Public Art Proposals for City Plaza Fountain
Mosaic/Tile on Pillars & Mural on Front Tiers
The City of San Rafael is excited to welcome new public art at the Millennium Fountain!
Below are three (3) artwork proposals for consideration. Artists were asked to design a mosaic for the fountain pillars and a simple art design for the front-facing tiers of the fountain.
While the water feature will pause for now, the art installation will not prevent future water operations, which will be considered over time.
UNTITLED
PAZ DE LA CALZADA
(San Francisco, CA)
This mural honors the power of flow: the way water joins, sustains, and transforms. Positioned behind the downtown fountain’s thin waterfall, the mural merges with cascading water to create a multisensory landscape. Bold yet delicate white lines ripples across earthy terracotta, blue, and light green ones, evoking both the vitality of water and rhythm of life.
The design draws inspiration from the organic trees that grow above the fountain, extending downward like roots or lichen-an echo of nature’s continuity. Scattered tiles along the columns feature more detailed depictions of these organisms, reinforcing the theme of flow through intricate patterns and rooted forms. Many tiles will carry solid colors with textured finishes, adding visual accents that deepen the sense of movement and connections.
More than a depiction of water, the mural is a meditation of flow itself-how it shapes urban life and mirrors the movement of people through the plaza. Water becomes a view, and the mural, inseparable from its sound and motion, invites connection between the public and natural world. It celebrates water’s essential role in healing and renewal, offering a moment of pause and presence in the heart of the city.
For the seven columns I will incorporate square tiles (approximately 10cmx10cm) printed from custom designs to extend the mural’s language beyond the fountain face. The painted mural may continue beneath the tiles to maintain visual continuity. Tiles will cover the front of each column and be more scattered along the sides, reinforcing the idea of flow; they will include both detailed motifs and solid-color tiles with textured finishes to add visual accents. I plan to work with Unique Tiles, a company that collaborates with architects, designers, and artists to produce bespoke decorative tiles rather than mass produced options.
Tiles are produced using advanced kiln-fired technology that delivers high-resolution image quality and long term durability against UV exposure, chemicals, and high temperatures. They are suitable for high traffic environments and offer strong resistance to scratching and graffiti, supporting the mural’s longevity and stewardship.
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CALIFORNIA WILD
HANNAH MAXIMOVA
(Glendale, CA)
California Wild is the title of this stained glass and paint mural which depicts blooming wild plants from the surrounding area of San Rafael.
The painted mural shows California poppies blooming against a vivid ombre blue sky. The poppies in their vibrant oranges enliven the cooling blues of the bright background.
The blooms’ great size and sparkling energy reflect the vigor and vibrance of our living wild local world. It inspires love and respect for both and respect for both the wild plants and our membership in the great family of life.
The stained glass mosaics depict various wild flower species that are frequently seen in the San Rafael area from the many trails.
Included in order are:
Manzanita
Miner’s Lettuce
Silver Bush Lupine
Morning Glory
White Bog Orchid
Wild Hyacinth
Western Columbine
These mosaics will feature multiple shades of white in their backgrounds as well as gold outline of the leaves, stems and flowers. This gold outlining ennobles them into being reserved like religious figures that are precious, respected and adored.
Included are pollinators like bees and butterflies.
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SEVEN SPIRIT ANIMALS OF SAN RAFAEL
JAVIER ROCABADO
(Richmond, CA)
Artist Statement
As a descendant of Indigenous heritage, my work addresses the historical void left by the original peoples of San Rafael and the surrounding regions. During the mission period, Indigenous narratives were suppressed. This project seeks to generate stories, rooted in cultural and spiritual memory.
By reviving these seven spirit animals, my goal is to acknowledge the history and culture that were displaced, making visible the continuous flow of indigenous and resilience in a contemporary civic space.
The history of San Rafael begins as a refuge for the sick native population from Mission Dolores. This project honors that dual legacy of trauma and survival. By installing these spirit animals in the city, we not only remember the missionary past but also **symbolically reclaim the landscape for the indigenous cosmologies that first inhabited it. ** It is an act of cultural healing for the community.
Each animal represents a vital aspect of Indigenous wisdom from Ohlone, Coast Miwok, and Pomo traditions.
Owl - Wisdom, intuition, guidance.
Bear - Strength, healing, protection.
Deer - Balance, gentleness, renewal
Eagle- Courage, leadership, spiritual vision.
Wolf- Loyalty, cooperation, endurance.
Rabbit- Creativity, fertility, resilience.
Sea Turtle - Longevity, navigation, harmony with nature.
Alebrijes Influence
Inspired by Mexican artist Redro Linares López, alebrijes represent a fusion of Indigenous spirituality and folk imagination. These colorful hybrid creatures echo ancient nahual beliefs-animal spirit protectors-and celebrate the enduring connections between humans and the natural world.
Materials: Stained glass, epoxy grout, and mica color powder
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