The Office of Arts and Culture works with County agencies to develop and execute public art projects. These projects have been completed over the last few years providing beauty and joy to our communities.
Causeway Mural Project, 2025, Contemplative Canopy, designed by local artist Kseniya Makarova.
As part of a collaborative beautification effort between San Mateo County and the City of Redwood City, the Redwood City Arts Commission, the Redwood City Parks & Art Department, and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, a new mural was installed on the causeway connecting the Hall of Justice at 400 County Center to the Maguire Correctional Facility. This project enhances the visual appeal of the Winslow Street entry into County Center and the downtown area, while further enriching the growing collection of public art in our community.
The mural, titled Contemplative Canopy, was designed by local artist Kseniya Makarova, who was selected by a review panel in 2023. The piece is inspired by the lush tree canopy of the surrounding area and invites viewers to pause and reflect. It evokes themes of upward vision, aspiration, and a shared hope for a bright future.
Click here to read more about the mural in Taking Art to the Street: In Redwood City, a Bridge Wrapped in Light and Color.
Navigation Center Mural Project, 2024, A Sense of Belonging, designed by artist, Heather Hardison.
Artist Heather Hardison was contracted to work with residents and staff at the County’s Navigation Center in Redwood City to design a mural in an outdoor common space that reflects themes and images related to a sense of home, diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and stability. The Navigation Center provides safe temporary living spaces for individuals and couples experiencing homelessness along with intensive support services designed to help clients find and maintain stable housing.
The design depicts overlapping hands representing interdependence and community relationships. The artist asked residents, "What does home, community, and equity mean to you?". The responses are incorporated into the mural to center and uplift the perspectives of the people living at the shelter. The painting and installation of the mural was done with resident participation.
Click here to read more about the mural in The Art that Binds Us: ‘Finally, someone is getting it’
Youth Services Center Mural, 2024, San Mateo, designed by artists Aureliano Rivera, Pablo Ruis Arroyo and Franz Fischer in collaboration with youth at the Center.
Bringing more art and youth viewpoint about their surroundings into the Youth Services Center (YSC) was at the center of this project. The mural was born through a robust selection process that included Arts Commissioners, YSC staff and youth at the Center. Including the voices of the YSC community was an important element of the selection process.
Muralists Aureliano Rivera (aka the Mural Doctor), Pablo Ruis Arroyo (aka PablitoSomething) and Franz Fischer (aka Pancho Pescador) were chosen to work with the youth to develop a theme that was meaningful and spoke to the youth and then work with them to paint it on the walls together. The two panels feature bold images connected by hummingbirds, a symbol of joy and positivity. The captions emphasize the essence of the project, “When One Door Closes Another Opens” and “The World is Yours, No Limits.”
North Fair Oaks Healthy Community Mural, 2023, designed by artist Emily Fromm
Goals of this project included bringing culturally significant public art to the North Fair Oaks community and enhancing the beautification of the community, specifically on the 5th Avenue underpass. Improving this area would unite a community divided by the Caltrain tracks, encourage neighborhood cross-fertilization, celebrate the diversity of our community, make the area safer, discourage graffiti, serve as a gateway to North Fair Oaks and encourage walking and biking to the transportation corridors of Middlefield Road and El Camino Real.
With these goals in mind, the Healthy Community Mural Project Committee surveyed residents, business owners, and the public to ensure that the mural reflected the most important topics related to the concept of a “healthy community for NFO.” The Committee analyzed the information and then invited muralists to apply and share their vision for a mural based on the community input. Three muralists emerged from the applicants and after presentations to the Committee and the public, muralist Emily Fromm was selected. Fromm worked closely with the community to create an authentic view of NFO. Fromm developed the artwork based on her conversations and invited the public to help paint the 16 panels, eight on each side of the Fifth Avenue Underpass. To read more and see more images by Joel Bartlett, click here.
Big Love, San Mateo County Animal Shelter, San Mateo, Gordon Huether, 2021, Painted Composite Materials
Artist Gordon Huether was commissioned by San Mateo County to design, fabricate and install an art installation that would greet visitors and employees of the San Mateo County Animal Shelter. His dog and heart sculpture, named “Big Love”, was made of paint and composite materials, it is 6-foot-high and 8-foot-long.
Huether was inspired by the compassion of individuals who adopt lost and homeless animals and the joy an animal brings to each family. The installation of the “Big Love” sculpture welcomes guest and puts smiles on everyone's face by presenting the purpose and values of San Mateo County Animal Shelter.
Hubcaps, Redwood City, Gordon Huether, 2021, Stainless Steel
Artist Gordon Huether was commissioned by the County of San Mateo to create a gateway installation for a new parking structure in Redwood City to support current and future needs for the new County Office Building #3. The new office complex was constructed as part of a project to improve government services and facilities for both residents and employees of San Mateo County.
Hubcaps, brings a sense of whimsy and creates a welcoming entrance for users of the facility. Consisting of 1,000 hubcaps this piece elevates an everyday parking garage experience by bringing a bit of fun and playfulness to the environment.
For more information: https://gordonhuether.com/hubcaps/
Shalom, San Mateo County Center, Redwood City, James Stoval, 1979, Italian Marble
Sculptor James Stoval was commissioned by San Mateo County to create a sculpture named “Shalom,” the Hebrew word for peace, harmony, and well-being. The artwork, made from Italian marble, is an abstract, U-shaped sculpture that narrows towards each side. It has a smooth outer surface and a rough inner surface. The sculpture is lightly spotted with marble, and the base is circular which sits in a planter box.
Stoval is a Redwood City based artist that is known for his work in marble, bronze, and stone, whose style is also in symbolic and abstract forms. He has created numerous works around the Bay Area including pieces that can be viewed at the Redwood City Government Center and San Francisco City Hall.