Title
Report Regarding Recommendation of Artist Selection for the Mural at the New Aquatic Center at Orange Memorial Park. (Erin O’Brien, Business Program Manager)
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
It is recommended that Cultural Arts Commission approve the recommendation of the selected artist for the mural at the New Aquatic Center at Orange Memorial Park.
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BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
The City of South San Francisco, in collaboration with the Public Art Subcommittee, conducted a competitive artist selection process for the New Aquatic Center mural at Orange Memorial Park. The project sought a vibrant, community-centered artwork that reflects the City’s spirit, aquatic heritage, and commitment to public art excellence.
An open call for artists was issued in May 2025 to identify qualified artists for this opportunity. The call was both invitational, reaching artists listed on the City’s Public Artist Inventory, and publicly posted on CaFÉ (CallForEntry.org), a national online portal for public art opportunities.
The opportunity was promoted through the City’s website, newsletter and social media channels, resulting in 96 artist submissions from across the Bay Area and beyond at the closing of the RFQ in June 2025. The project’s public art consultant and City staff vetted and recommended a manageable fifteen applicants to proceed with a thorough review and rating. An emphasis on considering local artists was included in the vetting process. The Public Art Subcommittee and City staff carefully reviewed all submissions and shortlisted four finalists based on artistic quality, relevance to the site, professional experience, and community engagement.
The four finalists met with the New Aquatic Center construction project team (ELS Architecture representatives, Swinerton project manager, and City staff) to review design plans for the New Aquatic Center, and specifically the dedicated mural space. Each finalist received a stipend of $500 to develop a site-specific concept proposal for the New Aquatic Center at Orange Memorial Park, ensuring thoughtful, well-developed designs that incorporated community feedback and reflected the unique identity of the South San Francisco community.
The four finalists invited to develop concepts were:
• Angelina Duckett
• Elena Manferdini
• Crystal and Cameron Moberg
• Rachel Rodi
Each finalist presented their concept to the Public Art Subcommittee who then evaluated the four concept proposals using criteria that included artistic quality, community fit, contextual relevance, experience with public art, and local connection. The Public Art Subcommittee scored the submissions through a weighted poll system, awarding points for first through fourth, resulting in the following outcome:
• Rachel Rodi (13.0 points)
• Elena Manferdini (11.0 points)
• Angelina Duckett (8.0 points)
• Crystal and Cameron Moberg*
o Concept 2 (5.0 points)
o Concept 1 (1.0 points)
o * Crystal and Cameron Moberg submitted multiple concept proposals. Subcommittee members were asked to apply their weighted points to their preferred design. As a result, Concept 2 emerged as the preferred design to share in the community poll.
To ensure community input, the City hosted a public showcase at the annual Concert in the Park on Saturday, September 20, 2025, where residents viewed the proposed concepts and ranked their top choice.
An online poll was also made available through the City’s website and promoted at Orange Pool, across social media channels, and through newsletters, allowing residents to weigh-in on their preferred concept. The poll resulted in 359 completed surveys, which closed on Friday, October 3, 2025, reflecting strong engagement and enthusiasm for the project. The results are as follows:
• Rachel Rodi “Water Dances” (132 points)
• Crystal & Cameron Moberg “Design 10”/Concept 2 (97 points)
• Angelina Duckett “Bird’s Eye View” (85 points)
• Elena Manferdini “Water Dip” (45 points)
Based on the combined results from the Public Art Subcommittee poll and community feedback, the highest-ranked proposal was “Water Dances” by artist Rachel Rodi, developed in collaboration with her partner, Guy Fuerte.
Rodi’s mosaic concept celebrates the generations of Orange Pool swimmers and the diverse South San Francisco community. The design’s radiant color palette, mirrored “bubbles,” and iridescent elements express the dynamic, joyful, and inclusive spirit of South City. The mosaic will be constructed using high-quality, durable materials suitable for the aquatic environment and designed for minimal maintenance.
CONCLUSION
Following this transparent and inclusive selection process, the Public Art Subcommittee and project team recommend Rachel Rodi for the mural commission at the New Aquatic Center at Orange Memorial Park. Her concept, “Water Dances” best captures the project’s vision and the community’s shared values. Staff recommend the Commission, by way of motion, formally accept the recommendation of Rachel Rodi and her proposed design of “Water Dances” for the mural project at the New Aquatic Center. Pending the Commission’s approval, staff will begin contract negotiations with the artist and coordinate the art installation with the New Aquatic Center project construction team.
Attachment 1: OMPAC Mural Artist Selection Presentation
Attachment 2: Orange Memorial Park Aquatic Center Mural RFQ