Los Alamos Arts in Public Places Advisory Board Meeting - February 26, 2026

The Arts in Public Places Advisory Board met on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at 5:30 PM at 1000 Central Avenue, Suite 110, Los Alamos, NM, and via Zoom. Chair Stephanie Haaser's final meeting after two terms/four years was recognized, and the board covered Fire Station 4 public art, a canceled art competition, officer elections, working-group updates, and a draft deaccession policy. The meeting adjourned at 7:12 PM.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comment was offered for items not on the agenda.

Discussion Items

Approval of Minutes

• The board unanimously approved the minutes of the January 22, 2026 APP meeting. Jasmine Stephens made the motion, Anna Buckthorpe seconded, and all members voted in favor.

Fire Station 4 Art Discussion

• LAFD Chief Witzenberg joined online, along with a county senior project manager, to discuss the proposed public art for the new Fire Station 4.
• Board members voiced concerns that a design tied to escaped prescribed burns could reopen community trauma from the Cerro Grande, Las Conchas, and Cerro Pelado fires. One member described the proposed glass beads representing lost homes as feeling like a kick in the face.
• Chief Witzenberg said he supports educational and potentially therapeutic art on the station and thought the concept was well put together, but he was not committed to the specific design. He had no objection to hands-on or functional art.
• The board agreed to request a written statement from the fire department about the art's goals and to conduct a community survey focused on theme and sentiment, not the specific proposal. The proposed front-of-station location was generally accepted; privacy film was discussed for windows into the exercise area.

Election of Officers

• The board tabled the election of chair and vice-chair because Tim Foley was absent. Jasmine Stephens will serve as acting chair until the March 26, 2026 meeting, when the election will be held.

Semi Quincentennial Art Competition

• The working group recommended canceling the Semi Quincentennial Art Competition because of unresolved logistical issues, including concerns about whether a juried show and acquisition fit APP's ordinance and the four-month timeline before the planned Step Up gallery exhibition.
• Andy Wright moved to cancel the project; Anna Buckthorpe seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Staff will notify Step Up and the county manager's office so the project can be removed from the board's work plan.

Working Group Updates

• The Historic Preservation Board and county staff expressed support for placing art at four new sign locations, but recommended waiting until the sign language and designs are finalized around April before issuing a call for art.
• Designs for the lion sculpture are due March 9, 2026; a community survey will follow after the working group reviews the designs. The police department is also working on a memorial design.
• Art conservators provided a cost estimate of $25,000 to $38,000 to move the clown sculpture. Pros included better site fit and reduced UV exposure; cons included the need to cut the piece, risk of crumbling, damage to handprints, and possible increased climbing by children. The working group will seek the artist's opinion before making a recommendation.

Deaccession Policy and Procedures

• Staff presented the current disposal policy, a draft revised deaccession policy, and a sample decommission report. The draft emphasizes that removal should be rare, carefully considered, and documented; it adds formal criteria, legal review, and council approval.
• The board formed a Deaccession Working Group with Andy Wright and Jasmine Stephens to test the process using the Aquatic Figures mural and other potential candidates. The existing clown-sculpture relocation group will remain separate.
• Aquatic Figures, a 1988 mural at the aquatic center, was discussed as the first test case. Aquatic center staff reported flaking paint and a need for wall space for safety equipment and life jackets. The pool is closing for resurfacing until October, making timing relevant. The mural was one of seven pieces identified in a fall community survey as possible future deaccession candidates.
• Staff noted the artist's whereabouts need to be researched. Board members also discussed periodic collection audits, reviewing older pieces over 20 years old, and including deaccession language in future acquisition contracts.

Pending Project Updates

• Justice Center Mosaic: the first artist payment was reissued and FedExed; installation and three community engagement days are targeted for early June at the library, subject to temperature and artist availability.
• Senior Center Security Gate: work is behind schedule; the contract deadline is being extended to April 30, 2026.
• Nature Center Sculpture: installed; a ribbon cutting may be combined with PEEC's Earth Day celebration in April.
• Lion sculpture: design proposals due March 9, 2026, with a community survey to follow.
• Oppy Groves sign: installation expected within the next 45 days.
• White Rock Pottery relocation: the conservator will provide handling instructions for the contractor moving the piece.

Board/Staff Communications

• Staff Liaison Chelsea Ashcraft reported that she will be out of town and asked a board member to attend the quarterly board luncheon on March 5, 2026, from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM in council chambers; Anna agreed to attend.
• Pacific Coast's annual maintenance visit is scheduled for August 24-28, 2026. The board will not service the Tranquility sculpture in the pond because the cleanup effort is considered to outweigh the value of the piece.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the January 22, 2026 meeting minutes.
• Canceled the Semi Quincentennial Art Competition unanimously.
• Tabled the election of officers; Jasmine Stephens will serve as acting chair.
• Established a Deaccession Working Group and selected Aquatic Figures as the pilot case.
• Directed staff to draft a Fire Station 4 community survey and obtain a fire department statement.
• Next regular meeting: March 26, 2026.