Irvine to study a public arts plan, with inspiration from Tilly’s mural
A little more color across the Irvine cityscape could be coming, but not before local officials explore a master plan intended to coordinate civic and private interests in a public arts program.
Inspired by the giant mural covering the Tilly’s office building off the 405 Freeway near the 133 toll road, Councilman Jeff Lalloway proposed a voluntary mural program for private buildings along freeway corridors in Irvine.
On Tuesday night, the City Council directed staff to return next month with an examination of public arts programs in other cities and to draft a code amendment for a proposed city mural program for privately funded projects.
Lalloway said he based his idea on positive public feedback for the Tilly’s mural that has stood for about a year on a temporary permit. The colorful abstract work depicting athletic figures in motion was painted by Bay Area muralist Zio Ziegler. The 52-foot-tall, 340-foot-wide mural is scheduled to be painted over June 27.
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“I saw this mural and I saw the comments that were so supportive, the letters that were written, the artists who were so supportive,” Lalloway said. “I wanted to bring forth a plan that allows these kind of murals on a limited basis and see how it works. I think this can be a wonderful amendment for our city.”
Lalloway’s proposal would apply only to private buildings along the 405 Freeway between the 55 Freeway and Lake Forest Drive or along other major freeways, such as the 5. A city permit would be required.
Irvine Community Development Director Susan Emery presented a conceptual overview of a mural program, including standards for such programs in major cities including Los Angeles, Miami and Portland, Ore.
Torrey Cook, founder of the Artists Republic gallery in Laguna Beach and curator of the Tilly’s mural, spoke at the council meeting to express the art community’s appreciation for the first big splash of public art in Irvine.
Reading from a letter written by Doug Palladini, an executive with mural co-sponsor Vans, Cook stated, “Whether positive or negative, the response to this project has provided an excellent platform to discuss the role of public art in Irvine.”
Council debate over launching a mural program pumped the brakes on the process in favor of broader discussions beginning next month.
“I’m just not totally comfortable with this,” Councilwoman Christina Shea said, citing Irvine’s architectural tradition of low-intensity colors. “I think people move to Irvine because of that.”
“We should take this opportunity to commit some time and resources to a cultural arts master plan,” Councilwoman Beth Krom said. A mural program needs to be integrated into a larger arts vision, she added.
But Mayor Pro Tem Lynn Schott said the mural program is a project whose time has come.
“Irvine is not like it used to be 30 years ago,” Schott said, noting increasing diversity and younger people settling throughout the city. “I think this is a really great opportunity for us to turn a little bit of a unique corner and add some new dimension to our community.”
Morrison is a contributing writer for Times Community News.
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