Cultural Arts - News & Events
Freedom: The Future of Hope Art Exhibition
See amazing artworks through Friday, July 25th
Free Admission
The June 2025 art gallery exhibit featured exceptional artworks that reflected the spirit of Juneteenth through the artist’s uniquely personal expressions. Over forty-five artworks echoed the power of perseverance and the importance of embracing self-determination. Guests were treated to a musical presentation by musician, vocalist and composer, Bianca “BB” Brown, at the Friday June 27 opening. She mesmerized the audience with powerful and soulful renditions of personal compositions, ending the evening with a compelling performance of Etta James’ classic, “At Last.”
Don't miss this inspiring art exhibit! The gallery is open on weekdays (Monday through Friday) from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Special evening viewing occurs on Tuesday, July 22 when the gallery closes at 8:00 p.m. The extended exhibition will close on July 25th. For more information visit, the Parks and Recreation Department Calendar of Events page. You may also explore the award-winning works in the virtual gallery at https://bit.ly/FreedomArtSSF25.
The Cultural Arts Commission thanks all the participants and congratulates the finalists of this art gallery event.
Best of Show - “The Sound of Joy.” by Elisa Colón Sosa (pictured)
Cultural Arts Commission Award - “Codifying Jim Crow: Deconstructing Reconstruction” by Stephen Von Mason
Three-Dimensional
1st place - “How Araminta Ross Became Harriet Tubman” by Laurie Ratliff
2nd place - “Germinate” by Chai A'liilharder
3rd place – “Banga Ng Kalayaan (Jar of Freedom)” by Coy Viana
3-D Honorable Mention:
“Codifying Jim Crow: Deconstructing Reconstruction” - by Stephen Von Mason
“Handmade/Handsewn Wearable Art Coat with African Map circa 1590 A.D” - by Delores Tillery
Two-Dimensional
1st place - The Sound of Joy.” by Elisa Colón Sosa
2nd place- “Throw Your Hair” by Stephen Bourque
3rd place - “Beauty and Resilience of the Black Woman” by Maria Reyes
2-D Honorable Mention
“Between Hope and Fulfillment” - by Dalia Grybinas
“Winter 1991” | “Bearing Witness” - by Yusser Al Qazwini
Congressional Art Competition, 15th District - Congratulations to the Participants
Each spring, a nationwide high school arts competition is sponsored by the Members of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congressman Kevin Mullin hosted the local competition for high school students living or going to school in California’s 15th Congressional district. Eighteen (18) art submissions were on a limited exhibition for one week at the Library | Parks and Recreation Center, 3rd floor lobby.
On April 24th, the delighted families and representatives from the San Mateo County Office of Arts and Culture, SMC Office of Education and SMC Arts Commission gathered to acknowledge all the talented student artists at a closing ceremony. Congressman Kevin Mullin presented Certificates of Recognition to all twelve participants in attendance.
The three finalists also received special commendations. Nektarios Kanakis, (pictured), won 1st place for “My San Mateo.” His winning artwork will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol building in Washington D.C. along with artwork from around the country. The 2025 winning artworks will be featured on the official House of Representatives website. (Congressional Art Competition)
Valerie Lin, (pictured), who has been awarded for her entries in several past SSF Cultural Arts Program gallery exhibits, received 2nd place for “Touch the Heart.” Rachel Yang received 3rd place for her work titled, “Polluted.” Valerie and Rachel’s art will be exhibited in Congressman Mullin’s San Mateo office for one year.
The South San Francisco Parks and Recreation Department was honored to host this outstanding exhibition and congratulates the finalists and participants on their achievement.
FINDING A PATH AT THE FIRST 2025 ART GALLERY SHOW
The February 2025 art gallery exhibit highlighted the theme of “Finding A Path.” Eager visitors viewed over 90 exceptional art works created with the objective of sparking dialogue and illuminating potential avenues within the intricate labyrinth of life. Guests attending the Friday, February 7th opening were treated to a moving presentation by author, Mercedes Gharechedaghy who read select chapters from her inspirational book, “Finding Your Healing Path.” The two-day opening was followed by a three-week extended exhibit. Visit the virtual gallery, to see the award-winning works. The Cultural Arts Commission thanks all the participants and congratulates the finalists of this art gallery event.
“One Last Breath” by Agnes Qiu (pictured)
NEWEST PUBLIC ART SCULPTURE
INSPIRE – Wind Sculpture Heralds Transformation
Karyl Matsumoto Plaza
SSF Caltrain Station entrance
Corner of Grand Avenue and Airport Blvd
A landmark public art sculpture was unveiled on Saturday, September 21 coinciding with the dedication of the Karyl Matsumoto Plaza, and celebrating the launch of the newly electrified Caltrain fleet. Commuters are now greeted by the eye-catching motion of the 24-foot sculpture titled, “INSPIRE,” which celebrates the theme "inspirations become ideas that lead us to the future." The tall kinetic wind sculpture and two complementary gear benches were created and fabricated by the artist team of Jonathan Russell and Saori Ide, of Ride Art Studio in Berkeley.
The vertical pillars of the stainless-steel sculpture suggest the abstracted image of a spiral double helix. At the
top, the large open blue and yellow rings, connected to a small central sphere, depict a water molecule, ever moving and shifting as it interacts with the fluctuating wind. In tandem with the two sets of benches that appear as interconnected gears, the artwork symbolizes the “Industrial City,” in a meaningful narrative that honors the foundation and evokes the diversity, spirit, and energy of this vibrant city. For more information on the public art collection, visit the Interactive Public Art Map.
2025 Art Gallery Shows
The vision for the art gallery program is to present exhibitions that reflect a wide spectrum of art styles and media crossing all areas of art and interest groups. This is accomplished via a series of quarterly art gallery exhibits designed to showcase the creativity of local and Bay Area artists. For artists interested in participating, art show entry guidelines are available approximately a month or two prior to the show opening dates. Visit the Current Opportunities for Artists page for current entry information and online application.
Shows take place at the Library | Parks and Recreation Center, 901 Civic Campus Way, 3rd Floor gallery unless otherwise indicated. They are open to the public and free to attend. The gallery is also open weekdays for approximately two to four additional weeks following the two-day show opening. Detailed art show event information can be found on the Parks and Recreation Department Calendar of Events page.
2025 Art Gallery Schedule: (opening weekend dates)
• February 7 & 8 – Finding A Path
• April 11 & 12 – Youth Art Show (partnership with the SSF Unified School District)
• June 27 & 28 - Freedom, The Future of Hope (Honoring Resilience and the Spirit of Juneteenth)
• October 3 & 4 - Past, Present, Future (Celebrating Indigenous Culture)
2024 YEAR IN REVIEW
Cultural Arts Program accomplishments in 2024 included four successful art gallery shows, two exceptional solo artist exhibitions by artists Michele de la Menardiere and Claudio Talavera-Ballón, the installation of the new kinetic sculpture, Inspire, relocation of the sculpture, Evohelix to the new Centennial Way Park South, creation of a new mural at Willow Avenue by the Skyline College Community Mural Project Class, and the installation of the indoor artworks, Conflict and California Butterfly Illustrations in the Library | Parks and Recreation Center.