Title
A Resolution of the City Commission authorizing the City Manager to negotiate and execute an agreement with Tresart, Inc. for acquisition of the artwork "Fin" by Richard Serra (recommendation to deny by the Cultural Development Board approval/denial vote: 4 to 2); and authorizing an amendment to the Fiscal Years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 amended budgets to recognize as revenue a transfer from the Art in Public Places reserve, and appropriating such funds to put toward the cost of acquisition, installation, and related expenses regarding the artwork.
Body
The City has implemented the Art in Public Places program pursuant to Article 9 of the Coral Gables Zoning Code for the purpose of acquiring, commissioning, and maintaining art in public places and has consistently expressed interest in strengthening the City's public art collection through the acquisition of significant works created by prominent, internationally recognized artists.
On September 15, 2026, the City Commission passed Resolution 2026-270 expressing support for the city’s pursuit of the potential acquisition of an artwork by Richard Serra.
Staff received a proposal from Tresart, Inc., commissioned an appraisal of the artwork, gathered information for installation requirements, and communicated directly with the Serra Studio regarding the authenticity of the artwork.
Following due diligence, the proposal and support materials were presented to the Arts Advisory Panel and Cultural Development Board.
About the artwork:
“Fin” is an inverted, truncated cone - a form that situates it within the artist’s series of curved steel sculptures. It is one of his first works to feature sloped sides, a major technical advancement in his work. He has since used curved steel for many of his most important works, including the torqued Ellipses works of the 1990s.
The artwork is constructed of hot rolled steel and stands over 14 feet high, 18 feet wide, and is 3 inches wide with the overall sculpture ha...
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