Selected Public and Private Commissions
2023 ORO LOMA TREE: A sculpture for the water treatment plant in San Lorenzo, CA.
BAMBUSOIDEAE: Wall sculpture for UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA. Chou Hall at Haas Business School. The sculpture evokes the beauty and strength of bamboo.
2022 HACIENDA HEIGHTS SCULPTURAL PARAMETER FENCE: Sculptural panels are integrated into the parameter fence of this newly renovated residential community project in the City of Richmond, CA. (Work in progress as of 4/22).
Moorpark: ‘Moorpark Orchard’; Selected as artist to create eight monumental sculptures for downtown Moorpark, CA. 2021 BROADSTONE GATEWAY: Two sculptural gates for two new residential buildings on ‘auto row’, a neighborhood-in- transition on Broadway in Oakland, CA. The focal point of the gates is a ‘collage’ of forms inspired by vintage auto parts, showing the beauty and creativity of early American automotive design. 2020 MACARTHUR GATEWAY ARCHES: Two sculptural arches that span over MacArthur Blvd, a thoroughfare in Oakland, CA. The artwork creates an inviting and welcoming entryway to the neighborhood. Oakland, CA. 2019 POLARIS: A suspended sculpture in the form of a star (for ‘Estrella Vista, a beautiful new affordable housing residential development), sixteen feet in diameter. The sculpture acts as an inviting visual anchor for the building, the block and the neighborhood. Emeryville, CA.
2018 MITOCHONDRIA: Sculptural railings for the grand staircase at EmeryStation West for Wareham Development, Emeryville, CA.
2017 ARCHAEOLOGY: Trumark Homes and Dublin Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission Set of four large-scale sculptures, Wallis Ranch, Dublin, CA.
ROSE GARDEN ARCHWAY: Gate entrance for the McCormick Family Rose Garden. Dublin, California Black Pine Circle School: Gate Front entrance sculptural gate,. Berkeley, CA 2016 RIDERS: Emeryville Hyatt Hotel through the Andrea Schwartz Gallery Emeryville, California WALLIS RANCH ARTWORKS: Trumark Homes and Dublin Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission Three benches, four sculptural panels, and three gates. Wallis Ranch, Dublin, CA, 2015 NAPA BENCHES: Eight sculptural benches and two sculptural chairs integrating vintage cast iron bookends from the 1901 Napa Library for downtown Napa. Napa, CA.
GALLEON SCULPTURES, CIRCUITRY: Kapor Foundation, Oakland, CA 2014 FLOTILLA: San Francisco Redevelopment Agency, Hunter’s Point Shipyard, San Francisco, CA – The sculptural work features the abstracted shapes of ships and ship-related shapes, celebrating the long history of ships and the ship industry at Hunter’s Point Shipyard.
LIV
ING TREE: Lakeshore Church, Oakland, CA – Large-scale wall sculpture in the main asp of the church. The design is the melding of a tree (the tree of life) and the cross.
Attachment 10
MI
RASSOU: San Jose Arts Commission, San Jose, CA – 90-foot and 35-foot sculptural panels depicting the historic wine-making industry of the region. The panels are mounted on the median Aborn Road, a thoroughfare reaching up into the foothills of San Jose where the extensive vineyards once grew.
WELL
SPRING: West Dublin BART Apartments, Dublin, CA – A steel sculpture, Wellspring, ascends from the fountain situated at the entrance to the apartment complex. The sculpture captures the ephemeral, graceful movement of birds flying into and out of the fountain. The sculpture references the history of Dublin as a stopover for migratory birds. 2013 C
AYUGA PORTALS: SAN FRANCISCO ARTS COMMISSION, San Francisco, CA – Two entry gates for Cayuga Park.
The gates pay tribute to and are inspired by the works of Demetrio Braceros, the caretaker of the park and sculptor in wood, who carved over 400 sculptures in and for the park.
ANCH
OR GRIND: Fremont, CA. City of Fremont – Sculptures and railings for the Fremont Skate Park SUNNYVALE ARTS COMMISSION, Sunnyvale, CA – Sculptural archway serving as a focal point for downtown Sunnyvale.
