Private Funds Go To Public Art In San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) -- A new fund raising campaign aimed at cleaning up old, dirty pieces of public art in San Francisco has had it's first success story. now on display in front of the city's Hall of Justice building.

The big, black statue of tubes and platforms on that grassy section at the bottom of the 101 7th street off ramp is called, appropriately, Hall of Justice. It's by renowned San Francisco artist, Peter Voulkos.

"He was a real pioneer in the world movement of changing the way ceramics was looked at into expressionist fine art," said San Francisco Arts Commission Executive Director JD Beltran.

Beltran said the piece, which first went up in 1971, was in a state of disrepair, and the commission's budget to fix city art projects was $15,000 - nowhere near enough, according to Beltran.

KCBS' Mark Seelig Reports:

Earlier this year, enthusiasts got together and created a non profit called ArtCare, which pulled money from private donors with the express purpose of cleaning up old pieces. Hall of Justice is the first of many to get the treatment...even impressing Newly hired police chief GREG SUHR...

"It's awesome!" Suhr exclaimed. "It's been here ever since I've been a police officer and it's never looked better."

Beltran says with a funding goal of $100,000, it's hoped that ArtCare can fill in the gaps where the commission falls short.

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