Fitch Mountain Public Art Project

Johanna Grawunder Proposal for Fitch Mountain Public Art - SummitVariations_04

May, 2024 Update: Installation Complete!

Artist Johanna Grawunder and fabricator Paco Prieto visited the summit with City staff in April 2024 to review and select installation locations. Once the team confirmed locations, installation proceeded. 

With installation complete, vegetation is anticipated to re-grow around and under the pieces creating a natural filter. Join us at the Summit of Fitch Mountain for a memorable experience. 

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Fitch Mountain Public Art Installation
Fitch Mountain Public Art Installation
Fitch Mountain Public Art Installation
Fitch Mountain Public Art Installation
Fitch Mountain Public Art Installation

June, 2023 Update: Public Art Installation Announcement

Three Healdsburg artists were chosen to present final proposals to the committee. From the three finalists, the committee unanimously agreed on a proposal by Fitch Mountain resident Johanna Grawunder titled “Summit Variations”. According to the committee, they found Ms. Grawunder’s proposal to be an outstanding expression of art in nature, have a strong interactive element that will provide a physical benefit to Fitch Mountain visitors, and commemorate our local indigenous culture.

As part of the City's Public Art Policy, the Parks and Recreation Commission reviewed the art installation proposal at their June 14th, 2023 meeting and recommended approval to City Council. (Meeting materials are available here.) City Council approved the installation at their June 20th, 2023 meeting. (Meeting materials will be available here.)

Click on the images below to download the proposal and learn more about the artist's vision for the installation through a video site walk. 

Fitch Mountain Public Art Installation Proposal - Summit Variations

Fitch Mountain Art Installation Proposal - Summit Variations

Fitch Mountain Public Art Installation Proposal - Site Walk with Artist Johanna Grawunder

Fitch Mountain Artwork Proposal - Site Walk with Artist Johanna Grawunder

May, 2023 Update

Over the past six months, a volunteer committee formed by State Senator Mike McGuire’s office has met and planned the art installation project. The committee is made up of Healdsburg Mayor Ariel Kelley; Senator McGuire Senior Advisor (and former Healdsburg mayor) Jason Liles; Parks & Recreation Commissioner Michiko Conklin; Dry Creek Pomo elder Clint McKay; Healdsburg artist Jessica Martin; and Ray Holley, who has worked extensively with the city to facilitate public art installations through the Voigt Family Sculpture Foundation.

The committee issued a Request for Qualifications or “RFQ” (below) that was widely distributed among art organizations and artists throughout the state. The RFQ garnered 21 responses. The initial screening process involved a scoring system based on the following criteria:

  • Artistic excellence and originality as evidenced by representations of past work in photos provided. 
  • Appropriateness of the artist’s medium and style as related to project goals. 
  • Experience with projects of similar scope and scale, or comparable professional experience to handle the requirements of working in the public sector. 
  • Availability to participate in the design, approval and implementation of the project, and complete installation by the deadline. 
  • Artist’s location. 
  • Reflection and inclusion of the local community, and commitment to creating work that responds directly to the site’s natural environment. 

In addition to the committee, representatives from Corazón Healdsburg were invited to join the scoring process. The Committee is expected to announce their selection this month. 

March, 2023: A Call for Artists

Professional artists are invited to submit ideas and qualifications for a signature public art project as part of the City's Fitch Mountain Access Improvement project. 

The Fitch Mountain Art Committee is seeking an artist to design and implement a permanent (site-specific) public art project on Fitch Mountain in Healdsburg, California, a 991-foot peak that nestles up to the City's eastern boundary. This public art opportunity is for one artist or team of artists to create an installation that reflects and celebrates the natural landscape and experience of being on Fitch Mountain. The public art may or may not be interactive. Installations integrated with the landscape and/or those with functional components will also be considered.

This commission is open to practicing, professional artists residing in the United States. Artists working in a variety of 3-D installations and permanent media are encouraged to apply. Preference will be given to artists residing in Northern California or those with a connection to Sonoma County or the State of California. All artists must be able to participate in an orientation and visit the summit of Fitch Mountain at least once during this process. 

Fitch Mountain Artwork RFQ - Published_Page_1