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Lafayette launches monthly public-art presentations, previews mural and new sculptures
Summary
Janice Peacock, chair of Lafayette’s Public Art Committee, outlined the city’s public-art collection, the 1% for the arts program and upcoming installations including a downtown mural by Rachel Perls and kinetic “Dandelion Seeds” by Kinematic Labs; the mural unveiling is scheduled for “the 20 sixth” at 5:00 p.m. before the council meeting.
Janice Peacock, chair of Lafayette’s Public Art Committee, used a council meeting presentation to outline the city’s public-art collection, the committee’s goals and several upcoming installations, saying the council has enabled funding for projects that had been delayed by budget constraints.
“We are the stewards of art for Lafayette,” Peacock said, summarizing the committee’s role and its aim to “promote public art within Lafayette, support artistic and cultural diversity, and enrich Lafayette through programming.”
Peacock pointed to the city’s permanent and rotating collections and highlighted specific works: the downtown mural by Rachel Perls on the side of Zara Boutique on Mount Diablo; Speechless by Brian Goggin outside the library; Friendly Gathering and Bird Row by Joe Bologna at the Mill; Blossoms by Gordon Huther; and Resolve, a large sculpture by David Mudgett in the roundabout at Olympic and Pleasant Hill Road. She also described library-held pieces and a donated work, Seeing Red, given by former city manager Stephen Falk.
On funding, Peacock described Lafayette’s 1% for the arts program, under which developers allocate 1% of development budgets toward public art, and credited the city council with easing budget constraints that had delayed a large kinetic installation. “Those budget constraints, thanks to the city council, have been relieved, and we will be able to go forward with these very large metallic sculptures,” she said, referring to Dandelion Seeds by Kinematic Labs, planned for the quad at the downtown BART entrance and expected this summer.
Peacock also previewed Binary Wall Datum Line, a set of textured eight-foot panels by Lafayette artist Clay Jensen, which she said will be installed at 950 Hough in a narrow location where the panels’ patina can be appreciated up close. She invited building and business owners to offer potential wall sites for future murals and said residents can find contact information on the city website under commissions and committees.
During brief audience exchange, an attendee asked whether the public could join committee meetings; Peacock said community members are welcome to participate and provide ideas and feedback. When asked about the mural unveiling, Peacock and others confirmed the event will occur “the 20 sixth” at 5:00 p.m., immediately before the next council meeting; she encouraged the public to attend.
No public comments were offered after the presentation. The council thanked Peacock and the Public Art Committee and closed the item. For further details and committee meeting schedules, Peacock directed listeners to the Lafayette city website.
