The following is a press release issued by the City of Lakeport:
In January 2020, the City of Lakeport was awarded a competitive grant of $5.9 million from the California Department of Parks and Recreation funded by Proposition 68, the California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection and Outdoor Access for All Act of 2018. After years of design, engineering and construction amidst severe weather delays, the seven-acre Xabatin Community Park was opened to the public in October 2023.
A portion of the grant was reserved for public art with a call to artists to submit proposals for sculptural and/or innovative, mixed or multimedia installations to be showcased in the new lakefront park in downtown Lakeport. There were no geographic restrictions for applicants. Proposed art works were required to be made of materials to endure the outdoors and extreme weather in a public setting, with interactive components encouraged.
The City received nine proposals that met the submission requirements, which included project dimensions, materials, applicable technical schematics and a budget. Applicants were asked to explain how the art would contribute to promoting the City of Lakeport and Lake County as an “arts destination,” as well as any community benefit of the work, such as relating to the specific site and the past/present/future of the local community.
A jury panel of representatives from the arts community, tribal councils and City staff evaluated each proposal with specific criteria for the art work: demonstrates high level of creativity, complements existing art and culture in Lakeport, strong interactive component that encourages community engagement, overall satisfaction, and determine if a single proposal could substantiate the use of all funds in the art budget.
The Art
The panel recommended the Sheecome-Gathering project, a collaboration between Wanda Quitiquit and Lisa Kaplan. Sheecome provides a seating area for people to connect to one another and to the site, a synergy of Indigenous Pomo cultural art and Indigenous materials, each particular to Lake County.
The installation of Sheecome is now complete and the City is excited to invite the public to experience it in the Grand Lawn area with no barriers to spectacular views of Clear Lake and Mount Konocti. Lake County Tribal Health provided additional funding to realize the intricate technical aspects of the project.
Sheecome is comprised of two concrete semi-circles forming a circle, an inviting seating area or “basket” with Pomo patterns and a tile mosaic floor featuring native species central to Pomo life. The structure openings are wheelchair accessible.
The Artists
Wanda Quitiquit is a member of the Robinson Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians, active in the Tribe’s elder group and tribal government, and serves on the Tribal Advisory Committee to the Museums of Lake County. She has been a gourd artist for over 30 years, specializing in wood-burned designs derived from early Pomo basket weavers.
Lisa Kaplan, Artistic/Executive Director of the Middletown Art Center (MAC), has initiated, produced and completed numerous community art projects and exhibits, including the original and re-imagined EcoArts Sculpture Walks at Trailside Park. Her art includes working with the many colors and qualities of Lake County earth using a mixture of earth-clay and straw (cob). Her off-site curating of exhibits has included Lakeport City Hall with shows featuring Lake County artists and students.
Both artists emphasize their engagement as community advocates committed to raising awareness of the Pomo people’s history and heritage, bringing their combined artistic talents to Xabatin Community Park with its Pomo name of “Big Water.”
For more information about Xabatin Community Park and public art projects in Lakeport, please contact City Manager Kevin Ingram, kingram@cityoflakeport.com and (707) 263-5615, Extension 104.
Why wasnt Pocahontas Warren there? Handing out checks and signing autographs maybe on her hand carved pottery and canoes.