San Francisco Arts Commission selects Rigo 23 for Mission Creek Park sculpture

The San Francisco Arts Commission held a meeting on July 4, 2025, to discuss the selection of a public artist for Mission Creek Park, part of the Mission Bay redevelopment project. The meeting highlighted the importance of public art in enhancing community spaces and the ongoing efforts to fund such initiatives through developer contributions.

Interim Director Edie Morales opened the discussion by explaining that developers in the Mission Bay area are required to either provide public art on-site or contribute to a fund for public art. To date, approximately $1.125 million has been collected in lieu fees, which are earmarked for public art installations in the Mission Bay open spaces.

Mark Slutskin, the project manager for Mission Bay, provided an update on the artist selection process. Following a request for qualifications (RFQ) issued by the Arts Commission, 135 artists applied. A panel narrowed this down to 30 semifinalists, from which three finalists were chosen: RIGO 23, Adrienne Segal, and Wendy Chin. After community input and further review, RIGO 23 was selected as the artist for the project.

Jackie Montresco, a public art project manager, introduced RIGO 23, who has a rich history in the San Francisco art scene. Originally from Madera Island, Portugal, RIGO 23 has lived in San Francisco since the early 1990s and is known for his impactful murals and community-focused art. He expressed his excitement about the project and his desire to give back to the city that has influenced him greatly.

The meeting underscored the city's commitment to integrating public art into urban development, fostering community engagement, and enhancing the cultural landscape of San Francisco. The next steps will involve RIGO 23 presenting his proposal for the sculpture at Mission Creek Park, which is expected to be a significant addition to the area.