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Staff Report
City Council
Item No. 6.E
Meeting Date: May 10, 2023
From: Anne Ambrose, Assistant City Manager
Title: Approve the Public Arts Commission's Recommendation to Accept a Donation of a Val Samuelson Painting
RECOMMENDATION:
To accept the Public Arts Commission's recommendation and approve the acceptance of a donation of a Val Samuelson painting and authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with the donor to accept the artwork.
BACKGROUND:
On March 28, 2023, the City received an email from a resident in Las Vegas. She stated her husband was gifted a painting that has been sitting in their garage. The family has decided to move but did not know what to do with the painting. The emailer did some research on the artist and determined it was by Val Samuelson and noted his connections to Cathedral City. She contacted staff to see if the City would be interested in accepting the painting as a donation. Her only request was that someone pick up the painting or pay for shipping.
Stone James reached out to her, and she confirmed their desire to donate the painting. As they are putting their home on the market, it is their desire to have it picked up or shipped probably within the next month, otherwise they will likely throw the painting away. Stone James will be going to Las Vegas for a conference in May and will be able to pick up the painting.
DISCUSSION:
Val Samuelson was a well-known local artist who lived in the Cathedral City Cove neighborhood for 37 years. Mr. Samuelson passed away in 2000 in Cathedral City.
The City is already in possession of two landscape paintings by Mr. Samuelson. Staff believes the proposed donation would be an important asset to the City’s public arts collection.
A brief internet search for sales of Val Samuelson paintings through publicly available
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sources range from $200-800; with one exception being a piece offered on E-bay for $4,500. Other sales information is unavailable other than through paid subscription to various auction sites.
The item was presented to the Public Arts Commission at their April 11, 2023 meeting and the Commission unanimously recommended the City accept the painting.
FISCAL IMPACT:
If directed by the City Council to have the item shipped, staff would need to receive a quote from the person offering the donation on shipping costs. If Stone James picks up the item, there would be no cost to pick up the item as he will already be in Las Vegas.
ATTACHMENTS:
Donation Agreement - Val Samuelson Artwork