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Report Regarding Approval of the Final Design for the Mosaic Columns Art Component at the New Park at Linden Avenue and Pine Avenue. (Erin O’Brien, Business Program Manager)
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
It is recommended that Cultural Arts Commission approve the finalized mosaic column design by artist J Muzacz for the New Park at Linden Avenue and Pine Avenue.
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BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
In Spring of 2024, the City engaged the community in a series of visioning events to help shape the design of the New Park at Linden Avenue and Pine Avenue within the Old Town neighborhood. Through this process, community members identified art priorities that were incorporated into the final park design through three art elements: mosaic columns at the plaza, pavement mosaic inlays at the plaza, and a mosaic clad playground sculpture.
Following a competitive public art selection process conducted in 2025, artist J Muzacz was selected for the project based on his proposal titled “Punto de Encuentro” (Meeting Point), which featured vibrant mosaic designs inspired by gathering, cultural identity, and community celebration. The selection process included a community poll, Public Art Subcommittee of the Cultural Arts Commission input, a recommendation from the full Cultural Arts Commission, and formal approval from the City Council in December 2025.
Since artist selection, City staff have continued collaborating with the artist to refine the mosaic column design. Through this process, and in response to feedback received from Cultural Arts Commissioners, community members, and City leadership, the concept evolved to better reflect the broad cultural diversity represented throughout South San Francisco. The finalized conceptual direction, titled “Woven Together”, expands upon the original proposal through a more globally inclusive design inspired by weaving and textile traditions found across many cultures and communities connected to South San Francisco, including influences from the City’s Sister Cities: Lucca, Italy; Pasig City, Philippines; Atotonilco El Alto, Mexico; Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, France; and Kishiwada, Japan.
Through layered geometric patterns, interwoven bands of color, and textile-inspired motifs, the artwork symbolizes how individual histories, traditions, and cultures collectively strengthen the fabric of the community. Decorative elements throughout the design reference a range of global artistic traditions, including Indigenous South and Central American weaving patterns and lace-inspired edging associated with Western European craft traditions.
The revised mosaic columns are intended to evoke themes of gathering, storytelling, comfort, and shared experience within a neighborhood park setting while creating a more inclusive and representative artistic identity for the site.
Community participation remains a central component of the project. Staff continue coordinating implementation details for a future community mosaic workshop day, during which residents will have the opportunity to help assemble portions of the mosaic artwork and contribute directly to the project.
CONCLUSION
Staff recommend that the Cultural Arts Commission approve the finalized mosaic column design by J Muzacz for the New Park at Linden Avenue and Pine Avenue. Approval of the revised design will allow the artist and project team to remain on schedule with fabrication, coordination, and overall construction timelines while advancing a public artwork that reflects the diversity and interconnectedness of the South San Francisco community.
Attachment 1: New Park at Linden Avenue and Pine Avenue Revised Columns Presentation