Title
Approval of Percival Plinth Project People's Choice Award 2014
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Move to approve the purchase of Illuminated One by Leo E. Osborne as the 2014 People's Choice Award.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve the purchase of Illuminated One by Leo E. Osborne as the 2014 People's Choice Award.
Report
Issue:
Voting has concluded for the 2014 Peoples' Choice Award for purchase of one sculpture among the loaned exhibition along Percival Landing.
Staff Contact:
Stephanie Johnson, Arts & Events Manager, Olympia Parks, Arts & Recreation, 360.709.2678
Presenter(s):
Stephanie Johnson, Arts & Events Manager, Olympia Parks, Arts & Recreation
Trent Hart, Chair, Art in Public Places Committee, Olympia Arts Commission
Background and Analysis:
On May 20, 2014, Council approved the thirteen sculptures recommended by the Arts Commission for the fourth year-long display of loaned sculpture for the Percival Plinth Project. Associated with this exhibition is the public vote known as the Peoples' Choice Award, by which one sculpture is selected for purchase by the City. The period of voting lasted from July 25 (with a public kick-off)- August 31, 2014. All loaned sculptures will be returned in spring 2015 and the popularly selected piece will be moved to City Hall for one year before being reinstalled in another Olympia location. This will leave all plinths cleared for another exhibition and competitive process.
Selected Sculpture
A total of 481 votes were received during the voting period, up from 374 in 2013. Of that, 320 were from Olympia proper (up from 223), and 69 were from Lacey, Tumwater and Thurston County (up from 54). The final 19% of the votes were received from visitors from 22 Washington cities, 17 states and 2 countries.
With 179 votes, Illuminated One by Leo E. Osborne was front runner, with Origami #3 Totem by Ken Hall coming in as runner up with 71 votes, and The Night Watchman by Leon White, holding third with 45 votes. Comments regarding why Illuminated One appealed to voters included the quality of craftsmanship, the theme (cormorant is a bird of the PNW), and the variety of texture incorporated into the work.
An image of Illuminated One will be displayed as part of the presentation at Tuesday's Council meeting.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Public opinion was solicited through public vote.
Options:
1. Move to approve the purchase of Illuminated One by Leo E. Osborne. This sculpture is the 2014 People's Choice Award recommendation.
2. Do not approve the People's Choice Award recommendation.
Financial Impact:
The purchase price for Illuminated One is $8,000 and falls within the project budget ($18,500) for sculpture honoraria, purchase and installation.