Commission to Vote on Recommended Artist for the $200,000 Robinson Park Recreation Center Capital Public Art Project

The Arts and Culture Commission on Thursday meets to consider a recommendation to select Northwest Pasadena artist Deborah Aschheim as the primary artist who will create permanent public art for Robinson Park Recreation Center.

Aschheim was recommended by a selection panel composed of representatives of the Robinson Park Recreation Center stakeholders group as well as professional public artists and arts administrators.

The commission was also asked to approve an alternate artist who would work on the project if the primary artist is not able to complete the agreement with the city. The name of that artist was not released publicly, but as per a city staff report the artist scored second to the highest in the evaluation out of 29 applicants. 

Aschheim has been a Pasadena resident since 2002, and a Northwest Pasadena resident since 2018. Over the past 25 years, she has exhibited widely in major museums and galleries throughout North America and Europe. 

Her work has also been commissioned for various public art collections including those in the City of Glendale; the City of Santa Monica; the City of Los Angeles and for the Los Angeles County Civic Arts Commission, among others.

Aschheim is also a recipient of multiple City of Pasadena Annual Grants Program Individual Artist Awards. 

“Her public commissions are diverse and include works for municipal buildings, fire stations, hospitals, public universities, as well as for corporate clients. Many of these pieces exemplify her exploration of community engagement and history through dynamic and collaborative projects that incorporate drawing, sculpture, installation and video,” the staff report read. 

The public art at Robinson Park Recreation Center should reflect the community’s history and the legacies of Jackie and Mack Robinson, city staff said. 

“The artwork will be rooted in the stories of Northwest Pasadena, providing a dynamic narrative that inspires the community to reflect, embrace, and bridge connections across generations. In addition, the artist/team will consider the concept of sustainability and its impact on the individuals, surrounding community and natural resources of Pasadena.” 

 

If approved by the commission, Aschheim will be required to participate in at least three public meetings and to collaborate with city staff and community members prior to the formation of the Concept Art Plan for the project.

She will also be required to initiate conversations with the Northwest Pasadena community to gather input before creating the plan.  

The Concept Art Plan will be presented to the Arts and Culture Commission for review and recommendation to the City Council. Following approval of the City Council, Ascheim will complete the project. 

A budget of $200,000 is allotted for the art project. 

The upcoming meeting can be accessed through:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87086493934.