CALABASHES: Tucs on Transit, Tucson, AZ – Two calabash sculptures for light rail station BERKELEY ART CENTER, Berkeley, CA – Origins: Elemental forms in Contemporary Sculpture, Group Exhibition UPTOWN ART PARK, Oakland, CA – Juried exhibition. Two sculptures on display for 12 months 2012 BO
OKSHELVES: Berkeley Arts Commission, Berkeley, CA – Railing, Bookcases for the Claremont Library MIGRATION: DALY CITY BART STATION, Daly City, CA – Bay Area Rapid Transit Public Art Program. Migration, a four-part sculpture representing flocks of sea birds, connecting the transit station to the nearby ocean.
NATIVE LAND: Reno-Sparks Indian Colony, Reno, NV – Two 90-foot long Coreton (steel) sculptures permanently mounted to the existing pedestrian bridge spanning 2nd Avenue, the main thoroughfare in the neighborhood.
RUTH BANCROFT 18TH ANNUAL SCULPTURE IN THE GARDEN, Walnut Creek, CA – Juried exhibition.
Awarded
Best in Show
2011 CO
NFLUENCE: Affordable Housing Associates, Berkeley, CA – Entry gates for new housing development CUL DE SAC GATES: Los Angeles Arts Commission, Santa Clarita, CA – Large entry gates for a firehouse LULO
GALLERY, Healdsburg, CA – Exhibition of new sculpture
2010
STOCKTON, CACOMMISSION, Stockton, CA – Pixley Slough Bridge Project Sculptural Wind Screens BRENTWOOD ARTS COMMISSION, Brentwood, CA – Five sculptures for Brentwood Veterans Park BRENTWOOD ARTS COMMISSION, Brentwood, CA – Civic Center Mural, Children’s Gate, and Mosaic Fountain NAPA ARTWALK, Napa, CA – Annual juried exhibition. On display for 12 months 2009 S
TOCKTON ARTS COMMISSION, Stockton, CA – Sculptural elements and railings for downtown promenade SAN FRANCISCO ARTS COMMISSION, San Francisco, CA – 30-foot long wall sculpture for Ingleside Library ALAMEDA ARTS COMMISSION, Oakland, CA – Entry sculptures for Castro Valley Library CAMBRIDGE ARTS COMMISSION, Cambridge, MA – Gate for the historic Cambridge Commons playground 2008 BL
ACK PINE CIRCLE SCHOOL, Berkeley, CA – Entry gates
DALY CITY BART STATION, Daly City, CA – Bay Area Rapid Transit Public Art Program 2007
BERKELEY ARTS COMMISSION, Berkeley, CA – Mandala Gates, City of Berkeley Corporation Yard entry gates Napa, CA – Napa Railing, Extensive railing for the deck of a private residence.
MIAMI ARTS COMMISSION, Miami, FL – North Corridor Metrorail, Finalist GLIDE MEMORIAL CHURCH, San Francisco, CA – Public art feature for new permanent housing facility, Finalist Attachment 10
2006
BRENTWOOD ARTS COMMISSION, Brentwood, CA – Water Temple, Prewitt Ranch project MADISON ARTS COMMISSION, Madison, WI – Ripple Effect, Gateway for the Goodman Swimming Pool complex FORMER CANADIAN EMBASSY, Private residence, San Francisco, CA – Commission of extensive sculptural and architectural features for historic building
2005
TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY, Lubbock, TX - Project #1 – Outreach and Extended Studies, Finalist ATHERTON HERITAGE FOUNDATION, Atherton, CA – Mark Hopkins Family Mansion, commission of entry gates THE GARDENER, Berkeley, CA – Two-person exhibition
ARTSCAPE GALLERY, Walnut Creek, CA – Group exhibition
BART PUBLIC ART: 16TH & MISSION, N.E., San Francisco, CA – Bay Area Rapid Transit Public Art Program, Finalist 2004 OAKLAND ARTS COMMISSION, Oakland, CA – Bella Vista Park entry gates ROBERT BERMAN GALLERY, Santa Monica, CA – 25th Anniversary Exhibition 2003 CO
