Public Arts Commission accepts donation of "Ozone" by Craig French, recommends up to $5,000 for base

The Cathedral City Public Arts Commission on June 10 voted to recommend Council acceptance of a donated sculpture titled Ozone by artist Craig French and recommended allocating up to $5,000 from the Public Art and Public Places Fund to purchase or fabricate a base to safely display the piece in the library.

Staff described the proposal and the logistics for installation, including a city-designed base meant to raise the piece above eye level and a preference for a mobile base to accommodate upcoming library refurbishments. "And if it needs to be go until September, they would accommodate that," Anne said of the lender gallery's flexibility; staff said the donor and gallery can hold the piece over the summer if necessary.

Staff estimated the sculpture's weight at about 250 pounds and said the artist had offered a reasonable quote to bring the sculpture, with assistants, and help install it on the base. Anne also said staff would draft a donations agreement and that any unused funds from the $5,000 allocation would return to the Public Art and Public Places Fund.

Commissioners discussed placement in the library rotunda, the potential for improved lighting during refurbishment, and plaque recognition; staff said the donor initially did not request recognition but recommended a plaque acknowledging the gallery and the artist. The commission moved and approved a recommendation to Council to accept the donation and allocate up to $5,000 for a base.

The motion to accept the donation and recommend up to $5,000 for base construction was made by Vice Chair Travis, seconded by Commissioner Stouder, and carried unanimously among those present.

Next steps: Staff will prepare a donations agreement for the donor and submit the recommended allocation and donation acceptance to City Council for final approval; Public Works engineers will design and construct the base and consult on mobility and safety features.