HomeMy WebLinkAboutAIPP Civic Arts Artwork Recommendation - Dr. Frank Kerrigan CITY OF PALM DESERT
MEMORANDUM{PRIVATE }
TO: Honorable Mayor and Council
FROM: John Nagus, Community Arts Manager
SUBJECT: AIPP/CIVIC ARTS ARTWORK RECOMMENDATION
DATE: March 10, 1997
RECOMMENDATION:
By Minute Motion approve Civic Arts and AIPP recommendation for Dr. Frank Kerrigan to
commission Peter Donath to create an artwork for the Kerrigan Family Practice Clinic on
Washington Avenue.
DISCUSSION:
The Art in Public Places Selection Subcommittee met on February 18 to review a
submission by Dr. Frank Kerrigan to commission an artwork by Peter Donath for the
Kerrigan Family Practice Clinic in Palm Desert. The Committee voted to approve the
submission. Civic Arts reviewed the proposal on Monday, March 10, and voted to
approve the AIPP recommendation.
Dr. Kerrigan originally approached the Art in Public Places Program over a year ago, with
the intention of commissioning an artwork/water feature for his outdoor waiting area. The
building generated $3100 in art fees, and Dr. Kerrigan wished to site an artwork on his
property and have his fee refunded. Dr. Kerrigan was informed that water features were
not art and the matter was dropped.
Upon re-examination last summer, it was determined that many artists have created
water features and that they are considered art. Dr. Kerrigan was contacted by the
department and informed that it was possible for him to commission an artist for his site.
Word was put out in the artist community, and some months later Peter Donath, a
ceramic artist from the valley, contacted the department. Mr. Donath was put in touch
with Dr. Kerrigan and they mutually agreed upon an approach to the site.
The result is a ceramic beavertail cactus water feature. The piece is a three dimensional,
green glazed kiln fired artwork which is approximately five feet high and 20 inches wide.
Water cascades from three basins into a large bottom basin and is recirculated through a
pump concealed within the artwork. The artwork will be sited at the outdoor patient
waiting area, which is accessible to the public during clinic business hours. The Art in
Public Places Committee thought the work attractive and would be a positive and
enlivening contribution to the site.
It is the opinion of the Art department that every effort should be made to encourage a
building developer who wishes to work with the Art in Public Places Program. This
project offers an opportunity to an artist from the Coachella Valley that might not have
existed before. Therefore, it is my recommendation that the artwork by Mr. Donath be
approved so that the project may proceed.
Reviewed and r:
JOHN J. NA US SHEILA GIL
COMMUNITY ARTS ANAGER DIRECTOR OF COMM ITY AFFAIRS
Reviewed and Concur:
RAMON DIAZ
CITY MANAGER
,AT'Y COUNCIL ACTION
APPROVED X DENIk;,.,
RECEIVED OTHER
DSEBTINO DATE 3/13/97
AYES: Benson, Crites, Snyder, Spiegel, Kelly*
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
JERIFIED BY: SRG7rdk
Original on File with City Clerk's Office
* By Minute Motion, approve staff's recommendation to withdraw the request at this time.