Play It Again, Sonoma: A Piano As Public Art On Tuesday Agenda

SONOMA VALLEY, CA — Sonoma residents may soon have a new way to engage with public art in Plaza Park.

On Tuesday, members of the Sonoma Cultural and Fine Arts Commission will review a proposal from the Sebastiani Theatre Foundation to place a movable public piano in the park.

The project would allow members of the public to play, perform, and participate in what supporters described as a community-driven art experience, according to staff reports and the proposal. The commission's discussion will determine whether the pilot program moves forward.

The proposal comes under Sonoma's recently adopted Public Art Policy and Procedures, which established a framework for the selection, display, and oversight of art on municipal property, according to Sonoma city staff. The policy, adopted in December 2024, encourages public engagement, supports artists, and aims to integrate art into everyday spaces throughout Sonoma.

The Sebastiani Theatre Foundation, led by the director of community engagement, Tanner Walle, is requesting conditional approval to place the piano temporarily in Plaza Park, with plans to coordinate installation, maintenance, tuning, and scheduling to avoid interfering with existing events.

The pilot program is meant to serve as a platform for youth painting projects, Farmers Market collaborations, and social storytelling, creating a cultural hub in downtown Sonoma, according to Walle's application.

The discussion will focus on logistical considerations, duration of the pilot, and community engagement strategies. Funding for the $500 piano installation budget would come from the Sebastiani Foundation, according to the proposal and staff reports.

If You Go

Sonoma Cultural & Fine Arts Commission regular meeting
Date: Tuesday, April 7
Time: 6 PM
Location: City Council Chambers, 177 First Street West
Virtual Access: Join via Zoom