Cerritos Fine Arts Commission Further Discusses Temporary Art Loans

During Chair Maria Skiles’ final meeting, the Fine Arts and Historical Commission discussed two items related to Cerritos’ Sculpture Garden located at the city’s Civic Center.

Falling under the new and old business portion of the meeting’s agenda was the first issue -- the commission’s continued discussion of art pieces to be commissioned for display in the Sculpture Garden on a temporary basis.

Assistant city manager Kathleen Matsumoto provided the commission with a list of temporary loan programs utilized in other cities, which helped inspire several ideas for the program by the commissioners.

“I would prefer art pieces that are not smaller than four feet and that are durable and suitable for outdoor public display,” said commissioner Doris Iglesias during the March 17 meeting in the council chambers.

The concept of the city temporarily commissioning art on loan was approved by the City Council said Matsumoto. During the rest of the discussion, the commission decided on particulars and parameters of the program.

The commission agreed that the temporary art would be on display for two years and that if a piece sold during that tenure, it would not be removed for six months, and then replaced by another piece created by that artist.

A stipend for the potential chosen artists also came up. Commissioner Julietta Williams discussed her concerns about costs running over and said, “This is why I’m leaning toward regional, local artists.”

The commission agreed to pay a $1,500 stipend to the chosen artists for each of the three pieces it chooses for the two-year period. The $1,500 would cover installation and removal.

The commission also agreed that each potential artist could submit a maximum of three pieces for consideration. A motion was also passed to direct staff to further fine tune the details of the temporary art program.

Matsumoto said staff would continue to examine maintenance, insurance and location before the commission's final recommendation is submitted to the City Council.

Commission Addresses City Council Concerns

During its March 10 meeting, the City Council did not approve the commission's recommendation of more than $200,000 the commission suggested for additions to the city’s Art in Public Places Program, according to Matsumoto.

However, she said, “Council approved an amount not to exceed $10,000 for a professional fee and design services if needed,” for the commission’s recommended artist Cliff Garten.

Matsumoto added that issues that need to be “ironed out” included maintenance, location and the potential effects the LED lighted piece could have on the neighborhood which lies in close proximity to the Sculpture Garden, the proposed site of the project.

Williams countered by reading from a booklet released by Garten’s studio based in Venice, Calif. She said that light from the LED project would “highlight the art, not illuminate the neighborhood.”

Matsumoto said staff and city engineers would schedule a meeting with Garten to work out the logistics of the piece and his fee. And later added that a portion of the $10,000 drawn out of the public trust fund would be utilized to commission a rendering of the piece.

The commission unanimously agreed to direct staff to work with Garten on the project’s particulars and to report findings at its next meeting.

During commissioner reports, Skiles said, “This journey (has been) a wonderful journey and it will always be with me,” referring to her final meeting as the commission’s chair after serving for two years -- ending her term limit.

The next scheduled Fine Arts and Historical Commission meeting is Thursday, April 21 at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers.