RESOLUTION NO. 25-54
Resolution Of The City Council Of The City Of Emeryville Approving Artists Robert Ortbal, Stella Kalaw, Carrie Hott, Mila Moldenhawer, Ceci Bowman, Jennifer Mazzucco, Teresa Kalnoskas, Torreya Cummings, And Alla Agafonov; And First Alternate Therese Lahaie, Second Alternate Ana Lisa Hedstrom, And Third Alternate Robin Bernstein; For The Sharon Wilchar Bus Shelter Art Program – Phase VIII And Authorizing The City Manager To Execute Agreements With The Approved Artists For Final Design Of The Art Works In Amounts Not To Exceed $5,000 For Each Artist
WHEREAS, Article 4 of Chapter 2 of Title 3 of the Emeryville Municipal Code establishes the Contributions for the Art in Public Places Program; and WHEREAS, Section 3-2.404 of the Emeryville Municipal Code establishes the Emeryville Public Art Fund to implement the Art in Public Places Program; and WHEREAS, a goal of the Public Art Program is to locate public art in distinct neighborhoods throughout the City and thereby introduce the City’s public art to a larger audience; and
WHEREAS, as part of its 2025 project priorities, the Public Art Committee (“PAC”) included Phase VIII of the Sharon Wilchar Bus Shelter Art Program with the intent to continue building the City’s Art in Public Places Program through the installation of temporary works of art at transit locations; and
WHEREAS, in January 2025, a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Phase VIII of the Sharon Wilchar Bus Shelter Art Program was issued and distributed to artists working in a wide range of media including painting, photography, printmaking, textiles, sculpture, metalwork, and digital media; and
WHEREAS, the RFP requested that artists submit art for this program to respond to a theme of “Fertile Ground – Art and Innovation” to inspire compelling imagery as well as to encourage broad ranging possibilities for creative interpretation; and WHEREAS, in December 2024, the City Manager appointed a five-member selection panel for Phase VIII of the Sharon Wilchar Bus Shelter Art Program, comprised of Mike Haggerty and Dr. Laura Rifkin, representing the PAC; Kristen Zaremba, as outside art professional; Erica Enriquez, representing the community; and Lois Porter, representing the City (the “Selection Panel”); and
WHEREAS, 17 responses to the RFP were received by the application deadline of February 25, 2025, of which 16 were deemed eligible; and Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Resolution No. 25-54
Bus Shelter Art Program - Phase VIII Artist Selection
City Council Meeting | June 17, 2025
WHEREAS, on March 5, 2025, the Selection Panel, with Ellen Han serving in Lois Porter’s place, recommended the artists and alternates be selected for Phase VIII of the Sharon Wilchar Bus Shelter Art Program including Robert Ortbal, Stella Kalaw, Carrie Hott, Mila Moldenhawer, Ceci Bowman, and Jennifer Mazzucco, and alternate artists Teresa Kalnoskas And Torreya Cummings; and
WHEREAS, on March 13, 2025, the PAC reviewed the Selection Panel’s recommendations and recommended that the City Council approve the six finalists and two alternates, and authorize the City Manager to enter into agreements with the approved artists for final design of the submitted art work in an amount not to exceed $5,000 for each artist; and
WHEREAS, due to technical issues, five additional responses to the RFP were not initially reviewed by staff and the Selection Panel, of which four were eligible; and WHEREAS, on May 5, 2025, the Selection Panel reconvened, with Alyssa Chung in Lois Porter’s place to review the four additional responses and the two previously recommended alternates and recommended additional artists and alternates be selected for the third year of an expanded Phase VIII of the Sharon Wilchar Bus Shelter Art Program including: Teresa Kalnoskas, Torreya Cummings, Alla Agafonov as the additional artists to be contracted in the third year and first alternate Therese Lahaie; second alternate Ana Lisa Hedstrom, and third alternate Robin Bernstein; and WHEREAS, on Mary 15, 2025, the PAC reviewed the Selection Panel’s recommendations and recommended that the City Council approve the nine finalists and three alternates, and authorize the City Manager to enter into agreements with the approved artists for final design of the submitted art work in an amount not to exceed $5,000 for each artist; now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the City Council hereby approves artists Robert Ortbal, Stella Kalaw, Carrie Hott, Mila Moldenhawer, Ceci Bowman, Jennifer Mazzucco, Teresa Kalnoskas, Torreya Cummings and Alla Agafonov (the “Approved Artists”) and first alternate Therese Lahaie, second alternate Ana Lisa Hedstrom, and third alternate Robin Bernstein (the “Alternate Artists”); for the Sharon Wilchar Bus Shelter Art Program – Phase VIII; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the City Council hereby authorizes the City Manager to execute Agreements with the Approved Artists for final design of the submitted artwork in an amount not to exceed $5,000 for each artist, and be it further RESOLVED, that in the event one or more of the Approved Artists is unable or unwilling to execute an Agreement with the City, the City Council hereby authorizes the City Manager to execute Agreements with the Alternate Artists for final design of the submitted artwork in an amount not to exceed $5,000 for each artist.
Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Resolution No. 25-54
Bus Shelter Art Program - Phase VIII Artist Selection
City Council Meeting | June 17, 2025
ADOPTED, by the City Council of the City of Emeryville at a regular meeting held Tuesday, June 17, 2025, by the following vote:
AYES: 5
Mayor Mourra, Vice Mayor Kaur and Council Members Priforce, Solomon and Welch
NOES: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
ABSENT: 0
MAYOR
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
CITY CLERK CITY ATTORNEY
Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 About the Selected Artists
1. Robert Ortbal
"I am working on an ongoing series of tiny, masked figures collectively titled Samaritans. They are part of a more expansive practice that involves creating custom traveling cases for them and wearable sculptures used in performative works that are exhibited in installations and portrayed in video, photography and drawing.”
2. Stella Kalaw
“Stella’s collage work draws from photography-based imagery, incorporating found materials, historical ephemera, and contemporary elements to construct layered visual narratives. Embracing an improvisational approach akin to jazz composition, she assembles disparate elements into cohesive, whimsical compositions that evoke nostalgia while offering a fresh perspective.” Attachment 1
Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 About the Selected Artists Cont.
3. Carrie Hott
“I propose a series of four posters that depict speculative underground infrastructure and geological diagrams in the location of the bus shelters in Emeryville. These images will blend schematic, architectural, and organic forms to visualize layered histories. Rooted in research on Emeryville’s industrial past, ecological transformations, and contemporary urban infrastructure, each composition will weave together elements of reality and speculation, encouraging viewers to reconsider the unseen forces underground that mediate their daily lives.”
4. Mila Moldenhawer
“I have created four sketches of high contrast and high visual impact cellular structures, meant to be representations of biotechnology and renewal, speaking to how Emeryville has become a hub for contemporary creativity and biotechnology. I aim to integrate both graphic and natural forms in my work—symbolizing microscopic biological structures and the merging of art and biological advancements. The use of vibrant, organic colors point to themes of fertility and renewal to life in aesthetic and visually impactful ways that will catch the eye of anyone passing by. Incorporating fun and bright molecular structures evokes the technological and scientific aspects of the district’s biotech influence.”
Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 About the Selected Artists Cont.
5. Ceci Bowman
"I’ve been exploring the idea of organic resistance —how nature refuses to be contained, breaking through layers of cement, bursting past barriers, demanding to be seen. I’ve been playing with gouache, pen and ink, and collage materials , layering them digitally to bring out textures and color in new, vibrant ways . My collages capture those spontaneous moments in urban spaces—where color, energy, and life find a way to shine through the density of the city. This "fertile resistance" is the heartbeat of my work—an explosion of vibrancy, movement, and human spirit.”
6. Jennifer Mazzucco
“My work explores color, light, and texture, using the wheel and placement of color into concentric circles or radiant spokes as a grounding symbol of stability. With the circle, chart, or graph as the foundation of each piece, I then can allow the layered hues and shifting tones of watercolor to do what they do best. Watercolor’s natural flow, blossom, overlay, and bleed juxtaposed with the underlayered outline creates an interplay between control and surrender, process and product.” Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 About the Selected Artists (Continued)
he7. Terese Kalnoskas Selected Artists Cont.
