HomeMy WebLinkAbout4.2 PARKS, RECREATION &
ARTS COMMISSION
STAFF REPORT 4.2
TO: Parks, Recreation & Arts Commission October 12, 2022
SUBJECT: Consider approval of Town Office Public Art Mural Design
BACKGROUND
In August of 2021, a call for artists was posted seeking local professional artists to
commission three large canvases for display at the new Town Office space located at
500 La Gonda Way. Interested artists were asked to submit artwork that represents the
Town in a contemporary artistic style and celebrates the Town's landscape, history, and
heritage. Suggested themes included: the history of Danville, Native Americans of the
San Ramon Valley, The Railway, the Great Oak Trees, Las Trampas Regional Park,
Mount Diablo State Park, and the Tao House. Staff received a total of 21 submissions.
In October 2021, in line with the public art policy, the submissions were brought to the
Curatorial Committee who met with staff to review the submissions. To keep
everything anonymous, the committee reviewed the art with no names attached. They
were encouraged to consider color, size, and how the artwork would blend with other
fixtures in the building. From the submissions, the Curatorial Committee chose three
works of art to be presented to the Arts Advisory Board.
On November 10, 2021, these three works of art were presented to the Arts Advisory
Board, and the below piece was selected. The Arts Advisory Board liked the art piece
however requested that Staff go back to the artist to see if they could add more historic
Danville elements to the design. One specific topic addressed was displaying the hills of
Las Trampas as that is located in Danville versus Mount Diablo which may be
identified more as a regional location.
The Arts Advisory Board was provided a revised rendering in its July 2022 meeting,
however felt that the mural still didn’t have enough representation of Danville. Town
Staff and the Arts Advisory Board agreed to have a subcommittee meet with the mural
artist to discuss the next steps and design ideas.
In August 2022, Town Staff and the subcommittee met with the artist to discuss ideas
on how to make the mural more representative of Danville. Ideas included adding the
famous Old Oak Tree, a color palette approved by the Town Offices interior designer,
and a ground view of Las Trampas versus a bird’s eye view. The mural artist took the
feedback and provided Town staff with the below design which was approved by the
Arts Advisory Board at its September 14, 2022, meeting.
DISCUSSION
The Arts Advisory Board recognizes its charge to incorporate public art and artistic
elements into the Town’s parks and public spaces. In doing so they have evaluated the
recommended art design based on the concept and how it represents the Town in a
contemporary artistic style while celebrating the Town's landscape, history, and heritage.
As the Arts Advisory Board is tasked with making recommendations to the Parks,
Recreation & Arts Commission for the incorporation of public art, the Commission is
being asked to review and approve the recommended art design.
FISCAL IMPACT
Sufficient funds have been appropriated in the Town's 2021-2022 Capital Improvement
Program, Project B626 Town Office Relocation, to cover the cost of the artwork and
installation.
RECOMMENDATION
Consider final approval of the art submission concept for the new Town Offices.
Prepared by:
Jessica Wallner
Recreation Superintendent
Reviewed by:
Henry Perezalonso
Recreation, Arts & Community Services Director