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Orinda council accepts five donated artworks after APPC report
Summary
The Orinda City Council unanimously accepted the Art in Public Places Committee's 2025 annual report and authorized the city to accept five donated artworks, with staff and volunteers to finalize donor agreements and storage/rotation plans.
The Orinda City Council on Feb. 17 accepted the Art in Public Places Committee’s (APPC) 2025 annual report and authorized the city to accept five donated works into the public art program.
Todd Trimble, the city’s director of parks and recreation, outlined staff and committee recommendations and described the donated pieces, which include outdoor sculptures and indoor hanging works. Trimble said committee members and staff have been working to contact artists and heirs when loan agreements have expired and recommended accepting donations when donors and artists offered them to the city.
APPC member Rich Thompson reviewed the committee’s long record of rotating borrowed works and explained that some loan agreements show as “expired” because the city has been unable to contact artists or their heirs. “We’re in the process now of reaching out … and getting ready to initiate the new 5‑year loan agreement,” Thompson said.
Shelley Hebner, vice chair of the APPC, described the gifts as high‑quality works by established artists and urged approval. “These are offered by the artists themselves or by a local donor. Each piece continues to be enjoyed by Orinda residents and visitors alike,” Hebner said.
Council members asked about obligations to donors and options for storage or rotation. Trimble said that once the city owns a work it has the flexibility to move it, put it into storage or, in limited circumstances, dispose of it consistent with the donation agreement. Council members also discussed the committee’s preference for circulating borrowed pieces and requested clearer staff responsibilities for processing loan paperwork.
Councilmember [unnamed in transcript] moved to accept the five gifts (public comment and staff materials referenced a resolution number in packet materials); the motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
What happens next: staff said they will finalize donor agreements, confirm locations and storage options, and update the council if any legal or preservation issues emerge.
