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CAC - Consideration of (1) a Recommendation from the CAC Artist Laureate Subcommittee Regarding a Temporary Art Project by Artist Laureate Katy Krantz for the Former Gun Store at 11029 Washington Blvd.; (2) Provide Comments as Appropriate; and, (3) Make a Recommendation to the City Council
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Meeting Date: November 21, 2023
Contact Person/Dept: B. Christine Byers / City Manager - Office of Economic & Cultural Development
Phone Number: (310) 253-6003
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: Yes [X] No []
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - Cultural Affairs Commission
(11/16/23)
Department Approval: Jesse Mays, Assistant City Manager (11/16/23)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Cultural Affairs Commission (CAC) consider (1) a recommendation from the CAC Artist Laureate Subcommittee regarding a temporary art project by Artist Laureate Katy Krantz for the former gun store at 11029 Washington Blvd.; (2) provide comments as appropriate; and, (3) make a recommendation to the City Council.
BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION
On September 11, 2023, the City Council (Council) passed a motion authorizing the City to move forward with the purchase of a property at 11029 Washington Blvd. from the Retting Family and that had been operating as a gun store for more than 60 years. The Council’s motion included ensuring there was community involvement and to repaint the building as soon as the City takes control of the property. The future of the site is currently undetermined and the public input process will begin in 2024. At this time, staff anticipates that the building will remain standing through next year.
Under Public Comment at the October 17, 2023 CAC meeting, Artist Laureate Katy Krantz provided a brief overview of a temporary art concept for the building. The CAC showed unanimous consensus to have the item brought forward at the next meeting of the commission for further consideration.
Per the attached proposal, the concept is in two phases:
• Phase I: This phase would be implemented beginning in January 2024 and focuses on the power of words and signage. With community input, new words and graphics would be painted on the building in the same font styles and approximate locations as those of the former gun store. “Guns” could become “Hugs” and “Knives” would come “Friend”. A brighter color palette, similar to what is included in the attached renderings, would be used but a visual link to the history of the building would be retained.
• Phase II: A potential second phase that would commence in the spring/early summer of 2024 is also outlined in the attached proposal. This phase focuses on the five trapezoidal “frames” on the building. Ms. Krantz’s proposes gathering recommendations for murals for each of the five locations and to have those painted by the community.
Staff and the CAC Artist Laureate Subcommittee (Tania Fleischer and Jeannine Wisnosky Stehlin) met with Katy Krantz on November 10, 2023. The subcommittee supports the proposal as currently outlined.
Certain details and costs are still being gathered and staff anticipates having additional information to share at the meeting on November 21, 2023. At this juncture, estimated costs for painting supplies for Phase I range from $5,700 - $11,200. Separately, the City will be hiring a professional painting company to repaint the building and if they are able to complete some of the larger color block sections as shown in the attached renderings, that would bring the cost for Ms. Krantz’s portion of the project toward the lower end of the estimated range. (Katy Krantz is coordinating with staff on type of paint and colors for the building so that it would serve as neutral backdrop and foundation for a mural project.) The cost for repainting the building (and possibly the additional color blocks) would come from the General Fund. Staff and the Subcommittee support the costs for paint and supplies for Ms. Krantz’s portion to come from the Cultural Trust Fund (Fund 413) from Temporary Art Displays and Exhibits (PZ676). Ms. Krantz is obtaining quotes for renting a lift which would be an additional cost to what is included above.
This item is currently scheduled for City Council consideration on December 11, 2023.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
Costs associated with repainting the building at 11029 Washington Blvd. and possibly two of the larger color blocks shown in the attached rendering, would come from the General Fund. Costs for painting supplies and out of pocket expenses for both Phase I and II would come from Fund 413, Temporary Art Displays and Exhibits (PZ676). There would be additional staff time to coordinate and oversee completion of the project.
ATTACHMENTS
1. 23-11-21_ATT No. 1_Retting Gun Store Mural Proposal Dated 11/13/23
2. 23-11-21_ATT No. 2_Art Project Renderings (Phase I)
RECOMMENDED MOTION(S)
That the Cultural Affairs Commission:
Recommend the City Council approve the art project by Artist Laureate Katy Krantz for the former gun store at 11029 Washington Blvd.