HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-06-09; City Council; 08; Chestnut Underpass Public Art Project Final Design ConceptCA Review TL
Meeting Date:
To:
From:
Staff Contact:
Craddock.stropes@carlsbadca.gov, 442-339-2026
Subject:
District:
Recommended Action
Adopt a resolution approving the final public art design concept by Greenmeme for the
Chestnut Underpass Public Art Project, Capital Improvement Project No. 6098.
Executive Summary
The Chestnut Avenue Interstate 5 underpass will be the location of the first permanent public
art installation within a freeway underpass in Carlsbad. The site serves as a key gateway to the
Barrio, linking neighborhoods surrounding Holiday Park on the east with the Barrio community
on the west.
Staff are recommending the City Council approve the final design concept. The City Council’s
approval is required for permanent public art, in accordance with Carlsbad Municipal Code
Section 2.18.120 and the City Council-approved Art in Public Places Program (Exhibit 2).
Explanation & Analysis
Background
The City Council identified the Chestnut Avenue Interstate 5 underpass as the city’s preferred
location for enhancements to be made as part of Build North Coast Corridor, a California
Department of Transportation and San Diego Association of Governments project that includes
highway, rail, environmental and coastal access improvement projects along the I-5 and rail
corridor through Carlsbad, Solana Beach and Encinitas. The Chestnut Underpass improvements
were completed by Caltrans in summer 2025.
Public art enhances the quality of life in Carlsbad, and aligns with the city’s General Plan, Arts &
Culture Master Plan, Art in Public Places Program, Village Barrio Master Plan and Carlsbad’s 5-
Year Strategic Plan goals. Funding for the Chestnut Underpass Public Art Project, Capital
Improvement Project No. 6098 was first appropriated in the fiscal year 2021-22 budget.
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Final design concept
The design concept approved by the Arts Commission is an installation of three-dimensional
sculptural panels of local flowers, with poinsettia, ranunculus, California poppy and freesia on
the east wall and birds of paradise, Matilija poppy, white sage and opuntia on the west side.
East wall – Near Pio Pico Drive
West wall – Near Harding Street
Exhibit 3 provides more detail on the concept.
Timeline
•Aug. 29 to Oct. 10, 2023: A national call for artist qualifications was issued, inviting
artists and artist teams to submit proposals for permanent public artwork at Chestnut
Underpass.
•Jan. 4, 2024: A special meeting of the Public Art Advisory Subcommittee for the
Chestnut Underpass Public Art Project was held. After interviewing two individual artists
and one artist team, Greenmeme was chosen to develop a site-integrated, permanent
public art installation for Chestnut Underpass.
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•April 25 to June 17, 2025: The city hosted ten meet-the-artist opportunities held both in
person and online to gather input used to develop preliminary design concepts.
•Sept. 4, 2025: Greeneme presented two preliminary design concepts to the Arts
Commission.
•Sept. 11 to Oct. 2, 2025: The city gathered community input on the two preliminary
concepts through an online feedback form which received 238 responses.
•Feb. 5, 2026: Based on community feedback a revised concept for the Chestnut
Underpass public art was presented to Arts Commission (Exhibit 3).
•Feb. 10 to Feb. 27, 2026: The city invited further community feedback on the updated
concept through an online survey that received 321 responses.
•April 2, 2026: Arts Commission recommended approval of the final public art design
concept (Exhibit 5).
As noted above, the City Council is responsible for approving the final public artwork design
concepts recommended by the Carlsbad Arts Commission under Carlsbad Municipal Code
Chapter 2.18.120 and the Art in Public Places Program.
Community Engagement
Extensive community input for the Chestnut Underpass Public Art Project has been gathered
since 2024. Utilizing a combination of community events and surveys, community members had
opportunities to provide feedback throughout the process, including artist selection, design
concepts and the proposed final artwork (Exhibit 4).
Fiscal Analysis
The fiscal year 2025-26 Capital Improvement Program budget adopted by the City Council on
June 17, 2025, identifies a total current appropriation of $400,000 for the Chestnut Avenue
Underpass Public Art Project, Capital Improvement Program Project No. 6098. A design contract
with Greenmeme was executed on Aug. 12, 2024, for $95,000. Adequate funding is available in
the project budget for fabrication and installation of the proposed final design.
Next Steps
The City will submit a Transportation Art Proposal and a Transportation Art Maintenance Plan
to Caltrans for review and approval. Upon receiving Caltrans’ approval, staff will present a
contract for the fabrication of the approved artwork by Greenmeme to the City Council for
review and approval.
Environmental Evaluation
The proposed action is not a “project” as defined by California Environmental Quality Act, or
CEQA, Section 21065 and CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5) and does not require
environment review under CEQA Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) and 15061(b)(3), because the
proposed action to report on Chestnut Underpass Public Art concepts is an organizational or
administrative government activity that does not involve any commitment to any specific
project which may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment. Any
subsequent action or direction stemming from the proposed action may require preparation of
an environmental document in accordance with CEQA or CEQA Guidelines.
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Exhibits
1.City Council resolution
2.Art in Public Places Program
3.Final public art design concept
4.Chestnut Underpass public art public input summary from Phase 4
5.Draft minutes of April 2, 2026, Arts Commission meeting
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Exhibit 1 RESOLUTION NO. 2026-109
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARLSBAD,
CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE FINAL PUBLIC ART DESIGN CONCEPT BY
GREENMEME FOR THE CHESTNUT UNDERPASS PUBLIC ART PROJECT,
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM PROJECT NO. 6098
WHEREAS, the City Council passed Resolution 2019-209 identifying the Chestnut Avenue
Interstate 5 underpass as the city’s preferred location for enhancements as part of Build North Coast
Corridor, a California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and San Diego Association of
Governments project; and
WHEREAS, a total budget of $400,000 has been appropriated for Chestnut Underpass Public
Art, Capital Improvement Program Project No. 6098; and
WHEREAS, Carlsbad Municipal Code Chapter 2.18.120 states that the selection of artists shall
be governed by the Art in Public Places Program as developed and adopted by the Arts Commission
and City Council; and
WHEREAS, on January 4, 2024 a Public Art Advisory Subcommittee of the Arts Commission
selected Greenmeme as the artist team to create the permanent public art for the Chestnut Underpass;
and
WHEREAS, public outreach and engagement activities have resulted in broad community
support for the final public art design concept by Greenmeme; and
WHEREAS, on April 2, 2026 the Arts Commission recommended approval of the final public art
design concept; and
WHEREAS, City Council approval of the final design concept is required in accordance with the
Art in Public Places Program.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Carlsbad, California, as
follows:
1.That the above recitations are true and correct.
2.That the City Council has determined that the proposed action is not a “project” as
defined by California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA, Section 21065 and CEQA
Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5) and does not require environment review under CEQA
Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) and 15061(b)(3), because the proposed action to report
on Chestnut Underpass Public Art concepts is an organizational or administrative
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government activity that does not involve any commitment to any specific project which
may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment. Any
subsequent action or direction stemming from the proposed action may require
preparation of an environmental document in accordance with CEQA or CEQA
Guidelines.
3.That City Council approves the final public art design concept by Greenmeme for
Chestnut Underpass Public Art, Capital Improvement Program Project No. 6098.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City
of Carlsbad on the 9th day of June, 2026, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Blackburn, Bhat-Patel, Acosta, Burkholder, Shin.
NAYS: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
ABSENT: None.
______________________________________
KEITH BLACKBURN, Mayor
______________________________________
SHERRY FREISINGER, City Clerk
(SEAL)
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City of Carlsbad
Cultural Arts Office
Art in Public Places
Program
Mailing Address: Location:
1200 Carlsbad Village Drive 2955 Elmwood St.
Carlsbad, CA 92008 Carlsbad, CA 92008
Exhibit 2
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Table of Contents
Topic Page
Introduction .............................................................................. 3
Goals ................................................................................ 3
Public art as it relates to the city’s General Plan ............. 4
Purpose .................................................................................... 5
Intent ...................................................................................
Budget Process .......................................................................... 6
Capital Improvement Projects ......................................... 6
Community Arts Projects ................................................. 7
City Council Review .......................................................... 8
Initiating a Public Art Project .................................................... 8
Responsibilities ................................................................ 8
Selection Procedures .............................................................. 15
General Process ............................................................. 15
Public Art Advisory Committee ...................................... 16
Appeals Process ............................................................. 18
Insurance and Risk Management ........................................... 18
Policy on Donated Works, Gifts and Accessions ..................... 19
Procedures for Acquisition – Donated Artworks ........... 19
Donated Funds for Public Art ......................................... 21
Panel Review Process ..................................................... 21
Collection Management.......................................................... 22
Collection Management Goals ....................................... 22
Deaccession Policies ...................................................... 23
Adopted by the Carlsbad Arts Commission, May, 1995.
Updated February, 2014.
Adopted by City Council March 2015.
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Introduction
The City of Carlsbad’s Art in Public Places Program seeks to ensure the highest quality of
design where arts and culture and public art have a constant presence. The city wishes to
advance Carlsbad’s reputation as a unique community by expanding residents' appreciation of
art, reflecting the city's aspiration to improve the quality of life, enhancing public spaces for
all residents and visitors and becoming a world class city for innovation and creativity. The Art in
Public Places Program works to integrate art and the ideas of artists into the development of
public settings by collaborating with local and nationally-known artists to include the values and
history of our community into their work.
Goals
1. To increase the understanding and appreciation of art in public places of Carlsbad
residents and visitors.
2. To acquire and commission quality and diverse works of art for community enrichment
that is site specific and environmentally responsive.
3. To encourage participation of diverse socioeconomic and ethnic groups in the art in
public places program and process.
4. To support and involve artists in developing, collaborating and implementing Carlsbad's
public spaces and community development projects.
5. To encourage collaboration between artists and architects, landscape architects and civil
engineers for public projects.
6. To encourage an environment for artistic creativity in Carlsbad and promote Carlsbad as
a local, state and national leader in arts, culture and public art.
7. To increase awareness of Carlsbad's art in public places activities as an integral
component for attracting business and tourism to Carlsbad.
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Public Art as it relates to the City of Carlsbad General Plan
The General Plan outlines the community’s vision for the future development of Carlsbad. The
plan introduces its purpose, use, and policy structure, and how it can be amended and updated
to continually embody the Community’s Vision and direction for the future. The plan draws its
ideas from more than 8,000 residents and over 100 community groups and organizations, as
well as business owners, elected officials, and city staff who directly participated in the process
to create the Carlsbad Community Vision, which is the foundation for this plan. The plan is
comprehensive and long-range and will be used on an ongoing basis, reflecting the city’s
commitment to the Carlsbad Community Vision and the state law requirement that all actions
related to the city’s physical development—from transportation and park plans, to facility
plans, as well development regulations and fee programs—should be consistent with the
General Plan.
The Carlsbad Community Vision reflects the community’s aspirations for Carlsbad’s future; it is
a clear and motivational synthesis of the ideas expressed by community members during the
first phase of Envision Carlsbad. The Carlsbad Community Vision is based upon nine core values
that were commonly expressed by the community. These values represent the qualities and
characteristics of Carlsbad that community members aspire to protect, maintain, improve,
change or achieve in the future.
