Downtown Connect

Bud Snow Mural Completed

Located on the back wall of the Roxy Movie Theater, the mural is a part of the Public Art Program’s Downtown Connect project approved by the Art in Public Places Committee in 2015. After lengthy delays to the project, the mural was completed fall 2018. The project is made possible by additional funding from the Roxy Movie Theater’s 1% for art requirement for their recent remodel.

Roxy Theater

Murals in Juilliard Park

A large Bud Snow mural has been installed in Juilliard Park near the Peter Forakis sculpture "Red Quake." Over the course of a week, the artist and many volunteers painted the large-scale, colorful, animal-themed mural on paved circular area in the park. A smaller installation near the Santa Rosa Avenue side of the park was also completed. This is the third installation for the Downtown Connect public art project.
Murals in Juilliard Park

Double Double Rainbow Rainbow

Jenny Harp and Breanne Trammell's "Double Double Rainbow Rainbow" are a collection of temporary installations on downtown utility boxes and bridge railings. Thank you to all who helped us create the installation on the A Street Bridge over SR Creek on Saturday!
Double Double Rainbow Rainbow

Downtown Planters

Installation has started on Downtown Connect public art projects! Kelly Witmer's hand-made ceramic tiles were installed on downtown planters in September. Take a stroll down Fourth Street to find all nine pieces. More art will be popping up around Downtown Santa Rosa this fall.
Witmer Planter Installation

Selected Projects

  • Bud Snow (Julia Davis): four site-specific painted murals of large-scale animals interacting with their city environment.
  • Jenny Harp and Breanne Trammell: up to nine temporary mural installations of brightly colored silk-screened patterns on Tyvek and adhered to cement surfaces.
  • Kelly Witmer: up to nine sculptural ceramic tile installations forming a trail through downtown.
  • Caleb Adam Haye / Touchfab: "Sun Flower" - a large steel sculpture with solar panel components powering an LED light display.

Project Locations

Throughout Downtown Santa Rosa and specifically in areas where there is an opportunity to connect pedestrians and cyclists to the various districts of downtown: Courthouse Square, Railroad Square, Juilliard Park/SOFA, Museums of Sonoma County and Luther Burbank Home and Gardens.

Project Timeline

  • September - October: Fabrication of artwork
  • October - March: Installation of projects
  • May: Dedication/Opening Celebration

Selection Process

A selection panel consisting of artists, curators, downtown merchants, Art in Public Places Committee members and involved City departments reviewed 28 submissions. Selection criteria included:
  • Intention/Concept: Does the proposal address the goals of the project?
  • Artistic Excellence/Experience
  • Materials/Scale
  • Feasibility/Location
Four proposals were selected by the panel and recommended to the Art in Public Places Committee for approval. The Committee unanimously approved the recommended proposals on July 6, 2015.

Project Budget

The maximum project budget is $5,000 per project and should be inclusive of all artist fees, and all expenses related to design development, including engineering, fabrication, transportation and installation of the artwork, insurance and all other project-related expenses. Funding for these projects is made possible by the Public Art Fund.

Background

The "Call for Artists" was issued in May 2015, and described an opportunity for up to four small-scale, pedestrian-level public art projects. Projects could range from permanent infrastructure projects, to temporary installations in public spaces or on blank walls. The intent is for the selected projects to create an artistic experience for residents and visitors walking around downtown, and will be promoted as a focused exhibition. The "call" asked for artists to submit entries that would entice pedestrians to circulate downtown, connecting the different districts as well as the various parking areas.

This is the kick-off project for the new Santa Rosa Public Art Master Plan. The Santa Rosa City Council unanimously adopted the Santa Rosa Public Art Master Plan on February 24, 2015 after nearly three years of development. An Our Town grant from the National Endowment for the Arts helped to fund the Master Plan development.

For questions, email Tara Thompson, City Arts Coordinator or call her at 707-543-4512.