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Redondo Beach commission hears plan for Artesia public art; consultant to lead three-year program
Summary
The Cultural Arts Commission received a status update on the Artesia Public Art Project and met representatives of LaBast Projects, the consultant contracted by the City Council to lead community engagement, RFQ artist selection and installation of at least three major artworks over three years. The commission moved to receive and file the report.
The Redondo Beach Cultural Arts Commission on May 28 heard a status update on the Artesia Public Art Project and introductions from LaBast Projects, the consultant the City Council awarded a contract to on May 13.
The commission was told the consultant’s contract carries $45,000 in compensation and a three-year scope intended to deliver a minimum of three major public art installations along the Artesia Boulevard corridor. LaBast representatives said the work will include an inventory of existing public art, community visioning and stakeholder engagement, and an RFQ/RFP process to select artists and manage installation.
Jack (staff member) outlined the project’s geographic limits as the portion of Artesia Boulevard from the railroad crossing just east of Inglewood Avenue west to the Manhattan Beach Boulevard border, and said the City Council raised the initial project allocation to permit consultant support. “The proposed contract… will start with an existing conditions assessment,” Jack said, listing visioning and artist selection as next steps.
Kimberly Longraj, vice president of operations at LaBast Projects, and project manager Catherine Forsyth presented the firm’s portfolio of civic installations and described their standard process: broad RFQ outreach, a short list of applicants, and a narrowed set of finalists who submit site-specific proposals. “We typically get sometimes around, like, 200 applications from artists,” Longraj said, describing both local and regional recruitment and a preference to include South Bay artists when possible.
Commissioners and members of the public pressed LaBast to prioritize local participation and inclusive outreach. Commissioner O'Brien Herrera emphasized reaching school communities and families within walking distance of Artesia and suggested targeted outreach to PTAs and neighborhood meetings. LaBast said it has used local recruitment methods on other municipal projects and would work with the commission and business groups on outreach.
Public comment during the Artesia-focused portion included offers of volunteer support and technical assistance: Rick McQuillan offered an Artesia storefront map and a proposal to overlay public-art locations with business listings; the North Redondo Beach Business Association said it would help outreach and noted two community “Dine Around Artesia” events planned for Aug. 13 (East Artesia) and Sept. 10 (West Artesia).
At the conclusion of the presentation, a commissioner moved to receive and file the update; the motion carried.