Small town feel, beach community character and connectedness
Open space and the natural environment
Access to recreation and active, healthy lifestyles
The local economy, business diversity and tourism
Walking, biking, public transportation and connectivity
Sustainability
High quality education and community services
Neighborhood revitalization, community design and livability
History, the arts and cultural resources
The Arts, History, Culture and Education (AHCE) Element of the General Plan recognizes that an
aesthetic environment and connections to culture and education are essential characteristics of
a community that values its quality of life and wishes to be seen by its residents, neighbors and
visitors as an attractive and desirable place, addressing the needs of the human spirit. This
element is intended to enhance availability and accessibility of the arts for all residents,
preservation of the important historic and cultural elements that make Carlsbad unique, and
educational opportunities for lifelong learning.
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Carlsbad boasts a variety of arts and cultural events, institutions and programs aimed at
promoting a sense of community identity and providing education and information about the
city’s heritage. Events such as ArtSplash, TGIF Concerts in the Parks and exhibits at the William
D. Cannon Art Gallery provide outlets for the arts and cultural community. These events help
Carlsbad residents from all cultural backgrounds to celebrate local traditions and heritage in
creative and inspiring ways by building connections between historic resources and the arts and
by promoting and strengthening both.
General Plan goals related to public art:
Integrate the arts and arts education as a vital aspect of community life, with a wide range
of facilities and public programs designed to engage the city’s diverse audiences as active
participants and patrons.
Foster an environment of active participation in and attendance at artistic and educational
programs and activities by residents and visitors.
Enhance cultural and generational diversity and social connections through opportunities
for volunteerism and civic engagement; more public gathering places, family-friendly
activities; and more events that connect residents to one another and keep them active in
the community.
General Plan policies related to public art:
Allocate funding for the purchase, maintenance and conservation of the city’s public art
collection and provide, when possible, for the siting, selection, installation and maintenance
of works of art within or upon public facilities and land.
Promote cooperative arrangements with other public or private agencies that facilitate the
temporary or permanent display of works of art within or upon public or private facilities
and land.
Develop programs that invest in and contribute to the enhancement of arts and cultural
programs, services, organizations and artists to foster ongoing cultural tourism efforts and
creative economy development in the city.
PURPOSE
It is the intent of city ordinance 2.18.110 (appropriations for arts) to direct the inclusion of
works of art in all city construction projects. The Art in Public Places Program is designed to
manage the acquisition and disposition of public art in order to expand residents’ and visitors’
experience with art and enable them to better understand their communities and their
individual lives. By encouraging artists capable of creating works of art in public places, the Art
in Public Places Program shall strive to stimulate the vitality and economy of the city and
enhance Carlsbad’s reputation as a regional leader in arts and culture.
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BUDGET PROCESS
There are two ways a public art project may be funded. These methods require Carlsbad Arts
Commission and City Council approval. The methods used to fund a project are:
Capital Improvement Projects
Funding for public art was authorized by City Council on May 7, 1985, under chapter 2.18.130
(Appropriations for Arts) of the Carlsbad Municipal Code. Within this chapter, all city
department heads are directed to include at least one percent of project cost estimates for a
public art element when requesting Capital Improvement Projects (CIPs) authorizations or
appropriations. All Capital Improvement Projects must include public art as a design
requirement.
For the purposes of the Art in Public Places Program, Capital Improvement Project means any of
the following:
1. Construction, reconstruction, or renovation in excess of $500,000, involving any publicly
owned, leased, or operated facility including any plant, building, structure, utility
system, real property, streets and highways, or other public work improvement.
2. Street or streetscape improvement projects other than street repair or reconstruction.
In the case of streetscape and right-of-way enhancement projects, streetscape means
an improvement to a public right-of-way, including a sidewalk, tree, light fixture, sign,
and furniture. Some funding sources (e.g., sources restricted to “transportation
purposes” or “direct construction costs”) may prohibit formula-based expenditures for
art. Thus, percent for art will not be collected from those sources. However, City Council
may provide funding for public art for street or streetscape improvements from General
Fund revenues on a case by case basis.
3. In the case of a publicly owned utility system, capital improvement project shall include
only the construction, erection, improvement, of dams, reservoirs and power plants.
For the purposes of the Art in Public Places Program, Capital Improvement Project does not
mean any of the following maintenance work:
1. Routine, recurring and usual work for the preservation or protection of any publicly
owned or publicly operated facility (see 2.18110 b-1) for its intended purposes.
2. Resurfacing of streets and highways.
3. Landscape maintenance, including mowing, watering, trimming, pruning, planting,
replacement of plants, and servicing of irrigation and sprinkler systems.
4. Work performed to keep, operate, and maintain publicly owned water, power, or waste
disposal systems, including, but not limited to, dams, reservoirs, and power plants.
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Annually, the Administrative Services Department of the City of Carlsbad will verify the one
percent for public art allocation for all eligible CIP projects has been included in the budgeted
amounts for City Council approval. As an alternative, where funding for eligible projects is
restricted and cannot be used for public art, the City Council may appropriate percent for art
funding from the General Capital Construction Fund or the General Fund. The funds for art
allocations may be used for projects located at the direct site of the CIP project, or pooled for
other future public art projects identified by the cultural arts manager and Carlsbad Arts
Commission. The park in lieu fee funded percent for art allocations must be used for artwork at
a park within the same quadrant where the fee was paid.
Community Arts Projects
The second method is a Community Arts Project. In addition to the above Capital Improvement
Projects, the city may wish to provide art in other significant locations throughout Carlsbad.
These projects may be initiated by a request from City Council or City Manager’s office, city
departments or commissions, community members or groups or individual artists. Requests
may include proposals for permanently placed artworks or temporary exhibitions or projects.
Requests will be reviewed by the cultural arts manager and forwarded to the public art advisory
committee and the Carlsbad Arts Commission. If approved, the recommendation will go to the
City Council as a request for appropriation. In most cases, these projects will be listed in and
submitted as part of the annual budget process.
A Community Arts Project request should include the following information:
A. Title of the Capital Improvement or Community Project identified for public art (if any).
B. Location of the project (description and map).
C. Source of funding for the proposed artwork.
D. Fiscal year or years the project covers and the amount of funds requested per year.
E. Amount of appropriation requested for the project in total.
F. Proposed method of selection for the artist/artwork.
G. General description of the artist’s involvement with the CIP project.
H. Statement of project need.
I. Project description (statement).
J. Outline of operational costs (if any).
K. Any additional information as required by the specific site, project or design.
*F, G, I and K will be completed by the Cultural Arts Office.
Funding for the Community Art Projects may come from individuals, community organizations
or other city departments. City Council may also choose to fund public art projects from the
General Fund, special projects fund or other sources.
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City Council Review
All public art projects in the City of Carlsbad require City Council approval at three stages. These
stages are:
A. Appropriation of funds.
B. Approval of contracts (both individual artists/artwork and integrated Capital
Improvement Projects which exceeds the city manager’s authority).
C. Final approval of the final design concepts.
This approval is presented in the form of an agenda item, which is prepared by the Cultural Arts
Office staff.
INITIATING A PUBLIC ART PROCESS
Responsibilities
City Council
1. Appoints and empowers the Carlsbad Arts Commission.
2. Receives recommendations from the Carlsbad Arts Commission on public art policies
and issues.
3. Reviews and adopts the annual Capital Improvement Project budget.
4. Approves final public artwork design concepts recommended by the Carlsbad Arts
Commission.
5. Approves artists’ contracts for public art projects exceeding the city manager’s signature
authority.
6. In the case of a CIP project where the artwork is an integrated part of that project, the
City Council will be asked to approve the artwork as part of the project to go out to bid,
not as a separate unit. The City Council will not be asked to make an aesthetic judgment.
This will be determined by the Carlsbad Arts Commission after a process has been
completed which has involved input from the public.
7. In the case of artwork which is not an integrated part of the capital improvement
project, the City Council will be asked to approve the final design concepts.
Carlsbad Arts Commission
1. Makes recommendations on policies and procedures related to the Art in Public Places
Program.
2. Approves selection of public art and/or artist.
3. Serves as part of the public art advisory committee.
4. Approves changes and updates to the Art in Public Places Program policies and
procedures.
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Public Art Advisory Committee
Reports to the cultural arts manager on the following:
1. Offers recommendations on all public art projects.
2. Reports on possible public art sites.
3. Submits recommendations on site integrations, scope of project, selected media,
selection criteria and process.
4. Reviews proposals.
5. Recommends policy to the Carlsbad Arts Commission.
Cultural Arts Office
1. Determines and implements artist selection and review processes for public art projects.
2. Assembles public art advisory committee to assist in artist selection and review.
3. Handles all administrative components:
a. Liaison to all groups: Carlsbad Arts Commission, city departments, outside
agencies, community representatives and selection panels, public art advisory
committee.
b. Works with artists on contracts, proposal development and project coordination.
4. Provides education, publicity and information materials.
5. Reports to City Council on public art projects, issues and trends.
6. Manages, documents and conserves collection.
7. Implements approved program guidelines.
8. Develops and coordinates community involvement.
9. Works with private sector to promote the arts.
10. Works with private developers on public art projects in private development.
Host City Department
1. Includes at least one percent of Capital Improvement Project cost in all construction
projects for public art (or via the Administrative Services Department).
2. Coordinates project integration at site with Cultural Arts Office and artist.
3. Representative serves on selection panel/public art advisory committee.
4. Co-hosts dedication of public artwork.
5. Maintains artwork according to conservation directions in consultation with the Cultural
Arts Office.
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Artworks
The City of Carlsbad wishes to encourage the broadest interpretation of art and the diverse
venues used by artists. Artworks may include all forms of original creations of visual art which
may be portable as well as permanent. The various media and materials which can be used by
contemporary artists include but are not limited to the following:
1. Sculpture: Free standing, wall supported or suspended; kinetic, electronic, etc., in any
material or combination of durable materials.
2. Murals or portable paintings: In any material or variety of materials, with or without
collage or the addition of non-traditional materials and means.
3. Earthworks, fiber works, neon, glass, mosaics, photographs, prints, calligraphy, any
combination of forms of media including sound film, holographic and video systems,
hybrids of any media and new genres.
4. Standardized fixtures such as gates, streetlights, etc., may be contracted to artists for
unique or limited editions, provided the work is designed specifically for the city as
public art.
5. Architectural elements designed and executed by visual artists in collaboration with an
architect or landscape architect; which may be incorporated into, upon or adjacent to
publicly funded structures or projects such as streetscapes and other development
efforts.
6. Design elements incorporated into a Capital Improvement Project that are designed by
an artist for fabrication and execution by the project contractor.
Exclusions
The following items are identified as ineligible for inclusion in the city’s Art in Public Places
Program.
(These items may be funded through other programs or departments within the city, but they
do not fall within the parameters of public art):
1. Directional elements such as supergraphics, signage or color coding except where these
elements are integral parts of the original work of art.
2. “Art objects” which are mass produced as a standard design such as playground
equipment, fountains or statuary objects.
3. Reproductions, by mechanical or other means of original works of art, except in cases of
film, video, photography, printmaking or other media arts, specifically commissioned by
the city.
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4. Decorative, ornamental or functional elements which are designed by the building
architect as opposed to an artist commissioned for this purpose.
5. Landscape architecture and landscape gardening except where these elements are
designed by an artist and/or are an integral part of the work of art by an artist.
6. Services or utilities necessary to operate or maintain the artwork over time.
7. Existing works of art offered for sale or donation to the city which do not have an
established and recognized significance as public art among art professionals and art
appraisers.
