The Public Art Commission, chartered by the City of Palo Alto in 1976, seeks to increase the public’s daily exposure to art throughout the City of Palo Alto. The seven member body appointed by City Council is responsible for the commission, display and maintenance of permanently sited artworks as well as a portable collection of more than 200 objects on display in Municipal facilities.
The three dimensional collection reflects the diverse interests and populations of Palo Alto. From the land art in the baylands and many artworks on California Avenue “the Avenue of the Arts” to the more figurative works, the art in public places collection has something for every interest. The collection includes emerging talent as well as well established, world renowned artists such as Fletcher Benton, Betty Gold, Gene Flores, and Bruce Beasley. Each artwork is selected with the particular site and audience in mind.
Regular Public Art Commission meetings are held at 7:00 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month at City Hall.
New Artwork for the Main Library and Art Center Site In Fabrication
The Palo Alto Public Art Commission is pleased to announce the commission of a grouping of interactive sculptures by artist team Joe O'Connell and Blessing Hancock for the Main Library and Art Center campus. By combining the percent for art budgets for the construction projects, the artists will be able to visually unite the buildings and their audiences into a more cohesive space.
The family of six sculptures will be wrapped in text generated by the community in various languages to reflect different types of growth. Each sculpture will have an LED light within it and be touch sensitive so that visitors may change the colors of the lights within the pieces in the evening, casting the shadows of the text on the trees and walkways of the space.
The sculptures will be installed during the reconstruction of the Main Library in 2013.
The Permanent Collection Maintenance Program
The Pubic Art Commission is hard at work undertaking an ambitious maintenance and restoration project for the permanent collection. Many of our artworks are being cleaned and receiving preventative treatment to protect them from the elements. Some of the works that have received more aggressive treatment or repair are: Albuquerque by Gayle Wagner, Rrrun by Marta Thoma, and Nude in Steel by Hans Wehrli. If you notice vandalism or artworks in disrepair, please call out office immediately at 650-329-2227. Thank you!
