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Commission recommends council accept donation of Diane Sabac sculpture "Luminous Wave"
Summary
Encinitas’ Commission for the Arts recommended that City Council accept a donation from Encinitas Friends of the Arts to make permanent the temporary loan sculpture "Luminous Wave." The commission voted to forward the donation to council.
The Encinitas Commission for the Arts voted to recommend that City Council accept a donation of the sculpture "Luminous Wave" by artist Diane Sabac, offered by Encinitas Friends of the Arts (EFA). The motion passed with all commissioners voting yes except Commissioner Romer, who was absent.
Why it matters: The sculpture has been displayed on a loan pedestal in Cardiff by the library as part of the city’s sculpture loan program. Accepting the piece would remove it from the loan rotation and make it a permanent public artwork, raising questions about pedestal availability and how the loan program will continue to place temporary works throughout the city.
Public comment and artist input: Naimae (Naeemae) Woodward, president of Encinitas Friends of the Arts, said the community supports the purchase and donation and that EFA expects to fundraise quickly. Artist Diane Sabac was present and said she created the work with that site in mind and supported a modest preservation step (cutting bolts and preservation treatment) if it is made permanent.
Programmatic considerations: Commissioners discussed whether the commission should attach conditions on location or pedestal funding. Several commissioners said they would support recommending council accept the donation while continuing to consider pedestal funding and placement as separate implementation steps; one commissioner suggested EFA could fund a new pedestal if needed. Commissioners also noted the sculpture loan program policy recommendations, currently pending before council, would help guide permanent placement decisions.
Next steps: The commission’s motion moves a recommendation to City Council to accept the donation; council action is required to complete the transfer and to decide whether the work remains on the current pad or is relocated. Staff noted the sculpture loan program policy is scheduled for future council consideration and that pedestal funding and placement logistics can be coordinated with that process.
Ending: Commissioners and the EFA said they view the donation as a public-spirited contribution and expressed interest in expanding the number of dedicated sculpture pads if funding can be secured.