8. Works of art which are not publicly accessible.
9. Works of art which cannot reasonably be maintained within the resources allocated by
the residents of Carlsbad.
Project Parameters
In coordination with the schedule of the Capital Improvement Project or of a public art project
obtained through other means, the Cultural Arts Office proceeds according to the following
steps:
1. Project Identification: The Cultural Arts Office starts the project after consultation with
the Administrative Services Department, Host City Department and the Carlsbad Arts
Commission.
2. Administrative Parameters: Following initial consultations with the city department
concerned with the project, the Cultural Arts Office will convene a meeting of the public
art advisory committee. The public art advisory committee shall consider and make
recommendation to the cultural arts manager and the Carlsbad Arts Commission
regarding the following aspects:
a. Project site and the scope of the project.
b. Project guidelines to be used for the artwork. These guidelines might suggest the
possible venue (mural, freestanding sculpture, architectural element, etc.)
c. Selection criteria for the project to be used by the committee members.
d. Project calendar developed in conjunction within the overall schedule.
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Following Cultural Arts staff and Carlsbad Arts Commission (if needed) approval, the following
steps will be taken;
1. Administrative components:
a. Develop and send requests for qualifications, requests for proposal(s) or prospectus
to artists.
b. Develop a project outline to further define the goals and objectives of the art
project.
c. Prepare all necessary materials, entries or proposals for the public art advisory committee.
2. The public art advisory committee meets to select an artist or an artwork. All finalist or
selected artworks (proposals) should be ranked in the order of selection in case the
chosen artists cannot complete the project.
3. Selection approval: All selections and finalists are submitted to the Carlsbad Arts
Commission.
Design Only
4. Upon acceptance of the artist by the Carlsbad Arts Commission, the Cultural Arts Office
will negotiate a contract with the artist.
5. Design Phase: The artist develops the design in consultation with the Cultural Arts Office
and the Host City Department.
Design and Fabrication
6. When artwork includes fabrication, a contract is approved prior to the design phase for
both design and fabrication. Upon acceptance of the design by the Carlsbad Arts
Commission and approval from City Council, the artist may proceed to the fabrication
stage of the contract.
According to the terms and timetable defined in the contract, the project(s), plans, schematics
and structural engineering drawings (if necessary) are submitted. Agency requirements or
permits are obtained at this time.
Payments will be outlined in the contract(s). Final payment is held until all phases of the
contract are completed.
7. Project dedication: Dedication is planned with the Cultural Arts Office, artist, Host City
Department and Communications Office.
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Site Selection Guidelines
All sites for public art will be reviewed and approved by the Cultural Arts Office and the
Carlsbad Arts Commission. The selection of an artwork and the appropriate media are
determined on a project-by-project basis.
The public art advisory committee will consider:
1. Accessibility of the site. The site must be accessible or visible to the public.
2. Interior or exterior placement.
3. Suitable locations for public art. Locations may include surface treatments on buildings,
retaining walls or bridges. Other locations may include design elements or free standing
works adjacent to or upon the Capital Improvement Project site. The definition of
location may be expanded by an artist’s ability to extend the possibilities of public art in
an unconventional manner. This will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
4. Appropriateness of materials in relationship to the overall project. This includes
consideration such as durability and resistance to vandalism.
5. Community context should be considered in all cases.
6. Historical, environmental and cultural factors of the project area.
7. Environmental factors such as land forms, geographic features or predominate or pre-
existing structures or landmarks at a Capital Improvement Project site.
Community representatives will be consulted by the public art advisory committee when
studying a public art site. Also, community representatives will be included in the public art
advisory committee.
Eligible Costs
1. Professional fees for the artist(s).
2. Required permits or certification fees including structural engineering.
3. Studio and operating costs incurred in the fabrication of commissioned artworks.
4. Fabrication costs including artist’s labor, materials, subcontractor and studio assistant
fees, and contracted services required for production, transport and installation of the
work of art.
5. Communication and indirect costs (including insurance and utilities).
6. Travel expenses of the artists(s) for consultation with the city or its agents, or for site
study and/or inspection by the artist or the artist’s consultants doing research for the
project.
7. Site preparation or modification directly related to the installation of the artwork.
8. All required services to install the commissioned artwork (including subcontractors),
except site landscaping or modifications not directly related to the artwork.
9. Documentation from the artist of the artwork required by the city (i.e. accession report,
conservation record, photo documentation, etc.).
10. Administrative costs.
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Ineligible Costs
The city’s Art in Public Places Program will not fund the following:
1. Any fees paid to an artist’s agency, gallery or dealer; or any referral, commission or fee
paid to an art consultant; or any fee paid to other arts professionals not directly
involved in the engineering, fabrication or installation of the artwork.
2. Architectural or decorative elements designed by an artist, but not specifically
commissioned by the city for a Capital Improvement Project site; or existing art
elements which do not receive approval through the city’s regular public art acquisition
process.
3. Any costs incurred as a result of cost overruns incurred by the artist or contractor.
Administrative Costs
Up to 20 percent of the funds budgeted for a public art project may be used by the city for
administration or conservation and related expenses incurred in the process of commissioning
a public artwork. These expenses may include the following:
1. Information and publicity materials regarding public art projects.
2. Consultant or curatorial fees for services utilized by the city in the selection of an artist.
3. Developing, printing and distributing a request for proposal, request for qualification or
a call for artist’s project prospectus.
4. Travel expenses incurred by consultants and city staff deemed necessary to the project;
and for artists selected as finalists who are required to travel for public art advisory
committee meetings upon the city’s request.
5. Proposal development fees for artist upon being selected to design, exclusive of travel
and per diem; or maquette fees as approved by the Cultural Arts Office.
6. Technical assistance or advice to the cultural arts office staff as required to inspect,
develop or install an artwork. Also, costs incurred in relationship to any structural
integrity and safety compliance inspection or examination.
7. Rental of storage space as required which may be due to delay installing the work,
should the city fail to prepare the site at the agreed upon installation date.
8. Documentation and media services required in the accession of the artwork into the
public art collection, including plaques or labels.
9. Project dedication ceremonies and civic receptions related to public art projects.
10. Conservation costs: (See below for more details).
11. Community involvement and education related to public art.
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Conservation Costs
Part of the 20 percent administration costs for a public art project may be held in a trust fund to
conserve, maintain and repair artworks as needed by the city. The percentage amount will be
determined by the Cultural Arts Office, and may be used as follows:
1. Routine maintenance: Removal of dust, dirt, maintenance of protective surfaces;
tightening, adjusting or oiling; trimming of plant material (if part of the actual artwork),
general cleaning (usually paid by the Host City Department).
2. Cyclic maintenance: Repainting, sealing, disassembly for inspection, reapplying
protective surfaces, repatination (in specific cases).
3. Repair or restoration: Replacement of damaged or broken parts, manufacture of
defective components, replacement of substructures or mountings, resurfacing (in
extreme cases).
4. Removal and/or deaccession: The removal and destruction of an artwork upon the
determination for deaccession and disposal as described in the deaccession report.
5. Inspection: Any costs related to the inspection of a public artwork, including the fees or costs
incurred in hiring conservation professionals as consultants.
The conservation fund will not be used for the relocation of an artwork. The only exception will
be if the relocation is to protect the work. In most cases, the host city department should pay
for any relocation requested by that department. Funding for conservation costs and other
maintenance may also be funded by direct allocation by City Council for such activities.
SELECTON PROCEDURES
General Process
The following methods may be used to select public art:
1. Open Competition: The proposed commission and site are widely publicized. Proposals
are accepted from all qualified artists. A “Call to Artists” prospectus will be mailed to
artists registered with or requesting forms from the Cultural Arts Office. Depending on
the size of the commission, the competition may be local, regional or national. No
proposal development fee will be paid at the initial stages. A fee will be paid to finalists
only following their selection and upon approval by the Carlsbad Arts Commission.
2. Limited Competition: A small number of artists will be invited to participate in the
competition. Each artist will be paid a fee to develop a proposal to be presented to a
public art advisory committee for study and recommendation.
3. Collaboration: Based on reputation and experience, an artist is invited to develop a
proposal for the site or to work collaboratively with architects, engineers or landscape
architects to create artwork integral to a project.
4. Artist Registry: Periodically, the Cultural Arts Office may send out a call for artists or a
request for qualifications to develop an artist registry for future public art projects.
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Artists will be required to submit specific information to the Cultural Arts Office to be
included in the registry for consideration for future public art projects. From time-to-
time, selection committees may review the registry in selecting artists for art in public
places project. In addition, the registry can be made available to developers as a
resource. Applicants may also be considered for temporary exhibitions or special
community projects.
When the Cultural Arts Office opens the registry for submissions, a public art advisory
committee will be convened to act as a selection panel. The artist’s registry offers the
opportunity to consider all interested artists.
Public Art Advisory Committee
The public art advisory committee advises the Cultural Arts Office and Carlsbad Arts
Commission on matters pertaining to public art and acts as the selection committee for public
art projects. The members of a public art advisory committee will be selected on the basis of
each members’ specific expertise relating to public art or relationship to the project. Public art
advisory committees may be convened by the cultural arts manager on a project specific basis
or to serve on multiple public art projects. The committees meet (as necessary) to complete the
artist selection or proposal review.
Voting members: All voting members shall meet the criteria established in at least one of the
following four categories:
1. Artists or arts professionals who are:
a. Knowledgeable about contemporary art of related fields.
b. Respected within their field.
c. Capable of communicating effectively in a jury process.
d. Willing to be available for multiple or follow-up meetings if necessary
(No geographical restrictions on artists or arts professionals selected).
2. Carlsbad Arts Commission members who are assigned to the public art committee and
who are:
a. Willing to represent the commission and the local community’s interest in a public
art project.
b. Willing to familiarize themselves with the public art process.
c. Capable of communicating effectively in a jury process.
d. Willing to be available for multiple or follow-up meetings if necessary.
3. Residents of Carlsbad who are:
a. Willing to represent the local community’s interest in a public art project.
b. Willing to familiarize themselves with the public art process.
c. Capable of communicating effectively in a jury process.
d. Willing to be available for multiple or follow-up meetings if necessary.
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4. City or other agency representative(s) who:
a. Represent the department or departments involved in the project to include public
art.
b. An expert in the design, planning or implementation of the specific project involved.
c. Willing to carry out the City Council’s mandate to implement an arts element.
d. Willing to be available for follow-up meetings and department consultations.
Non-voting members: The purpose of non-voting members is to offer advice and expertise to
the public art advisory committee.
The panel may include the following non-voting members:
a. Cultural Arts Office staff members.
b. City department or agency representatives.
c. Architects or engineers who may be involved on a Capital Improvement Project.
d. Neighborhood association representatives or residents at large who live in the
community.
e. State or federal agency representatives either providing funding or granting permits for
a public art project.
f. Experts of paid consultants who have specialized knowledge required for a specific
aspect of a project.
The public art advisory committee shall have the following responsibilities:
a. Recommend artist(s)/artwork for each project to the Carlsbad Arts Commission.
b. The cultural arts manager will facilitate the Carlsbad Arts Commission’s determination of
the public art advisory committee.
c. The Carlsbad Arts Commission shall appoint two to three members to serve on the
public art advisory committee. The public art advisory committee shall serve at the
discretion of the cultural arts manager and may be removed by the cultural arts
manager.
