Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Fresno Gives Cherished, Graffiti-Scarred Renzi Artwork New Hope
David Website Replacement
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 1 year ago on
May 31, 2023

Share

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Four months after a fire destroyed a Fresno building housing a modern classic work of art, there is hope for “A Day in the Park.”

The Clement Rezni bas-relief sculpture, depicting children enjoying recreational activities across 288 clay tiles, survived a January 30 fire at the Fagbule Glass House. While the building was ruined, the art installation facing Shields Avenue, just west of Highway 41, remained intact.

Renzi, a renowned artist who settled in Fresno, created art and sculptures displayed around the Central Valley, the state, and the world. He died in 2009.

Vandals have tried to do what the fire could not. The art piece has been covered in graffiti since the last embers died out.

Now, the city of Fresno — with a warrant signed by Judge Jeff Hamilton in hand — plans to remove and store the Renzi, consistent with other abatement projects the city undertakes.

“The fact of the matter is, the demolition of the site cannot be completed without removing and preserving the Renzi sculpture. Although the property owner continues to own the Renzi, it is the hope of many that he donate it back to the Renzi family or the City so that it may be preserved for posterity,” City Attorney Andrew Janz said.

If the city does take possession of the art, it would be put on display at Roeding Park near the zoo, or even at City Hall, officials say.

Pastor Steve Fagbule, listed as the owner of the Glass House property was not available for comment. The Renzi family has not commented, either.

The city has not provided a cost estimate for the removal of the sculpture or the demolition of the building. Officials have not said how they plan to recover the money that will be spent from Fagbule.

The process could take a month.

How to Preserve the Renzi

A self-described ceramic muralist, Sal Esqueda is advising the city on how to preserve the Renzi.

He didn’t mince words upon learning about the desecration of the artwork by vandals.

“I was pissed off,” Esqueda said. “My energy, Clem’s (Renzi) energy, went into that. Part of my life went into that.”

Esqueda was the man behind Renzi creating “A Day in the Park.” A former Fresno bank, Central Federal Savings and Loan, commissioned Renzi for the art when it constructed the building in 1982.

Renzi needed help and called Esqueda.

“He explained to me how he was commissioned to go ahead and do a bas-relief for that building. And he said, you know, Sal, I need for you to teach me. I don’t know how to do bas-reliefs. I said, Sure, we can work something out,” Esqueda said.

Esqueda helped build the kiln that fired the tiles.

He said the city and building owner should have done more to preserve the art — possibly cover it up with particle board. The city used a tarp and fencing, which barely lasted a day.

Cleaning up the graffiti can be done by using a similar color paint, Esqueda said.

Removing the piece won’t be easy, Esqueda said. It needs to be removed in small sections, possibly in 4-by-4 pieces.

“It could be safety removed and it has got to be done under supervision,” Esqueda said.

Artist Sal Esqueda (left), who helped Clement Renzi create “A Day in the Park,” examines the art to help preserve it. (City of Fresno)

City Granted Warrant

In court filings, the city determined the Fagbule Glass House property needed emergency demolition. Steve Fagbule gave the city’s emergency contractor a deposit later that day.

However, the city said more work was required after the initial demolition . The city attempted to reach Fagbule several times to no avail. At least five re-inspections showed that no action had been taken.

One concern included asbestos-laden debris remaining. If Fagbule did not remove the remaining damage, the city would. After the May 5 deadline with no work, the city applied to the court for an abatement warrant.

There were also concerns with homeless encampments at the property, even though a fence was erected. Homeless people have been long known to congregate at the building, even before the fire.

