Cultural commission considers free sculpture at disc golf park

There appears to be no catch in a proposed gift to Carson City in the form of a metal sculpture entitled “Catch.”

At 5:30 p.m. Monday in the board room of the community center, the Carson City Cultural Commission will consider, among other items, making a recommendation to the city manager concerning an official donation of public art located at Carson Ridge Disc Golf Park.

“Catch” by artist Jael Hoffmann is proposed to be dedicated to the city at no charge.

“The city’s Public Art Policy requires review by the Parks and Recreation Commission and the Cultural Commission as part of the donation process,” reads the agenda.

According to a staff report, the Parks and Recreation Commission recommended approval of the donation in April.

“We are proud to submit this donation proposal on behalf of Jael Hoffmann, conceptual artist and curator of the Olancha CA Sculpture Garden,” Michael Plansky and William McKissock of Disc Golf Landscape Architecture (DGLA) wrote in a letter to commissioners. “Although the artwork has been universally appreciated by patrons of Carson Ridge Disc Golf Park & Interpretive Trails for more than one year, we are honored for the opportunity to formally present her work for the enrichment and benefit of Carson City and its visitors! We hope its official adoption and recognition will spur further public art at Carson Ridge.”

A description of the donation says the metal sculpture of a man holding a circular sawblade is made of scrap metal and stands 5-feet-8-inches tall and about 28 inches wide with a steel plate as a “sturdy base.”

“The natural rust patina will protect the metal from excessive weathering for decades to come,” the donors said.

The proposal states maintenance of the sculpture would be free: “The donor (DGLA) will commit to donating in-kind support for care and preservation of the ‘sculpture garden’ area surrounding the artwork, personally and/or through the volunteer efforts of Carson Ridge Disc Golf Club, guided by the donors.”

The donors also hope more art can be installed at Carson Ridge.

“The park itself is a work of art and we would like the commission to have a first-hand understanding of the site to conceptualize the potential for future art installations there,” the donors said. “DGLA believes that disc golf courses have the unique potential to highlight local artists and cultural connectivity.”