Sonoma artist Peter Hassen has donated his large-scale Corten steel sculpture "Cycles 3" to the City of Sonoma's public art collection. The 96-inch artwork, featuring circular forms depicting bees, birds, frogs, and native plants, was previously displayed on Sonoma Plaza during the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art's 2021 "Delicate Balance" exhibition. The Sonoma City Council unanimously approved the donation at its June 17 meeting, following a recommendation from the Cultural and Fine Arts Commission.
The donation marks one of the first permanent acquisitions under Sonoma's Public Art Policy and Procedures, adopted in December 2024, and gives momentum to the city's new Public Art Program. By adding a significant work by a local artist to the public collection, the donation demonstrates how artists can shape public spaces, foster community engagement, and strengthen Sonoma's identity as an arts destination. The sculpture is proposed for pilot installation in the southeast quadrant of Sonoma Plaza, with final placement and timeline still to be determined.