“The concept I am proposing for City of Emeryville’s 2025 Bus Shelter Art Program is four portraits that honor and recognize local individuals who have become a part of local history. The original paintings, known as Portrait Project: Living Tributes, were begun in 2017 to celebrate the lives of individuals who have participated in the Emeryville Senior Center. The bus shelter portrait reproductions would be accompanied by a brief life story of the individuals, which was the culmination of casual interviews, sketching, and photographic sessions.”
8. Torreya Cummings
“My proposal is to tell the story of this small patch of earth at bus stops around the city — spaces that are undoubtedly very close to other small, interstitial wild spaces around Emeryville. I’ve included a selection of images of native and non-native plants that reflect the local landscape — California poppy, wild onion, coyote mint, mixed bouquets of various weed species, wild oat grass, nasturtium, and bedstraw. They have varying deep blue backgrounds and the leaves and flowers are seen in shades of light blue and white, a reverse shadow.” Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 About the Selected Artists (Continued) Artists Cont.
9. Alla Agafonov
“For the last few years, I have been working primarily in watercolor medium and would like to propose a set of 4 watercolors that reflect the theme of Fertile Ground. I spend quite a bit of time walking and running around the Marina and this connection of Emeryville to the edge of the water and the bay is just absolutely stunning. I want to highlight this relationship of the city on the water through 4 large scale pieces that I would paint from a series of photographs that I have taken throughout the years at the Emeryville Marina. This relationship of the aquatic activity, from the flora and fauna to the boats and people give rise to the literal interpretation of Fertile Ground that the city is so deeply rooted in.”
Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Robert Ortbal, Samaritians
Media: Sculpture
– plastic, mixed
media
Prior Submittal: Yes
featured
Resident Affiliation: 45th Street
Artist’s
Cooperative/RCCD
Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Stella Kalaw, Emeryville Retrospect
Reimagined
Media: Digital Collage Prior Submittal: No
Resident Affiliation: RCCD
Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Carrie Hott, Unseen Infrastructure
Media: depicts speculative
underground infrastructure
and geological diagrams
digitally
Prior Submittal: No
Resident Affiliation: 45th Street
Artists’ Cooperative
Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Mila Moldenhawer, Micro Worlds, Macro
Visions
Media: Abstract
Paintings Prior Submittal: No
Resident Affiliation: Compound
Gallery /RCCD
Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Ceci Bowman, Sharon Wilchar Bus Shelter Art
Program
Media: Collage/Paint Prior Submittal: No
Employment
Affiliation: Business
Contract
Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Jennifer Mazzucco, Finding Sanctuary in Color
Media: Color Wheels Prior Submittal: No
Resident Affiliation: Compound
Gallery/RCCD
Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Teresa Kalnoskas, Portrait Project Living
Tributes
Media: Portraits
Prior Submittal: YES and
the works are Community
Promotion Grant
Resident Affiliation: 45th Street
Artists’ Cooperative
Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Torreya Cummings, Marginalia
Media: Cyanotypes Prior Submittal: No
Resident Affiliation: 45th Street
Artists’ Cooperative
Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Alla Agafonov, An Aquatic Perspective
Media: watercolor
paintings of
naturescapes
Prior Submittal:
None
Resident or
Employment: Resident
Affiliation: ECA
Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Alternates
Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Threse Lahaie,
Spinning Dervishes (Opt 1)
Lightbirds (Opt 2)
Media: Video stills
of reflected lights
Prior Submittal: Yes
Resident or
Employment: Resident
Affiliation: 45th Street
Artist’s Cooperative,
ECA
Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Ana Lisa Hedstrom
Media: Dyed Wool
Felt
Prior Submittal: Yes
in program in 2019
Resident or
Employment: Resident
Affiliation: 45th Street
Artist’s Cooperative,
ECA
Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Robin Bernstein
Contemporary Concerns
Media: Yarn
impressed in wax
Prior Submittal: No
Resident or
Employment: Resident
Affiliation: 45th Street
Artist’s Cooperative,
ECA
Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46 Docusign Envelope ID: 364D1D7F-633B-4987-8BA8-38E11AF3DA46