Division: Public Art San Antonio
Manager: James LeFlore
Council District Impact(S): 3
Subject: Mission San Jose Portal Artwork (San Antonio River Foundation)
ACTION tYPE: Final Design Approval
Summary:
This item is to consider approval of the San Antonio River Foundation’s proposed artwork created by artist Mel Chin for the San Antonio River’s Mission Reach Portal connecting to Mission San Jose. This project is funded privately and will be installed on property owned and maintained by the San Antonio River Authority (SARA). The design has been coordinated with SARA, Bexar County and the Foundation’s Art & Architecture Committee made of local arts and architectural professionals along with local stakeholders.
Background Information:
The San Antonio River Foundation has raised private funds and has commissioned major public artworks along the Museum and Mission Reaches of the San Antonio River. A series of public art commissions have been planned for the Mission Reach at each “portal” that links the River’s recreational trails to four of the historic Missions (Concepcion, San Jose, San Juan, and Espada). Artworks installed along the Mission Reach are reviewed by the City of San Antonio’s San Antonio Arts Commission due to design guidelines for the RIO historic district which has approval requirements set forth in the development code.
Two Mission Reach Portals Artworks have been successfully completed by the River Foundation thus far, including Stacy Levy’s “River Return” at Mission Concepcion, and Arne Quinze’s “Whispers” at Mission San Juan de Capistrano.
“Cocojibos” by Mel Chin is being proposed as artwork for the portal to Mission San Jose. The artwork’s design is inspired by the prickly pear cactus and it functions as a natural green and industrial canopy that provides shade as well as a way-finding landmark.
A proposal for the last Mission Reach Portal for Mission Espada will be presented by the San Antonio River Foundation later in 2016.
Issue:
The approval of the proposed artwork will allow the applicant to continue developing the project and the approval process, including a scheduled July 20, 2016 presentation to the Historic and Design Review Commission.
Alternatives:
Should the artwork not be approved, the project will address the comments and suggestions of the committee in order to consider alternatives and potential consideration at a future agenda.
Fiscal Impact:
The estimated project budget for each Mission Reach Portal artwork is $500,000. This project will be funded by private donations, and will be maintained by SARA and SARF.
Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of the final design.
RELATED ACTION INCLUDES:
N/A