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Selection Guidelines
Selection guidelines are established for each project by the Cultural Arts Office staff, with input
from the Carlsbad Arts Commission. Each proposed project will be evaluated as to: artistic merit
and appropriateness in terms of scale, materials and context relative to the site.
Artists will be selected on the basis of their qualifications as demonstrated by past work,
appropriateness of the proposal to the particular project, and its probability of successful
completion. In selecting artists and works of art, the panel shall recommend those artists and
works of art of the highest aesthetic and artistic quality, and those which fulfill the goals of the
project and the Art in Public Places Program. In all cases, consideration will be given to content,
materials, construction, durability, maintenance, public access and safety; as well as site
selection guidelines on page 12.
The Carlsbad Arts Commission will review the selection forwarded by the public art advisory
committee and vote to accept or reject the recommendation. If the Carlsbad Arts Commission
approves the selection, the Cultural Arts Office will proceed with the project and initiate the
City Council approval process.
Appeal Process
The Carlsbad Arts Commission and the Cultural Arts Office have adopted a policy that provides
for a process of appeal by an organization or individual whose proposal was not approved. The
city manager makes final decisions in all matters in dealing with the denials of public art
proposals based on staff input and the Carlsbad Arts Commission recommendations. Arts
Commission meetings are public meetings held throughout the year, and provide opportunities
for citizen comments on program guidelines, general and specific Carlsbad Arts Commission and
Cultural Arts Office policies, objectives, budget requests, and other matters. During these
meetings, public comment from organizations, artists and members of the public is
encouraged. Contact the cultural arts manager for more information regarding an appeal of any
public art proposal submission.
INSURANCE AND RISK MANAGEMENT
1. All public artworks commissioned by the city will be submitted to the risk manager at
the planning and contract negotiation stages.
2. The risk manager will determine:
a. If liability insurance will be required.
b. The extent of coverage and limits of liability.
c. Any additional insurance or coverage required for fabrication and installation.
3. All artists working on a public art project are required to provide proof of automobile
liability coverage to the risk manager if driving within the City of Carlsbad.
4. Additional certificates of coverage may be required if requested.
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POLICY ON DONATED WORKS, GIFTS AND ACCESSIONS
Acquisitions Policy
Donated Works
Ordinance No. 1279, Chapter 2.18 of the Carlsbad Municipal Code states that the Arts
Commission shall have power to “review and make recommendations upon all works of art to
be acquired by the City, either by purchase, gift or otherwise and their proposed locations”.
The City of Carlsbad encourages donations of works of Art in Public Places Program. As the City
of Carlsbad grows, more and more people are interested in contributing to the cultural life of
the city through the donation of works of art. There are instances, however, where work may
be significant but not appropriate to accept: the work may be too costly for the city to install, or
no appropriate site can be found, or maintenance may be costly; for example. The city wishes
to encourage donations of works of art, but at the same time it must be sensitive to its fiduciary
and stewardship responsibilities as well.
When gifts or donations are proposed for the commissioning or placement of major works of
art or works of cultural or historic significance with any city department, the proposal shall be
reviewed by the cultural arts manager and forwarded to the Carlsbad Arts Commission for
review and consideration. This procedure shall also apply to works of art proposed for long-
term loan to the city long term loan is defined as any loan longer than one year.
Objectives of this policy are:
To provide uniform procedures for review and acceptance of gifts and long term loans
of works of art or works of cultural or historic significance to the City of Carlsbad.
To vest in a single city agency the responsibility for ensuring management and oversight
of the city’s public works of art.
To facilitate placement of works of art in city facilities or on city land.
To maintain high artistic standards in works of art displayed by the City of Carlsbad.
To provide for appropriate recognition of donors of works of art to the City of Carlsbad.
Procedures for potential donors are as follows:
1. The donor notifies the Cultural Arts Office in writing of his/her desire to donate an
artwork or works of cultural or historic significance to the city, providing as many details
as possible about the proposed gift.
2. Cultural Arts Office staff may consult with the donor on site selection and in
development of cost estimates for installation and maintenance. The donor may also be
asked to provide a professional appraisal of the artwork and disclose the value in
writing.
3. The cultural arts manager will convene a public art advisory committee to review the
proposed donation.
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4. The public art advisory committee shall develop a recommendation on the acceptability
of the gift of artwork based on the following criteria:
a. Its aesthetic quality.
b. The professional credentials of the artist.
c. Its suitability for public display in terms of: vulnerability to vandalism; safety; costs
of site preparation, installation and insurance; and technical feasibility.
d. The most appropriate site for its installation and the ability of the recipient city
department to maintain the site and the artwork.
5. The recommendation of the public art advisory committee is then brought forward to
the Carlsbad Arts Commission for consideration.
6. If the Carlsbad Arts Commission rejects the donation offer, it is returned to the donor.
If the Carlsbad Arts Commission decides to move forward on the donation proposal, they can
proceed in two ways:
1. The Carlsbad Arts Commission can make a recommendation to City Council to accept
the artwork donation.
2. The Carlsbad Arts Commission can seek public input. Information about the work
(model, renderings, artist information) is put on public display for review and comments
from the public. Comments are then brought back to the Carlsbad Arts Commission who
considers the matter for a second time and in turn, rejects the donation proposal or
makes a recommendation to City Council to accept the artwork.
3. The City Council accepts the gift.
4. The city will only accept gifts without restrictions and waiver of all rights.
Upon acceptance of the art donation/gift, the Cultural Arts Office will complete an accession
report along with a conservation record and an accession report. Once the gift and donations
are accepted by City Council, the artwork becomes a part of the city’s public art collection.
Temporary Public Art for Exhibition:
All of the above policies apply to donated artworks with the following exceptions:
1. An appraisal may or may not be required for temporary artwork.
2. The Carlsbad Arts Commission will make the determination if a temporary artwork loan
is appropriate.
3. City Council approval will not be required for temporary art, except in cases involving
public safety or other issues identified by the Cultural Arts Manager or the Commission.
4. Temporary public art and other visual art programs initiated or sponsored by the
Cultural Arts Office do not require Carlsbad Arts Commission or City Council approval.
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Donated Funds for Public Art
From time to time, individuals, civic business or corporate groups may wish to donate funds for
the acquisition and placement of public art within the city or for maintenance of public
artworks. The Carlsbad Arts Commission and the city wish to encourage donations of artwork or
funds to acquire and maintain artworks.
All donated funds will be deposited in a special revenue account dedicated for the purpose of
supporting public art upon acceptance by the City Council. All funds will be accepted without
restriction or stipulations.
All funds will be spent in accordance with the provisions of the acquisitions policy, with the
exception of sections addressing appraisal and review for acceptability of the gift.
Artworks acquired with the donated funds will be selected according to the selection
procedures outlined in this document (see page 15).
Panel Review Process for Gifts and Donations
A public art advisory committee will review the artwork and develop a recommendation for the
Carlsbad Arts Commission on the acceptability of the gift or donation. The donation will be
processed according to the procedures outlined in the Art in Public Places Program.
Upon acceptance of the art donation/gift, the Cultural Arts Office will complete an accession
report along with a conservation record. Once the gift and donations are accepted by City
Council, the artwork becomes part of the city’s Art in Public Art Collection.
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COLLECTION MANAGEMENT
Collection Management Goals
One of Carlsbad’s Art in Public Places Program goals is to administer, maintain and conserve the
public art collection. The premises for this goal are as follows:
1. Public art held in the civic collection are held as a public trust. The Host City Department
has a legal obligation to protect artworks as both public assets and as objects of cultural
significance.
2. Public art which is well cared for demonstrates a commitment to the cultural vitality of
the city, and is a symbol of a community’s civic pride.
3. The care and maintenance of a public artwork preserves the original intention of both
the artist and the civic leaders who sponsored the artwork.
4. It is less expensive to maintain an artwork on a routine basis that it is to restore a
damaged or neglected artwork.
5. A well-maintained artwork is a fixed public asset which retains its value and may
appreciate in value over time.
All artworks acquired by commission, purchase, gift, or other means will be a fixed asset of the
Host City Department and the city, and all artworks within the public art collection will fall
under the administrative authority of the Cultural Arts Office. To ensure that the city and the
public are offered a full accounting of public funds and assets regarding the public art
collection, the Cultural Arts Office will maintain a complete registry of works within the
collection.
Responsibilities:
Cultural Arts Office:
The Cultural Arts Office will provide for the inspection of and will report on each work of art in
the public art collection on an ongoing basis, including the following information;
a. Present location of the artwork.
b. Present condition of the artwork.
c. Recommendations in regard to necessary maintenance or repairs of the artwork.
d. This regular inspection may be carried out by Cultural Arts Office staff, or may be
contracted to a qualified individual or an approved conservation service.
Host City Department:
a. Routine maintenance will be the responsibility of the Host City Department in
consultation with the Cultural Arts Office. All repairs must be consistent with the routine
maintenance schedule as completed by the artist and the Cultural Arts Office.
b. In the case of extraordinary maintenance or repairs to the artwork, the Host City
Department and the Cultural Arts Office may negotiate the manner and funding for the
repairs.
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c. The Host City Department will not affect any extraordinary maintenance or repair to an
artwork without the consent of the Cultural Arts Office.
d. The Host City Department will not move an artwork from the site for which it was
selected or remove it from display without prior approval of the Cultural Arts Office and
the Carlsbad Arts Commission.
Deaccessioning Policy
Deaccessioning is defined here as the process by which the Cultural Arts Office and the Carlsbad
Arts Commission recommends, acting in accordance with the policies and procedures City
Council has adopted, approval to oversee the disposal of a work of art from the City of
Carlsbad’s public art collection through sale, trade or other public means. Periodically, the city’s
public art collection shall be evaluated by the Cultural Arts Office in order to determine what
works, if any, will be deaccessioned.
It is recognized that the deaccessioning of artworks is a very delicate matter, and must be
handled with the greatest diplomacy. Any apprehension on the part of donors and/or artists
that their works might be disposed of to pay operating expenses or to satisfy the trading desires
of the city could easily discourage and alienate potential donors and/or artists.
Moreover, if not properly conducted, deaccessioning can cause irreparable harm to the city’s
public art collection and, in certain cases, lead to legal action against the city. The Cultural Arts
Office has a fiduciary obligation to maintain the public art collection for the benefit of Carlsbad
residents.
The policies outlined below shall be subject to periodic review. From time to time, as necessary,
the Carlsbad Arts Commission may recommend incorporation into this policy such additional
guidelines as it deems essential.
Policies
1. No work of art may be deaccessioned until all policies set forth below have been
observed.
2. Criteria for selecting works for deaccessioning:
The City of Carlsbad may choose to deaccession works only if, in the opinion of the
cultural arts manager, they meet at least one of the following criteria:
a. If the city cannot properly care for or store the works.
b. If the works have little or no aesthetic and/or historical/cultural value.
c. If the works represent in large quantity a single artist of minor stature. In such a
case, staff may recommend it both sufficient and desirable to retain only a
representative selection.
d. If the works are duplicates (e.g., prints, sculptures, multiples) of lesser quality of
works already in the collection.
e. If the work are copies or pastiches without significant historical, documentary or
aesthetic value.
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f. If the works are forgeries or fakes. The Cultural Arts Office staff is responsible for
ensuring that any forgery or fake it disposes of be identified as such when it leaves
the city’s public art collection.
g. Works whose condition requires restoration in gross excess of their aesthetic value
or works is such a deteriorated stat that restoration would prove either unfeasible
or misleading.
