Oroville art commission delays decision on red‑tailed hawk sculpture pending artist confirmation and site selection

At a meeting of the Oroville Art Commission, commissioners discussed multiple proposals submitted under the current NOFA (Notice of Funding Availability) for a red‑tailed hawk public sculpture and agreed to postpone a formal recommendation to city council until two items are resolved: confirmation that artist Martin Taylor would still build the full‑body hawk at the previously discussed price and identification of a permanent installation site.

The commission reviewed at least two submissions. One proposal from an artist identified in the discussion as Steve (Steve Nielsen) included a wings‑only sculpture priced at $40,000. Commissioners noted the wings‑only concept might not read clearly as a red‑tailed hawk to passersby. During discussion a commissioner observed that creating a fully detailed hawk could cost roughly double the wings‑only price; at the same time another commissioner recalled that Martin Taylor previously proposed a full‑body red‑tailed hawk for $40,000 in January. Commissioners said they wanted to confirm Martin’s current willingness to reproduce that full‑body design at the $40,000 figure before advancing any recommendation.

Commissioners also pressed for a recommended installation location before forwarding a proposal to council. Suggested sites included a downtown location with pedestrian access, the new veterans memorial, River Bend Park (noted as county property), and the area near the fish hatchery/art wall; commissioners noted some sites would require permission from other jurisdictions. One commissioner emphasized that an earlier full‑body proposal included integrated lighting—feathers and eyes designed to glow at night—and asked that lighting remain part of any renewed proposal.

Rather than vote, the commission made a procedural decision to table formal approval and seek two clarifications: (1) contact Martin Taylor to confirm whether he is willing to build the full‑body hawk at the previously quoted price, and (2) identify and secure an appropriate site (and any third‑party permissions) before sending a recommendation to city council. The commission discussed outreach responsibilities among commissioners and possible alternate locations; no formal vote tally was recorded on the record for this item.

The red‑tailed hawk discussion remained a topic of staff follow‑up. Commissioners indicated they would return the item to the agenda after the two items above are resolved.