Sebastopol Public Arts Committee hears three finalists for $225,000 trailhead sculpture

The Public Arts Committee of the City of Sebastopol on Monday heard presentations from three finalists competing for a $225,000 public-art commission to be installed at the intersection of the J DOTA Trail and Petaluma Boulevard.

Committee leaders said the commission is funded through the city's 1% for Art requirement tied to commercial development, and that the three proposals will remain on display in the library for three weeks while the public submits written surveys that the committee will consider before voting in May. The committee's majority vote will be forwarded to the City Council for final approval and award.

Diego Harris presented a 15-foot corten-steel "tree" sculpture with an integrated bench and detachable segments for transport. "My presentation is you actually get two sculptures for the price of one," Harris said, describing a primary vertical piece roughly 15 feet tall and a companion seating element intended to be "surprisingly comfy." Harris told the committee the piece would be seam-welded and sanded to avoid sharp edges, and that the weathering (corten) steel will develop a reddish patina over time.

Harris outlined installation options including bolting the sculpture to concrete footings or a concrete pad and said the structure would include an internal steel frame and rebar for strength. He described working with local contractors for craning and site set-up and noted the design was oriented to create cast shadows at certain viewing angles.

Architect-designer Michael Lindell proposed a piece inspired by local rolling hills and vineyard rows, roughly 8 feet tall for the sculpture and about 9 feet including its base. Lindell said the work would use quarter-inch steel panels with a stainless-steel sheet at the base to protect the concrete and suggested landscaping to create a small courtyard and accessible approach. He emphasized making the site approachable and said he would grade a path to meet ADA standards if the city requested it. Lindell also acknowledged that no electrical service currently exists at the site and recommended limited tree pruning for sightlines and solar or other lighting only if maintenance resources were available.

Representing the family of the late Bruce Johnson, Terry and Kendra Johnson presented "Cohen," a salvaged-redwood sculpture the family proposed relocating to the trailhead. Terry Johnson described the work as tactile and meditative and said the piece sits on a steel subframe and a concrete base that raises the sculpture about two feet. "Cohen is a paradox to be meditated upon," she said, quoting the artist's intention; the family said the redwood is durable when maintained and proposed refinishing (reoiling) approximately every five years to preserve the wood.

Committee members and attendees asked about safety, durability and maintenance. Presenters said edges would be rounded, internal structure would secure the works to bases, and that Corten patina dust is minimal; the Johnsons said the concrete base was chosen to let grass grow up to the piece and to avoid excavation of a foundation. Several speakers recommended that the committee consider how landscaping, seating placement and minimal pruning could improve sightlines and shade.

Public display materials and comment forms will be available in the library and on the City's website for three weeks. The Public Arts Committee will take public input into account at its May meeting, after which its selection will be forwarded to the Sebastopol City Council for final approval and award.