Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

West Bank Town Becomes ‘Big Prison’ as Israel Fences It In

4 days ago

Trump Says He’s Willing to Let Migrant Farm Laborers Stay in US

4 days ago

US Electric Vehicle Tax Breaks Will Expire on Sept. 30

4 days ago

Eyeing Arctic Dominance, Trump Bill Earmarks $8.6 Billion for US Coast Guard Icebreakers

5 days ago

Trump’s Sweeping Tax-Cut and Spending Bill Wins Congressional Approval

5 days ago

Americans Celebrate Their Independence With Record-Breaking Travel Numbers

5 days ago

US Supreme Court to Decide Legality of Transgender School Sports Bans

5 days ago

Nvidia Set to Become the World’s Most Valuable Company in History

5 days ago

Poll: 41% in US ‘Extremely Proud’ to Be American, Near Historic Low

5 days ago
Fresno Gives Cherished, Graffiti-Scarred Renzi Artwork New Hope
David Taub Website photo 2024
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 2 years 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

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

US Threatens California With Legal Action Over Transgender Sports Law

DON'T MISS

US Veterans Affairs Will Cut Nearly 30,000 Jobs, Far Fewer Than Planned

DON'T MISS

Houston Astros Donate $1M to Help Recovery From Texas Floods

DON'T MISS

Tucker Carlson Aired Interview With President of Iran

DON'T MISS

California Fails to Stop 23andMe Founder From Re-Acquiring Company

DON'T MISS

Madera County Multi-Agency Effort Leads to Arrest of Felony Suspect in Atwater

DON'T MISS

Fresno Police Arrest DUI Driver During Crackdown on Illegal Street Racing and Sideshows

DON'T MISS

July 4 Weekend Was No Picnic for Fresno-Area Firefighters. How Bad Did It Get?

DON'T MISS

Tulare County Seizes 300 Pounds of Illegal Fireworks Over Fourth of July

DON'T MISS

US Proposes Rules That Could Boost Oil, Gas Output in US West

UP NEXT

Fresno County Fish Fire Burns 15 Acres Near Avocado Lake, 50% Contained

UP NEXT

Wanted Fugitive Found Hiding in Attic Arrested in Chowchilla

UP NEXT

Fresno Police Arrest 9 at Independence Day DUI Checkpoint

UP NEXT

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Douglas Wayne Brittain

UP NEXT

Fresno DUI Driver Slams Into CHP Motorcycle, Tow Truck on Highway 99

UP NEXT

Clovis, Sanger, Madera, and Bass Lake Will Light the Sky With Fireworks Shows Tonight

UP NEXT

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Rachelle Maria Blanco

UP NEXT

Fresno Police to Conduct DUI Checkpoint on Fourth of July, Boost Holiday Patrols

UP NEXT

RIP John Harris: Fresno County Rancher, Racehorse Breeder Was a Visionary Leader Who Leaves a ‘Profound Legacy’

UP NEXT

Valadao, Costa Spar on What Passage of Trump’s Bill Means for Medicaid Recipients

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

US Threatens California With Legal Action Over Transgender Sports Law

9 hours ago

US Veterans Affairs Will Cut Nearly 30,000 Jobs, Far Fewer Than Planned

9 hours ago

Houston Astros Donate $1M to Help Recovery From Texas Floods

9 hours ago

Tucker Carlson Aired Interview With President of Iran

9 hours ago

California Fails to Stop 23andMe Founder From Re-Acquiring Company

10 hours ago

Madera County Multi-Agency Effort Leads to Arrest of Felony Suspect in Atwater

10 hours ago

Fresno Police Arrest DUI Driver During Crackdown on Illegal Street Racing and Sideshows

10 hours ago

July 4 Weekend Was No Picnic for Fresno-Area Firefighters. How Bad Did It Get?

11 hours ago

Tulare County Seizes 300 Pounds of Illegal Fireworks Over Fourth of July

11 hours ago

US Proposes Rules That Could Boost Oil, Gas Output in US West

12 hours ago

Netanyahu Nominates Trump for Nobel Peace Prize

WASHINGTON – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday told President Donald Trump he had nominated him for the Nobel Peace ...

8 hours ago

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu looks on during a bilateral dinner with U.S. President Donald Trump (not pictured), at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 7, 2025. (Reuters/Kevin Lamarque)
8 hours ago

Netanyahu Nominates Trump for Nobel Peace Prize

U.S. President Donald Trump meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 7, 2025. (Reuters/Kevin Lamarque)
8 hours ago

Netanyahu Meets Trump at White House as Israel, Hamas Discuss Ceasefire

A wind farm is shown in Movave, California, U.S., November 8, 2019. (Reuter File)
9 hours ago

Trump Executive Order Seeks End to Wind and Solar Energy Subsidies

U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon testifies before a Senate Appropriations hearing on U.S. President Donald Trump's budget request for the Department of Education, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 3, 2025. (Reuters File)
9 hours ago

US Threatens California With Legal Action Over Transgender Sports Law

United States Department of Veterans Affairs logo and U.S. flag are seen in this illustration taken April 23, 2025. (Reuters File)
9 hours ago

US Veterans Affairs Will Cut Nearly 30,000 Jobs, Far Fewer Than Planned

A group of search and rescue workers paddle a boat in the Guadalupe River in the aftermath of deadly flooding in Kerr County, Texas, U.S., July 7, 2025. (Reuters/Sergio Flores)
9 hours ago

Houston Astros Donate $1M to Help Recovery From Texas Floods

9 hours ago

Tucker Carlson Aired Interview With President of Iran

Attendees visit the 23andMe booth at the RootsTech annual genealogical event in Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S., February 28, 2019. (Reuters File)
10 hours ago

California Fails to Stop 23andMe Founder From Re-Acquiring Company

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend