HomeMy WebLinkAbout6/11/2015 - City Arts Commission - 04 Report Update from Ben Carlson Memorial FoundationRECCOMENDATION:
Staff requests that the City Arts Commission approve a site adjacent to the Newport Pier for the
placement of the Ben Carlson statue.
DISCUSSION:
In March 2015, the City Arts Commission, in accordance with Council Policy I-11, Donation of Art to the
City of Newport Beach, and the approval of the Fine Arts Ad Hoc Sub Committee, recommended that
City Council accept the donation of a memorial statue from the Ben Carlson Foundation. The
recommendation is tentatively scheduled to go to City Council for approval on June 23, 2015. The Arts
Commission has requested periodic updates from the Ben Carlson Foundation as work on the project
progresses. Mr. Jake Janz of the Ben Carlson Foundation will be present at the June 11 City Arts
Commission meeting to provide an update on the project.
At the March 2015 City Arts Commission meeting, staff recommended that the placement of the statue
be determined as a collaborative process involving the Carlson family, the Ben Carlson Foundation, the
City Arts Commission, and City officials. After a joint review of potential sites by Mayor Selich,
Councilmember Dixon, Commissioner Charles Ware of the Arts Commission, Commissioner Laird Hayes
of Parks, Beaches, and Recreation Commission, Chief Rob Williams of the Lifeguard Division and Jake
Janz and Josh Yocam of the Ben Carlson Foundation, the Newport Pier was identified as the appropriate
site for the piece. The Newport Pier is adjacent to the Newport Beach Lifeguard Headquarters, which
was recently named in honor of Ben Carlson. This location, which offers an expansive, centrally located
area in front of McFadden Square, offers maximum exposure to public viewing of the piece (see
Attachments A, B, C, D and E). The work mandates a site that is responsive and appropriate to its
subject matter. The Newport Pier satisfies these requirements. Ben Carlson worked in this area and the
heroic act in which he lost his life occurred not far from this site. The piece works well with the
seashore, pier, and Headquarters building in the background.
NOTICING:
This agenda item has been noticed according to the Brown Act (72 hours in advance of the meeting at
which the City Arts Commission considers the item).
TO: CITY ARTS COMMISSION
FROM: Library Services Department
Tim Hetherton, Library Services Director
949-717-3810, thetherton@newportbeachca.gov
PREPARED BY: Tim Hetherton
TITLE: Update from Ben Carlson Memorial Foundation; site placement of the Ben
Carlson sculpture.
ATTACHMENTS: A, B, C, D, and E.