Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Artesia Public Art topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Artesia public-art consultant reports outreach; some public speakers urge replacing consultant with community task force
Summary
The commission received an update from staff that LaBAS Projects has begun outreach and inventory work for the Artesia Corridor public-art project; several public commenters criticized the consultant’s work and urged greater community control, while commissioners asked for regular updates and for the consultant to appear at future meetings.
Staff told the Cultural Arts Commission on July 23 that LaBAS Projects, the public-art consultant hired for the Artesia Corridor project, has begun outreach and an inventory of existing public art. Staff said the consultant has obtained contact names from council-district members and scheduled stakeholder appointments; the consultant has also provided a timeline and access to an online scheduling link for real-time updates.
Several members of the public used the Artesia agenda item to criticize the consultant and the selection process. One speaker, who identified himself as an artist and longtime local participant in civic arts programming, urged the commission to pay the consultant only for time already spent and to form a citizen task force to select public art. That speaker said the consultant’s presentation showed “a total absence of sensitivity to the ambiance and style of Redondo Beach.” Another speaker called for the consultant to avoid proposing artworks that would implicitly promote businesses such as smoke shops and said community expectations for family-friendly choices should be reflected during selection.
Staff acknowledged LaBAS Projects had not sent a representative to the meeting despite the agenda item; staff said the consultant had reported some outreach activity but had not submitted deliverables yet. Commissioners pressed staff for more concrete deliverables and asked the consultant to provide written materials, a schedule and, if possible, appear at a future meeting or teleconference. The commission passed a general request that the consultant attend future meetings or provide timely written updates.
Why it matters: Artesia Corridor is a project with visible community impact, and some speakers objected to perceived consultant distance from local priorities. The commission requested clearer documentation of the consultant’s planned deliverables and more regular public reporting as the project proceeds.
Public comments at the meeting also included offers of partnership. Jonathan Anderson of VIFA Gallery invited commissioners to an August 2 gallery event and suggested the gallery could collaborate on large-scale sculpture projects; Rick McClellan offered help building a public-art map and suggested student involvement to collect and curate art data.
What happens next: Staff said LaBAS will be asked to provide its timeline and deliverables in writing and to coordinate with the commission on outreach. Commissioners voted to request periodic updates on the Artesia project at future commission meetings.
At the close of the meeting the commission asked staff to determine what, if any, contractual obligations LaBAS has for in-person or virtual attendance in commission meetings and to report back at the next meeting.