3. Application of monies raised from deaccession.
Monies raised from the sale of deaccessioned works shall be placed in a special
revenue fund to be used only for acquisitions of new works or restoration for
works in the city’s public art collection.
4. Deaccessioning through trade.
In some cases, the Carlsbad Arts Commission may recommend to trade a
deaccessioned work for another by the same artist.
5. All deaccessioned works are disposed of through public negotiations whether by sale,
trade, or other means; unless that artwork is determined to be destroyed and beyond
repair. In the first instance, the original artist will be offered the deaccessioned work, to
be removed at the artist’s expense.
6. Acknowledgements.
In acquiring an object through trade or through monies raised from the sale of
deaccessioned objects, the Cultural Arts Office acknowledges in the credit of the
acquired object the donor(s) of the original object or objects.
7. No work of art may be deaccessioned from the city’s public art collection before five
years have elapsed; unless that artwork is deemed to be destroyed and not repairable.
8. In keeping with the California Resale Royalties Act, if a deaccessioned work of art is sold,
5 percent of the sale price of any work valued over $1,000 will be given to the artist who
created the work, provided that the artist can be located by reasonable means. If the
artist cannot be found, the Resale Royalty shall revert to a City of Carlsbad special
revenue account dedicated for the purpose of supporting public art.
9. A recommendation for deaccessioning will be developed by the cultural arts manager
and presented to the Arts Commission for review and approval. The Carlsbad Arts
Commission will make a recommendation to City Council for deaccession. City Council
ultimately makes the final determination.
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Request for Removal or Relocation of Public Art
Procedures
A person wishing to remove or relocate a work in the City of Carlsbad’s public art collection
from its current display location must first complete a “Request for Removal or Relocation of
Public Art” form (hereinafter, “request”) sign his/her name, and mail or email the completed
form to the Cultural Arts Office.
The request will be reviewed by the cultural arts manager. The cultural arts manager shall
review the request and all available and relevant file material associated with the original
development of the project. The cultural arts manager will forward a recommendation to the
Carlsbad Arts Commission.
The Carlsbad Arts Commission will then review the “request”, associated file materials and the
cultural arts manager’s recommendation and vote on a recommendation. If the Carlsbad Arts
Commission disagrees with the complainant and votes not to recommend removal or relocation
of the artwork, the matter ends. If the Carlsbad Arts Commission agrees with the complainant
and votes to recommend removal or relocation of the artwork, the recommendation will be
forwarded to City Council for final decision.
The complainant shall be notified of the Carlsbad Arts Commission’s decision within 120 days of
submitting the request.
Deaccessioning Report
The Cultural Arts Office will determine to deaccession a work of art when necessary due to
deterioration, loss or transfer by gift, sale or exchange.
Deaccessioning an artwork will be recorded. A brief report should accompany these records
stating who authorized the deaccession of the work, when the work was removed and how the
work was disposed of.
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Exhibit 3: I-5 Chestnut Underpass Public Art
EAST WALL ELEVATION
Near Pio Pico Drive
Florals Pictured: Poinsettia, Ranunculus, California Poppy, and Freesia
, WEST WALL ELEVATION
Near Harding Street
Florals Pictured: Birds of Paradise, Matilija Poppy, White Sage and Opuntia
Exhibit 3
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PROCESS
The two images show how we transform our photographs into three-dimensional sculptural panels.
WEST WALL ELEVATION
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Chestnut Underpass Public Art
Phase 4 Community Input Summary
March 2026
The City of Carlsbad is planning a public art project at the Chestnut Avenue I-5 underpass, which will be
the first permanent public art at a freeway underpass in Carlsbad. The undercrossing serves as one of
the main entrances to the Barrio and links the neighborhoods around Holiday Park on the east side of
the freeway and the city’s Barrio community on the west.
Carlsbad Municipal Code 2.18.110 requires that a minimum of 1% of the cost of certain construction
projects be dedicated to public art. For this project, the City Council has designated $400,000 for
permanent public art in the underpass.
Community engagement approach
The city involved the community during the initial stages of the project’s development, which included
soliciting input on artist selection and working with the selected artist team to ensure the new artwork
captures the community’s values related to this key neighborhood transition point.
Following community input on initial design concepts presented in fall 2025, city staff and the artist
team revisited the design approach. Feedback from the community and the Arts Commission indicated
interest in a concept that more clearly reflected the project’s themes and the surrounding neighborhood
context. At the same time, additional technical review identified site considerations and maintenance
concerns related to the art's location within the Caltrans right-of-way.
Based on this input and analysis, the artist team developed an updated design concept that uses plant
and floral forms inspired by Carlsbad’s landscape and the Barrio’s layered history. The revised concept
focuses on vegetation associated with different periods of the area’s ecological and cultural history and
uses color and form to illustrate change across the landscape over time.
This report summarizes the input received during Phase 4 of engagement.
Below are the phases of engagement:
Phase 1: Selection of artist (Winter 2024)
•Which of the artists seems like the best choice for this public art project?
Phase 2: Artist collaboration (Spring 2025)
•How can the proposed public art design best reflect the values and culture of the surrounding
communities?
Exhibit 4
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Phase 3: Feedback on the proposed artwork (Fall 2025)
• How well does this public art reflect the priorities identified in phases 1 and 2?
Phase 4: Feedback on revised concept (Winter 2026)
• How clearly does the updated design concept reflect the themes identified by the community?
• What elements of the design work well and what could be improved?
Level of engagement
The International Association of Public Participation’s spectrum of public participation illustrates a
variety of approaches to involving the public in decision making. The Veterans Memorial Park public art
input process falls between “consult” and “involve.”
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How to consider the input
The input in this report is qualitative in nature and was
obtained through a convenience sample. This means the
city focused on gaining an in-depth understanding of
community member perspectives, and the results
cannot be generalized to the entire population of the
city within a defined margin of error.
That’s why the input in this report should be considered with a similar weight as other forms of
feedback that have always been part of the city’s decision-making process, such as comments made at
City Council meetings or emails sent to the city expressing an opinion.
Caltrans guidance for public art
The Chestnut Underpass public art project is located within Caltrans’ right-of-way and must adhere to
requirements set by Caltrans. The City of Carlsbad and the selected artist for this project, Greenmeme,
have worked closely with Caltrans to ensure the artwork concepts proposed follow all of the
requirements, including:
Design & Aesthetics
• Reflect history, resources or character of the area
• Scaled to surroundings
• Incorporate durable, non-reflective materials
• No text, logos, flags or symbols
Safety & Function
• Avoid traffic-control colors
• Not create a distraction or glare for drivers
• Not include moving, flashing or kinetic elements
• Maintain sight distance and airspace
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Revised design concept
Following feedback on the initial artwork concepts presented in fall 2025, the artist team revisited the
design approach and developed a revised concept for the Chestnut Underpass public art installation.
The updated concept draws inspiration from Carlsbad’s natural landscape and the layered history of the
surrounding Barrio community. Rather than depicting specific people or objects, the revised design uses
plant and floral forms to represent different periods of ecological and cultural change in the area.
The design contrasts vegetation associated with different eras and influences across the landscape.
Native plants and cultivated flowers represent the ways Carlsbad’s environment and neighborhoods
have evolved over time through migration, settlement and community growth.
The concept is designed to visually frame the entrances to the underpass and create a welcoming
gateway between neighborhoods on either side of Interstate 5. The artwork would be installed on the
four exterior corners of the underpass using powder-coated steel panels mounted slightly off the wall
for durability and ease of maintenance.
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Design elements
The revised concept proposes different plant imagery on each side of the underpass:
West side of the underpass
• Mirrored designs on the north and south walls featuring native and cultivated flowers
• Examples shown in the concept include yellow cholla and red freesia
East side of the underpass
• Mirrored designs on the north and south walls featuring prehistoric plant forms
• Examples shown in the concept include pines, aspens and oaks
Through color and form, the design illustrates a visual transition across the landscape—from earlier
ecological forms to more recent cultivated plants—reflecting how the area’s natural environment and
community have changed over time.
Phase 4 input opportunity
The revised design concept for the Chestnut Underpass public art project was presented to the Arts
Commission during its Feb. 5, 2026 meeting. Following that discussion, the city invited community
members to review the updated concept and share feedback through an online survey.
The survey was available from Feb. 10 to 27, and received 321 responses. All comments submitted
through the survey were shared with the artist team to help inform further refinement of the design.
Online survey
The online survey was designed to gather input on how well the revised design concept reflects the
themes identified during earlier engagement phases. The survey included a combination of multiple-
choice and open-ended questions to better understand community perspectives on the design.
Participants were asked to review the design renderings and respond to questions, including:
• How familiar are you with the Chestnut Underpass public art project?
• Based on the renderings, how clearly does the overall concept come across?
• To what extent do you agree that this design reflects each of the following themes identified by
the community?
• Which theme(s) could be better reflected, and how?
The survey also provided an opportunity for respondents to share additional comments or suggestions
related to the design.
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Promotion
The city promoted the opportunity to provide input on the revised design concept through several
communication channels to help reach residents, nearby neighborhoods and community members
interested in public art and the Barrio.
The input opportunity was promoted through the following:
• Social media and Nextdoor posts
• Emails to public art and Barrio interest lists on Feb. 10 and Feb. 23
• City Manager’s Update email newsletter on Feb. 12
• Email outreach to the Carlsbad Village Association for distribution to its network
• A newsroom post featured on the city website home page
• Updates to the project webpage with the revised design concept and survey link
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Key themes
The feedback from the online survey was reviewed and grouped into several common themes based on
patterns in the responses and comments submitted by participants. While individual responses varied,
several consistent perspectives emerged.
Representative survey comments are included below to illustrate common perspectives expressed by
respondents. Readers are encouraged to review the verbatim comments in Appendix A for additional
context and specific suggestions shared by respondents.
Appreciation for adding color and visual interest
Many respondents expressed support for adding artwork to the underpass and appreciated the idea of
introducing color and visual interest to a space that is currently dominated by concrete infrastructure.
Some said the proposed plant imagery would help create a more welcoming gateway between
neighborhoods and improve the overall character of the area.
Examples from the comments include:
• “The design is pleasing to the eye and will be enjoyed, I think, by most viewers.”
• “The bold florals feel welcoming and expressive, especially for the barrio.”
• “The Flowers are gorgeous.”
Interest in stronger connections to Carlsbad
A common theme in the comments was the desire for the artwork to reflect elements that are clearly
associated with Carlsbad. Many respondents suggested incorporating plants or imagery that people
would readily recognize from the city, such as species associated with the Flower Fields, the city’s official
flower (the bird of paradise) or native coastal vegetation. Some respondents also recommended
including wildlife or other natural elements that reflect the area’s environment.
Examples from the comments include:
• “If you are going to do flowers rinunculas would be a better choice to represent the flower
fields.”
• “To strengthen it even more, I would suggest incorporating plants that are clearly associated
with Carlsbad — like the Bird of Paradise, so the artwork feels more rooted in our city and
identity.”
• “As a child Carlsbad was Pea Soup Andersens, the smokestack, Poinsettias, Bird of Paradise, and
the organic wild growth of native sea bush with purple flowers, and red apple pickle weed.”
• “Should include plants that represent Carlsbad.”
• “Native plants would give it deeper meaning and accurate representation.”
