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Health & Fitness

ARTSRWC: Public ArtWins BIG!

City Council gives unanimous support, praises new plan - let's get started!

YO Redwood City!

In a fabulous and stunning reversal of the February 2012 Council meeting, the City Council UNANIMOUSLY approved the Redwood City Public Art Master plan.

On that fateful day last February, yours truly, accompanied by a group of artists and BOB went to the City Council Meeting seeking approval of the installation of BOB as part of the Birds on Broadway Public Art Project, a project created by Julie Fellers of the Peninsula Arts Council.

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BOB took one for the team…the Council had strong reservations and halted the installation and the project.  They called for a Committee to create a public art policy to present to the Council.

BOB, his pride and feathers ruffled, hunkered down in his nest at the Gallery Annex.  But you can’t keep a good bird down, and BOB soon became the Big Bird on Broadway, and the photos of him embracing his Redwood City residency are LEGENDARY.  There is BOB celebrating Cinco de Mayo, Valentine’s Day, Lunar New Year, Christmas, Summer….you name it, and BOB was living the life in downtown Redwood City.

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After last nights Victory, BOB tweeted, “They like me, they REALLY like me!” and rejoiced that the City Council really “nailed it last night.”  He stressed that there are no hard feelings, and, typically BOB, no stranger to being in the public eye, embraces his role as the catalyst (he HATES that word though) to bring about this new policy that will bring fabulous new and exciting public art to HIS City.

Like we all do, BOB mused over his legacy, which is ongoing, and hoped that he would not be forgotten…AS IF!  So the next time you see BOB, and you WILL, do stop and thank him for all he has done to help Redwood City learn how to FLY!

Special thanks from all the artists to the Public Art Task Force consisting of Councilmember Ian Bain, Councilmember John Seybert, Civic Cultural Commission Chair Lane Pianta, Civic Cultural Commissioner Warren Dale, Civic Cultural Commissioner Laurie Fischer and Parks, Recreation and Community Services Director Chris Beth for a job WELL DONE.  The brilliant plan they created reflects their hard work and dedication and is a dream come true for all the Public Art enthusiasts. A shout out to City Council for their unanimous support, and to Jason Newblanc, RWC’s Public Art Pioneer for laying the groundwork for this night for many years.

It is also another example of how amazing Redwood City truly is, when the City Council, the CCC, PRCS and the ARTS work together to create something powerful that will benefit EVERYONE in Redwood City. I am very thankful and as an artist, VERY excited at the future possibilities to create public art and to see the value of art embraced by the City.

So, note this date, Redwood City!  We have just taken the next BIG step toward becoming a “Destination for Art” and as BOB eloquently raised a glass and toasted, ”Congratulations Redwood City!  The sky is the limit!”

If you would like to see the Plan, go to RWC Public Art Plan,  and click on 8A.

Remember, to Always Follow your H’art!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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