Renowned local artist Clement Renzi’s sculpture, “A Day in the Park”, capturing the lively essence of community interaction within a park setting, has been permanently placed at Storyland within Roeding Park.
This extensive terracotta artwork, which endured both a devastating fire and subsequent vandalism, originally adorned a building that once served as a bank and later an event center located at the intersection of Shields and Highway 41. The piece, created in 1981, remarkably survived the January 2023 blaze that razed its former home.
Plans to move the sculpture to the expanded terminal of the Fresno Yosemite International Airport or to the Fresno Art Museum were considered, but eventually set aside due to logistical and cost issues. Meanwhile, the city took possession of the artwork after it was donated by the owner of the damaged building. As the search for a fitting location continued, the sculpture was stored in pieces across 18 pallets in a local warehouse.
The decision to install the sculpture at Storyland was warmly received by Bruce Batti, chairperson of the Storyland/Playland board. He praised the decision as aligning perfectly with the park’s family-friendly atmosphere and as a fitting tribute to one of Fresno’s artistic icons.
Clement Renzi’s daughter, Jenny Renzi, expressed her satisfaction with the sculpture’s new setting, noting that her father would have appreciated its placement in an environment focused on children, reflecting the playful spirit of the piece itself. She reminisced about her father’s attention to detail and his collection with Sal Esqueda, a craftsman and artist who assisted in the original installation and recently reconnected with her to reminisce about the project.
The timeline for the sculpture’s installation is currently being finalized, as noted by City Attorney Andrew Janz, who highlighted the cultural significance of maintaining Renzi’s works for the enjoyment and inspiration of future generations. Renzi’s sculptures are landmarks throughout Fresno, with notable pieces including his 1964 “The Visit” and the 1973 “The Yokuts Man”, both located on Fulton Street, among others spread across the city.
The restoration and reinstallation of the sculpture will be managed by art conservator Andrea Morse, who has previously collaborated with Fresno in preserving its public art. Morse commended the city’s dedication to protecting and celebrating its artistic heritage, emphasizing the role that such artworks play in enhancing community spaces.
Clement Renzi, a Fresno native born in 1925 and a World War II veteran, studied at the University of California, Berkeley, New York, and abroad in Vienna, Italy. He returned to Fresno with his wife, Dorothy, where he continued his artistic pursuits until his death in 2009. His works, especially “A Day in the Park”, continue to embody the communal and spirited ethos of Fresno, serving as a lasting tribute to Renzi’s impact on the city’s cultural landscape.
