Title
Resolution approving the recommendation of the Cultural Development Board for the placement of three Jean Ward Sculptures in Ingraham Park. (Deferred from the December 11, 2007 City Commission Meeting)
Background
Seven large steel sculptures by Jean Ward were accepted as a donation to the City of Coral Gables by Resolution No. 28709 dated January 27, 1995, subject to a recommendation as to location to be made by the Beautification Committee.
Consideration of sites was later postponed by Resolution No. 28742, dated March 28, 1995, which also requested the Beautification Committee to work together with the Cultural Grants Board (created on May 23, 1995 by Resolution No. 28797 and now named the Cultural Development Board) to make a recommendation on proposed sites.
The Commission gave its approval on March 21, 2003, under Resolution No. R-2003-58 for the placement of three of the sculptures in the garden of the Coral Gables Branch Library, in accordance with the recommendation of Daniel Keys, Public Service Director, and the Cultural Development Board (then named the Cultural Affairs Advisory Board).
In December 2006 the Landscape Beautification Advisory Board discussed the possible placement of the remaining four sculptures in non-active parks that were suggested as appropriate by the Public Service Department.
In March 2007 Mr. Keys and Cultural Development Board member Dr. Carol Damian visited a variety of potential sites for the sculptures throughout the City, evaluating each of them for visibility, appropriateness and safety issues.
On April 5, 2007, Mr. Keys presented to the Cultural Development Board descriptions and photographs of the sites recommended, i.e., Fewell Park, Ingraham Park, Pittman Park, and San Sebastian Park, for Board review, to which the Board concurred.
On May 8, 2007, the Board recommended to the City Commission that the four remaining sculptures be placed in the following parks: Fewell Park, Ingraham Park, Pittman Park, and San Sebastian Park.
One of the four sculptures was approved for placement in Pittman Park, while the Commission requested of the Board that the three remaining sculptures be offered to the University of Miami.
The Cultural Development Board feels strongly that the three Jean Ward sculptures should be placed in a City public space rather than the University of Miami, and at its November 29, 2007 meeting moved to request the City Commission to consider installing the three remaining sculptures as a cluster, in a public setting, such as Ingraham Park.