Invitation for Artists

Bernal Library Art Project

Seeking proposals for exterior artwork on the playground side of the Bernal Heights Branch Library in San Francisco (500 Cortland Avenue).

The library was constructed in 1939 and is a significant landmark in the community. Interior renovation of the library was completed last year, and all the facilities are new and enlarged. During the last year, new artwork has been designed for the front façade and Moultrie side of the library and will be installed this summer.

The final exterior artwork for the playground wall of the library should be visually compelling and dynamic, preserve the aesthetics of the building, express the values of the community, and enhance the experience of the programs and resources offered by the library.

The new artwork will incorporate themes of social justice, inclusion, Bernal history, represent the whole community and be reflective of the artist’s particular interpretation. The new art will be designed to create a balance between the artwork and the facade—freestanding, mural, or some other combination. It will use media that requires little or no maintenance, such as painted tile, mosaic, or metal work. It will also need to create a dialogue with the artwork on the front and Moultrie side of the library.

For an application email bernallibraryartproject@gmail.com 

Deadline: July 1 by 4:00

Community Q&A Sessions

The Bernal Library Art Project Task Force is really, really happy to announce bi-monthly Q&A sessions with the community. On the first Saturday of alternate months, beginning in April, rotating members of the task force will be available in the Bernal Library's Community Room to answer questions and take comments about any aspect (process, artists, selection criteria, implementation, etc.) of the art project that will be replacing the current mural on the library's external walls.  A reminder will be sent two weeks before each meeting and the schedule posted on the website.

THE NEXT Q&A WILL BE:

Saturday, June 2, 2012
4:15-5:15 pm
Bernal Library Community Room

It's a conversation!  Please add your voice.

Bernal Library Art Project RAFFLE!

On December 8th, from 6:00 to 9:00 pm, travel to Cortland to hear live music, sample Christmas treats, listen to the San Francisco Boys Chorus sing carols, AND BUY RAFFLE TICKETS TO SUPPORT PHASE TWO OF THE BERNAL LIBRARY ART PROJECT!  More than 30 businesses will stay open late for your holiday shopping convenience, and raffle tickets will be sold up and down Cortland until 9:00 pm when the lucky winners’ names will be drawn at the Lucky Horseshoe.

So be sure to stroll on over to Cortland on December 8th to support our local merchants and help close the funding gap for Phase Two of art on the library. And while you’re there, stop in for some holiday cheer at the new Lucky Horseshoe (the old Skip’s).

Keep checking back for the growing list of raffle prizes.

For those who can’t make it on the 8th, Heartfelt will be selling raffle tickets beginning Monday, December 5th.

August 6—Joan Jeanrenaud Benefit for Bernal Library Art Project!

On August 6th, former Kronos Quartet cellist Joan Jeanrenaud performed her compositions at the Bernal Heights Branch Library for the benefit of the Bernal Library Art Project. Her innovative and exquisite music inhabited the beautiful Bernal Library with grace. The event sold out, raising significant funds for the project.

June 2011 Update

DESIGN NEWS
READY FOR VIEWING!!

Final designs for the first phase (Cortland and Moultrie façades) of the Bernal Library Art Project have been submitted and are being digitized and reproduced for display. Look for them at the following locations:

1)    Bernal Heights Library
2)    Good Life Grocery’s outdoor display cases
3)    Bernal Heights Neighborhood Center

Comments are invited! Each location will have a comment box and, of course, comments may always be sent to bernallibraryartproject@gmail.com.
 
TIMELINE FOR COMMISSIONS

The Bernal Library Art Project will be on the Library Commission agenda June 16th at 4:30 p.m. and July 21st. We are projecting it will be on the SF Arts Commission agenda August 1. Since the commissions sometimes cancel scheduled meetings, you may want to check their websites prior to making the trip downtown:

http://sfpl.org/index.php?pg=2000001901 (SF Library Commission)

http://www.sfartscommission.org/public_meetings/ (SF Arts Commission)

FUND RAISING

SAVE THE DATE!!!  Renowned cellist and Bernal resident Joan Jeanrenaud has generously agreed to break a performing sabbatical to do a benefit concert for the Bernal Library Art Project on July 30th . Additional details will be provided in early July. Learn more about Joan at http://www.jjcello.org/.
As always, donations are much sought and enthusiastically received. Checks should be made payable to Friends of the San Francisco Public Library (FSFPL) and in the memo line on the check write "Bernal Library Art Project." Send checks to: Larry Cruz, c/o Heartfelt, 436 Cortland Ave., San Francisco, CA 94110




Joyce McKinney
On behalf of the Bernal Library Artwork Project

WEB:    http://bernallibraryartproject.blogspot.com/
EMAIL:    bernallibraryartproject@gmail.com

May 2011 Update

BERNAL LIBRARY ART PROJECT

update / may 2011

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DESIGN NEWS

two-phase approach

 The library artwork will be completed in two phases. Current anticipated funding allows the front façade and the side of the library facing Moultrie Street to go forward this summer. Fund raising and design planning for the back wall will commence this summer with implementation scheduled for summer 2012.

design status and timeline

Precita Eyes and Reuben Rude submitted preliminary design ideas in April and met with the Task Force to answer questions and expand on their individual visions for this project. The outcome is that Precita Eyes will take the design lead on the front façade and Reuben Rude for the Moultrie side. Deadline for final designs is May 20^th.

presenting designs to the community

Final designs will be posted in the library and on the website. The design requires the approval of the Library Commission and the Art Commission and will be an agenda item at public meetings. As soon as our project has been put on the agendas of these commissions we will let you know the dates and times.