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Questions about how the design reflects the ocean
Some respondents noted that while the design clearly reflects nature, the connection to the ocean was
less apparent. Many comments suggested incorporating visual references to the coast, waves or marine
life to better reflect Carlsbad’s coastal identity.
Examples from the comments include:
• “I see no water or ocean. why not add something related to our beaches.”
• “Ocean: there are no longer any colors or shapes reflecting ocean. Add waves, ocean textures.”
• “Where’s the part of the ocean theme?”
• “It would be nice if you could also incorporate a bit of the ocean in this beautiful mural!”
Desire for stronger representation of Barrio history and culture
Some participants said they would like the design to more clearly reflect the history and cultural identity
of the Barrio neighborhood. Suggestions included incorporating imagery connected to the community’s
history, culture or long-standing traditions.
Other respondents felt the plant-based concept could still reflect the neighborhood if the selected
vegetation more clearly referenced plants commonly found in the area.
Examples from the comments include:
• “The barrio theme keeps getting mentioned but I just don’t see it.”
• “I don’t see anything that conveys a sense of the barrio or its culture.”
• “I would love to see more representation for Latinos in Carlsbad.”
• “Barrio history for sure, the designs dont offer any reflection to Barrio history.”
Suggestions for specific plants or design refinements
Many respondents provided detailed suggestions for how the design could be refined. These included
recommending specific plants associated with Carlsbad or Southern California, adjusting the scale or
color of elements and increasing visual continuity across the underpass.
Several comments also expressed preferences between the flower imagery and the prehistoric plant
forms shown in the concept renderings.
Examples from the comments include:
• “Movement and connection coulld be better relected by using similar colors on both ends.”
• “The green side with Pine, Aspen, and Oak, is unclear.”
• “The plants are nice but the size of the plant images are unrealistic.”
• “I also agree to add maybe bees, butterflies, and ladybugs.”
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Input summary
The city received 321 survey responses from community members who reviewed the revised design
concept and shared feedback. The survey included a combination of multiple-choice questions and
open-ended responses.
Familiarity with the project
Respondents had varying levels of familiarity with the Chestnut Underpass public art project:
• 46% said they had seen updates about the project but had not previously participated in the
engagement process
• 30% said they had provided input earlier in the process
• 24% said this was the first time they had heard about the project
These responses indicate that this phase of engagement reached both community members who had
previously participated in the project and others who were learning about it for the first time.
Clarity of the design concept
Participants were asked how clearly the overall concept came across based on the renderings.
• 45% said the concept was very clear
• 34% said it was somewhat clear
• 19% said it was not very clear
• 2% said they were not sure
Overall, about 79% of respondents said the concept was either very or somewhat clear.
Alignment with community themes
Respondents were also asked to what extent the design reflects the themes identified during earlier
engagement phases, including nature, Barrio history and culture, community connection, movement
through the corridor and community pride.
Responses varied across these themes. Feedback generally indicated stronger recognition of the
design’s connection to nature and landscape, while comments suggested that connections to the ocean
and Barrio history were less immediately apparent to some respondents.
Additional insights about these perspectives are reflected in the key themes summarized in the previous
section.
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Next steps
City staff and the artist team will review the feedback received through the online survey and the
discussion from the Feb. 5 Arts Commission meeting. This input will help inform refinements to the
proposed design.
A refined design concept is expected to be presented to the Arts Commission for review at its meeting
on April 2, 2026. If the Arts Commission recommends the design for approval, the final concept will be
presented to the City Council at a future meeting for consideration.
If approved, the project will move forward with final design development, fabrication and installation in
coordination with Caltrans.
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APPENDIX A
1. How familiar are you with the Chestnut Underpass public art project?
Answered: 316 Skipped: 5
Answer choices Percentage Respondents
Total: 316
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2. Based on the renderings, how clearly does the overall concept come across
to you?
Answered: 314 Skipped: 7
Answer choices Percentage Respondents
Total: 314
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3. To what extent do you agree that this design reflects each of the following
themes identified by the community?
Answered: 318 Skipped: 3
Theme Strongly 2 3 4 Strongly Weighted Average
Celebrate nature and the
ocean 12.93% 17.03% 23.34% 25.87% 20.82% 3.25
Honor Barrio history and
culture 23.81% 20.32% 22.86% 18.41% 14.60% 2.8
Encourages reflection and
respect 15.77% 17.67% 25.87% 22.40% 18.30% 3.1
Foster community
connection and inclusivity 20.63% 19.37% 25.71% 18.10% 16.19% 2.9
Reflect movement and
important access link 17.72% 12.97% 25.63% 22.15% 21.52% 3.17
Inspire community pride
and hope 15.19% 16.14% 19.94% 23.42% 25.32% 3.28
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4. Which theme(s) could be better reflected, and how?
Answered: 189 Skipped: 132
with different intensities (splashy & bold vs. subdued & smaller flowers). Represents current
Carlsbad popular farming of flowers (Flower fields and Ecke Pointsettias). Although we can go
with other themes (Barrio, Sea Life or other), this one seems to also reflect another known
more like green blobs than anything else. Also, the sides should be flipped. Why is the side
closer to what's left of the historic barrio not with the "prehistoric" plants. Speaking of,
where is the sage, the buckwheat, truly important native species of the area. The flower
crossings. It is too large. A floral motif could fit with the community character if the flowers
include jacaranda, ranunculus, bird of paradise & poinsettia - similar to the art in Pine park
and found naturally in Holiday park, and the flower fields. An illuminated mosaic pattern
should be designed and installed at the upper blank band of the retaining walls with lighting.
This will enhance bike and pedestrian crossing visibility while adding much needed lighting in
Carlsbad or the county of San Diego or the state of California? And how could you possibly
say that this design is inclusive or something... What a ridiculous and meaningless piece of
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How does it honor the Barrio history and culture?
I see no water or ocean. why not add something related to our beaches
The history of the Carlsbad Barrio.
I truly appreciate the proposed design. It beautifully shows how gardens are living reflections
of culture and migration, while also complementing and enhancing the natural character of
plant material. It seems too abstract to me. I like the west side; maybe make the East side
Barrio history and culture - Nothing! Look at Lola’s market for ideas.
Inclusivity???
Reflect movement - maybe with an ocean design
community. The bold florals feel welcoming and expressive, especially for the barrio.
To strengthen it even more, I would suggest incorporating plants that are clearly associated
with Carlsbad — like the Bird of Paradise, so the artwork feels more rooted in our city and
relaxing to reflect on the vegetation of the area that all people regardless of their personal
life can thoroughly enjoy. It is a good decision to showcase natural beauty. It is a good
decision to refrain from overwhelming children especially as well as all other North County
community with more traditional Mexican floral designs. This would reflect the barrio better
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Add an ocean element to theme one and native flowers only.
I don't know what part os the Barrio history and culture people want to reflect on, so I can't
speak to that. I can say that I see flowers and succulents all throughout the Barrio and Olde
hand, it does not, in my opinion, particularly relate to the themes of ocean, inclusivity,
both ends and incorporating bird of paradise and ranunculus. This definitely needs words--
either a title on the piece or a signage/description-- to connect the history to the
flowers/plants. Please, please no pinata -- keep the connection to the barrio through native
that is the case, I would include people with the flowers as part of the community. DIversity is
unless one has read the background for choosing that design, they will not understand why
those plants are depicted. Is it a big deal- I don't think so because it does add visual interest
to the area. Sometimes things can be created just to be beautiful, they don't necessarily need
please the public. If the artwork is limited to agriculture i would prefer to see an intimate
reflection of the City of Carlsbad limited to maybe the last 50 years rather then history of
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smoke stack, Poinsettias, Bird of Paradise, and the organic wild growth of native sea bush
with purple flowers, and red apple pickle weed. That assortment remains along with the
current World Renowned Ranunculus in which we’re very proud . The color palate of those
flowers are all within the allotted number of colors. My vote keep it simple. It reflects
Carlsbad and all cultures. I also agree to add maybe bees, butterflies, and ladybugs. May
sound boring but that reflects intimate Carlsbad and its draw of visitors. Can’t wait till we get
5 freeway so more people see it. I have never been at this underpass as it’s not a freeway
textures./Community: plant life chosen not easily identified with Carlsbad barrio or any part
Just pain the ocean on the wall.
with historical imagery.
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renderings of silhouettes of people, and I feel I liked that one a bit more than these flowers.
In all honesty I grown up in the Barrio of Carlsbad and this has always felt like home to me
because of the Latino culture. Places like Lola's and El Torito being walking distance from
where I used to live are things I remember most and what I love about the Barrio. I don't feel
the flowers are enough representation of the history and culture, I didn't even know what
Barrio history mural like other cities have.
I love the concept of adding art to the underpass, but less enthused about the choices. Feels
like a missed opportunity to honor the Barrio community. The floral elements are pretty but
painted wall idea tried to incorporate themes and has a nicer flow through the underpass.
The rain maintenance issue could be handled I'm sure as there are murals everywhere that
are in the rain/snow throughout the country. Seems the current design would be a
maintenance problem also and possible vandalism. These big bouquets at the entries seem
Maybe we're going back too far. Why don't we highlight the flowers that were kmown to the
first human inhabitants...native plants have colorful flowers. Monkey flower, prickly pear
flowers, seaside daisies, etc. Take a look at the local Calochortus varieties...the colors will
amaze you.
East side could reflect the flowers that have arrived since the Spaniards first visited.
Poinsettias and Ranunculus are good choices. As a reflection of agricultural flowers, use
those that have worked the land building up Carlsbad for what it is today. I think a mural can
best represent that and if this is a sculpture, maybe layer that on top to compliment the
artwork. $400,000 is a large investment to in the end not represent the Barrio history that
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I don’t see any link to the barrio and history, but using pictures of flowers. I feel like we are
being tricked into seeing pretty, and no historical context. Is the artist Latino heritage at
am not sure why cultivated plants are reflected in the work. Native plants would give it
local wildlife included as well as, perhaps hawks, seagulls or coyotes? The current offering
the movement along this street. Are those flowers around in peoples gardens or in the
both Olde Carlsbad and (especially) the Barrio inextricably linked to proximity to the beach
and ocean. I cannot see any such influence that would be apparent to the majority of
Where’s the Barrio theme? The cultivated flower part?
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Barrio history
All
The Ocean is really nowhere. I think the flowers are nice, but feel the trees should be waves
or something more reflective of the ocean you would be heading towards.
Barrio history for sure, the designs dont offer any reflection to Barrio history and Carlsbads
initial incorporation. We already have the Flower Fields 5 minutes south, so I dont feel
flowers are necessarily needed again. We have the old pine trees literally across the street at
Holiday Park, I dont necessarily feel its needed on a mural 50 feet away.
Floral designs, to me, are more for space fillers to avoid graffiti or blankness in an area. If you
want Barrio history and community connection, then here are my suggestions. First, research
more what Carlsbad used to be like when the Barrio was created. Since the city is quickly
turning into Newport Beach 2.0, then preserve that history through mural before we lose all
of Carlsbads history to this gentrification project. Second, if you want plants/nature, then
look at the agave and cactus that go with Barrio culture. Third, try and find a local artist who
& ocean. I rode mtn bikes in Carlbad for years and have never once seen the type of flower
reflect movement. How does it "foster commmunity connection and inclusivity?" I don't see
the ocean anywhere either. Don't know where you got "inclusivity" from a bunch of plants!
