Visual Arts Committee approves public art project at Half Acre park in SoMa

The San Francisco Visual Arts Committee has approved an exciting new public art project for the upcoming Half Acre Park at Eleventh and Natoma, located in the vibrant South of Market neighborhood. This initiative aims to enhance the park's perimeter with artist-designed fence panels, integrating art into the community's landscape.

The project will feature an 11-foot high, powder-coated aluminum fence along Eleventh Street, with a total art budget of $110,000. Artists or artist teams from across the United States are invited to submit their qualifications, with a focus on those who have a meaningful connection to the South of Market area. The design contract for the selected artist is set at $25,000.

In addition to this new project, the committee celebrated the completion of "Whirl Our Circular Nature," a striking artwork by artist Nori Sato. Installed at the Southeast Treatment Center, this piece measures 35 feet long and up to 30 feet tall, using a circular vortex motif to symbolize the water treatment process that cleanses 80% of the city’s wastewater. The artwork's dynamic design changes with the light, making the often-invisible processes of water management visible to the public.

The committee expressed gratitude for the collaboration with the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) and emphasized the importance of beautifying the neighborhood while educating residents about the critical infrastructure that supports the city. As the project moves forward, it promises to enrich the community's cultural landscape and foster a deeper connection between residents and their environment.