DEPARTMENT: Department of Arts and Culture
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Debbie Racca-Sittre
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: All Council Districts
SUBJECT:
Acceptance of Donated Bronze Statues from Tricentennial Commission
SUMMARY:
This ordinance will authorize the execution of a donation agreement between the City of San Antonio, The San Antonio Tricentennial Celebration Commission, and Sculpture Trail LLC. This agreement provides that Sculpture Trail LLC will convey to the City eight (8) bronze statues of historically significant individuals who contributed to San Antonio, and install a total of fourteen (14) statues as part of the City's Tricentennial celebrations in 2018.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
In 2001, the City of San Antonio accepted seventeen (17) bronze statues donated by Sea World of Texas, known as the "Texas Walk". Sixteen of these statues are currently displayed inside the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. The seventeenth donated statue depicts the convention center's namesake, Henry B. Gonzalez, and is located at the facility's entrance.
A concept to install a trail of historic bronze statues on City property between the Briscoe Western Art Museum and Alamo Plaza has been proposed by local philanthropist, Jack Guenther, as part of celebrating San Antonio's Tricentennial. The trail would relocate six (6) of the City-owned statues from the convention center and would install eight (8) new commissioned bronze statues. Private donations facilitated by Mr. Guenther will be made to the San Antonio Tricentennial Celebration Commission to cover the cost of commissioning new bronzes, as well as all installation expenses.
Sculpture Trail LLC will be responsible for contracting with sculptors, installers and adhering to a placement plan that is approved by the City. Sculpture Trail LLC is a wholly owned, tax exempt subsidiary of the Briscoe Western Art Museum with its sole purpose to facilitate the completion of the Trail. Statue locations will go throu...
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