But that's ok - the artwork is pretty, even striking, and it is attractive to have on a here-to-
speak of this it sounds like they are wanting a contemplative zen garden. Sorry, it's an
underpass and you're not going to zone out. It's going to be more of a quick, drive-by feel
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If you are going to do flowers rinunculas would be a better choice to represent the flower
fields. The other green plants have nothing to do with Carlsbad. I have said before and I 'll say
it again, -please do something with beach/ocean theme which would be a much better fit.
cultivated in the area? The scale does not encourage reflection it seems to give precedence
and more cheerful. Brighter colors will also show better in the shaded underpass. I don't
boring. I think there is a lot of room for improvement on the design. Also, how do prehistoric
area - those don't seem to be reflected well -Pines? Aspens? not sure what the flowers
depicted are - there is no ocean at all. Representation of the actual length of the spaces
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were used, their origin and connection to the area.
Ridiculous. Leave most of the underpass as bare concrete.
There’s no OCEAN theme included! I like the native plant concept and the colorful flower
side, but the PREHISTORIC TREES idea throws me for loop. I don’t like the design at all! It’s
monotone and I don’t see a connection at all! It should be all Carlsbad barrio theme, based
on photos and Carlsbad’s origins, and/or adding in an ocean theme as well. Get rid of that all
green concept at the East side. Plus, why the budget for this is $400K, I’m not so sure I get
that!?!?!
A local artist would surely be proud to be the one to do this artwork commission for much
erased — the under passage should reflect the community that resides there. I’m sure there
a great way to blend Barrio culture and history with nature/ocean. The current design is nice
on a wall with no connection to the surrounding, is not art. It is just an expensive uselles
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I don't see anything ocean related or community related
Love the plant idea but do trees and plants native to the area. Like eucalyptus and avocado.
Ocean? This design has no ocean. Barrio? My family has been here for over 100 years. It was
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5. Based on the current design, how do you think the artwork would affect your
experience at the underpass? (select all that apply)
Answered: 317 Skipped: 4
Answer choices Percentage Respondents
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6. How do the colors in the current design feel to you? (select all that apply)
Answered: 314 Skipped: 7
Feel like a good fit for the space 61.46% 193
Feel too bold 13.69% 43
Feel too muted 4.14% 13
Not sure 10.51% 33
Other (please specify) 23.25% 73
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Question 6 – Other (please specify)
The red one is really good, but the green needs a bit more color
The greens are too light - need more dark for chaparral. The colors on the other end are
good, happy.
I love it!
Why are the cultivated plants colorful and the ancient ones only green? Real native history of
southern California plants is incredibly colorful and painting them all washed green feels
painting a sample to see how bold to make the design. On a white background, that we see, it
would make a nice contrast. ***That bold red color on the existing design could ignite gang
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native flowers, incorporate ocean theme,
Need more color on the west side.
See #4
See comment above
Would like to see more color on the prehistoric side.
See comment above
I love bright colors! Especially by the dull concrete jungle above
They feel more tropical than coastal
While colors are nice, with little/no blue the ocean doesn’t seem to be reflected in design
West-facing side makes sense. East-facing prehistoric flora seems drab and uninspiring.
Ugly funeral flowers
The flowers are a good mix of colors however the leaves just seem a mass of green
Rediculous…wasting time and money fix the roads
the underpass is dark. bright colors are needed
I LIKE IT.
too bold and fake but may be software program limitation.
Needs more
Flowers good, greens should be ocean blue
It doesnt feel like it doesnt fit
Not representative of natural flowers anywhere in Carlsbad.
Feels appropriate for the subjects
Will the actual art look like a poorly vectorized image like this? If so, I don’t like it.
Feels basic.
Some red or yellow to tie in the very green end
Makes no sense
Seems like it would distracting for drivers & red. Maybe some more muted colors that
wouldnt fade
I feel like is a lazy, boring, and uninspired idea, exactly like the art on the Arenal/El Camino
Fire Station.
Blues and greens are more calming
would like some of the ocean feel incorporated -
Don't like the green
Depends on the surrounding plants
Need some blues for the ocean
scale makes no sense
The side w/ the flowers is much more appealing than the all green side. I don’t get why one
would be all green and the other side very colorful artwork!?!?!
Too much orange
The colors are ok. Would like to see the entire underpass illustrated.
missing blue balance
We are a seaside town so please use a seaside theme. No historic plants.
I feel it's too oversized in scope. Why is it taller than the tunnel?
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I would like to see the yellow flowers as a more stylized/abstract representation
these colors would only reflect a seasonal aspect for the area- totally miss the ethnobotany
of the area
bold and cheerful
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7. How do you feel about the plant and flower species proposed in the design?
Answered: 309 Skipped: 12
I like the species proposed 50.16% 155
I like the general approach, but would suggest different species 19.74% 61
I would suggest additional species 15.53% 48
Not sure 14.56% 45
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8. If you have suggestions for different or additional plant or flower species,
please share them and explain what makes them meaningful to you.
Answered: 137 Skipped: 184
No
More native plants that have same colors as the splashy ones, but are more sparse: Salvia
clevelandii (sage) or yellow mustard (was brought on Junipero Serra expedition), Indian
Paintbrush (makes me think of indigenous) or monkeyflower (orange-red), maybe add some
blue like Sea Lavender (grows along ocean bluffs), lupine, phacelia (appears after wildfire).
The blue suggests ocean. Using same colors on both ends gives cohesion/community unity,
popular flowers from the Flower Fields (Giant Tecolote Ranunculus) and/or Pointsettias (any
These are the indigenous plants of the area used by those in the past. The use of oak and
pine and aspen is great, but they are not clear in their design as of this moment, the green
looks utterly unidentifiable. And even the red side doesn't feel like the area. So much of the
visual space is dedicated to two plants, mostly because they are bright and pretty no because
they have real significance to the area. Also get rid of poinsettia, its everywhere already. No
bird of paradise either please get creative and just use the actual important plants of the
the Ranunculus being "Carlsbad." But the ones proposed are more specific to the Barrio so
Similar to the mosaic totems in Pine park and Rachel Rodi Mosaics.
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Species that are unique to our indigenous plant life
It is beautiful just as it is.
Ranunculus should be represented.
Plants that are more clearly defined; perhaps with ocean in the background. Pines, they don't
look like aspen to me. Plants that have a similar uplift to the West side.
I would suggest adding a Bird of Paradise to each entrance-side bouquet. The Bird of Paradise
is widely recognized as a symbol of Carlsbad and Southern California. It reflects our coastal
landscape and horticultural identity, and its bold form would complement the existing
Carlsbad and the State of California, I REALLY LOVE seeing a poppy plant. Because of the
Batiquitos Lagoon, I like seeing the Bush Sunflower. Would love to see the addition of few of
mountains above 5,000 ft elevation. The Torrey Pine is the only native pine, and their cones
are shorter and fatter than the cone in the design. The description mentions an oak, but none
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the design (California Cholla) is not native to Carlsbad (it grows further inland) but Coastal
Cholla is native.
Would love to see actual native plants on one side, and cultivars (plants and produce)
connected to our local heritage on the other. Perhaps cultivars as you enter the Barrio
(entering the cultural center), and natives as you leave (entering what was historically the
Latinos made up that community. If were focusing on plants I would love to see things like
Nopales, or Cactus, and maybe some Agave or Marigolds. These plants are meaningful to me
because it's something a lot of Latinos grow up eating. It's sold at the bodega in the Barrio. I
understand that the flowers are native and are supposed to represent the Barrio, but I don't
Birds of Paradise
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Waves Dolphins etc.
More native plants
Were the cholla and freesias requested by the Barrio/old Carlsbad community? They seem
disjointed together. I know that freesias were grown by the Frazee family back in the day, but
will there be explanations for people walking by?
There are no aspens in Carlsbad since they only grow above about 5000 feet, so they seem an
odd choice. Why not all local native trees like Sycamores and Oaks and Toyons?
I wish the colorful elements were carried across the entire underpass, even if in some small
way. Think you need explanations for your choices posted because they may make sense, but
it isn't clear to this lifetime Carlsbad resident and lover of plants and history - so likely lost on
these flower bouquets seem out of place at those locations and seem too grandiose for an
If you know where to look, you can still find beautiful native flowers blooming within the city
limits. Check out calscape.org, which lets you search for natives by ZIP code.
I like the nod that poinsettias give to the Barrio's history. Maybe also marigolds? Not sure if
paradise or ranunculus as better fits. Bird of Paradise is on our City Seal and ranunculas are
important part of our landscape and reflect a particular aesthetic that reflects "coastal
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Suggestion: Insert a small hint of the Pacific Ocean at the base of the concrete wall, splashing
upwards, midway between the opposite ends of what's there. Tips of waves, peeking through
was not a symbolic grower/species, I would suggest natives like the California Fuchsia or
Mimulus aurantiacus. They historically grew native to the location but have similar color and
gladiolus, freesias and tomatoes. (I imagine tomatoes have flowers.) Ranunculus would give a
illustrative objects—something that feels rooted, calm, and enduring, and that still
communicates movement, nature, and cultural history without needing frequent upkeep or
Agave, succulents, bougainvillea, etc. If it must be plants at all, it should be something we as a
community have an actual familiarity with, not what existed here 1000s of years before we
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Elm - leaves/branch at least, not sure if the red are poppies? lilac or sagebrush -CA fuchsia,
something that represents local trees, flowering bushes - plants
I dont think a plant or flower species is a good idea. How about an ocean scene instead
California native plant species indigenous to local microclimate
birds of paradise would be colorful and reflect our area. cactus flowers. flowering trees.
succulents.
Succulents, Native to Southern, California
Just flowers as shown above
I think the tree should be more realistic
Bird of paradise and avocado
If the flower are native plants to Carlsbad, that’s all good. I’d suggest the other side be
SUCCULENTS…..AND, incorporate native birds and an ocean/beach theme to either/both
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9. What else would you like the artist team or city staff to consider as the final
design is developed?
Answered: 147 Skipped: 174
crossing it. In general underpasses tend to feel a bit scary when no one else is around. Also,
maybe even add a traditional Mexican “Calavera”! I don’t think we gotta change anything just
biodiversity. If we are claiming this art is some great look of area and plants, they actually use
underpass along with such a large art piece will look cluttered. Can the city spend $400,000
on the betterment of making the city parking lot signs and wood signs in the village more
appealing. I am curious where the idea of this art came from, is it necessary? The freeway
proposed is a safety concern and appropriate if viewed from the freeway, not Chestnut.
Pedestrians should not have to compete with the art for visibility within this dark underpass.
Clear visibility for on coming traffic is needed for bike and pedestrian crossings. The art
should be reduced in size and illuminated to enhance the experience for more than just
vehicles. An illuminated mosaic pattern should be designed and installed at the upper blank
band of the retaining walls with lighting. Another precedent for lighting includes the Pardall
Light Tunnel on the campus of UC Santa Barbara. Redesign will enhance bike and pedestrian
crossing visibility while adding much needed lighting within the tunnel. Thanks for
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it is my heart and soul. This artwork does not pull at your heartstrings and make you feel like
you are part of the community... It doesn't say anything about the people who live here.
Incorporate the native species, The colors of nature of the water of the sunset of the hiking
budget for maintence and repair because I think it will be vandalized and look worse. I do like
It is such a recognizable symbol of our city and the Southern California landscape. When
people see it, they immediately associate it with home. Including it would make the artwork
feel rooted in Carlsbad, not just decorative, but meaningful.
