Title
Approval to Purchase the 2016 Percival Plinth Project People’s Choice Award-Winning Sculpture
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
The Arts Commission recommends approval to purchase of Joie de Vivre by David Varnau as the 2016 Percival Plinth Project People’s Choice Award recipient.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve the purchase of Joie de Vivre by David Varnau as the 2016 Percival Plinth Project People’s Choice Award recipient.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve purchase of Joie de Vivre by David Varnau for the 2016 Percival Plinth People’s Choice Award, based on a public vote.
Staff Contact:
Stephanie Johnson, Arts & Events Program Manager, Parks, Arts & Recreation, 360.709.2678
Presenter(s):
Stephanie Johnson, Arts & Events Program Manager
Diana Fairbanks, Arts in Public Places Committee Chair, Olympia Arts Commission
Background and Analysis:
On April 26, 2016, City Council approved the fifteen sculptures recommended by the Arts Commission for the sixth year-long display of loaned sculpture for the Percival Plinth Project. Associated with this exhibition is the public vote known as the People’s Choice Award, by which one sculpture is selected for purchase by the City. The period of voting took place from July 1 (with a public kick-off) - August 1, 2016. All loaned sculptures will be returned in spring 2017 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 269 votes were received during the voting period. Of that, 167 were from Olympia proper, and 39 were from Lacey, Tumwater and Thurston County. The final 23% of the votes were received from visitors from 17 Washington cities and 11 states.
With 84 votes, Joie de Vivre by David Varnau was front runner, with Reflective Balance by Cyrra Robinson coming in as runner up with 48 votes, and Coming Home by Leo E. Osborne holding third with 39 votes. Voters for Joie de Vivre spoke to the sense of joy, freedom, and carefree childhood conveyed in the sculpture, and more than a few recommended permanent placement at the Heritage Park Fountain.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
The community was invited to vote for the sculpture they felt the City should purchase for the public art collection.
Options:
1) Move to approve the purchase of Joie de Vivre by David Varnau as the 2016 Percival Plinth Project People’s Choice Award recipient.
2) Move not to approve the purchase of Joie de Vivre.
3) Move to make a different decision.
Financial Impact:
Purchase price for the sculpture is $9,500 ($10,000 budgeted), from the Municipal Art Fund.
Attachments:
Video of Mr. Varnau and Joie de Vivre from the City’s Facebook site.