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Title:
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Approval of the 2025 Percival Plinth Project Peoples' Choice Award
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Title
Approval of the 2025 Percival Plinth Project Peoples' Choice Award
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a City Council Committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve the purchase Crane Study #47 by Travis Pond as determined by public vote and recommended by the Arts Commission.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve the purchase Crane Study #47 by Travis Pond as determined by public vote and recommended by the Arts Commission.
Staff Contact:
Stephanie Johnson, Arts Program Manager, Parks, Arts & Recreation, 360.709.2678
Presenter(s):
Stephanie Johnson, Arts Program Manager, Parks, Arts and Recreation
Kathy Dorgan, Chair, Olympia Arts Commission
Background and Analysis:
Annually, the first month of the Percival Plinth Project loaned sculpture exhibition is dedicated to a public vote to determine the winner of the Peoples' Choice Award, which is a purchase prize. The vote took place July 1-31, through the RankedVote platform.
On August 14, 2025, Ms. Johnson shared the results of the 2025 Percival Plinth Project Peoples' Choice vote with the Arts Commission, who voted to forward the recommendation to City Council for approval.
519 votes were received over the course of the voting period. With 142 votes, Crane Study #47 by Travis Pond took first place in the public vote, with Salmon Returning by Mark Brody was the runner up with 133 votes.
Climate Analysis:
While the project does not directly impact climate strategies, having sculptures displayed on Percival Landing encourages use of active forms of travel such as walking along the waterfront. Artwork in public spaces promotes safe and welcoming public spaces and a walkable city.
Equity Analysis:
Multiple strategies of the project are intended to shift traditional power dynamics of how art is accessed and selected at its core an outdoor public art exhibit is designed to be accessible to the whole community year-round. The People's Choice Award is designed to share decision-making power by including a community vote as a key determining factor of the final purchase award.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Public input is solicited through banners, press releases and online votes. Fliers encourage visitors without internet access to utilize computers available at the Olympia Timberland Library.
Financial Impact:
$9,000 from the Municipal Art Fund.
Options:
1. Move to approve the Arts Commission recommendation to purchase Crane Study #47 by Travis Pond as determined by public vote
2. Do not approve purchase of Crane Study #47 by Travis Pond and direct the Arts Commission to revisit the recommendation.
3. Take other action.
Attachments:
Crane Study #47 by Travis Pond