Especially in the barrio, where there is so much history, culture, and pride, the Bird of
Paradise feels like a symbol of strength and growth. Its upward form adds energy and
optimism to the space, helping transform the underpass into something welcoming and
vibrant rather than just a pass-through.
To me, it adds more than visual balance, it adds identity. It makes the piece feel like it truly
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Keep it clean and I like the designs presented
A building representing the Barrio are, rannuculas, bird of paradise & ocean
include People? Represent the Bario, not a a generic floral or greenery arrangement that
could be anywhere in the world.
The year the city was incorporated.
Nothing to add.
WATER FEATURE
Some Ocean landscape is always good
Incorporate an image of ocean bluffs
Prevention of homeless settlements there please. Is local artist Sean Dominguez involved? He
grew up right there. His input would be valuable.
Please collaborate with the California Native Plants Society for this and all future city
landscaping and art projects.
title/word incorporated
Maybe add some palm trees (rich shades of green?) so that the mural is a little more colorful
and representative of Carlsbad's coast?
Love the plant idea, but would love to see the final design be an artist's
impression/interpretation of the plants as opposed to the current design which features
shift. What one culture is there today may not be tomorrow and so your proposal of plants is
autos etc. These designs would distract people's attention and make the intersection less
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When I first saw the green monochrome design I thought it was a two boxers in a ring, one
having just thrown a punch and the other reeling from it. I still don't understand it except for
the ocean & maybe grey whales & dolphins. Or something dating back to the original creation
a market, the parks and soccer fields, the community center and Jefferson, Harding St. before
new development. These things are what matter to me as a Mexican American from Carlsbad
and I know you can't put all that in the underpass but Marigolds and Monarch butterflies
would be beautiful and I feel they do a good job of representing our culture because they
mean so much to us yet also representing lost loved ones and movement to the future. I
history of the neighborhood?
Why "prehistoric" plants (an odd term)?
I also don't feel like the two ends of the art speak to each other very well, or it is lost on me
painted mural wall concept is better. Or downscale the flower bouquets somehow and better
Could you add an interpretive plaque so that casual passersby can understand the flower
colorful entry into the tunnel is nice, it would make the tunnel itself even drabber and
people once walked amongst and used in their daily lives. More than celebrating the Barrio I
think it would be meaningful to celebrate the people who once inhabited this land for
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If the goals listed above are considered, this design misses the mark. It could be so much
better!
Community and inclusivity don’t seem to be addressed- or at least understandable without a
sign describing art piece.
Somehow the presence of the ocean in our lives should be included. Perhaps some low waves
rolling toward the flowers.
Consider an ocean and sky theme
It doesn’t have to be big and bold just warm and welcoming with ties to locals
Fix roads instead
as noted above, the underpass is dark and any art work needs to brighten
Much better and nature focused thank you!
See 8.
The pines seem very subdued compared to the colorful plants.
The choice of color will be very important and a sample should be reviewed before
installation.
As above, ocean theme on east side as you enter.
Really talk to those who 1) live in the Barrio for actual Barrio history 2) talk to those who have
lived in Carlsbad for 30+ years for true community aspect and feel
Don’t like this theme at all. Completely missed the connection of bringing the neighborhood
of Olde Carlbad to Barrio and eventually Beach when Chestnut train overpass or track
DIFFERENT art on each side, but less green and some other color on the pre-Historic plants
inclusion. I’m all about inclusion, btw. But give me a break! Just paint the dang thing and
plants with photoshop filters on them. I honestly could have put something together in an
afternoon that would be more visually appealing. I wouldn't say it's "the bars" all over again
further explore the ideas of migration. I don't recommend including the ranunculus or
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corner of Pine Ave. While those flowers are a crucial part of the city's symbolism, but with a
focus on the barrio, I think going in the direction of other native flowers, especially those
prehistoric species that are, so double check the species are located regionally. (specific to
texture or grooves and change as it moves to the top flatter area. The wall and art work don't
everywhere, that no doubt have insufficient parking. Just pick one of the beautiful designs
how interesting it will actually be. The design feels so lazy as is, and there are many other
also think there is a miss not using the Ca poppy, and maybe a miss not using the purples of
the purple/grey greens that could compliment the ocean feel. Not completely sure of all the
*Ocean/Beach/Sun/Waves theme.
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I’m not sure about sculptures in a narrow dimly lit area, doesn’t seem like the right medium
for that location.
Saguaros
Please bring in a connection to the Barrio/Latino culture. The underpass is a literal bridge
connecting two communities. The design should include aspects of both communities. Or at
a drawing of a bunch of plants. would have been better to let people in the barrio do their
relevant. But is it only leading to the barrio? I think not. I associate the whole of Carlsbad with
huge. Given its apparent very large display the colors look like they will be so bold as to be
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10. Please tell us where you live.
Answered: 319 Skipped: 2
Answer choices Percentage Respondents
Total: 317
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11. What is your age range?
Answered: 317 Skipped: 4
Answer choices Percentage Respondents
Total: 319
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Council Chamber
1200 Carlsbad Village Drive
Carlsbad, CA 92008
ARTS COMMISSION
CALL TO ORDER: 5:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL: Chung, George, Nassiri, Breyer, Clark, McClory, Salvetti-Kulla
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Chair Chung led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes of the regular meeting held March 5, 2026
Motion by Commissioner Nassiri, seconded by Commissioner Clark, to approve the minutes as
presented. Motion carried, 5/0/2 (McClory, Salvetti-Kulla– Abstain).
PRESENTATIONS: None.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None.
CONSENT CALENDAR: None.
PUBLIC HEARING: None.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS:
1.CARLSBAD READS TOGETHER 2026: Receive a report from staff on programs and events
scheduled for Carlsbad Reads Together 2026. (Staff contacts: Emily Hardy and Ruben
Valenzuela, Library & Cultural Arts Department)
Recommended Action: Receive the report.
The Commission received the presentation.
Senior Librarian, Emily Hardy and Library Assistant, Ruben Valenzuela shared a PowerPoint
presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk.)
Commissioner Clark asked what was done differently to get the community participation
increase. Library Assistant Valenzuela feels the survey was more inviting and easier for more
people to participate. Senior Librarian Hardy said Circulation data was also studied in order
to inform the genre categories and which genres are most popular and regularly checked out.
2.APPOINT NEW COMMISSIONERS TO PUBLIC ART PROJECTS SUBCOMMITTEES: Vote to
approve appointment of new commissioners to Public Art projects subcommittees. (Staff
contact: Craddock Stropes, Library & Cultural Arts Department)
Recommended Action: Vote to approve appointment of new subcommittee assignments.
The Commission nominated and voted to approve commissioners to subcommittees.
April 2, 2026, 5:30 p.m.
Exhibit 5
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April 2, 2026 Arts Commission Regular Meeting Page 2
Motion by Commissioner Breyer, seconded by Commissioner George, to approve new
subcommittee assignments. Motion carried, 7/0.
3. CHESTNUT UNDERPASS PUBLIC ART FINAL DESIGN VOTE: Receive a presentation from artist
team Greenmeme and vote to approve final art design. (Staff contact: Krystal Roa, Library &
Cultural Arts Department)
Recommended Action: Receive the presentation and vote to approve final art design.
The Commission received the presentation.
Program Manager, Krystal Roa shared a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the
City Clerk.)
Artist team Greenmeme shared a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the City
Clerk.)
Commissioner Clark asked for clarification on material of the flowers and if they will be
painted. Artist Team Greenmeme explained that the spikier type flowers and plants may be
a tile mural in the background with the softer type flowers building forward in metal to create
a multi-layered, multi-faceted effect. Each flower will be made differently.
Commissioner Breyer feels the artwork is still ending up monochromatic on each side and
would like Greenmeme to be aware that that was something the public voiced as a concern.
Artist team Greenmeme is receptive to the feedback and will be able to play with the colors,
so it appears less monochromatic. Cultural Arts Manager Stropes also advised that the project
must remain within budget and take into consideration the long-term maintenance and
diversity of materials that would need to be kept on hand, which is more expensive. The
community input is being incorporated within the constraints and practicalities that are part
of Caltrans requirements as well as the responsible use of general funds.
Commissioner George asked if the spikier flowers will be a liability issue for Caltrans. Program
Manager Roa advised that it was recommended that any sharp points would be rounded and
that Greenmeme is looking for materials that would make the art work safe while still
honoring the plant itself. Commissioner George asked if there would be an anti-graffiti
component. Greeneme advised that yes, there are many options for anti-graffiti.
Commissioner Geroge asked if the art work will feature any lighting. Cultural Arts Manager
Stropes advised that Caltrans is not amenable to additional lighting and the artwork will work
with the existing safety lighting in the underpass.
Commissioner Nassiri asked what type of material long term would be the most practical as
far as maintenance. Program Manager Roa advised that until there are construction
documents, we will not have an answer to that question. The contract with Greenmeme does
state that they must provide a maintenance recommendation for how to treat each portion.
There are also discussions with Public Works and Caltrans to work out a cleaning maintenance
schedule to keep the artwork clean. Commissioner Nassiri suggested a plaque to help explain
the concept of the artwork. Program Manager Roa stated there is a plan for a plaque.
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April 2, 2026 Arts Commission Regular Meeting Page 3
Commissioner Chung asked if the mirror images on each side are due to cost containment.
Artist team Greenmeme advised that the symmetry of the underpass calls for a mirror image,
like a gateway to the underpass. If each four points were a separate image it would be twice
the cost.
Motion by Commissioner Breyer, seconded by Commissioner Chung, to approve the Chestnut
Underpass Public Art final design. Motion carried, 7/0.
COMMISSION COMMENTARY AND REQUESTS FOR CONSIDERATION OF MATTERS: The Arts
Commissioners report on activities and meetings of some committees and subcommittees of
which they are members.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: This section of the Agenda is designated for announcements to advise the
community regarding events that Members of the Arts Commission have been invited to, and
may participate in.
STAFF COMMENTS:
Cultural Arts Manager Craddock Stropes commented on the following:
• Cultural Arts Manager Stropes thanked Commissioner George for attending the San Diego
County Arts & Culture Commission District 3 event
• Cultural Arts Manger Stropes and Program Manger Roa attended the statewide kick off
for April being Arts & Culture Creativity month in Barrio Logan
• Cultural Arts Manager Stropes is glad that many commissioners were able to see the new
exhibit, alchemy + light, in the Cannon Gallery featuring seven artists from the True North
Photo Society. The artists’ reception will be April 18 from 3 to 5 p.m. More information
on future Open Studios events to come
• The Carlsbad High School Film Academy returns to the Cinema Series April 15, 22, 29 at 7
p.m. that will feature a talk with a teacher and a film screening. A survey is available and
we are looking for input on film screening times and content
• The Saturdays in the Courtyard and Front Row Saturdays series continue this month with
Soto Six and Sean Bostrom (Sean Bostrom has been replaced with Chris Torres)
• TGIF Concerts in the Parks sponsorship opportunities are available through May 1
• Summer camp registration is open. There will be three weeks of Club Pelican and one
week of K-Pop Academy
• Cultural Arts Manager Stropes thanked the commissioners that were able to attend the
opening of the new percussion play instruments located in the Sculpture Garden
• Persian new year, Nowruz, was celebrated at the Library Learning Center attracted about
60 patrons
ADJOURNMENT: 6:55 p.m.
Ariel Donovan
Senior Office Specialist
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