- Public Art Commission
Public Art Commission - September 18, 2025
Palo Alto’s Public Art Commission opened a deaccession review for City Hall’s “Conversation” and approved a $235,000 fresco grant application.
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City Hall digital artwork enters formal deaccession review
Palo Alto City Hall lobby, Palo Alto, CA
The Palo Alto Public Art Commission voted 7-0 to initiate a formal deaccession evaluation for “Conversation,” Susan Narduli’s digital media artwork in the City Hall lobby. The action begins a review under city policy and is not a final decision to deaccession the work.
Staff said the artwork’s specialized software can no longer be restored to its intended functionality, while monitor infrastructure and connectivity problems would persist even if the software were repaired. “Conversation” had not been displayed for at least a couple of months, and city content was generally occupying the monitor wall full time. The monitors and city computer would remain available for city content if the artwork is ultimately deaccessioned.
The artwork was anticipated to have a 10-year lifespan. Staff reported $20,644 in maintenance expenses over the past decade, excluding staff time. Commissioners discussed the software instability and questioned whether further investment in artwork using that platform would be advisable.
Staff will formally notify the artist, provide public notice and collect feedback before returning to the commission in December 2025 or January 2026 with a recommendation. If deaccessioning is later approved, the artwork could be disconnected between January and March 2026, and staff would discuss the artist-supplied computer unit’s disposition with Narduli.
Commission authorizes $235,000 fresco grant application
Roth Building
The commission also voted 7-0 to authorize a Santa Clara County historic-heritage grant application for the second phase of the Roth Building fresco restoration. Staff must submit the application by Oct. 23, 2025.
The estimated $235,000 project would restore eight grisaille panels and sepia medallions. Staff said the grant could cover the full requested amount without a local match, although the city would need to finance the work first and receive reimbursement after completion.
The first phase restored the multicolor upper-register fresco panels and included analysis of the remaining artwork. Staff reported that the associated $105,000 matching grant had been closed out and reimbursed.
A grant decision is expected by the end of 2026. If funding is awarded, the city would bring a budget transfer to the City Council to finance the work through the Roth Building capital improvement project, with restoration anticipated in 2027.
Primary sources
Watch the meeting on YouTube · Read the official meeting packet