The Art of Mare Island
Mare Island is embracing the arts with large sculpture installations and murals on display for the public to experience.
The public art initiative began in 2021 and caught the attention of not only island businesses and residents, but also visitors from around the Bay Area interested in viewing the artworks and discovering more of what Mare Island has to offer. The first endeavor was the installation of three temporary sculpture installations on the beautiful waterfront promenade by the historic Coal Sheds. Curated and facilitated by the art production team of Local Edition Creative, the core of this arts initiative included hyper-local artists as well as other Bay Area artists with sculptures fitting for the environment that would be fun for all ages to enjoy. Dubbed the Mare Island Art Yard, works were showcased by local Vallejo heroes of Burning Man fame, Obtainium Works, who installed their three story time travelling machine called the Neverwas Haul; famed artist and welder, Karen Cusolito, founder of American Steel Studios in Oakland who installed three giant leaf chairs made of steel and included oversized all-weather astro turf seat cushions; and a popular installation made for Burning Man, the Gummy Bear Pyramid by DiCapria Art.
It wasn't just sculptures on view in 2021, a bold and beautiful mural depicting the colors and shapes inspired by the tide pools found around the Bay Area was installed by the parking area of the Coal Sheds at 135 Connelly Ave. Created by Local Edition's lead artist, Hyde, the mural quickly became a destination as a photo backdrop. From car enthusiasts, graduation photos, dance videos, you name it, people are attracted to this beautiful mural to snap photos of the artwork and pose in front of it, too. In addition to the professional mural installation, three public participation mural sessions took place to further build community involvement in the growing public art scene. These participation sessions led by the non-profit organization Three Thirty Three Arts, allowed an opportunity for anybody to be involved in creating public art with no skills required. Although these volunteer art installations are meant to be temporary, they still resulted in an increased art footprint while inspiring and engaging the local residents.
We encourage you to visit, have fun exploring that public art and all there is to enjoy on Mare Island, and please share your photos with us by tagging #mareislandartyard.