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Commission selects RFX 1 to paint curved bench at train station; names David Gilmore as backup
Summary
The Tustin Public Art Commission voted to award the functional bench painting to artist RFX 1, with David Gilmore named as an alternate; staff said the design will be returned to the commission for approval in September and the bench is expected to arrive in the fall.
The Tustin Public Art Commission voted on June 17 to commission artist RFX 1 to paint a curved, “functional” bench purchased from Noble Winds for installation at the Test and Train Station, and named David Gilmore as the alternate artist if RFX 1 is unavailable.
The commission’s decision followed staff’s announcement that a call for artists produced 15 qualified responses and several rounds of commissioner ranking and discussion about which style best fits the bench’s curved form. Director Clanton told commissioners that the bench-and-art procurement is funded from the public art fund and that the total identified amount for the project is $7,500.
Commissioners debated fit and scale: some said Timothy Smith’s large-scale work may be better suited to murals or larger canvases, while others favored RFX 1 and David Gilmore for their demonstrated ability to break art into panels or sections that would adapt to a curved bench. “I motion that we use RFX 1 for the bench project,” Commissioner McMillan said when making the motion; Commissioner Martin seconded. The motion passed on a voice vote and was later amended and approved to specify David Gilmore as the backup if RFX 1 cannot participate.
Commissioners also discussed offering a small stipend to competing finalists to prepare a concept design; staff confirmed $7,500 is in the public art fund to cover the bench plus artwork. Commissioners suggested a stipend in the low hundreds ($250–$500 was discussed), and debated whether any stipend should be treated as a separate payment or applied toward the selected artist’s fee.
Director Clanton said staff will contact RFX 1 and expects to have that artist’s design ready for review at the commission’s September meeting; she added the physical bench will not arrive until the fall, giving the commission time to review and approve the final design. “We will reach out to RFX 1 and then we’ll have their design in time for the September meeting for approval,” Clanton said.
The commission also discussed future opportunities at the train-station site, including a possible mural in the tunnel and additional benching areas, and noted interest in saving other finalists for those larger projects. The amended motion naming RFX 1 as the selected artist and David Gilmore as the backup passed on voice vote.
Next steps: staff will notify RFX 1, request a concept design for the bench, return that design to the commission in September for approval, and confirm stipend terms if the commission decides to compensate non-selected finalists.