NSERVATORY OF FLOWERS, GOLDEN GATE PARK, San Francisco, CA – Five permanent bronze sculptures CRAFT and FOLK ART MUSEUM, San Francisco, CA – Group exhibition ROBERT BERMAN GALLERY, Santa Monica, CA – Interplay, Solo exhibition 2002 OAKL
AND CULTURAL ART CENTER Oakland, CA – Big, Little, The Metal Arts Guild, group exhibition GENSLER AND ASSOCIATES ARCHITECTS, San Francisco, CA – Metal Arts and Drawings, solo exhibition MUSEUM OF CRAFT AND FOLK ART, San Francisco, CA – Group exhibition 2001 O
AKLAND MUSEUM, Oakland, CA – Full Circle, The Metal Arts Guild, group exhibition 2000 600
TOWNSEND, San Francisco, CA – Pacific Rim Sculptor’s Guild, group exhibition 1999 SAN
FRANCISCO ART INSTITUTE, San Francisco, CA – Invitational group exhibition 1998 PAL
O ALTO ART CENTER, Palo Alto, CA – Group exhibition
RICHMOND ART CENTER, Richmond, CA – Metal Arts Guild juried exhibition ZACCHO DANCE COMPANY, San Francisco, CA – Sculpture for performance at Fort Point MOUNT DIABLO HOSPITAL, Concord, CA – Meditation Chapel: fountain, altar table, and light screen SAN FRANCISCO ART INSTITUTE, San Francisco, CA – Invitational annual benefit auction 1997 BO
LINAS MUSEUM, Bolinas, CA – A Matter of Form, Eighth annual Northern California juried exhibition RANDOLPH & HEINE, San Francisco, CA – Limited Edition Designs; Ongoing. In conjunction with Ruth Livingston Stu dio
23rd STREET GALLERY, San Francisco, CA – Group exhibition 1996 F
REDERICK R. WEISMAN ART MUSEUM, Minneapolis, MN – International Library, group exhibition, permanent collection
WALLACE STEGNER ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER, San Francisco, CA – Juried group exhibition 1995 Z
ACCHO DANCE COMPANY, San Francisco, CA – Bone House: Commissioned sculpture for performance, Laney College
SAN FRANCISCO ART INSTITUTE, San Francisco, CA – Invitational annual benefit auction FELISSIMO, New York, NY – Solo exhibition
23rd STREET GALLERY, San Francisco, CA – Group exhibition Attachment 10
1994 CALIFORNIA DESIGN ’94, CONTRACT
DESIGN CENTER, San Francisco, CA – Group exhibition
SAN FRANCISCO ART INSTITUTE, San Francisco, CA – Invitational annual benefit auction Bi
ography
1989-2022
ERIC POWELL STUDIO, Berkeley, CA – Independent artist creating unique public artworks for cities and other clients. The studio produces works for public and private commissions and gallery and museum exhibitions.
1982-1989 SPIRIT ARTS, CO-OWNER, Santa Fe, NM – Co-creator, owner, and manager of SPIRIT ARTS Gallery.
Created an extensive body of steel sculpture and furniture. 1980-1982 CALIFORNIA COLLEGE OF ARTS AND CRAFTS, Oakland, CA – Studied painting, drawing, and sculpture at California College of Arts & Crafts. Studied with Robert Colescott, Denis Leon, and Michael McClure. 1979-1980 GROSSMONT COLLEGE, San Diego, CA – Studied drawing, art history, sculpture at Grossmont College, San Diego, CA.
1978-1980 UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, Idlewild, CA – Studied painting with Francois Gilot, silversmithing with Fred Kabotie (Hopi Traditional), and metalsmithing and fabrication with Jan Peterson.
Idlewild School of Music & Arts, University of Southern California. 1972-1978 ARRO N BITTERWATER, Paradise, CA – Apprentice jeweler to Aaron Bitterwater, master silversmith (Navaho Traditional). Studied painting and drawing at Shibui Art School; torch welding steel study with Martin Barnett, freelance jewelry designer and maker.
