CITY OF SEBASTOPOL CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM REPORT FOR MEETING OF: June 2, 2026
=========================================================================================== To: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
From: Victoria Henkel, Permit Technician
Responsible Department: Planning
Subject: Approval of Sculptures for Display at the Ives Park Community Sculpture Garden Selection
=========================================================================================== RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council approve the recommended artists and sculptures for display at the Ives Park Community Sculpture Garden.
PROCESS OF AGENDA ITEM:
• If the item remains on the Consent Calendar, no presentation is required, and the item will be approved as part of the Consent Calendar.
• If the item is removed from the Consent Calendar, it will be heard as a regular agenda item and will proceed as follows:
a. Presentation by staff
b. Council questions and discussion
c. Public comment
d. Council deliberation and action
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The item is to request Council review and approve the Public Art Committee's recommended sculptures and artists for the Ives Park Community Sculpture Garden.
BACKGROUND:
The Community Sculpture Garden (CSG) is located in Ives Park and features twelve (12) cement platforms for local artists to display their sculptures for two-year terms. Ten (10) out of twelve (12) of the current pieces have surpassed their two-year terms, so the Public Arts Committee (PAC) put out a call for artist submissions. The current call for artists closed on March 23, 2026. From March 24, 2026, through April 10, 2026, the Public Arts Committee members participated in a confidential online jurying process through the online website Call for Entries (CaFÉ) system.
Notes about New Submissions:
1. 51 applications received. However, some are duplicates due to artists submitting multiple photos.
2. 24 pieces to choose from on CaFÉ. A previous applicant was unable to navigate the CaFÉ system. Therefore, two (2) more submissions from him via email.
3. 26 total distinct pieces to choose from, including 12 local entries.
4. Four (4) artists with ten (10) entries total are not local and are out of state.
5. Two (2) artists with four (4) entries total are semi-local. (San Francisco and San Leandro)
6. Leaving 12 local entries per the artist call.
7. Five (5) entries are resubmissions already at CSG:
a. Gordon Carter – “Zephrya” and “Deflated”
b. Robert Smith – “Diploidal Pas de Deux”
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c. Rod Morgan – “Standing Alone Together”
d. Rose Gitlin – “Hands Up”
DISCUSSION:
The PAC reviewed the submissions at a special meeting on May 7, 2026, and is recommending the following artists' sculpture submissions for installation for a display period of at least two years:
a. Peter Crompton/Robin Crompton – "Nox" and "Faun"
b. Miguel Edwards – “El Sol: Shining Through” and “Cadence” c. Clayton Thiel – “Bird Totem”
d. David McGraw – “Wedge.”
e. Shohini Ghosh – “2 Eternity”
f. Aaron Milligan-Green – “Head Case”
g. Robert Smith – “Diploidal Pas de Deux” (Already in CSG, selected for two more years) h. Beth Hartmann – “Give Peace a Hand” (Already in CSG, selected for two more years) The PAC felt these ten submissions were of high quality, presented a variety of sizes, themes, colors, and materials.
They also selected these pieces because of their relevance, attractiveness, intrigue, and meaning. These ten would be installed alongside the two existing sculptures, “Paradise Bird Burlesque” and “New Beginnings,” which will remain for the rest of their two-year terms. The PAC will have a representative at the City Council meeting to address any questions the Council may have of the Committee.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
If approved, staff will coordinate a day with Public Works to help the current pieces needing to be removed and the date of installation.
CITY COUNCIL GOALS/PRIORITIES AND GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY:
This agenda item represents the City Council goals/priorities as follows:
Goal 1: Community Vitality
Public spaces, parks, arts, and community events
PUBLIC COMMENT:
As of the writing of this staff report, the City has not received any public comment. However, if staff receives public comment from interested parties following the publication and distribution of this staff report, such comments will be provided to the City Council as supplemental materials before or at the meeting. In addition, public comments may be offered during the public comment portion of the agenda item.
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PUBLIC NOTICE:
This item was noticed in accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act and was available for public viewing and review at least 72 hours prior to the scheduled meeting date.
FISCAL IMPACT:
A $250 stipend will be awarded to the selected artists from the Art in Lieu fund. There are no costs for the sculptures, as they will be on loan to the City for the duration of the two years of installation. The artists may sell their artwork at the conclusion of the show (they will remain on display for two years).
Public Works will be utilized for the deinstallation and installation of new pieces. It is estimated that two (2) workers will be needed an hour for each deinstallation and installation, plus one hour for using the backhoe.
RESTATED RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council approve the recommended artists and sculptures for display at the Ives Park Community Sculpture Garden.
OPTIONS:
1. Not approve the PAC selection for installation and direct that existing sculptures remain in place.
2. Not approve the PAC selection and provide further direction to the PAC for different choices.
3. Approve one (1) or more of the PAC selections and refer back to the PAC with Council direction.
ATTACHMENT(S):
PAC Recommended Sculpture Selections
APPROVALS:
Department Head Approval: Approval Date: 5/13/2026
CEQA Determination (Planning): Approval Date: 5/13/2026 The proposed action is exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under Section 15301 (Existing Facilities), and no further environmental review is required. (Class 1 exemption) Administrative Services/Financial Approval: Approval Date: 5/26/2026 Costs authorized in City Approved Budget: ☐ Yes ☐ No N/A Account Code (if applicable) _203-21-02-4330___
City Attorney Approval: Approval Date: N/A
City Manager Approval: Approval Date: 5/19/2026
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City Hall, 7120 Bodega Avenue, Sebastopol, CA 95472
T 707-823-6167 / www.ci.sebastopol.ca.us
Public Arts Committee Recommended Sculpture Selection
# Picture Artist’s Name Sculpture Name
1 Peter & Robin Crompton “Nox”
2 Peter & Robin Crompton “Faun”
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City Hall, 7120 Bodega Avenue, Sebastopol, CA 95472
T 707-823-6167 / www.ci.sebastopol.ca.us
3 Miguel Edwards “El Sol: Shining Through”
4 Miguel Edwards “Cadence”
Agenda Item Number: 2
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City Hall, 7120 Bodega Avenue, Sebastopol, CA 95472
T 707-823-6167 / www.ci.sebastopol.ca.us
5 Clayton Thiel “Bird Totem”
6 David McGraw “Wedge”
Agenda Item Number: 2
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City Hall, 7120 Bodega Avenue, Sebastopol, CA 95472
T 707-823-6167 / www.ci.sebastopol.ca.us
7 Shohini Ghosh “2 Eternity”
8 Aaron Milligan-Green “Head Case”
Agenda Item Number: 2
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City Hall, 7120 Bodega Avenue, Sebastopol, CA 95472
T 707-823-6167 / www.ci.sebastopol.ca.us
9 Robert Michael Smith “Diploidal pas de Deux”
10 Beth Hartmann, et all. “Give Peace A Hand”
Agenda Item Number: 2
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City Hall, 7120 Bodega Avenue, Sebastopol, CA 95472
T 707-823-6167 / www.ci.sebastopol.ca.us
Two-Year Installment Period has NOT Ended:
Picture Artist’s Name Sculpture Name Date Installed
Robert Michael Smith "Paradise Bird Burlesque" Spring 2025 Diego Harris "New Beginnings" Spring 2025
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