Title
Artist Design, Fabrication, and Installation Contract for the General Obligation Bond Public Art Projects, Proposition 1: Fire Stations (Ordinance S-52624) - Districts 1, 3, 5 & 6
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to enter into four separate contracts, and amendments as necessary, with: Depeña Studio (Fire Station 7): Cliff Garten (Fire Station 15), Studio Tutto (Fire Station 13), Project One Studio (Fire Station 51), in an amount not to exceed $400,000 for each contract for design, fabrication, and installation services for the Proposition 1: Fire Stations Public Art Projects, for a total of $1.6 million. If any of these artists are unable to participate, the panel identified Mary Lucking or coLAB Studio as alternates to be contracted in their place. Further request authorization for the City Controller to disburse all funds related to this item.
Report
Summary
The Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-30 Public Art Plan includes funding for the General Obligation Bond Proposition 1: Fire Stations Public Art Project. In partnership with City of Phoenix Fire Department, Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture staff are commissioning artists to design artwork for Fire Stations 7, 15, 13, and 51. Each artist will be responsible for designing artwork that will serve as a site-specific, integrated or standalone focal point for the Fire Station. The artwork will act as a visual identifier for the community, foster civic pride, and complement the architecture of the Fire Station. Each artist will provide design, fabrication, and installation services, with an anticipated installation in 2027- 2028.
The Pre-Qualified Artists Roster for General Obligation Bonds was used to select the artists for the Proposition 1: Fire Stations project. On November 14, 2025, an artist selection panel reviewed 215 applicants from artists who responded to a City-issued Request for Qualifications. The panel identified 24 artists to be included in the Roster.
The artist selection panel for the Proposition 1: Fire Stations projects included: Silvio Vaninetti, Facilities Administrator, Phoenix Fire Department; Xochilt Huitzil, District 1 artist and community member; Patty Kaufman, District 3 artist and community member; Lambert Gauthier Raad, District 5 artist and community member; and Jessica Palomo, District 6 educator and community member. The panel reviewed applications and met on January 16, 2026, to review, discuss, and vote to recommend an artist and an alternate. The panel recommended Depeña Studio, Cliff Garten, Studio Tutto, and Project One Studio as the artists and Mary Lucking and coLAB Studio as alternate artists.
Financial Impact
The total cost associated with the four agreements is $1.6 million. The approved Art Plan includes General Obligation Bonds and Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture Percent for Art funds for this project.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
The Phoenix Arts and Culture Commission reviewed and recommended this item for approval on January 20, 2026, by a unanimous, 9-0-1 vote.
Locations
Fire Station 7, 4th Street and Townley Avenue
Fire Station 13, 50th Street and Thomas Road
Fire Station 15, 4900 N 45th Avenue
Fire Station 51, 43rd Avenue and SR303
Council Districts: 1, 3, 5 and 6
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Assistant City Manager Lori Bays, Deputy City Manager Frank McCune and the Phoenix Fire and Arts and Culture departments.