The City of Carlsbad’s Art in Public Places Program has been in place since 1985 and is the guiding document for permanent public art in the city. The program is administered by the city’s Cultural Arts Office and linked to the city’s Capital Improvement Program budget and plan.

The Art in Public Places Program guides the entire process, from artist selection to final installation of the artwork. One of the initial steps is the formation of a Public Art Advisory Subcommittee to select the artist for each project.

Carlsbad Beach Chair public art 

A subcommittee has been formed to choose four artists to create one or two of the temporary public art Carlsbad Beach Chairs. 

Susan Berson, Community Representative
Michelle Breyer, Arts Commissioner
Kate Broekemeier, Community Representative
Monica Martin, Arts Professional
Gita Nassiri, Arts Commissioner

Meetings

Friday, May 15, 5:30 p.m.
City Council Chamber
1200 Carlsbad Village Drive

Qualified artist proposals

• The city conducted a statewide Call for Artists Qualifications for the Carlsbad Beach Chair art project. The submission deadline was Sunday, May 10, at 11:59 p.m.
• Proposals were added to this page May 12. 
• At the subcommittee’s first meeting, they will review and rate all the proposals and make a selection of four artists and generate a shortlist for future projects.

The Public Art Advisory Subcommittee selected four artists on May 15, 2026:

• Christie Beniston
• Phoebe Nelson
• Anna Pearson
• Nolan Lee

The non-selected artists were entered onto a shortlist for future projects. 

How to watch

Public Art Advisory Subcommittee meetings are streamed live on the city website and a recording can also be watched at a later date.

How to comment

If you would like to provide comments to the Public Art Advisory Subcommittee, please:

• Fill out a speaker request form, located in the foyer.
• Submit the form to the Clerk before the item begins.
• When it’s your turn, the Clerk will call your name and invite you to the podium.
• Speakers have three minutes, unless the presiding officer changes that time.
• You may not give your time to another person, but groups can select a single speaker as long as three other members of your group are present. Group representatives have 10 minutes unless that time is changed by the presiding officer.

• If you wish to provide written comments as part of the record, e-mail your comments to arts@carlsbadca.gov. Please indicate the agenda item number in your e-mail subject line. Emails received by 3 p.m. will be provided to the Public Art Advisory Subcommittee prior to the start of the meeting. Other comments will be included with the meeting record. Emailed comments will not be read out loud during the meeting.

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