New Plan for Art on Streetlight Poles Scheduled to Be Shown Tonight

Two Berkeley artists awarded a $100,000 commission by the city to mount the largest public art project in city history — on streetlight poles the length of San Pablo Avenue — are scheduled to present an alternative proposal tonight, Tuesday, to the Arts and Culture Commission.

First Design Rejected

Their first design — large colorful icons of people and objects on 50 streetlight poles along San Pablo Avenue — was following a public hearing at City Hall on July 14. No member of the public spoke in favor of the designs. The commission had , but city officials said the panel did not follow proper procedure at that time.

The two artists, Jonathan Russell and Saori Ide, were awarded a $100,000 contract by a city-selected committee that evaluated 17 proposals received in an open competition.

The commission asked the pair to return to their monthly meeting this month with a different design.

"Do It Yourself Arts Fair"

Also on the commission agenda tonight is discussion of El Cerrito's upcoming “Do It Yourself Arts Fair" on Saturday, Oct. 15, at the Community Center, featuring local artists and arts organizations as well as art workshops, coaching sessions and demonstrations. Local artists or businesses interested in participating can complete an online application (space is limited).

The agenda for tonight's commission meeting says the panel will convene at 7 p.m. in the City Council chambers at City Hall. Discussion and possible action on the Do It Yourself Arts is scheduled for 7:20, and the presentation by Russell and Ide of their alternate design for the streetlight pole art is set for 8 p.m.

Their first proposal for the San Pablo Avenue icons had been criticized as resembling clip art and not representative of El Cerrito. The artists said their proposal had followed the guidance they received from the commission over several months, but that they would nevertheless be happy to return with a new approach in keeping with the commission's request for work that is "abstract" and made of copper or metal.

The rejected icons would have been steel plate, painted with boldly colored images.