Item 15: Sculpture Art Purchase

[COSM_Admin]

Consider approval of Resolution 2022-213R approving an expenditure of $120,385 from the Permanent Art Fund for the purchase of four sculptures as recommended by the Arts Commission; authorizing the City Manager to execute related documents, including a contract with Dimension Gallery in the estimated amount of $94,135; and declaring an effective date.

 

[MBaker]

Is the "San Marcos Sculpture Garden" outside the Activity Center?

 

[JHughson]

Are these by local artists?
If not, why are we purchasing items instead of commissioning local artists?

 

[COSM_Admin]

Response provided by Rebecca Ybarra, Director of Destination Services:

Councilmember Baker:
Is the "San Marcos Sculpture Garden" outside the Activity Center?
Yes

Mayor Hughson:
Are these by local artists?
There were no local artists that specialize in larger scale sculptural pieces.

If not, why are we purchasing items instead of commissioning local artists?
For this purchase, the Arts Commission looked for existing pieces to add to the Sculpture Garden. Three of the pieces are by area artists; one is by an artist located in the Dallas area. The purpose of expanding the City’s inventory of public art is to expose residents and visitors alike to different styles of art which may not always be found locally.