The award was recently presented to Shea Properties during thecity's Distinguished Arts Awards program in recognition of thecompany's many contributions to the "Save the Birds" fundraisingcampaign, launched in 1998 by the Seacliff Public ArtCommittee.

Shea received the award for its efforts to preserve the"Seacliff Shore Birds" public art collection, valued at more than$1 million. The collection, displayed for more than 20 years at theoriginal Seacliff Village shopping center, was removed andre-installed in City Hall thanks in large part to Shea's $210,000gift to the campaign. A public dedication ceremony for thecollection was held on Dec. 4, 1999.

In all, the collection consists of 16 large, hand-paintedceramic tile murals; 79 metal pelican sculptures mounted on pierpilings; and numerous museum-quality natural history dioramas,habitat maps and other decorative elements. Various artists,architects, museum curators and scientists collaborated on thecollection.