San Francisco History Association to present SFAC with the Ron Ross Founder’s award at its 11th Annual Awards Banquet

August 4, 2008:

The “Portals of the Past” monument in Golden Gate Park.

We are honored to announce that the San Francisco History Association (www.sanfranciscohistory.org) has chosen the San Francisco Arts Commission to receive the Ron Ross Founder’s Award for our ongoing role in the restoration of the Portals of the Past monument in Golden Gate Park. The award will be presented at the Association’s 11th Annual Awards Banquet on Saturday, August 9th 2008. Receiving the award on behalf of the Arts Commission will be the current Director of Cultural Affairs, Luis R. Cancel.

About the Monument:

Standing silently on the north shore of Lloyd Lake in Golden Gate Park, Portals of the Past consists of the remains of the Towne mansion, a lavish example of Colonial Revivalism designed by the architect Arthur Page Brown for Alban Nelson Towne, the Vice President of Southern Pacific. The mansion, which stood at 1101 California Street (now the site of the Masonic Auditorium) was destroyed in the earthquake and resulting fire of 1906. The structure’s marble-columned portico was left standing, however, inspiring the iconic photograph by Arnold Genthe in which the entranceway, silhouetted by moonlight, rises from the surrounding ruin. Donated by Mrs. Caroline Towne in memory of her husband, the portico was presented by former Mayor James Phelan to the Park Commission and placed by John McLaren in 1909 in Golden Gate Park.

A full century later, Portals of the Past remains a powerful reminder of San Francisco’s great tragedy, as well as a testament to the city’s continuing spirit of resilience and renewal.

Phases of Restoration:

Phase I of restoration and conservation of the Portals of the Past Monument was completed in 2007 and consisted of a seismic stabilization of the structure which required installing a new concrete footing as well as a steel structure for support. Phase II is currently underway (with completion scheduled for September 2008) and includes the re-fabrication and replacement of one missing marble column and the installation of a stainless steel roofing system to prevent any future water intrusion.

About the San Francisco Civic Art Collection:

The art collection of the City and County of San Francisco consists of monuments and statuary in the parks, murals in public buildings, paintings, sculptures, installations and other media throughout the City. The collection currently contains over 3,000 objects and includes artwork that was purchased or commissioned through the Public Art Program, acquired during annual Arts Commission-sponsored Arts Festivals, and gifted to the City by artists and citizens. Approximately one fifth of the artwork is currently on loan to City departments. The remainder of the collection is permanently installed or assigned to a specific location such as the San Francisco International Airport, San Francisco General Hospital, Moscone Center, Coit Tower, public libraries, fire stations, MUNI shelters or Golden Gate Park.

About the San Francisco Arts Commission:

SFAC is the City agency that champions the arts in San Francisco. We believe that a creative cultural environment is essential to the City’s well-being. Our programs integrate the arts into all aspects of City life. Programs include Community Arts & Education, Cultural Equity Grants, Public Art, Civic Art Collections, Civic Design Review, Street Artists Program, Summer in the City concert series and the Arts Commission Gallery. The Commission was established by charter in 1932 (Charter sections 5.103 and 16.106).