KYLE — Steeplechase Park’s flower fields will be a little brighter and bigger with a new art sculpture approved by Kyle City Council at its May 6 meeting.
According to agenda documents, the Arts and Cultural Board is working toward launching the city’s Public Arts program. To begin this, a request for proposal (RFP) was issued for art, which was evaluated by a task force, where two out of five artists were chosen to be presented to council: Jessica Bell and Dana Perrotti.
The goal of the project is “to create unique, one-of-a-kind, large scale pieces of artwork, such as a sculpture or a monument,” said director of administrative services Rosie Truelove. “We asked for the style to be contemporary and visually striking and that, if moving parts are to be included, that they utilize a natural energy source, such as wind or solar power.”
The first idea was Bell’s, titled "Sky Blooms." The sculpture, to be located at Steeplechase Park, is described as a “vibrant series of mixed media flowers standing between eight to 10 feet tall, each in full, joyful bloom.” The flowers will cast light and color onto the ground, encouraging interaction and wonder, stated the presentation. The materials include powder-coated steel, commercial acrylic and solar lighting. Bell’s project would total $55,000.
Because the intended location is at Steeplechase Park, staff would relocate furnishings and improve the slab for an approximate $20,000.
Council member Robert Rizo inquired on the location, as it would be replacing the barbecue pit and picnic tables; he hoped to retain these items. Deputy director of Parks and Recreation Chris Escoto addressed his concerns by stating that the amenities would be moved to a different area of the park.
Second is Perrotti’s, “a stacked tower of playful symbols, reminiscent of children’s games and drawings,” read the presentation, reflecting the playful nature of nearby amenities at La Verde Park — its potential location. The statue would consist of cast bronze, concrete and glow rock and stand at 7.7 feet tall by 3 feet wide. The cost is listed at $108,500.
The art piece, titled “x-heart-x-heart,” is Dark Sky compliant and has glow-in-the-dark features.
“The Arts and Cultural Commission fund does not have enough capacity to fund both of these projects. So, the options that you have before you today is to approve the Sky Blooms or x-heart-x-heart or to approve one of those pieces and give us direction about potential future budgets and the second piece or to reject all responses to this RFP and have us go back and see what we can come up with in the future,” said Truelove.
Rizo was enthusiastic, stating that he liked each sculpture and would like to have both, though he does have a concern for the La Verde piece: “I love the Steeplechase artwork. I think that’s going to be a great addition to that park, so that would be priority number one. The only concern I have on the second one is that we’ve seen some stuff, some different behavior over at the park — right now we’re having issues with rocks that are being thrown into the pool — my concern with this is it looks like a climbing piece. Is this going to be safe enough for someone to climb? Because I can see people climbing that.”
Escoto noted that this piece is not intended to be climbed, which is why it’s proposed to be elevated by 4 feet.
For council member Bear Heiser, these art sculptures “missed the mark.” He stated that the intent of adding art was to have pieces that reflected that city with a theme, but these feel random.
“It’s not that the art isn’t nice to look at. I just don’t know that it’s nice to look at for $164,000,” said Heiser.
In response, Rizo stated that this is why he supports the flower piece at Steeplechase Park, since that area is known for its field and flowers. Council member Lauralee Harris enjoyed the Sky Blooms sculpture, as well.
Because council approved the creation of an Art Master Plan earlier in the meeting, Heiser suggested waiting until it is completed before making any purchases.
“[Art] is very subjective, but at the same time also, we put a budget in and the Steeplechase item fits the budget and then, we could go to the master plan,” said Mayor Travis Mitchell.
“I think we should make a discipline of investing in art on an annual basis, so that there’s new art coming in,” concluded Mitchell. “All of this that we’ve been pushing on is designed to get to this moment, where we’re making investments in art.”
Council approved 6-1, with Heiser dissenting, to approve the Sky Blooms project at Steeplechase Park.
Kyle City Council will meet next May 20.
