'The Heron' Lands at Port of Redwood City

REDWOOD CITY, CA – "The Heron" sculpture - a new public art installation by award-winning San Jose sculptor David Han -- will be dedicated during a public ceremony at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016 at the Port of Redwood City.

As part of the community's commitment to public art, the striking 14-foot tall steel installation was commissioned by the City to epitomize both the energy and natural beauty of its vibrant commercial port. The City collaborated with the Port, Sims Metal, ARTS RWC and Tech Shop to create "The Heron."

"The City is committed to keeping the local arts scene flourishing," said Redwood City Mayor John Seybert. "From public installations like 'The Heron' to painting utility boxes, we're always looking for ways to beautify the community - just one of the reasons why it's such a great place to live, work and visit."

The Heron is just one example of the city's thriving public art scene, much of it shepherded by The Civic Cultural Commission, according to Chris Beth, director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department and advisor to that group. "Currently, there are over 85 pieces of public art in Redwood City," said Beth. "We recently introduced a public art map to make it easy for art fans to find them. Great examples include large sculptural installations such as 'The Heron' and innovative Harambee interactive benches, fun shadow art gracing downtown sidewalks, unique murals on prominent commercial buildings, creatively painted utility boxes and elegant birdbaths gracing City parks and recreational areas."

Created by the former Silicon Valley industrial designer and Chinese emigre, Han says of his manually-welded sculpture, "It is neither abstract nor figurative and indeed is a melding of my interests in technology and creative mysteries drawn from both western culture and Asian traditions."

The Heron is just one addition to Redwood City's collection of public art whose growth can be attributed to corporate partnerships, local arts organizations like ARTS Redwood City, the Redwood City Parks and Arts Foundation, Redwood City Improvement Association and municipal government efforts. To check out these and other public art in Redwood Cityclick here for a Public Art Map.

The Art in Public Places Fund, passed in June of this year, establishes a City contribution of one percent of the City's Annual Outlay Fund and requires commercial development projects over 50,000 square feet to provide on-site art or pay an in-lieu fee equal to at least one percent of the projects construction valuation value. The ordinance underscores the City of Redwood City's commitment to public art, begun with the 2013 Public Art Master Plan to promote vibrancy and cultural uniqueness with the expansion of highly visible public art throughout the city.

– SUBMITTED FOR PUBLICATION BY THE CITY OF REDWOOD CITY.