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Public Art Collection Monthly Spotlight: “California Butterfly Illustrations” and “Composition #4” (Erin O’Brien, Business Program Manager)
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
It is recommended that the Cultural Arts Commission receive information about the City’s existing public art collection through a monthly highlight.
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BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
In response to the Commission’s interest in learning more about the City’s public art collection, staff have been providing a monthly spotlight featuring selected works from the collection.
This month’s featured pieces are located within the Library | Parks and Recreation Center (LPR), located at 901 Civic Campus Way: California Butterfly Illustrations, currently displayed on the first floor, and Composition #4 located in the third-floor lobby.
The nine illustrations comprising California Butterfly Illustrations were created by Bay Area artist MaryAnn Nardo. The series captures California butterflies in vivid detail, highlighting wing patterns and various life cycle stages including egg, host plant, caterpillar, chrysalis, and butterfly. Each original painting was rendered in transparent watercolor on Douglas fir wood panels, allowing the natural wood grain to show through. Butterflies represented in the series include: American Lady, Anglewing, Anise Swallowtail, Blue Copper, Buckeye, Cloudless Sulfur, Mission Blue, Monarch, and Mourning Cloak. Notably, in 2012 the City Council designated the federally protected Mission Blue Butterfly, an endangered species, as an official symbol of South San Francisco.
Composition #4 is a functional bench designed by Northern California artist Michael Gustavson, whose work incorporates the traditional process of Raku while emphasizing rich surface texture through intricately layered glazes. This technique gives the piece its tactile quality, inviting viewers to touch and explore the different surfaces. Gustavson’s artwork can be found in both corporate and private collections around the world.
Located adjacent to the exterior gallery wall on the third floor of the LPR, Composition #4 was acquired through the joint efforts of the Improving Public Places Committee, the City, and the Cultural Arts Commission. The piece serves as a tribute to former Cultural Arts Commissioner Shane Looper and her outstanding contributions to the South San Francisco community.
More information on the overall public art collection can be found under the “Interactive Map” tab on the Cultural Arts website: www.ssf.net/culturalarts <http://www.ssf.net/culturalarts>. Note, as previously mentioned, the “Interactive Map” is in the process of being refreshed.
Attachment 1: October 2025 Cultural Arts Commission Public Art Spotlight- California Butterfly Illustrations and Composition #4