Migrations Hits the SF Bay Trail

Press Release                    Contact:  Halimah Anderson, 510/464-7986, halimaha@abag.ca.gov

Meghan Horrigan, 650-780-7305, mhorrigan@redwoodcity.org

October 19, 2015

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

First Public Art Dedication on the San Francisco Bay Trail

at Mariner Park in Redwood City

 A new art project on the San Francisco Bay Trail will launch on Sunday, October 25^th at 3:00 p.m. at Mariner Park in Redwood City with an unveiling and dedication of a unique functional public art sculpture. The free event will include food, live music, and presentations by Redwood City Mayor Jeff Gee, Parks, Recreation & Community Services  Director Chris Beth, art curator Lance Fung, and San Mateo County Supervisor Warren Slocum. The installation of this artwork highlights a new partnership between the City of Redwood City, Fung Collaboratives, the Redwood City Parks and Arts Foundation, and the Association of Bay Area Governments’ Bay Trail Project.

“Redwood City is dedicating the first of what we anticipate will be many exhibits along the Bay Trail as part of a new regional art initiative,” says Laura Thompson, Bay Trail Project Manager. The Bay Trail Project is in the early stages of creating a regional public art program in partnership with shoreline cities called Migrations. Fung Collaboratives is the organization contracted to oversee and curate the ongoing Migration series. This program promotes art exhibits along the trail and creates unique experiences for trail and art enthusiasts along the Bay Area shoreline.

The community is invited to participate in the art celebration on October 25^th. This event is hosted by Redwood City and the artwork is sponsored by the Redwood City Parks and Arts Foundation. The unveiling of the artistic benches will take place Sunday, October 25^th at three parks in Redwood City, with the celebration culminating at Mariner Park at 3:00 p.m.

“Redwood City is very pleased to be the first shoreline city to partner with the Association of Bay Area Governments’ Bay Trail Project,” said Jeff Gee, City of Redwood City mayor. “Public art in public spaces and along our trail system is a tremendous way to connect our community to the outdoors and to experience art at the same time.”

The artistic benches that will be dedicated on October 25^th were created during three “Harambee” (meaning ‘all pull together’ in Swahali) events by emerging artist Michael Koliner with help from community members of all ages taking part in a mud dance (stomping in mud) to make cob-adobe used for art benches. The three Harambee events this past weekend brought together over 250 residents and participants to help the artist at Andrews Spinas Park, Mariner Park, and Mezes Park.

October 25^th Unveiling Event Details include:

Andrew Spinas Park (2^nd Avenue & Bay Road) Unveiling at 9:00 a.m.

Mezes Park (Warren Avenue & Standish Street) Unveiling at 12:00 p.m.

 

Media Invitation

Mariner Park (Tiller Lane & Bridge Parkway) Unveiling at 3:00 p.m.

 

–more–
Overview of Migrations

Migrations will create destination art experiences along existing sections of the Bay Trail that appeal to a broad audience, encouraging people to gather, connect and experience something new and inspiring along the shoreline, linked by over 340 miles of Bay Trail in all nine Bay Area Counties. Migrations has the potential to involve 47 shoreline cities, nine counties, local, regional, state and national parks, ports, marinas and other shoreline management agencies, reinforcing the connectivity between cities and promoting the trail as a unique destination for art enthusiasts. Cities will serve as hosts of the artwork and will work closely with ABAG and Fung Collaboratives to initiate and implement art exhibits.

 

Association of Bay Area Governments

Founded in 1961, ABAG is the official regional planning agency for the 101 cities and towns, and nine counties of the Bay Area and is recognized as the first council of governments in California.

Redwood City

The City of Redwood City is a San Francisco Bay Area community located in the heart of Silicon Valley, the technology-rich region extending from the San Francisco shoreline to the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Redwood City is the third largest city within the County of San Mateo, with over 84,000 residents. The city enjoys an average of 255 sunny days a year, which it boasts via the city slogan: “Climate Best by Government Test”. Incorporated in 1867, Redwood City is home to the San Mateo County History Museum (located in the county’s old courthouse) and the only active deep water port within the south bay of San Francisco. The city’s vibrant downtown, quickly becoming known as the entertainment hub of the San Francisco Peninsula, offers residents, visitors, and businesses a unique retail, entertainment, and restaurant experience. For more information, visit the City of Redwood City’s website at www.redwoodcity.org or follow @RedwoodCity on Twitter.

For more information visit, www.redwoodcity.org/publicart.

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