TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: Peter D. Lear, CPA, CGMA, City Manager
TITLE: Art Advisory Board - Call to Artist Sculpture Selection
AGENDA ID: 19-0295
DATE: 4/23/2019
Recommended Action
Approve the sculpture Roseate Spoonbill, by Donald Gialanella to be located at the northwest corner of Price Blvd & Sumter Blvd, in the amount not to exceed $10,000.
Background Information
The Art Advisory Board has been working on a project to select a public art piece for placement on the northwest corner of Price Blvd & Sumter Blvd site using funding from the public art account. On January 8, 2019 a “Call to Artist” notification went out on the City’s website. The call was for a solicitation of local artists that would be interested in submitting a proposal to create a native Florida water bird sculpture to be permanently displayed on the northwest corner of Price Blvd & Sumter Blvd. The submission deadline was March 5, 2019. The City received five submissions from the Call to Artists. 1) #1 Roseate Spoonbill by Donald Gialanella; 2) #2 Hera the Blue Heron by Lee Bell; 3) #3 Fly High Sculpture by Luis Fernandez; 4) #4 Bronze Roseate Spoonbill by Natasha Drazich; and 5) #5 Catching Flight (Great Horned Owl) sculpture by Courtney Ryan and Chris Horn.
It was suggested to remove the Great Horned Owl (#5) because it is not a water bird and did not adhere to the Call-to-Artists requirements.
A review was provided of the artists: 1) artist #1 lives in St. Petersburg, Florida, is a highly accomplished artist and his work is displayed in many places around the United States including Florida, 2) artist #2 is from Sarasota and the piece is completed and ready for installation if chosen; 3) artist #3 lives in Venice and his sculpture received 1st Place, in Artists and Arts a juried show in the Wynwood Arts District. Miami in 2014 and was commissioned to do other sculptures in Florida and Colorado and 4) artist #4 is from Winter Park and has pieces displayed in several cities.
Discussion ensued: 1) it was noted that the overall scale of #2 the Blue Heron (at 5-feet 6-inches) and #4, the Bronze Roseate Spoonbill (at 4-feet, 5-inches) is too small to see from a moving vehicle; 2) the #1 Roseate Spoonbill is remarkably better at 10-12 feet tall and there will be no safety or maintenance issues; 3) #3 is an abstract rendering but there was concern about its size and it might be better placed within a park and 4) #4 seemed to be fragile for a public outdoor setting, especially during hurricane season.
There was a unanimous decision made by the board to choose Roseate Spoonbill, By Donald Gialanella.
The artist notification deadline is April 30, 2019 and the project completion deadline is November 30, 2019.
Strategic Plan
Support the beautification and revitalization of our neighborhoods
Financial Impact
A budget of $10,000 has been established for this project to be funded from the Public Art Account (revenue account code 001-0000-324-62-05). A year-end budget amendment will be processed in the event that existing budget authority is insufficient to facilitate the associated expenditures.
Procurement
The art services being procured are exempt from competition pursuant to Sec. 2-403 (a)(3)c of the City Procurement code. The Department of Public Works Facility Maintenance Division will manage the procurement and installation once the project has been approved by Commission.
Attachments:
1. 3-11-19 Art Board Motion Regarding Public Art
2. #1 Roseate Spoonbill - Donald Gialanella
3. #2 Hera the Blue Heron - Lee Bell
4. #3 Fly High - Luis Fernandez
5. #4 Bronze Roseate Spoonbill - Natasha Drazich
6. #5 Catching Flight (Great Horned Owl) - Courtney Ryan & Chris Horn
7. Roseate Spoonbill Artwork Exemption Form
Prepared by: Katrina Romano, Administrative Manager, Neighborhood Development Services
Jana White, Planner /Scheduler, Public Works Department
Department Director: Frank Miles, MPA, Director, Neighborhood Development Services