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Mill Valley Council approves temporary installation of penny-covered bear sculpture in Depot Plaza
Summary
The council authorized purchase and temporary placement of a tactile sculpture known as “MUM” (the penny bear) in Depot Plaza’s redwood grove, directing staff to coordinate delivery, consider moving an existing rock for a safer landing zone and revisit community reception in September.
The Mill Valley City Council voted unanimously to acquire and temporarily install a sculpture known as “MUM,” a bear covered in pennies, in the Depot Plaza redwood grove and to revisit community response in September.
The item, pulled from the consent calendar for location discussion, was introduced by Jay Ingram, Deputy Director of Arts and Recreation, who said the council was being asked “to authorize the purchase and installation of this particular piece of art.” The Arts Commission originally recommended placement on the newly expanded brick area of the plaza; commissioners and several public speakers urged an alternate site under the redwoods.
Why it matters: The sculpture is a high-profile, tactile public-art piece the Arts Commission and residents said would draw visitors, provide a photo opportunity and invite children to interact with public art. The council and commissioners framed the installation as temporary and movable, citing the work’s past national displays and the ability to relocate it if needed.
Council and public input: Arts Commission members, including Sharon Valentino, chair of the Arts Commission, described the work’s durability and exhibition history. Valentino said the piece “has been displayed by the Smithsonian as a major piece of art” and that it had withstood weather and children climbing on it in other locations. Vanessa Justice, chair of the Parks and Recreation Commission, told the council she had not heard about the installation in advance and urged more public notice if large pieces are placed in the plaza.
Council deliberations focused on placement and precedent. Multiple council members said they favored the redwood-grove location because it preserves the brick plaza as flexible public gathering space while keeping the sculpture accessible for interaction. Council members asked staff to coordinate installation timing with public-works activities, to consider relocating a nearby rock to provide a safer landing for children, and to ensure delivery and fencing coordination before the piece arrives.
Action and follow-up: The council’s motion authorized city staff to acquire the sculpture and temporarily place it in the Depot Plaza redwood grove, with staff directed to: - coordinate delivery and site preparation with Public Works; - consider moving a nearby rock to create a safe landing area for children; and - return to the council with a milestone review of community receptivity in September.
The council approved the motion by voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded in the minutes for the final motion. Staff and Arts Commission members said the piece is movable and can be removed or relocated if the community response is negative.
Background: The item was originally on the consent calendar. The Arts Commission had recommended siting on the newly expanded brick area of Depot Plaza; commissioners and some council members proposed alternative locations after public input. Commissioners also noted other locations discussed during vetting, including the community center and Old Mill Park, and said the sculpture’s size and durability had been measured against proposed sites.
Next steps: Staff will schedule delivery and installation logistics in coordination with Public Works, and the council will review the sculpture’s community reception and any recommended next steps in September.
