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Public Arts board weighs preserving "scar" on Sacred Fire sculpture after wildfire damage
Summary
Members debated whether to preserve a fire-caused blemish on the Sacred Fire sculpture or have the artist repair it; staff will contact the artist and report back to the board and council.
The Public Arts Advisory Board discussed whether to preserve or repair a fire-damaged area on the Sacred Fire sculpture during its meeting.
The discussion centered on a discoloration and a cracked, partially missing area on the piece that artist Yoshi Wright sent a photograph of after his studio was affected by wildfires. A staff member told the board Wright described the mark as “a scar on the sculpture” and asked whether the board wanted to incorporate that scar into the work’s history or have him clean and restore the piece.
Board members offered differing views on how to proceed. One board member said the scar “would be so significant” and argued against removing it, saying the blemish would reflect what the piece had endured. Another board member expressed concern about the stability of the cracked area and the potential for further loss, saying the crack “has a tendency to want to drop off there” and that some “reparation needs to happen there just to make sure that that piece doesn't just come flying off.”
Board discussion addressed practical concerns including possible moisture intrusion into the fracture and whether the artist’s insurance covered the damage; a board member said the issue of insurance and what repairs the artist could complete should be clarified. The staff member said they would contact Wright, relay the board’s durability concerns, and report back to the board with Wright’s response.
Several board members suggested a middle path: ask Wright to clean and repair what he can to ensure durability, then acknowledge the remaining blemish in the sculpture’s interpretive text so visitors understand its significance. One board member summarized that approach as allowing some imperfection to remain because it adds character to the piece while ensuring the damaged section is stabilized.
The board also noted that any final decision may require input from the city council or city management before moving forward, and the staff member said they would bring Wright’s options and the board’s recommendation back to council if needed.
