DEPARTMENT: Department of Arts & Culture
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Debbie Racca-Sittre, Executive Director
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: All Council Districts
SUBJECT: Citywide Art Exhibit
SUMMARY:
This briefing is an update on a citywide arts exhibit of the artist Sebastián. The retrospective spans 50 years of work, more than 100 artworks installed at over 20 locations throughout San Antonio with a presence in each City Council district and is titled “Sebastián in San Antonio: 50+years | 20+ locations | 100+works.”
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
In celebration of the artist Sebastián’s more than 50-year career, the City of San Antonio and its collaborative partners will present a citywide exhibit in San Antonio September 2019 through May 2020. Mexican artist Sebastián, born Enrique Carbajal González, is best known for his monumental sculptures in steel in cities around the world. The City currently has Sebastián’s artwork displayed at the following locations: Torch of Friendship - Downtown, Central Library, University Hospital (Medical Center), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), and UTSA Library - Main Campus.
For this exhibit, artworks will be installed at more than 20 sites throughout the city. In addition to the exhibits and artworks, this project will include artist talks with Sebastian, special events, commemorative keepsakes, and media opportunities. The exhibit is intended to promote greater exposure to, awareness of, and appreciation of art among the City’s residents and visitors. The city-wide exhibit will also create a sense of connectivity among council districts.
The Department of Arts and Culture is managing the repainting of The Torch of Friendship located on Alamo Street between Market and Commerce, in preparation for the citywide exhibit. This will be only the second time The Torch of Friendship has been re-painted since its installation in 2002. The work began on June 10 and will be completed by the end of June, weather permitting. The repainting itself will take place between June 23 and June 30.
The citywide exhibit of Sebastián was initiated by the Fundación Sebastián. Artwork curation will be done by UTSA’s Arturo Almeida who also curated the Centro de Artes Exhibit “Voz.” This project is being closely coordinated with the Mexican Consulate and the Mexican Cultural Institute. Stakeholders and participating partners include: The Department of Arts & Culture, World Heritage Office, San Antonio Public Library, Center City Development Office, Aviation Department, Avenida Guadalupe, University of Texas at San Antonio, University Hospital, Alamo Colleges, Mexican Cultural Institute, Mexican Consulate, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), and the McNay Art Museum.
In addition to existing pieces, artwork will be installed throughout San Antonio, including the following locations:
• River Walk Public Art Garden - D1
• Culture Commons Gallery at Plaza de Armas - D1
• Centro de Artes at Market Square - D1
• San Pedro Roundabout - D1
• Spanish Governor’s Palace - D1
• Institute of Texan Cultures - D1
• Mexican Cultural Institute - D1
• UTSA Downtown Campus - D1
• St Philips College - D2
• Mission Marquee Library Plaza - D3
• Palo Alto Community College - D4
• Plaza Guadalupe - D5
• Northwest Vista Community College - D6
• Maverick Library - D7
• UTSA 1604 campus - D8
• San Antonio International Airport-D9
• Julia Yates Semmes Library - D10
• McNay Museum
The artworks will be installed from August to September 2019. The San Antonio-Mexico Friendship Council Gala on September 26, 2019 will serve as the official launch. Dedications and artist talks will take place in October - November 2019. The exhibit will remain up until May 2020.
ISSUE:
The Department of Arts & Culture is managing a citywide arts exhibit of the artist Sebastián. The retrospective spans 50 years of work, more than 100 artworks installed at over 20 locations throughout San Antonio with a presence in each City Council district.
ALTERNATIVES:
City Council could choose to not move forward with this planning effort. As a result, the department would not be able to activate each City Council district with artwork in a citywide exhibit.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The hand painting of The Torch of Friendship will cost $94,424 and is funded the through the Department of Arts & Culture’s planned public art maintenance program budget. For the city-wide exhibit, Fundación Sebastián has agreed to loan works free of charge. The Department of Arts & Culture is recommending $140,000 from its proposed FY20 operating budget to support this exhibit. Funds will pay for the development of an exhibit catalogue, artist team transportation, installation/deinstallation of the works and media/marketing for the exhibit. Artwork transportation and installation costs for partner organizations will be paid by those organizations.
RECOMMENDATION:
The Department of Arts & Culture recommends moving forward with this Citywide art exhibit.