NEIGHBORHOOD HISTORY

There is an ongoing discussion about presenting key elements of the history of Bernal, including honoring individuals who have provided exemplary leadership. Ideas include a plaque inside the library or a column similar to those along the Embarcadero. Have ideas? Send them in to bernallibraryartproject@gmail.com. What and who are most significant to you?

FUND RAISING

Our Community Challenge Grant was submitted and is pending, and fund raising continues for both phases of the project. Some good ideas have emerged, and the first to be actively planned is a concert by renowned cellist, former member of the Kronos Quartet and Bernal resident Joan Jeanrenaud. Stay tuned for details!! Another is a party on the east side of the Hill. If you’d like to volunteer to help plan events, get in touch!

As mentioned in the last update, donations are much sought and enthusiastically received. Checks should be made payable to Friends of the San Francisco Public Library (FSFPL) and in the memo line on the check write "Bernal Library Art Project."Send checks to Larry Cruz, 330 Prospect Ave., San Francisco, CA 94110.

Joyce McKinney on behalf of the Bernal Library Artwork Project

BERNAL LIBRARY ART PROJECT FAQ

What is the history of the original mural?

Completed in 1982 by Arch Williams, working with Carlos Alcala and Jo Tucker, the Bernal Library mural project originated with former Bernal librarian Ruth McGinnis, community activist Kate Esposito and a volunteer neighborhood group.

Why is the mural being replaced by new artwork?

The 1982 mural was not maintained and could only be completely repainted, not restored. Many Bernal residents wanted to retain the mural, but many others thought the library façade should be restored to its original state -- without a mural.

How was this dispute resolved?

Although discussions about the fate of the mural date back to 2002, no city agency or commission was willing to make a decision once the community polarization was fully appreciated. In 2009, people on both sides of the dispute asked Supervisor David Campos to provide leadership to resolve the issue. In response, he convened a group with widely divergent views and brought in a mediator to find consensus.

What was the result?

After three months, six meetings, and 17 hours of deliberation, all parties signed a “Statement of Consensus” and agreed to move forward with the project based upon the principles articulated in this statement. The Statement of Consensus was presented to the community at a meeting in July 2010. Signatories were: Susan Cervantes, Supervisor David Campos, Larry Cruz, Monique Jaquez, Darcy Lee, Dan Martinez, Terry Milne, Ellen Morrison, Brandon Powell, Beth Roy, Michael Smith, Johanna Silva Waki, Giulio Sorro, Amy Trachtenberg, Mauricio Vela.

Are the signatories the same people who comprise the Bernal Library Art Project Task Force?

The volunteer Task Force [TF] is a subset of the signatory group: Larry Cruz, Monique Jaquez, Darcy Lee, Dan Martinez, Terry Milne, Brandon Powell, Beth Roy, Giulio Sorro, and the late Mauricio Vela. Joyce McKinney is not a member of the Task Force, but volunteered to help with documentation and communication.

Has the larger Bernal community been involved?

Hundreds of people have been involved in the broad discussion over several years. After the TF was formed and the Consensus Statement agreed, this phase was presented to the community in July 2010. The smaller TF continued to meet, although momentum was slowed with the untimely death of Mauricio Vela, a key member. Momentum was regained and Beth Roy again joined the group to enhance facilitation and decision-making. Two community meetings were held in February and March 2011 to enable the community to interact with the artists and the TF so that the final design will be informed by the community.

Is the Task Force compensated for its time?

Members of the Task Force are unpaid volunteers.

How does the Task Force work?

Members have been meeting weekly or bi-weekly since September 2010 using the principles and agreements in the Statement of Consensus to guide its work. In December, Gia Grant was hired as a consultant to manage implementation logistics, liaise with relevant city agencies and individuals, and prepare and submit grants.

How will the new artwork be funded?

It is envisioned that a combination of public and private money will fund the design, execution and maintenance of the new artwork. The non-profit Friends of the SF Public Library serves as fiscal agent. The TF will submit a Community Challenge grant application in April 2011, engage in private fundraising initiatives, and seek other grant opportunities.

How much of the library will have art on it?

This was determined through the consensus process and reflected in the Statement of Consensus:  “The artwork will engage the site and building on the south, east, and north sides as determined by the selected artist team after meetings and other processes with the community processes have taken place.”

Who are the artists who have been contracted to develop a design and how were they selected?

A widely disseminated invitation to apply was issued in December 2010 with an application deadline of January 12, 2011. After qualifications and portfolio reviews, several artists and artist teams were scheduled for standardized interviews. Colette Crutcher, Precita Eyes Muralists, and Reuben Rude were offered the opportunity to design the artwork.