Marin unveils online public art database, map

Marin County officials have unveiled an online database and map of public art that includes more 150 listings and is searchable by city, town and art type.

The impetus for the project came from the 2019 county arts and cultural plan, which seeks to enhance Marin as an arts resource, among other goals.

The project was introduced to the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday. The effort is a collaboration between the county Department of Cultural Services and the Information Services and Technology Department.

The pieces include the sea lion sculpture by Al Sybrian in Sausalito, the Blackie bronze horse sculpture by Albert Guibara in Tiburon and the “10,000 Buddhas” painting by Amanda Giacomini in Point Reyes Station.

The online map, a free service, includes murals, sculptures, art installations, painted utility boxes, mosaics and fountains. The map also offers searchable tools for the public to find films, theaters, artwork, music programs and arts education offered by nonprofits.

One of the featured artists is Ernesto Sanchez from western Marin, who has sculptures in Bolinas and Point Reyes Station.

“By having accessible outdoor art for all to enjoy enhances one’s appreciation of life in general,” Sanchez said. “Art survives the test of time, meaning years from now these outdoor art pieces will still be viewable and still feed the hearts and imagination of the viewer.”

In 2001, Sanchez installed the Bolinas Spirit House, a walk-in environmental sculpture, where members of the public leave written messages. It has evolved into a makeshift memorial, he said.

“Town members leave pictures of beloved community members that have passed,” Sanchez said. “Public art as a healing force.”

Libby Garrison, spokesperson for the county Department of Cultural Services, said Sanchez was one of the first artists she spoke to in 2019 when she first “started out with this crazy idea.”

“I love public art,” Garrison said. “I want to see art everywhere. I started researching what we had in Marin. I could not find one kind of sign or database for it all.”

It turned out most resources were specific to cities and towns, so Garrison sought to create a centralized repository. She reached out to agencies, artists and other cultural sources to populate the map. One challenge: Many of the artists associated with long-term public art pieces are no longer alive, she said.

“I literally began driving around Marin and finding things that were on view and free,” she said.

The process was delayed by the pandemic, but at the beginning of this year, Garrison was able to resume it. She and the county’s mapping department were able to place all the locations on the map.

“They were really excited because this is an interesting cultural project,” Garrison said.

Sharon Valentino, chair of the Mill Valley Arts Commission, said several of Mill Valley’s art installations are listed on the map, but more information on works and artists will be added.

“The program is designed to bring the power and delight of art into our everyday experiences of our natural environment through the transformation of ordinary objects, so this new art map is a great tool for us,” she said.

Valentino said the city plans to add the county art map to the city website and the commission’s webpage.

“The art map is a wonderful tool for the public’s appreciation and experience of the wealth of art in Marin, for towns’ promotional efforts and for the schools to use as enrichment and teaching tools,” she said.

Proponents of the arts said the map advanced the county’s cultural objectives to expand exposure to public art and affirm the county’s reputation as a Bay Area arts hub.

“Public art is a powerful catalyst for all that we cherish and aspire to in Marin,” said Gabriella Calicchio, director of the county Department of Cultural Services. “We hope people use this new tool to discover artworks both on and off the beaten path and have a deeper experience and appreciation for art in their own communities.”

The project remains under development. Since its debut, Garrison said she has received more information about other pieces to include.

“This will be an ever-changing and ever-evolving database that will always be fun to update,” she said.