne Bernald, City Council Member Voting
Kookie Fitzsimmons, City Council Member Voting
Cristina Meiser, Chair Library & Community Engagement Commission Advisory
Judy Dennis Advisory
Maggie Tsai Advisory
City Staff:
Crystal Bothelio, City of Saratoga | 408.868.1269 | cbothelio@saratoga.ca.us
Kayla Nakamoto, City of Saratoga | 408.868.1208 | knakamoto@saratoga.ca.us
AGENDA PLANNER
The Committee holds regular meetings on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 4:00 p.m.
MEETING AGENDA ITEMS
January 19, 2021 • Minutes
• 2021 Meeting Schedule
• Shadow Art Program
• Public Art Budget
• Updates on Existing Projects
February 16, 2021 • Minutes
• Paint the City 2021 Top 3 Recommendations
• Gateway Sculpture Options
• Courtyard Sculpture Update
• Nuts About Saratoga Acorn Replacement
• Public Art Policy Amendment
• Public Art Budget
• Updates on Existing Projects
March 16, 2021 • Minutes
• Public Art Policy – Purchased, Leased, Donated Art
• Paint the City 2021 Final Recommendations
• Courtyard Sculpture
• Banksy-Style Street Art
• Public Art Budget
• Updates on Existing Projects
April 20, 2021 • Minutes
• Public Art Budget
• Shadow Art Program
• Wall Mural Opportunities
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• Banksy-Style Street Art
• PLACE Bench
• Process for Raising New Ideas
• Updates on Existing Projects
May 18, 2021 • Minutes
• Gateway Sculpture Goals and Values, Stanford Public Art
Virtual Tour
• Rock Painting Virtual Event for People with Disabilities
• Public Art Budget
• Updates on Existing Projects
June 15, 2021 • Minutes
• Public Art Budget
• Updates on Existing Projects
July 20, 2021 • Minutes
• Public Art Budget
• Updates on Existing Projects
August 17, 2021 Meeting Canceled
September 21, 2021 • Minutes
• Public Art Budget
• Updates on Existing Projects
October 19, 2021 • Minutes
• Public Art Budget
• Updates on Existing Projects
November 16, 2021 • Minutes
• Public Art Budget
• Updates on Existing Projects
December 21, 2021 • Minutes
• Public Art Budget
• Updates on Existing Projects
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. The Public Art Committee is responsible for considering and recommending opportunities
for public art in Saratoga and authorizing placement of public art in the City of Saratoga
in compliance with the City’s Public Art Policy; and
2. The Public Art Committee consists of two Saratoga City Council members appointed by
the Council each year for a one-year term and three non-voting advisory members.
Advisory members shall serve terms of one calendar year and may be reappointed. Two
of the advisory members shall be appointed by the voting members of the Committee and
one shall be a member of the Library and Community Engagement Commission appointed
by that Commission. Advisory members may be removed at any time for any reason by
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vote of the Public Art Committee.
PUBLIC ART PROJECTS
#SaratogaROCKS
Paint, place, and post to let the world know that #SaratogaROCKS! Paint your own rocks or
borrow a free #SaratogaROCKS kit from the City of Saratoga to get started. Place and find
#SaratogaROCKS throughout the community and share your rocks and the ones you find on
social media.
Bicycle Racks
In 2019, the City installed new decorative bicycle racks. These fun bicycle racks are both
decorative and functional pieces of art. They are located at the Saratoga Library, the Civic Center
complex, and Blaney Plaza.
CHALK Full of HeART
Over the summer of 2020, the Public Art Committee hosted a virtual chalk art event. Residents
were invited to share photos on social media of their sidewalk chalk art using monthly themes
for inspiration.
Count Your Blessings Bench
On the “Count Your Blessings” bench, you will find life-sized bronzes of Willys and Betty Peck.
These two Saratoga residents were a critical part in the development of Saratoga’s character and
community. The bench was inspired by Willys and Betty’s practice of sitting together every day
to count their blessings. This bench was created and installed in 2017 in Blaney Plaza.
Hopscotch
At their meeting in October 2020, the Public Art Committee agreed to place artistic hopscotch
squares using chalk spray at Wildwood, Azule, and Gardiner Parks.
Mikrokozmosz
Mikrokozmosz is a mural located in the Joan Pisani Community Center that was created by artist
Pavel Mester. The mural is inspired by Robert Schumann’s Piano Quartet in E flat Op. 47,
interpreted by Tamami Honma. The painting is comprised of 3 pieces that is hung side by side.
The artwork of Pavel Mester was a donation to the City of Saratoga arranged with the assistance
of the Cal Arte Music Foundation and Charles Aznavour.
Nuts About Saratoga
In Spring 2020, six bronze acorns were installed throughout the City as a fun scavenger hunt for
Saratoga residents and visitors. Clues have been developed to help participants find the location
of each acorn hidden as part of the Nuts About Saratoga program.
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Silly Walks
In 2020, the Public Art Committee placed signage in the Village and on Joe’s Trail encourage the
public to be silly, especially during challenging times. When the public sees the signs, they’re
encouraged to let loose, get creative, and record themselves doing their best silly walk and then
share the photo or video on social media.
PLACE Bench
This steel five letter bench was created by the artist Steven Simon in 2008 and is being leased
from Montalvo Arts Center. The PLACE bench is located outside of the Saratoga Library and is
often used by Library patrons who use it enjoy their latest read in the open air.
Paint the City
The City of Saratoga started the Paint the City program in 2018 to turn plain utility boxes into
works of art. The Public Art Committee reviews conceptual artwork submitted by Saratoga
residents age 10 and older and selects up to 3 options per location. The top 3 selections are
posted online for public voting where residents can engage in the process by selecting their
favorite conceptual design per location!
Rainy Day Sidewalk Poetry
In 2020, the Public Art Committee launched the Rainy Day Poetry Program. Poems were painted
at several locations throughout the City using paint that can only be seen while wet.
Village Wall Mural
The Public Art Committee worked with local artist, Michelle Liu, to get the agreement of the
owner of the Mint Leaf Cuisine in Saratoga Village and the property owner to paint a mural on
the outside wall of the restaurant. On November 4, 2020, the City Council authorized placement
of the mural.
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