Posting Language
Title
Authorize the negotiation and execution of an agreement with Dharmesh Patel for artwork for the Walter E. Long and John Treviño Jr. Metro Parks Art in Public Places Project for an amount not to exceed $100,100. Funding: $100,100 is available in the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Capital Budget of the Parks & Recreation Department.
De
Lead Department
Office of Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment
Fiscal Note
Funding in the amount of $100,100 is available in the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Capital Budget of the Parks & Recreation Department.
For More Information:
Angela Means, Director, Office of Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment, (512) 974-1534); Matthew Schmidt, Acting Cultural Arts Division Manager, Office of Arts, Music, Culture, and Entertainment, (512) 974-6415.
Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action:
April 7, 2025 - the Art in Public Places (AIPP) Panel approved the selection process recommendation for the Walter E. Long and John Trevino, Jr Metro Parks AIPP Project, naming Dharmesh Patel as the selected artist, John Maisano as the alternate artist for the $100,100 commission. (Motion by Kristi-Anne Shaer, second by Andrew Danziger; approved 5-0-0).
April 21, 2025 - the Austin Arts Commission approved the selection process recommendation for the Walter E. Long and John Trevino, Jr. Metro Parks AIPP Project, naming Dharmesh Patel as the selected artist, John Maisano as the alternate artist for the $100,100 commission.
Additional Backup Information:
The Office of Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment’s AIPP Program is the City’s public art program funded from 2% of eligible capital improvement project budgets. AIPP and the Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) sought to commission an artist or artist-led team to design, fabricate, and install exterior artwork for the Walter E. Long Metro Park at 6620 Blue Bluff Rd, Austin, TX 78724 and the John Trevino, Jr Metro Park at 9501 FM 969, Austin, TX 78724.
The goal of the project is to commission a local, Austin-area artist or artist-led team who, in collaboration with City staff and community stakeholders, designs, fabricates, and installs a work of art of redeeming quality that advances public understanding of visual art and enhances the aesthetic quality of public places, conceptualizes a strong overall artwork design approach that integrates with the site and surrounding natural environment, is easily maintained and vandal resistant in an exterior environment, and is permanent with an expected life span of at least 20 years. The artist or artist-led team selected for this project will be expected to coordinate with staff during implementation of the project to minimally impact operations.
On September 24, 2024, a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) was released to local, Austin-area artists at least 18 years of age. Artist outreach included multiple artist information sessions held online via Zoom, and in person, information posted on the AIPP website, multiple notices in Economic Development Department and Cultural Arts Division newsletters and social media, Glasstire, Texas Commission on the Arts, and assistance from PARD. The total budget available for the project is $100,100 inclusive of all project costs, including but not limited to artist time, design, insurance, and all fabrication and installation-related costs. The RFQ closed on November 7, 2024.
Thirty-three applications were received and AIPP staff determined that thirty applications were eligible. Eligible applications were released to selection panelists on January 10, 2025. On February 28, 2025, the selection panel met for four hours and determined one Recommended Artist - Dharmesh Patel - and Alternate Artist - John Maisano - for the $100,100 commission.
Selection Panel Voting Members:
• Celica Ledesma, AIPP Artist
• Jacqueline Overby, Austin Artist
• Andrea McDowell, Visual Arts Professional
Selection Panel Non-voting Advisors:
• Alicia Perez Hodge, Community Member
• Reynaldo Hernandez, Sponsor Project Manager, Parks & Recreation Department
• D’Anne Williams, Sponsor Project Manager, Parks & Recreation Department
• Mel Fuechec, Capital Delivery Services Project Manager
Selection Panel Facilitators:
• Bryana Iglesias, AIPP Coordinator facilitator
• Rebecca Rende, AIPP Senior Coordinator
• Jaime Castillo, AIPP Program Manager