'Beyond the Box' program uses vinyl wraps as temporary approach; staff says painted installations planned for 2026

Summary

Staff said the Beyond the Box program has approved a design template and installers are applying vinyl wraps to several boxes as a temporary solution; staff expects to transition back to artist-painted installations next year once outstanding artist submissions and contractor-license issues are resolved.

Staff updated commissioners on Dec. 18 that the Beyond the Box public-art program’s design template has been approved and that installers are in the process of applying vinyl wraps to several locations. Staff reported that three of five approved designs for 2025 have been installed; two artists remain to submit artwork.

Commissioners asked whether 'install' referred to painting or applying wraps. Staff said the 2025 installations used vendor-applied vinyl wraps as a temporary measure and that the program aims to return to artist-painted installations in 2026. Staff explained the wraps were intended as a workaround tied to an issue involving muralists and an exemption related to California state contractor-license requirements.

Commissioners asked whether the wraps were a pilot. Staff characterized the approach as a solution to continue the program without pause while legal/contracting questions are addressed; commissioners requested follow-up photos and a timeline for painted installations.