Soscol Medians Public Art Project

About the Project

In 2018, the City of Napa completed adding medians along Soscol Avenue between Gasser Drive and Sousa Lane with the additional development along this corridor to enhance safety and overall traffic flow.

The Public Art Steering Committee (PASC) and City Council identified the the Soscol Avenue medians as a priority and the project was approved in April 2022 .

The south Soscol Avenue is an important corridor within the City of Napa and is a significant roadway into the City from the south entrance from Highway 221/121. With the gateway project at the 1st Street and California Street Roundabout under development, this project would complete another important public art project in the community. This project will be adding to other public art projects along this corridor including projects under development at Chrysler and Soscol Square properties. The proposed City project will augment and strengthen the other public art installations nearby and continue to enhance the aesthetics along this commercial corridor.

In addition to diversifying more projects within the overall public art program, this project would also support one of the overall goals of the Public Art program which is to support more projects outside of the downtown area as well as provide more access and equity to public art throughout.

"Downstream" by Artist  Jacques Lesec

Project Finalist recommended by Art Selection Panel and Public Art Steering Committee, approved by City Council August 15, 2023.


"Downstream" is a community centric public art installation that embraces the town's evolving character and honors its historical roots. By showcasing the Napa River's shape in a modern and visually striking manner, the installation offers a fresh perspective on the town's transformation while celebrating the local experience. Central to the theme of this piece is a fluid steel form, plasma cut steel plate, in the shape of the Napa River. Always in a perpetual state of flux, the river serves as a dynamic representation of the town's ongoing transformation. 

Soscol Medians Jacques Lesec
Soscol Medians Jacques Lesec

About Artist Jacques Lesec

Jacques Lesec is a licensed architect and sculptural artist based in downtown Napa specializing in large format sculpture and custom art installations. His work resides between the formal disciplines of art and architecture, pairing advanced 3D digital design platforms with traditional metal and woodworking techniques in a non-linear workflow. The result is novel concepts that dissolve the boundaries between digital and physical form.  His work features a multidisciplinary approach combining architectural techniques with sculptural forms to investigate the interplay between volume, space, perspective and experience. 

Location

Soscol Avenue between Gasser Drive and Sousa Lane

Soscol Median Public Art Project

Project Goals

The City aims to accomplish four primary goals via this project:

1.     enhance Napa’s image as a world-class art destination;

2.     be site specific and original

3.     be inviting and aesthetically appealing; and

4.     be viewable as a drive-by experience


Public Art Master Plan

This project should also comply with the goals stated in the City's Public Art Master Plan 

Project Budget

The budget is a not-to-exceed figure of $200,000.  This amount includes all costs related to the artist’s design and project management fees; all subcontracted and consultant costs, including engineers, electricians, fabricators, studio and overhead costs; fabrication, transportation, delivery, storage and installation of all art components; liability insurance and bonds as required; and all other costs associated with the art project including a minimum budget contingency of 10%.

Public Art Fund

The City of Napa has a dedicated Public Art Fund.  This fund was created in conjunction with the City’s Public Art Ordinance that requires commercial developers to dedicate 1% of the project construction costs (over $250,000) to public art on their site or to pay the 1% into the Public Art Fund. This fund is used to support permanent public art throughout the community on city property.  The City created a Public Art Master Plan in 2014 to help identify goals and priorities for the Public Art Fund.