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Board reviews condition reports; schedules restoration and maintenance for multiple city artworks
Summary
Staff presented condition reports and a maintenance plan; several pieces have been cleaned and others require more extensive restoration, including a faded library sculpture that the conservators say was not powder coated as the artist had documented.
The board heard a condition-report briefing and a proposed maintenance schedule for city-owned public art.
Amber Bridal said the city hired Burke & Co., a fine-art consultant and appraisal firm, to prepare condition reports and appraisals for major public-art assets. Based on those reports, the city hired a conservator (Public Artworks) for cleaning and rust remediation on several pieces: the Middens sculpture at Coachmen Park and city torch installations, which were reported as cleaned.
Bridal said the Ocean Swirl sculpture in front of Clearwater Beach is scheduled for remediation next month because flood-related standing water produced a distinct discoloration between the lower and upper surfaces. Two other frequently discussed pieces — Centennial Oak (in front of the main library) and Reaching for Knowledge (in front of the East Library) — were also reviewed. The board agreed to defer cleaning Centennial Oak until adjacent parking-lot construction is complete to avoid immediate recontamination by construction debris. For Reaching for Knowledge, Bridal said conservators concluded the finish is not powder coat as the artist documented; the piece likely will require stripping, cleaning, and repainting with a marine-grade finish, and it must be taken down for the work.
Bridal said staff will obtain quotes and return with cost estimates and timing. No formal funding decisions were recorded in the meeting minutes; board members discussed timing, the possibility of rotating works to even wear, and interim installations to replace pieces temporarily taken down for conservation.
