MEETING DATE: OCTOBER 6, 2026
TO: ALDO E. SCHINDLER, CITY MANAGER
FROM: CHAD W. CLANTON, DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION SUBJECT: PARK BENCH PUBLIC ART PROJECT
SUMMARY:
At their September 16, 2026, meeting, the Public Art Commission recommended forwarding the design for a park bench featuring public art to be located at the Tustin Metrolink Station to the City Council for final approval.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommend the City Council approve the design for the park bench public art project, which was created by artist RFX1.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The artist will be paid $7,500 upon completion of the park bench painting. The 2026-27 Public Arts Fund budget includes sufficient available funding to cover this expenditure.
CORRELATION TO THE STRATEGIC PLAN:
This public art project is in accordance with Goal A of the Tustin Strategic Plan to enhance the vibrancy and quality of life in all neighborhoods and areas of the community.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION:
In July 2025, the Public Art Commission identified functional art, in the form of a park bench, as a priority for a future project. At their April 2026 meeting, they approved the Noblewins Big Bend Bench for this project, which is manufactured from recycled wind turbine blades. In May 2026, the Commission selected the Tustin Metrolink Station as the preferred placement location for the bench and approved the communication to artists who had previously submitted proposals for public art projects to gauge their interest in participating. Interested artists were invited to submit up to three examples of their previous work, a bio, and an artist statement.
AGENDA REPORT
Agenda Item _______
Reviewed:
City Manager _______
Finance Director _______
Docusign Envelope ID: 72B76046-105B-80D3-826D-CBCDBA0BDED3 Docusign Envelope ID: CF445303-8811-8714-8222-2AB1087B6FB7 7 Docusign Envelope ID: 6C172253-F15B-8759-8129-667623A19BB1 City Council Agenda Report
Park Bench Public Art Project
October 6, 2026
A total of 15 artists expressed interest in the project and staff presented images of those artists’ work to the Commission in June 2026. After reviewing and discussing these options, the Commission selected RFX1 as the artist for the project. Staff then communicated with RFX1 to provide details of the project and ask that he provide two to three concepts for the Commission’s review and potential selection. On September 16, 2026, the Commission reviewed the two submissions received and chose a geometric design based on traditional Korean paintings which includes the sun and moon on opposite sides of the bench. As per the City of Tustin Public Art Policy, this selection is being forwarded to City Council with a recommendation for final approval.
Staff estimates that the public art bench at the Tustin Metrolink Station will be completed in late October or early November 2026.
_____________________
Chad W. Clanton
Director, Parks and Recreation Services
Attachment:
1. Park Bench Public Art Project
Docusign Envelope ID: 72B76046-105B-80D3-826D-CBCDBA0BDED3 Docusign Envelope ID: CF445303-8811-8714-8222-2AB1087B6FB7 Docusign Envelope ID: 6C172253-F15B-8759-8129-667623A19BB1 Park Bench Public Art Project Design
Docusign Envelope ID: 72B76046-105B-80D3-826D-CBCDBA0BDED3 Docusign Envelope ID: CF445303-8811-8714-8222-2AB1087B6FB7 Docusign Envelope ID: 6C172253-F15B-8759-8129-667623A19BB1