STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date:
September 23, 2025
CONSENT
9 SUBJECT: LAGUNA ART MUSEUM “ART AND NATURE” TEMPORARY PUBLIC ART RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended by the Arts Commission that the City Council:
1. Approve the temporary public art entitled “SOS” by artist Ana Teresa Fernandez; and
2. Find that the action is not a project subject to the California Environmental Quality Act under State CEQA Guidelines Section 15301.
Appropriation: $0 Fund: N/A
Submitted By: Sian Poeschl Approved: David A Kiff
Sian Poeschl, Cultural Arts
Manager
Dave Kiff, City Manager
SUMMARY OF THE MATTER
On July 14, 2025, the Arts Commission unanimously recommended that the City Council approve a temporary installation curated by the Laguna Art Museum (“Museum”) at Main Beach for its 13th annual “Art and Nature” exhibition from November 6 through November 10, 2025. (See Minutes, Attachment 1.) Staff is seeking City Council approval of the art created by artist Ana Teresa Fernandez entitled “SOS.” The proposed artwork is included in Attachment 2. The art consists of three, free-standing, sculptures created of acrylic, mirror, and wooden rods with wood center bases. The dimensions are 3’x3’x3’, 4’x4’x4’, 6’x6’x6’ and represent human-size ocean drops.
If the City Council approves the art, the Museum will initiate a Temporary Use Permit application for art shows as contemplated by Laguna Beach Municipal Code Section 25.05.035(B)(2)(a) for its 13th annual “Art and Nature” exhibition from November 6 through November 10, 2025 at and around Main Beach during which the Museum proposes certain events, which are free to the public, as set forth below:
Day Date Time Event
Thursday through
Monday
11/6/ 25 – 11/10/ 25 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Temporary sculpture installations. (Installed and removed daily)
Thursday through
Monday
11/6/25 – 11/10/25 Noon – 3 p.m. Portrait Station “We Are Water” Thursday 11/6/25 2:30 p.m.– 7 p.m. Dance rehearsal
Friday 11/7/25 3:15 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. Dance Performance
Sunday 11/9/25 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Save Our Souls public interaction installation (500/800 participants)
Monday 11/10/25 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Paddle out
LAGUNA ART MUSEUM “ART AND NATURE” TEMPORARY PUBLIC ART September 23, 2025
In addition to the art, the Museum also intends to install signage mounted on a 6’ tall metal signposts with 28”x24” aluminum signs affixed at the Main Beach location and six other positions along Heisler Park with information to enhance community engagement. (Attachment 2.) At this time, City staff anticipates that such proposal qualifies for a Coastal Development Permit exemption, as a temporary event on beach area, under Laguna Beach Municipal Code Section 25.07.008(A)(6) but City staff will complete its review and analysis upon submittal of an application.
The Cultural Arts Department facilitated a meeting of Staff from the Marine Safety, Police, Public Works, Community Development and Community Services with the Museum and the artist to discuss the proposal to assist the Museum is facilitating its project and information on any additional required approvals.
FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
The recommended action has no financial impact to the budget.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
The recommended action is exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act under CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 because it consists of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use. Here, the recommended action meets the exemption because it involves approval of art which is proposed to be installed on a temporary basis at Main Beach. It also contemplates installation of minor structures relating to the art to facilitate community engagement with the art at Main Beach and Heisler Park and events at Main Beach which are also all temporary in nature. Upon taking the recommended action, City staff will cause to be filed within five calendar days a notice of exemption with the County and State Clearinghouse.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Arts Commission minutes 7/14/25 (Pg. 3)
2. Proposed Installation (Pg. 4)
3. Activation and Signage Locations (Pg. 5)
Report Prepared By: Coordinated With:
Sian Poeschl, Cultural Arts Manager Jane Abzug, Assistant City Attorney