Tamarac staff seeks $6,438 increase to artist contract for Fire Station 15 bronze sculpture
Summary
Staff asked the commission to approve a $6,438 increase to sculptor Austin Weishow's contract, raising the fee from $135,000 to $141,438 to cover material-cost increases for a bronze firefighter sculpture for Fire Station 15.
City staff and the public-art consultant told the commission that artist Austin Weishow has completed a clay model titled "Ascending Victory" intended for installation outside Fire Station 15 and requested a contract amendment to address increased material costs.
Gatson & Ravitz said the original contract (signed in 2023) was $135,000 and that Weishow requested an additional $6,438, bringing the revised contract to $141,438. Staff and the consultant explained the delay in starting fabrication was related to a pending determination about facility control earlier in 2024; once permission was confirmed the artist began work and proceeded with bronze casting steps.
Gatson described bronze as a long-lived medium and said cast bronze sculptures are routinely maintained by the city as part of an ongoing maintenance program. He described the lost-wax casting workflow for larger bronzes and said the artist expects the finished bronze to be crated and shipped to Tamarac; staff said installation could occur in February if the amendment is approved.
Staff indicated the amendment would be presented to the commission on Jan. 22 for formal approval; no formal vote on the amendment was recorded in the workshop transcript. Staff also noted the sculpture would be installed in a manner that allows relocation if facility plans change in the future.
