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Last Chance to See the Urban Trees 7 Exhibition on the North Embarcadero

Tuesday, 11 October 2011
Contact: Marguerite Elicone (619) 686-6222

If you haven't had a chance to see the Port of San Diego's Urban Trees 7 public art exhibition, now is the time to do it.

The seventh and final season of the exhibition series, which has animated the waterfront of North Harbor Drive from Hawthorn Street to the B Street Pier will be on view until October 31.

There are 30 sculptures featured in the one-year exhibition by 30 different artists from throughout the southwest and other parts of the United States. Conceived as a way to activate the North Embarcadero and provide a public art experience for the community, the Urban Trees exhibitions have included the works of both accomplished and emerging artists. The artworks are called trees because each uses a planter box as a base.

The Port of San Diego will begin removing the Urban Trees on October 31. The final Urban Tree should be removed by mid-November.

Many artworks from the current exhibition, as well as from previous Urban Trees exhibitions, are available for purchase from the participating artists. Artist contact information is available from the Port's Public Art Office at (619) 686-7246.

As the Urban Trees depart, exciting changes are on the horizon for North Harbor Drive. The Port of San Diego is preparing for construction of the North Embarcadero Visionary Plan Phase I project. The project, which breaks ground January 5, 2012, will include widened esplanades, landscaping, street improvements and public artwork.

Artwork by internationally-known artist Pae White will be integrated into the esplanade architecture. Additionally, the Port's Public Art Office will be bringing in new art installations and exhibits to the North Embarcadero and other parts of the port for the public's enjoyment.

The Port of San Diego was created by the state Legislature to manage San Diego Bay and surrounding waterfront land in December 1962. The port has been responsible for $1.7 billion in public improvements in its five member cities – San Diego, Chula Vista, Coronado, National City and Imperial Beach.

The Port's Public Art Office seeks to expand opportunities for the residents of California and visitors to the region to experience public art that embodies the essence of the Port's maritime, environmental and civic character. The Office encourages the creative expression of artists in order to enhance the visual excitement, aesthetic appeal and cultural richness of the tidelands.