Public Art Growing in Rio Vista

   The RioVision Town Hall of 13 September 2021 at the Veterans Memorial Building in Rio Vista welcomed Rio Vista Police Chief Jon Mazer, Rio Vista Art and Music Center’s Secretary/Treasurer Renae Kinney, and Rio Vision’s Executive Director Tom Surh to share their community art initiatives.

Police Chief Jon Mazer introduced the Rio Vista Police Department’s Lobby Mural Project for a large 11’ x 7’ wall just inside the station. Chief Mazer began by sharing how his artistic family members (excluding himself) painted his room as a youth with a 360° Polynesian-themed mural. He described the department’s contest for a design (which could simply be line art in landscape orientation), by local artists of any age, depicting a positive partnership between the Rio Vista community and RVPD. The winning entry will be projected onto the mural wall and painted by local artists of various ages from the community. The police department is managing the project, preparing the mural wall, and providing art supplies. They are partnering with the Art and Music Center and RioVision for help with judging the design submissions and supervising the painting. Their goal is to make this a true community project. Chief Mazer hopes to announce the winner and start work by the end of the month. The deadline for design submission was September 15^th. (more info on facebook.com at /RioVistaPoliceDepartmentCA)

Renae Kinney of Rio Vista’s Art and Music Center, a 501c(3) non-profit organization, described ongoing programs at their location on Montezuma Street. The Center, who has been here for a little less than 3 years, was excited to partner with RioVision to bring a 2^nd stage for music to the Hog August Bites event. Currently, after a decline due to COVID protocols, the center teaches around 27 music students, and 12-16 art students of all ages (from 4 to 96). In addition to accepting tax-deductible donations to the Center, they also host a “Gift the Child”” program by which community members can donate to sponsor lessons for a child whose family cannot afford them. Guitars, ukuleles, and accessories are available for sale, as well as instrument rentals. An onsite, fully equipped recording studio can be rented for music or spoken word. Public and private painting events are offered, including “Paint N Pour” & “Paint Your Pet”. They plan on resuming Open Mic and “music nights” outside in the Spring of 2022. Renae commented on how gratifying it is to see folks of all ages come in to try instruments and spontaneously “jam” a bit, and to see the pride on a new artist’s face of any age when they complete their first painting.    For more details, go to:  https://www.artandmusiccenter.com/ The community is invited to drop by!

RioVision’s Tom Surh, gave a presentation on the projects of RioVision’s City Art Program (CAP). He described some of the challenges to installing public art including approvals from businesses, property owners, city government, and CalTrans; securing funds; and finding artists. He reviewed completed projects including neon sign restoration (The Striper and Fosters), public murals (Books Rio V on 2^nd,  Fire Dept 9/11 mural on Main,  the Rio Vista Museum Alcove on Front, restoration of the original Hap’s Bait mural on Main),  public sculpture and signage (the Youth and Community Hall cut-outs on Main, the Kinetic Sculptures on the Promenade–a privately donated memorial, and the reconstruction of the Western Entrance welcome sign originally erected in 1968 and collapsed in high winds in Jan 2021). Two of the downtown murals (2^nd Street/Museum) depict historical occupants of the buildings. One “Rock the Box” utility box painting project (at 3^rd and Main) has been completed. Two additional locations at the Western Entrance and at Main & Front are pending final approvals. Tom reminded us to check out Discover Rio Vista magazine who has been featuring a series of articles over the last 3 issues on visual, 3D, and literary art by Rio Vistans.       

RioVision worked with the City to add Public Art Ordinance 003-2015, addressing the objective of public art, into the City of Rio Vista Municipal Code 17.72 governing Public Arts. Under 17.72.080 a portion of funds collected by the city from new developments goes toward a public art fund which currently holds about $80K.  RioVision is seeking approval from the City for a portion of these funds to be allocated to the proposed “Rock the Flock” project approved by the Rio Vista Planning Commission. Installation of  life-sized sheep sculptures in 5 locations downtown is currently pending City Council approval.  The white sheep forms (3 ewes, 1 ram, and 1 lamb) will be installed on concrete pads and colorfully painted by local artists of varying ages. This kind of 3D painted public art installation is popular in small towns and large cities across the United States.

The City Art Program committee of RioVision working with the City Council and Planning Commission includes: Donna Armanino, Art Darden, Ann Jacobs, MaryEllen Lamothe, Ellen LaVacarre, Jeanne McCormack, Marilyn Nelson, Kelli Pearson, James Pezzaglia, Chris Quan , Amy Schmidt, Brian Spradling, and Tom Surh. Linda Heune-Solomon and Harvey Steinhaus have also been part of our public art projects. Tom thanks all the artists and RioVision volunteers who have contributed in some way to these programs.

Tom also acknowledged the wonderful turn out, despite high temperatures and poor air quality, at the Hog August Bites event last month with a special thank you to the event’s executive director, Robie Williams, and the efforts of the numerous volunteers who make the event possible. Great participation by the chili and rib contestants, car show participants, bands, vendors, kids activity organizers, first responders, and community groups represented there, as well.

RioVision’s next Town Hall on October 11^th will bring in Mt. Diablo Resource Recovery-Rio Vista to talk about changes in the laws that will impact their operations and our community. Additionally, RioVision will seek public input on projects for 2022. (7pm, Veterans Memorial Building, 610 St. Francis Way).