The "El Gato" Gateway aluminium sculptures were erected in 2021 and 2022 as "art-forward welcome signs" to the community. They are located at Los Gatos-Saratoga Road at the Highway 17 entry and Lark Avenue next to the North 40 development. The new structure is next to the North 40 development on Lark Avenue, in the motorway entrance and exit median. The words "Los Gatos" are emblazoned on the mountain that the beige cat is climbing.
"The sculpture, designed by Seattle-based artist Matt Babcock, is the second of five "gateway" artworks to be installed at Los Gatos' most common entrances to welcome people into town and boost the local public art presence," said Maureen Javey, chair of the Los Gatos Arts and Culture Commission.
The 5-1/2-foot-tall, 80-pound aluminium sculptures are the work of Seattle-based artist Matt Babcock. The remaining sculptures will be made and installed by him as well. Although project planning began in 2015, the Town Council accepted the design and idea for the gateway sculptures in 2021. The community had to pay $25,000 for the first two installations.
"I'd like to see art everywhere. I think it changes the culture of the community, it gives it vibrancy. I know some people react and say, 'Oh, my god, what is that?' But I look at these things, and I smile. I think they're colorful, they're strong, they're sculptural, they're iconic. And it's Los Gatos; these are our cats," said Jan Schwartz, New Museum Los Gatos board president.
The installation of three more sculptures over the following three years, as well as money for ongoing public art maintenance, was approved by the Los Gatos Town Council on February 7. The cost to the community for each sculpture is $37,000. The first two installations were paid for with $25,000 from the municipality. In the upcoming weeks, the Arts and Culture Commission plans to propose to the town council to create a permanent public art fund to pay for the other three statues.
Each sculpture will include the same design—a large cat perched on a sign reading "Los Gatos" in homage to the town's namesake—but will use a distinct colour palette, according to Babcock. The Los Gatos-Saratoga Road installation's mountain is sage green, whereas the cat on Lark Avenue is climbing a blue mountain.
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