Clement Renzi signed the lower right tile for his 1981/1982 mural, “A Day in the Park.” (City of Fresno)

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

‘Leave It the Way It Is’: Off-Roaders, Hikers React to Proposal to Change 1.4M Acres of Sierra Forest

DON'T MISS

Yankees Retain Cole, Add $36 Million Extension to Keep Ace

DON'T MISS

5 Reasons Early Voting Is Overwhelmed With Falsehoods

DON'T MISS

Christian McCaffrey Returns to Practice for the 49ers From Achilles Tendon Injury

DON'T MISS

California Sues LA Suburb for Temporary Ban of Homeless Shelters

DON'T MISS

You May Have Blocked Someone on X but Now They Can See Your Public Posts Anyway

DON'T MISS

Some Republican-Led States Refuse to Let Justice Department Monitors Into Polling Places

DON'T MISS

Fresno Police Arrest Suspect in Fatal NW Apartment Shooting

DON'T MISS

Fresno Murder Suspect Stopped in Las Vegas, Others Wanted

DON'T MISS

Trump’s Crowds Are Dwindling as His Campaign Winds Down

UP NEXT

Sanger Men Arrested in Connection with Slingshot Vandalism Spree at Businesses

UP NEXT

What Is Sierra Unified’s Plan to Boost Lagging Student Achievement?

UP NEXT

Fresno State Bulldogs Stumble in Fourth Quarter, Suffer Narrow Loss to Hawai’i

UP NEXT

Challengers Seek Seats on Tulare County Irrigation District Boards

UP NEXT

Shy Pup Finds Hope with Foster Family, Evasion from Euthanasia

UP NEXT

AMOR Wellness Trunk-or-Treat Brings 700 Mendota Residents Together for Halloween Fun

UP NEXT

What Kind of Trouble Is Miguel Arias Trying to Stir Up This Time?

UP NEXT

Fresno Man Shot to Death at NW Apartment Complex Is Identified

UP NEXT

SJV Water Founder Lois Henry Receives Prestigious Reporting Award

UP NEXT

Local Candidates Make Final Pitches at Fresno Hispanic Foundation Event

David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

Christian McCaffrey Returns to Practice for the 49ers From Achilles Tendon Injury

2 hours ago

California Sues LA Suburb for Temporary Ban of Homeless Shelters

2 hours ago

You May Have Blocked Someone on X but Now They Can See Your Public Posts Anyway

3 hours ago

Some Republican-Led States Refuse to Let Justice Department Monitors Into Polling Places

3 hours ago

Fresno Police Arrest Suspect in Fatal NW Apartment Shooting

3 hours ago

Fresno Murder Suspect Stopped in Las Vegas, Others Wanted

3 hours ago

Trump’s Crowds Are Dwindling as His Campaign Winds Down

4 hours ago

Trump Threatens 25% Tariff on Mexico to Curb Immigration

4 hours ago

Music Legend Quincy Jones, Architect of Pop’s Greatest Hits, Dies at 91

4 hours ago

Big Pharma Backs Harris 6-to-1 Over Trump in Presidential Campaign Contributions

5 hours ago

‘Leave It the Way It Is’: Off-Roaders, Hikers React to Proposal to Change 1.4M Acres of Sierra Forest

The 1.4 million acres of Sierra National Forest land proposed for a national monument would make the land between Yosemite and Sequoia natio...

10 mins ago

10 mins ago

‘Leave It the Way It Is’: Off-Roaders, Hikers React to Proposal to Change 1.4M Acres of Sierra Forest

New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning in Game 5 of the baseball World Series, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, in New York. (AP/Ashley Landis)
2 hours ago

Yankees Retain Cole, Add $36 Million Extension to Keep Ace

Voters cast their ballots at Desert Breeze Community Center in Las Vegas during the last day of in-person early voting in Nevada on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. Nearly 75 million people have cast early ballots, making their voices heard amid worry about the process, the outcome and democracy itself. (Bridget Bennett/The New York Times)
2 hours ago

5 Reasons Early Voting Is Overwhelmed With Falsehoods

2 hours ago

Christian McCaffrey Returns to Practice for the 49ers From Achilles Tendon Injury

2 hours ago

California Sues LA Suburb for Temporary Ban of Homeless Shelters

3 hours ago

You May Have Blocked Someone on X but Now They Can See Your Public Posts Anyway

3 hours ago

Some Republican-Led States Refuse to Let Justice Department Monitors Into Polling Places

Gerrick Franklin (pictured), 34, was taken into custody Sunday in Madera County on suspicion of killing Tyler Hamon, 33. (Fresno PD)
3 hours ago

Fresno Police Arrest Suspect in Fatal NW Apartment Shooting

Search

Send this to a friend