1969-1972 ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY, Tempe, AZ – Studies in lost-wax jewelry casting with George Shultz at Arizona State University; Tempe, AZ. Workshop at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesen West and viewed the sand-casting of Palo Soleri’s bronze bells. (9 years old) 1960 Born; San Jose, CA
Attachment 10
1) Archaeology Steel, Paint, 15’ x 15’ x 2’ 2017
Commissioned by Trumark Homes with the Dublin Heritage and Cultural Arts Division, Dublin, CA. Archaeology was inspired by historical objects that were found on the Wallis Ranch site prior to the development of the land. These include a hook, a pulley, a horseshoe and a gear. The sculptures remind us of the rich agrarian past that existed there a century ago. Budget: $750,000 (Includes other works). 2) Tree
of Knowledge Steel Varying Dimensions 2009
Commissioned by the Alameda County Arts Commission, California.
Exterior wall sculpture for the new Castro Valley Library. This piece depicts famous characters from literature at the base of a tree that winds itself across the entry of the library, evoking the growth that happens from reading. Budget: $125,000 3) Blo
om II Steel 128” x 38” x 50” 2019
Eden Housing, for The Starling, Alameda, CA. Bloom II was commissioned as a memorial to Wilma Chan, a beloved local Supervisor for Alameda County. The sculpture evokes natural forms with an uplifting movement. Budget: $100,000.00 4) C
onfluence Steel, Paint 8 ’ x13’ and 8’ x 3.5’ 2011 Commissioned by the Affordable Housing Associates, Berkeley, California.
Entry gates for a new housing development. The gates c reate a welcoming and inviting feeling for the building. The building is designed to encourage the confluence of communities. Budget: $80,000.00
5) C
alabashes Steel and Paint 6’ x 15’ x 6’ 2013
Pima Arts Council, Tucson, AZ. Tucson Modern Streetcar Program. Calabashes refers to the humble gourd as nature’s design for a water vessel. Compelling theories state that the calabash likely played an important role in early human migration, especially over deserts. Budget: $120,000.00
6) Mandal
a Gates Steel 12’ x 29’ 2007
Berkeley Arts Council, Berkeley, CA. for the Berkeley Corporation Yard. The gates commemorate and celebrate the rich and diverse history of the neighborhood. They illustrate the rich and diverse history of Berkeley and make specific reference to the local railroad, agriculture and ethnic diversity of the neighborhood. Budget: $200,000 7) Mi
rassou Steel and Paint 135’ long 2014
SummerHill Homes through the San Jose Arts Commission
Mirassou celebrates the compelling history of wineries and winemaking in the San Jose area. The Mirassou winery was for many years an icon of the agricultural heritage of the Santa Clara (now the Silicon) Valley. The openwork, painted panels convey, with rich colors, the various stages of winemaking, from picking grapes to the wine press.
Budget: $100,000
Attachment 10
8) Napa Benches Steel, Wood, Paint Length: 6’ 2015
City of Napa, CA.These eight benches and two chairs integrate cast-iron bookends from the 1901 Goodman Library in downtown Napa. Now installed along First Street in Napa. Budget: $90,000
9) Wel
lspring Steel and Paint 18’ x 12’ x 10’ 2014
Essex Property Trust, Dublin Heritage and Cultural Arts Division, Dublin, CA.
Wellspring represents the uplifting and dynamic ascension of a flock of birds, celebrating Dublin’s past as a stopover for migratory birds. Situated next to the West Dublin BART station, Wellspring is a beacon for commuters to enjoy on their way to their destination. Budget: $352,000
10) P
olaris Steel, galvanized Diameter: 16’ 2019
Commission: EAH Housing, through Emeryville Art in Public Places, Emeryville, CA.
Illuminated at night, Polaris acts is the northern star, the means to navigate and find one’s way, a beacon and a timeless focal point for the Estrella Vista community and for the neighborhood. Budget: $135,000.00
Attachment 10
Attachment 10
Attachment 10
Attachment 10
Attachment 10
Attachment 10
Lakewood Library and Learning Center Public Art: Proposal Eric Powell, Artist
November 15, 2023
Taking Flight
Dear Kristin Dance and the Artist Selection Committee,
Thank you for the opportunity to present Taking Flight, my proposal for the Public Art for the Lakewood Library.
Taking Flight inspires engagement and invites connection for the Lakewood Library.
Taking Flight consists of three sculptural archways that create a corridor and visual connection into the Lakewood Library, inviting visitors to enter and exit the building. The artwork is an evocative metaphor of how the exterior (literature and knowledge) transforms the interior (the mind and the soul), just as the experience of reading changes one’s life. Reading expands one’s world view and allows one’s life to take flight in new ways.
