Public Art Commission

Term Expires: 10/31/2025

Bio: Loren and Mike Gordon moved to Palo Alto in 2001. They have raised two children here enjoying the open space offered by the parks, programs hosted at the Art Center and the public libraries, and outdoor fun at Foothills Park. Prior to moving to Palo Alto, Loren lived in San Francisco where she worked at Montgomery Securities, and volunteered for several organizations including SFMoMA. Loren’s local experience includes past board member of Gamble Garden, serving as co-chair of the Spring Tour twice, board chair of the Cantor Art Center’s Membership Executive Council, volunteer at the Boys and Girls Club of the Peninsula, executive committee member of the Silicon Valley Branch of Human Rights Watch organization, and proud member of the Bay Area Beautification Service Team.  She is currently serving as Vice Chair.

MIYAJI, Ben 

Term Expires: 10/31/2025

Bio: Ben Miyaji is serving his third term on the Palo Alto Public Art Commission. As the PAC commissioner he served as both Vice Chair and Chair leading the Commission's efforts with the passing of the “Percent for Art in Private Development” ordinance, the Public Art Master Plan, and Code:ART. He invites all Palo Alto residents to attend commission meetings and to participate in the community discourse around public art in Palo Alto. Additionally, Ben was appointed to the San Jose Arts Commission in 1992, where he served seven terms. He was Chair of the Mineta San Jose International Airport Public Art Master Plan Steering Committee in 2004 and Ben was Metro Newspaper’s 2004 Public Art Person of the Year.

SHEN, Hsinya

Term Expires: 10/31/2027

Bio: Hsinya's family moved to Palo Alto in early 2000. Having been a champion of the arts all her life, she treasure the opportunity to support Palo Alto’s efforts to make the city more artistic, welcoming, engaging and supportive through its public art initiatives. Additionally, she practices law and serves on the board of a community bank. She studied Philosophy and Art History at Wellesley College and Law at Georgetown University. 

SMITH, Amber

Term Expires: 10/31/2026

Bio: Amber J. Smith is a Palo Alto-based mixed media mosaic artist, known for creating socially engaged art that sparks conversation about environmental and social issues. With a passion for drawing the public into the art-making process, Amber transforms recycled materials into thought-provoking art that highlights the impact of plastic pollution and habitat destruction.

STERN, Harriet

Term Expires: 10/31/2027

Bio: Harriet was born in California and grew up in suburban Washington DC. As an undergrad and grad student, she studied Art History in the Midwest and as a mature student, completed a diploma in Interior Architecture in London. In her twenties, Harriet worked in museums and galleries and as a corporate art consultant. In her thirties and early forties, she focused on volunteer service, cultural immersion, and motherhood around the world as a trailing corporate spouse in Europe and Asia. In 2010, Harriet and her family settled in Palo Alto. Always active in the arts, she developed several community art projects, including "Pets of Palo Alto" with photographer Federica Armstrong and "We Are What We Eat" with Neighbors Abroad. On days not serving as a Public Art Commissioner, you can find Harriet on the Magical Bridge Playground where she is the Curator of Community Kindness.

WALTUCH, Lisa

Term Expires: 10/31/2025

Bio: Lisa Waltuch is a designer, creative director, and artist. She incorporates artifacts from people’s lives (text, photos, iconography, textiles) into her work so she can tell stories through a visual medium. Lisa grew up in this area attending Gunn High School and Stanford, left for 20 years for grad school and a career in New York and Costa Rica, and in 2020, moved back to Palo Alto with her husband and three kids. Lisa joined the Public Art Commission in 2021 and is excited to foster work that brings the diverse groups in our community together.

Members of the Public may provide public comments to teleconference meetings via email, teleconference, or by phone.

1. Written public comments may be submitted by email to pac@cityofpaloalto.org.
2. Spoken public comments using a computer will be accepted through the teleconference meeting. To address the Council, click on the link below to access a Zoom-based meeting. Please read the following instructions carefully.
   1. You may download the Zoom client or connect to the meeting in- browser. If using your browser, make sure you are using a current, up-to-date browser: Chrome 30 , Firefox 27 , Microsoft Edge 12 , Safari 7. Certain functionality may be disabled in older browsers including Internet Explorer.
   2. You may be asked to enter an email address and name. We request that you identify yourself by name as this will be visible online and will be used to notify you that it is your turn to speak.
   3. When you wish to speak on an Agenda Item, click on “raise hand.” The Clerk will activate and unmute speakers in turn. Speakers will be notified shortly before they are called to speak.
   4. When called, please limit your remarks to the time limit allotted.
   5. A timer will be shown on the computer to help keep track of your comments.
3. Spoken public comments using a smart phone will be accepted through the teleconference meeting. To address the Council, download the Zoom application onto your phone from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and enter the Meeting ID. Please follow the instructions 2.1-2.5.
4. Spoken public comments using a phone use the telephone number listed below. When you wish to speak on an agenda item hit *9 on your phone so we know that you wish to speak. You will be asked to provide your first and last name before addressing the Council. You will be advised how long you have to speak. When called please limit your remarks to the agenda item and time limit allotted.