Public Art Commission - February 12, 2026

Commission approves up to $35,000 for Sherman Avenue banner mural

The Public Art Commission voted 6-0 to approve up to $35,000 for permanent mounting hardware and the first digitally printed mesh-banner mural on the exterior of the Sherman Avenue Parking Structure. The funding includes $15,000 for permanent hardware plus printing and installation of the first banner, along with a $6,000 artist design fee.

Staff said building plans had been approved and that calculations, plans and initial wall scanning were complete. An artist will be chosen through a selection panel from the pre-qualified pool. The first banner is anticipated to remain for six to 12 months, with about nine months expected, while the hardware is intended to support later banners.

Commissioners weighed the rotating format against permanent artwork, raising durability, maintenance, storage, recycling, ventilation, reuse and artists’ rights. They supported the banner approach as a way to create opportunities for local and Bay Area artists, while staff said changes in banner material or weight could require additional engineering review. Staff may later seek approval for a second artist.

King Plaza artwork advances after concept approval

The commission approved Kiana Honarmand’s conceptual design for the temporary King Artist-in-Residence artwork at King Plaza. The record lists five commissioners voting yes and none voting no, but it does not state a formal tally. Up to $50,000 had previously been approved for the King Artist-in-Residence project.

The concept followed nine community workshops and 181 survey responses. Respondents identified 45 countries and 42 unique languages and dialects. Commissioners raised questions about daytime LED visibility, accessibility and ergonomics, materials, durability and budget feasibility. Staff emphasized that the rendering was conceptual and could change during detailed design based on materials, cost and scale.

The next phase will refine the materials, scale, cost, accessibility and fabrication. Staff said temporary installations generally rotate after six months to one year. One commissioner suggested exploring a longer stay or a permanent site, but the commission took no action on that idea. The design team will also explore a possible outdoor decal treatment for selected community-interview material as the bench design develops.

Commission adopts FY 2027 public-art priorities

The commission voted 6-0 to adopt its FY 2027 priorities and then confirmed the workplan by consensus, without a separate roll-call vote. The agenda labeled the item as the commission’s 2026 priorities, while the displayed document and adopted motion were identified during the meeting as FY 2027 priorities.

The adopted framework supports public art intended to encourage engagement, belonging, participation and shared experiences in neighborhoods and commercial corridors. Its social justice and inclusion priority was revised to add joy while addressing empathy, ethnic and cultural inclusion, and social, racial and gender equality.

The plan also retains rollout and implementation of the California Avenue District Master Plan as a public-art education priority. A new responsible stewardship and government efficiency priority calls for streamlined public-art processes, protection of city assets and reduced financial liability through maintenance, conservation and responsible deaccessioning.

All Saints mural design wins unanimous approval

The commission voted 6-0 to approve Harumo Sato’s conceptual design for “Pah-Pah-Pah-Pah, Jya-Jyan!,” a long-term temporary mural at All Saints Episcopal Church. The wall is roughly 40 feet long and 7 feet high and faces the U.S. Bank parking lot. Staff will prepare the wall, including power washing, before painting planned for April 2026.

The work is the third of three downtown murals for which the commission previously approved $43,000. The selection process drew 126 expressions of interest; 60 applications were reviewed, 20 top-ranked artists were discussed and three were recommended. The program was delayed pending Senate Bill 456 and resumed in early 2026. The approved design uses music and color as themes of connection, rhythm and joy.

Fire Station 5 mural installation set for Feb. 26

Staff announced that installation of the community-informed Fire Station 5 mural is scheduled to begin Feb. 26 and is expected to take about one week. The project, which incorporates locally rooted imagery and history, had been paused pending legislation that took effect Jan. 1, 2026.

Primary sources

Watch the meeting on YouTube · Read the official meeting packet