Artist withdraws sculpture donation after library cites space and maintenance constraints

The Prescott City Civic Enhancement Committee on an item introduced during its meeting heard a proposal from artist Arliss Newcomb to donate a four-foot stone sculpture valued at $4,000 to the city library, but the library told the committee it would decline the donation at this time and the artist withdrew the application.

The discussion matters because the committee must recommend acceptance, placement and maintenance responsibility to the City Council and the city’s policy requires a 60-day public comment period before council action. The library’s stated capacity and maintenance constraints mean the committee could not recommend immediate acceptance for placement at the library.

Arliss Newcomb, the artist and donor, told the committee, “I’ve been a stone sculptor for 45 years,” and described the work as a four-foot-tall piece that “comes in 4 pieces” and is “safely pinned and sleeved everywhere.” Newcomb said the work “probably” weighs “a couple hundred pounds” and that she and her husband recently had medical issues that would make delivery or storage difficult.

A library representative said the library already manages a large, citywide collection and currently lists more than 150 pieces on display indoors and outdoors. The representative said the library has about $60,000 in needed repairs for existing outdoor art and lacks a dedicated budget and storage for new donations. “We would like to decline the accepting of this piece at this time,” the representative told the committee, adding that the library is prioritizing expanded study-room capacity and other service needs.

Committee members discussed the city’s donation review process and read aloud the policy language noting that after committee review, the Civic Enhancement Committee “shall make a recommendation to the city council regarding acceptance or not acceptance of the artwork, placement, and cost of the artwork, and responsible party for any ongoing maintenance costs” following a 60-day public comment period. Members noted a past instance when accepting a piece without an identified placement led to confusion and a withdrawn offer.

Committee members advised Newcomb to seek a confirmed indoor location before returning the proposal. Possible alternatives discussed included Yavapai College, the airport (a city facility), or another city building; the committee advised coordinating with Parks & Recreation or Facilities staff to identify city facilities willing to accept the piece. Newcomb said she would consider other public venues and that the hospital would handle a separate offered piece independently.

After questions and discussion, Newcomb elected to withdraw the application at the meeting. The chair stated that the artist may reapply in the future if she secures an accepting location and that, absent withdrawal, the committee would forward a recommendation for council consideration after the public comment period.

Votes at this meeting included routine approval of minutes: the committee approved the Dec. 19, 2024 meeting minutes by a 4-0 vote earlier in the session.

The committee did not formally accept the sculpture or take a vote on acceptance; the application is recorded as withdrawn and may be resubmitted if the artist finds an agreed location and responsible party for maintenance.