The City of Sonoma Cultural and Fine Arts Commission has selected local artist Bryan Tedrick to create a “durable piece of artwork which will serve as a bicycle rack” in the Sonoma Park. Tedrick is a local artist known for his metal sculptures (pictured) and gates.
He was selected from a pool of four artists who submitted proposals in response to the request for proposals issued in late October.
Of his work, Tedrick stated, “Any durable material is fair game, although steel is usually best for actual connections between mediums. I grab elements that are near at hand, realizing that chance and spontaneity are keys to accessing fresh visual territory.”
The sculpture bike rack project is a result of the City’s combined interest in public art and promoting the use of bicycles. The City Council adopted a Public Art program in March 2009 with a goal of helping “to guarantee the development of public art work as a whole in the City, ensuring a closer relationship between the landscape, buildings, community, and art.” A few months later, as the Council considered the Plaza Bicycle Parking Plan, members suggested that a public art component be added and agreed to allocate funding for the project.
The selection panel, consisting of local bike enthusiasts Chip Roberson and Doug “Bikeman” McKesson, Design Review Commission member Anne Appleman, and Cultural and Fine Arts Commission members Pamela Personette and Kari Ontko, reviewed the submittals and conducted interviews before recommending Tedrick for the project.
The Commission voted unanimously last Thursday to award the project to Tedrick. He will now work with Public Works department personnel and Roberson to determine the location of the sculpture within the Plaza, and to ensure its functionality as a bike rack and that it meets all safety standards.
