City Council adopted the Public Art Plan in 2016, and the first year of the public art programming and funding began in FY17 – with all funding to date coming from sources restricted for economic development and tourism purposes. Starting in FY23, Cultural Arts has transitioned to the Office of Environmental and Neighborhood Services. Funding sources for public art projects will remain consistent, with all budgets being transferred to the newly established Public Art Fund. The division also hired Sharee Davis as the Cultural Arts Manager in February 2023, with Patty Holley being promoted to Cultural Arts Coordinator.
In 2021, Cultural Arts issued an RFP for bench designs to be integrated into a “Sweet Seats Bench Tour,” as a part of the #AllinforSLTX Call for Creative Placemaking. A total of eight designs were chosen by the project’s artwork selection committee, a team comprised of community stakeholders and PARCS board members. However, the project was ultimately unable to move forward due to pending county funding. In 2023, a number of artists remained interested in having their proposed designs commissioned, including the artist Richard Herzog.
Cultural Arts propose installing two of Herzog’s original Sweet Seats bench designs utilizing division funding from the Public Art Fund. Herzog’s designs are titled Blue Bells and Lunaria, and will be placed at Oyster Creek Park and Smart Financial Centre Plaza, respectively.
Both Blue Bells and Lunaria are to be fabricated out of aluminum and steel. To verify the structural integrity of both artworks, especially under high winds, the artist will be required under contract to submit both pieces for analysis and approval by a structural engineer licensed in the state of Texas.
This project – including the design, artwork fabrication, and complete installation expenses - will be funded utilizing revenue-restricted funds as approved for transfer to the Public Art Fund by the Sugar Land 4B Corporation for public art projects. No general fund property tax dollars will go to support this project.
Contingent on City Council’s consideration and approval, the project is scheduled for completion by the end of the 2023 calendar year. The designs have undergone review and consideration by an artwork selection committee and were presented to PARCS Board as a project update in March 2023. Staff recommends council approval of the contract in the amount of $70,000.00.