WELLSPRING INSTALLED IN REBUILT COFFEY NEIGHBORHOOD PARK

Titled Wellspring and developed by Wowhaus, the public art project was installed in the final phases of construction on the rebuilding of Coffey Neighborhood Park in the summer of 2020. The design consists of three sculptural seating elements in the shape of raindrops placed in a 12-foot diameter concrete circular plaza integrated with plantings in a unique raingarden within the park. A plaque sited by the artwork explains the art concept. 

Wowhaus—the team of Scott Constable and Ene Osteraas-Constable selected for the project—was commissioned to thoughtfully engage the Coffey Park neighborhood in developing a concept proposal, as well as to collaborate with the park design team to incorporate the art into the site.

Wellspring’s raindrops are made of durable glass fiber reinforced concrete with blue glass terrazzo and provide seating for visitors to the park. Two of the raindrops invite playful interaction as they can be easily rotated like a swivel chair. Each raindrop is surrounded by a scattering of blue glow-in-the-dark aggregate in the pavement, giving the appearance of incandescent raindrops on the plaza at dusk. The centerpiece of the plaza is a glass mosaic of a water ripples. 

“Wellspring celebrates the resiliency of the community by focusing on rainwater, a universal symbol of renewal and regeneration” said Wowhaus. “Multiple raindrops coming together are symbolic of the interconnectedness and collective efforts of the community.” 

Earlier this year, the Public Art Program announced an additional $60,000 towards the public art project was donated by two Rotary groups. The total funding for the art project is $110,000, including very generous donations of $50,000 from Rotary International District 5130 Sonoma County Fire Relief Committee, and $10,000 from Rotary Club of Santa Rosa West, as well as $50,000 from the City of Santa Rosa’s Public Art Fund.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE PARK AND WATCH A VIDEO OF THE PROEJCT

Installed "Wellspring" artwork by Wowhaus, Coffey Neighborhood Park

PROJECT BACKGROUND

As the selected artist for the project, Wowhaus was required to undertake research and discussion with stakeholders and thoughtfully engage the Coffey Park neighborhood to develop a concept proposal for the public art project, as well as collaborate with the park design team incorporate the art into the site. Below is a summary of the neighborhood outreach:

• May 17, 2019: Presentation at school assembly at Schaefer Charter School for elementary school students (K-6), faculty & administrators

• June 8, 2019: Hands-on workshop for members of the Coffey Park Community at Schaefer Charter School for all ages (youth, teen & adult)

• July 13, 2019: Design presentation and meeting with members of the Coffey Park community at Person Senior Wing, Finley Community Center Complex

• Online Survey Outreach
  • Two online surveys were distributed by email to a list of Coffey Park residents/property owners
  • First survey had 82 responses and gathered quantitative data regarding desired location for the art, functionality and intended audience for the art AND qualitative data related to residents’ hopes and dreams for their community and for the artwork. Survey results were used along with outcomes from the hands-on workshop to inform the artists design concept.
  • Second survey had 45 responses and gathered quantitative and qualitative data related to the individual’s participation in the previous outreach activities, level and explanation of and satisfaction with the design concept, preference of thematic concept for key design element and desired location for the art.
• The design concept was developed with input and collaboration from the Coffey Park community, Carlile Macy design team and the Parks Department. Input gathered included desired location for the art, functionality and intended audience for the art, residents’ hopes and dreams for their community and for the art, and preference of thematic concepts for key design elements.

Design concept rendering for Wellspring for Coffey Neighborhood Park by Wowhaus

About the Artists
Wowhaus, the team of Ene Osteraas-Constable and Scott Constable, was selected after an extensive review process and approved by the Art in Public Places Committee. Founded in 1997, Wowhaus is a multi-disciplinary art/design collaborative whose award-winning work over the past two decades spans public art, social practice, architecture and furniture design. “We are deeply inspired by the opportunity to create artwork that contributes to the healing and rebuilding of the Coffey Park community in Santa Rosa. As artists who live and work in nearby Sebastopol, we understand the deep impact the fire has had – and continues to have – on the community [and] the extraordinary strength and character of our region. We are enthusiastic to work with Coffey Park community members to develop unique artwork that both commemorates the fire and celebrates the identity and resiliency of their neighborhood, heralding its vibrant future.” To find out more about the artists, please visit their website.

Description of Project Opportunity: Coffey Neighborhood Park Public Art
The artist or artist team selected for this project will be required to undertake research and discussion with stakeholders and thoughtfully engage the Coffey Park neighborhood to develop a concept proposal for the public art project. From preliminary surveys of the neighborhood, residents indicate a preference for interactive and functional public art, including playground equipment and seating. The public art should be integrated into the design of the park as much as possible. Design elements should reflect the identity and resiliency of the Coffey Park neighborhood and respectfully commemorate the Tubbs Fire.

The City of Santa Rosa recently approved the Master Plan for the park. To find out more about the design and construction, click HERE.

Project Location
Installation will be sited at Coffey Neighborhood Park (1524 Amanda Place, Santa Rosa, CA) in Northwest Santa Rosa. The park is located at the heart of the heavily fire-damaged Coffey Park Neighborhood.

Project Budget
The total available funding for the project is now $110,000, including very generous donations of $50,000 from Rotary International District 5130 Sonoma County Fire Relief Committee, and $10,000 from Rotary Club of Santa Rosa West, as well as $50,000 from the City of Santa Rosa’s Public Art Fund.