CITY COUNCIL: Approve Deaccessioning of Certain Artwork

Meeting Date: January 10, 2012
Prepared by: Janet Bombard, Library Director

City Council
Agenda Item Summary

Name: Approve deaccessioning of certain artwork.

Description: On June 8, 2010, the Council adopted Resolution 2010-43, which defined the scope of the City's art collection and authorized art consultant Sheryl Nonnenberg to begin a process for deaccessioning pieces of art that do not fit the parameters of the adopted Art Collection Management Policy. On November 1, 2011, the Council approved the City's Deaccession Policy for the Art Collection, which includes a set of criteria for deaccessioning artwork. The first set of items proposed for deaccessioning are three abstract paintings by artist Lee Waisler and three abstract paintings by artist Rudolf Haegele.

Overall Cost:
City Funds: N/A
Grant Funds: N/A

Staff Recommendation: Approve deaccession of the six pieces that meet the criteria.

Important Considerations: The paintings do not fit within the parameters of the City's Art Collection Management Policy: they do not pertain to Carmel's history or geography; neither artist lived, worked, or taught in Carmel; and the artwork is too large to display and is difficult to store. Also, these pieces meet several of the criteria for deaccessioning, as outlined in the Deaccession Policy. Proceeds from the sale will be used in accordance with City policy, to conserve and maintain the City's art collection.

Decision Record: Resolution 2010-43, adopted on June 8, 2010, which defines the art collection and authorized the formulation of a deaccessioning process; and Council's direction provided on November 1, 2011, to approve the deaccessioning policy.

Reviewed by:

Jason Stilwell, City Administrator Date

CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
STAFF REPORT
TO: MAYOR McCLOUD AND COUNCIL MEMBERS
THROUGH: JASON STILWELL, CITY ADMINISTRATOR
FROM: JANET BOMBARD, LIBRARY DIRECTOR
DATE: JANUARY 10, 2012
SUBJECT: APPROVE DEACCESSIONING OF CERTAIN ARTWORK

RECOMMENDATION
Approve deaccession of six pieces of art that meet the City’s deaccession criteria.

BACKGROUND
On June 8, 2010, the Council adopted Resolution 2010-43, approving a City Art Collection Management Policy to define the scope of the City’s art collection and to authorize art consultant Sheryl Nonnenberg to begin a process for deaccessioning pieces of art that do not fit the parameters of the policy. Deaccessioning is defined as the formal process of removal of an object from a collection. The policy defines the scope of the collection parameters as follows:

• Work by artists who have lived, worked, or taught in Carmel, or who studied or belonged to regional art associations, such as the Carmel Art Association.
• Art of or about Carmel localities.
• Art pertaining to Carmel history.
• Art that can be safely, effectively, and appropriately cared for by City staff.
(concerns include stability, size, storage ramifications and possibility for public display).
• Contemporary art by established artists with subject matter, such as seascapes, that relate to the history or geography of Carmel.

On November 1, 2011, the Council approved the City’s Deaccession Policy for the Art Collection. Among the components of this policy is a list of 12 criteria for deaccessioning. Artwork under consideration to be deaccessioned must meet at least one of these criteria.

Based on the policies, Nonnenberg is developing a potential list of artwork to be deaccessioned. The first series of items proposed are six abstract paintings, three by Los Angeles artist Lee Waisler, and three by German artist Rudolf Haegele (see attachments). These six paintings, all of which are very large, are currently stored at Sunset Center.

STAFF REVIEW
The six paintings do not fit the collection parameters outlined above, but meet three of the 12 criteria listed in the Deaccession Policy:

• Retention is inconsistent with the established Scope of Collection.
• It cannot be adequately stored or cared for.
• The artwork will never, in all likelihood, be placed on display because of size, weight or lack of a suitable site.

FISCAL IMPACT
According to the Deaccession Policy’s Procedures for Disposal, “objects that will be sold, which in the best estimation of the City, have an insured value of more than $500, will be appraised by an outside appraiser at the expense of the City.” These six pieces have been appraised. Proceeds from the sale of the artwork will be placed in a deposit account to conserve and maintain the City’s art collection.

SUMMARY
Both the Art Collection Management Policy and the City’s Deaccession Policy for the Art Collection, offer clear guidelines regarding art that is appropriate for retention/deaccession by the City. The Waisler and Haegele paintings meet several of the criteria for deaccessioning and none of the parameters for retention. These objects are recommended for deaccession by staff, and if approved by City Council, will be removed from the City’s art collection in accordance with the City’s policies, with all proceeds from the sale to be used to purchase other works for the collection or to restore/maintain works already owned by the City.

Item# 0901
Artist/Designer: Lee Waisler
Title/Description: "Passage" (Part One)
Date: 1993
Medium: Acrylic Sand Glass, Walnut Shell, & White Oak Wood on Canvas
Dimensions: 65" high by 101" wide

Item# 0902
Artist/Designer: Lee Waisler
Title/Description: "Passage" (Part Two)
Date: 1993
Medium: Acrylic Sand Glass, Walnut Shell, & White Oak Wood on Canvas
Dimensions: 59" high by 125" wide

Item# 0900
Artist/Designer: Lee Waisler
Title/Description: "Red Dutch House"
Date: 1992
Medium: Acrylic Sand Glass on Canvas
Dimensions: 66" high by 96" wide

Item# 0897
Artist/Designer: Rudolf Haegele
Title/Description: "Dipped in Red"
Date: 1993
Medium: MT/PA
Dimensions: 74.25" high by 34.25" wide

Item# 0898
Artist/Designer: Rudolf Haegele
Title/Description: "Static Interference"
Date: 1993
Medium: MT/PA
Dimensions: 74.25" high by 34.25" wide

Item# 0899
Artist/Designer: Rudolf Haegele
Title/Description: "Island"
Date: 1993
Medium: MT/PA
Dimensions: 74.25" high by 34.25" wide