$262,000 Approved for Public Art

In an effort to inject creative flair into functional public works projects, the City Council has granted $262,000 to two city art projects, and rejected a third proposal to beautify a yet-to-be-built California 126 overpass.

Hoping to give artists free rein to express themselves, while still retaining some control over the content of public art works, the council also asked that they be informed of art projects costing less than $25,000. Such projects normally do not require council approval.

“I realize that the Art in Public Places committee is there to take the politics out of art,” said Councilman Jim Friedman at Monday night’s meeting. “But if there is a problem . . . the City Council will be accountable.”

The city’s innovative program to build art into functional city projects began in 1991. Under the program, known as Art in Public Places, the City Council authorized allotting 2% of the city’s capital improvements budget for the projects.

The council approved $92,000 to artistically enhance the five-story, 500-space downtown parking garage, and $170,000 to spice up the design of the Ventura River Trail with artists’ creative input.

After Councilman Ray Di Guilio voiced his misgivings, the council rejected the proposal to devote $28,750 to make the California 126 pedestrian overpass more attractive. Di Guilio said he wanted to see projects involving stand-alone art. He referred to earlier projects such as the “Chumash Fluteplayer” in Arroyo Verde Park and “The Five Senses” at California Plaza next to the Promenade as examples.

The projects approved Monday were the largest in the program’s history. The city has accumulated $829,000 from capital improvements since collections began.