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Public Art Commission accepts donated works by Richard Shaw and a promised Viola Frey sculpture
Summary
The commission accepted a permanent donation of Richard Shaw’s glazed-porcelain tabletop sculpture and a promised gift of Viola Frey’s large-scale ceramic 'Seated Man,' with conservators estimating $14,500–$16,500 for conservation and site preparation for the Frey piece; commissioners agreed to pursue conservation and siting at the Palo Alto Art Center sculpture courtyard.
At its June 18 meeting the Palo Alto Public Art Commission accepted two gifts to the city collection: a glazed porcelain tabletop sculpture by Richard Shaw and a promised large-scale ceramic sculpture by the late Viola Frey.
Staff recommended accepting Richard Shaw’s piece, titled 'Watercolor Palette,' noting Shaw’s exhibition history and that the city already holds a Shaw print in its collection. Commissioners praised the gift and voted to add the work to the city’s permanent public art collection.
The commission also accepted a promised gift of Viola Frey’s 2004 sculpture 'Seated Man.' Conservators examined the piece at the donor’s residence and reported it to be in remarkably good condition, although they identified areas of expected loss at assembly seams and recommended conservation work and possible internal hardware replacement. Staff provided an initial conservation cost estimate of roughly $14,500–$16,500; that estimate does not include the cost of pouring a concrete footing, transportation, disassembly or reassembly.
Commissioners and staff discussed siting the Frey sculpture in the Palo Alto Art Center courtyard—next to existing outdoor works—where it would be monitored during Art Center hours and somewhat sheltered. Staff said conservation work would most likely be paid from the city’s maintenance budget and that the commission will return with a detailed plan and cost breakdown once conservators complete a full assessment and moving plan.
