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Council approves public art designs for Corn Palace Park seating wall and benches
Summary
After reviewing proposals, council selected an illustrated tile seating wall and three artist‑designed benches for the new Corn Palace Park, approving the arts commission’s selections and directing staff to contract the artists.
The City Council approved four public‑art concepts for the newly opened Corn Palace Park July 29, selecting a tile seating wall and three artist‑designed park benches recommended by the Arts Commission.
The Arts Commission, following a formal call for artists and a public‑art review process, recommended ceramicist Annie Cappelli’s hand‑carved, hand‑painted tile mural for the 76‑foot seating wall and three bench concepts by Liz Hickok, Carrie Lederer and one additional artist for the three backless benches located along the main walkway. The council voted unanimously, 7–0, to approve the selections and have staff proceed to contract and finalize the designs.
Staff said the park’s public art budget is set at 1% of construction costs, about $43,000 total for artwork. The approved projects are conceptual at this stage; final bench construction materials and mounting details will be resolved during artist contracting to fit the park’s existing footings and ensure durability.
Several council members praised the range of artistic approaches — from mosaics to kiln‑fired photographic tiles — and asked staff to coordinate with Native Ohlone representatives, where appropriate, to confirm and refine imagery that references the site’s indigenous and agricultural history. Director Kristen Dance said staff will include cultural‑stakeholder consultation during the design‑finalization phase.
What's next: staff will finalize artist contracts and shepherd fabrication and installation; the artwork is expected to be installed in 2026, subject to final design and permitting.
Ending: The unanimous vote concludes a year‑long artist selection process and moves the Corn Palace Park public‑art program into design and fabrication.
