>> welcome to culture wire. did you know the city of san francisco has an art collection consisting of 3,500 objects? it ranges from paintings and objects placed in public buildings to w.p.a. era murals and bronze busts in city hall to site specific sculptures. many of the large sculptural public works are in need of repair and a long-term solution is needed to ensure the treasures will be cared for. the story of the arts commission's new program art care begins with venerable art dealer ruth bronstein. 2010 is her 50th year as an art dealer. at the helm of the bronstein key gallery she has represented some of the most notable bay area artists and continues to look for new talent. >> the artists that i represent and why do i choose them has to do with the background of what the gallery is about. i love the idea of finding new artist he is and watching them grow. it is the old fashioned way of having a gallery, which is having a stable. so, what you have there is a loyalty to them and the artist is loyal to you. so, the whole philosophy behind th that, my philosophy hasn't changed since i started 49 years a ago. i take care of you and you take care of me. it has been that way ever since. >> she represents the estate of world renowned skuculptor peter vulkus who passed away in 2002. in 1971 he created a beloved untitled public work sited at seventh and brian. like many other public works of art it is in need of repair. ruth began conversations with the director of cultural affairs and art care was born. >> art care will be responsible to look at all the pieces and decide what pieces need the most repair to bring it back to what it was before. that is what i'm after. so they will take that on the corn of seventh and brian. you can't see it as you ride down seventh street. you can only see it when you are in front of it. >> the skull -- sculpture is one of the tpeufirst pieces commissioned by the arts commission after the advent of the 1969 art enrichment ordinance so it is quite significant that we are planning to treat it as part of the art care program. art care has plans to take care of several other pieces in the collection including man lin choi's sculpture the monument to the korean community. it has been in the park over 0 years and has become a magnet for vandalism. we are looking at several henry march sculptures. one in front of the symphony building that needs to be treated. we are looking at the yin and yang. a much loved piece but as a resu result. it was launched may 20, 2010. ruth was celebrated with a lifetime achievement award for her contribution to and influence of the bay area community. the award is embarrassing to me like mad but i have to learn to accept it. and good things are heard about people when they are dead and i'm hearing it while i'm alive. i look upon