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Commission recommends up to $120,000 for Esperanza Park entrance sculpture; discusses mural and community art inputs
Summary
The commission voted to recommend a not-to-exceed $120,000 budget for an entrance sculpture at Esperanza Park, directed staff to put out a call for artists and include neighborhood feedback; commissioners also discussed a possible mural on the park restroom wall and next steps on a donated Craig French sculpture for the library.
The Cathedral City Public Arts Commission on May 13 recommended Council authorization of up to $120,000 to commission an entrance sculpture for Esperanza Park and discussed related public-art opportunities at the site, including a possible mural on a restroom facade that faces the CV Link trail.
The sculpture decision: Commissioners heard results of a March 18 community engagement meeting with Dream Homes Park residents, who provided themes and student artwork to inform the sculpture design. Residents suggested imagery and themes such as resilience, transformation, butterflies, rainbows and family-friendly pieces. Staff told the commission the Art in Public Places fund has $373,066 available and recommended the commission shortlist three qualified artists, award each a $1,000 stipend to create concept proposals, hold additional community review, and then present a recommendation to City Council for final contracting.
Commissioners and staff discussed materials and scale. Chair Lee Bell and others noted that fully three-dimensional (360-degree) figurative bronze pieces can be substantially more expensive than flatter or mixed-material works; commissioners asked staff to include engineering, base and installation costs in the council budget request. The commission approved the not-to-exceed $120,000 recommendation and directed staff to prepare an RFQ/call for artists and the council report.
Mural discussion: staff presented a potential mural site on a 28-foot-by-9.4-foot restroom wall at Esperanza Park that faces the CV Link. Commissioners supported exploring a mural but expressed concern about concurrent workload and maintenance logistics; they asked staff to research typical mural costs and maintenance needs and to bring proposals back so the commission can coordinate timing with the sculpture procurement.
Library donation update: commissioners also reviewed a proposed donation of a Craig French stainless-steel sculpture offered by a private collector via a Palm Desert gallery. Commissioners generally supported accepting a donated piece for the library rotunda pending approval from the library authority and confirmation of a safe mounting base. Staff said the donated sculpture weighs about 250 pounds and the gallery offered to deliver it for a modest fee; staff will consult Public Works and the county library system on pedestal design, mounting safety and any county approvals needed.
Next steps: staff will prepare the call for artists and council authorization materials for the recommended Esperanza Park sculpture budget; staff will also research mural pricing and maintenance and return with proposals, and will follow up on pedestal and mounting requirements for the donated Craig French sculpture.
