HomeMy WebLinkAbout07 PARK BENCH PUBLIC ART PROJECT
Agenda Item _______
Reviewed:
AGENDA REPORT
City Manager _______
Finance Director _______
MEETING DATE: OCTOBER 6, 2026
TO: ALDO E. SCHINDLER, CITY MANAGER
FROM: CHAD W. CLANTON, DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION
SUBJECT: PARK BENCH PUBLIC ART PROJECT
SUMMARY:
At their September 16, 2026, meeting, the Public Art Commission recommended
forwarding the design for a park bench featuring public art to be located at the Tustin
Metrolink Station to the City Council for final approval.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommend the City Council approve the design for the park bench public art project,
which was created by artist RFX1.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The artist will be paid $7,500 upon completion of the park bench painting
CORRELATION TO THE STRATEGIC PLAN:
This public art project is in accordance with Goal A of the Tustin Strategic Plan to enhance
the vibrancy and quality of life in all neighborhoods and areas of the community.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION:
In July 2025, the Public Art Commission identified functional art, in the form of a park
bench, as a priority for a future project. At their April 2026 meeting, they approved the
Noblewins Big Bend Bench for this project, which is manufactured from recycled wind
turbine blades. In May 2026, the Commission selected the Tustin Metrolink Station as
the preferred placement location for the bench and approved the communication to
artists who had previously submitted proposals for public art projects to gauge their
interest in participating. Interested artists were invited to submit up to three examples of
their previous work, a bio, and an artist statement.
City Council AgendaReport
Park Bench Public Art Project
October 6, 2026
Page 2
A total of 15 artists expressed interest in the project and staff presented images of those
the Commission selected RFX1 as the artist for the project. Staff then communicated with
RFX1 to provide details of the project and ask that he provide two to three concepts for the
selection. On September 16, 2026, the Commission
reviewed the two submissions received and chose a geometric design based on traditional
Korean paintings which includes the sun and moon on opposite sides of the bench. As per
the City of Tustin Public Art Policy, this selection is being forwarded to City Council with a
recommendation for final approval.
Staff estimates that the public art bench at the Tustin Metrolink Station will be completed in
late October or early November 2026.
_____________________
Chad W. Clanton
Director, Parks and Recreation Services
Attachment:
1. Park Bench Public Art Project