Oroville Council reviews red-tailed hawk sculpture proposal and funding details

The Oroville Arts Commission convened on July 9, 2025, to discuss various proposals related to public art projects in the city. The meeting focused primarily on the review of the Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) and the selection of art projects that resonate with the community.

The first significant topic addressed was the status of the red-tailed hawk project. It was noted that the council had previously directed the commission to resend a NOFA specifically for this project. Following this directive, one proposal was received, which the commission members expressed interest in, as it aligns with the cultural identity of Oroville. The discussion highlighted that the red-tailed hawk statue was seen as a fitting representation of the city, unlike other proposals that did not resonate as strongly with local values.

The commission also reviewed the financial aspects of the red-tailed hawk project, with a previous cost estimate of $25,000 mentioned. Members acknowledged that this figure might not reflect the full commissioning cost if the project had been initiated from scratch, as the statue had already been on display.

In addition to the red-tailed hawk project, the commission briefly discussed another proposal from artist Steve Nielsen, although details about this project were not fully elaborated during the meeting.

Overall, the meeting underscored the commission's commitment to selecting art that reflects the community's identity and values. The next steps will likely involve further evaluation of the received proposals and continued discussions on how to best represent Oroville through public art.