Each archway integrates a book in flight as its centerpiece. The books are three dimensional and will be visible on both sides of each sculpture. Extending out from the open pages of each archway’s book are the wings of the bee, the dragonfly, and the butterfly. The winged creatures emanate from the central books, representing the flight of the imagination and the ascendance of consciousness through reading and learning.
It is of note that each of these creatures are an integral part of our ecosystem and in need of our protection.
The architectural scale of the sculptures allows a strong and inviting presence and creates a unique sense of place.
Visitors can walk through the archways, passing under each one as they move through the parking lot and into the building. In the parking lot, the first sculpture they enter through is the Honeybee Archway.
Honeybee Archway:
This sculpture is located on the walkway at the second median from the drop off area.
The wings of the Honeybee grow out of the central book. The Honeybee embodies focus, hard work, generosity and prosperity, a powerful metaphor for the library. The book at its center features the Yin Yang, a universal symbol of integration and harmony of heaven and earth. The four leaves growing out of it represent the rich diversity of the Lakewood Community.
Attachment 10
Dragonfly Archway:
This scu lpture is l ocated at the walkway and the median closest to the drop off area.
The Dragonfly is a symbol o f self-realization and maturity in almost every part of the world. This wondrous creature can see in 360 degrees, symbolizing the uninhibited vision of the mind. The central figure emerging from the book represents the feminine dimension of creation and the extraordinary contribution of women authors. A lotus blossom emerges from the top, as a symbol of beatify and rebirth.
Butterfly Archway:
This scu lpture is l ocated in the exterior forecourt, greeting visitors as they enter the building. The Butterfly emerges from the central book, revealing a Mandala encircled by four fi gures h olding a lotus flower. The Lotus is a symbol of inclusivity and cooperation.
The Butterfly signifies the power of transformation, rebirth and metamorphosis and plays a significant role in ancient mythology around the world.
As noted, there is tremendous growth and expansion taking place in the City of Sunnyvale, including the new City Hall Building, the Community Ce nter, and Cityline.
Taking Flight celebrates this new and exciting era of growth and renewal for the city.
The design and concept speak to the youth of the neighborhood, and dovetail with the child friendly nature of the new library, its shared entrance to the Lakewood Elementary School and its p roximity to Lakewood Park.
One of the great advantages of the archway designs is that they have a very minimal footprint and allow for m aximum pedestrian flow. Each post is four inches in diameter, a smaller diameter than lamp posts. They are also not climbable and therefore highly resistant to vandalism or gr affiti tagging.
Materials and Methods:
--Materials: Taking Flight is fabricated from st eel, with a highly durable, industrial paint and primer system.
--Size: The full height of the archways is fourteen to fifteen feet; the width is four feet.
These dimensions are adjustable as needed.
--Color: The colors shown in the renderings are suggestions. For the next step I will present different options of color schemes for each sculpture.
Attachment 10
Previous Library Pr ojects:
The two libraries that I have completed public art projects for have been very successful in creating an inviting and dynamic focal point to their exteriors.
For the C astro Valley Library, I created Tree of Knowledge, wall-mounted sculpture that conveys a range of genres and ke y works of literature through a grid of images. A far- reaching tree grows out from the gr id, expressing the power that the joy of re ading can do to open up the corridors of consciousness.
For the Cla remont Library in Berkeley, I created Bookshelves, a functional work at the entrance to the neighborhood library. The design is informed and inspired by images of old-world bookshelves, which include models of m ascots, busts of people, and, of course, books. Bookshelves effectively connects the outside to the inside of the library, while also connecting the past to the present.
Conclusion:
My approach to the design/concept of the artwork for the new Lakewood Library invokes the power, magic and innovation of nature and an exciting new vision for the future Lakewood Library. My goal in this proposal is to create a timeless, iconic, uplifting work of art to be enjoyed by viewers of all cultures, races, religions, genders and beliefs.
Thank you again for the opportunity to present Taking Flight. I look forward to working with you!
Best regards,
Eric Powell
Attachment 10
Attachment 10
Attachment 10
Attachment 10
Attachment 10
Attachment 10
Attachment 10
Attachment 10