November 18, 2025
Economic Development
DATE: November 18, 2025
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Nannette J. Beacham, Economic Development Director
Jordon Nesbitt, Arts and Culture Division Administrative Assistant
Subject:
Accept Artwork Gifted from Christopher Peterson into the City’s Public Art Inventory
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no net fiscal impact on the General Fund.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
None.
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
Artist Christopher Peterson has offered to gift the City of Richmond a painting titled Mond An-ex for inclusion in
the City’s Public Art Inventory. Mr. Peterson has
submitted all required documentation in accordance with the City of Richmond’s Public Art Policies and
Procedures. On September 12, 2025, the Richmond Arts
and Culture Commission (RACC) voted to recommend
that the City Council approve and accept the gifted
artwork. To complete the artwork transmittal process and formalize the agreement, City Council approval and
acceptance of the gift is required.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
APPROVE and ACCEPT the gifted artwork “Mond An-ex”
by Christopher Peterson’s to be added to the City of
Richmond Public Art Inventory; and AUTHORIZE the city
manager, or their designee to execute the Transmittal of Artwork Agreement and any other documents necessary
to finalize the acceptance of the artwork to the City – AGENDA
REPORT
November 18, 2025
Economic Development Department (Nannette J.
Beacham 510-621-1306/Jordon Nesbitt 510-620-9082).
DISCUSSION:
Christopher Peterson is an award-winning painter and illustrator who made Richmond and the Bay Area his creative home for over 35 years, contributing to the region’s vibrant arts and design community. Blending the traditions of American realism with a modern sensitivity to light, color, and emotion, his acclaimed career includes collaborations with The New York Times, Time Magazine, and leading cultural institutions.
On June 6, 2025, Mr. Peterson contacted the City’s Arts and Culture Division, and the Mayor’s Office for support with the process of gifting one of his major works to the City of Richmond’s Public Art Inventory. The proposed gift is a 48-inch by 60-inch hand painted oil on canvas, framed in a custom floater frame of poplar and pine titled, “Mond An-ex” (Attachment 1). The painting, inspired by a photograph taken at the Carlson Boulevard underpass one evening in October, captures the distinct light and unrecognized beauty of the Richmond Annex. Mr. Peterson expressed his hope that the piece be displayed prominently in City Hall. City staff informed Christopher that the Artwork may still be accepted and stored without a specific site location or until an ideal site location is identified.
City staff directed Mr. Peterson to the public art gifting procedure details in the City of Richmond Public Art Policies and Procedures Section 4: Public Art Gifts and Loans (Attachment 2). This section establishes the process and conditions for the review, acceptance, placement, and preservation of donated and gifted artwork. In compliance with these requirements, Mr. Peterson submitted all necessary materials, including images of the artwork description and the completed Public Art Gifts and Loans Form which includes the required waiver and release of artist rights under the federal Visual Artists Right Act of 1990 (VARA) and the California Art Preservation Act (CAPA) (Attachment 3). The proposed Artwork Transmittal Agreement to be executed by Mr.
Peterson and the City, as required by the Public Art Policies and Procedures (Attachment 4).
Per the Public Art Policies and Procedures, following review of the submitted Public Art Gifts and Loans Form and supporting materials, the Arts and Culture Manager forwarded the materials to the Richmond Arts and Culture Commission (RACC) for their recommendation. On September 12, 2025, RACC members voted to recommend to the Richmond’s City Council to approve and accept Mr. Peterson’s gifted artwork.
City Council’s approval is required to finalize the Transmittal of Artwork Agreement and complete the process of officially adding the artwork to the City’s collection and Public Art Inventory.
November 18, 2025
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Photo of Christopher Peterson’s “Mond An-ex” painting Attachment 2 – City of Richmond Public Art Policies and Procedures Attachment 3 – Artwork Transmittal Agreement
Attachment 4 – Completed Public Art Gifts and Loans Form - Christopher Peterson, “Mond An-ex”