BTS: How Does our Public Artwork Stay Pristine?
Ever wondered how the public art along San Diego Bay’s waterfront stays beautiful? Here’s a peek at how we keep surfaces looking pristine, ensure sculptural integrity (or integrity of our sculptures), and so much more. Check it out!
Art Along San Diego Bay
San Diego Bay is proudly home to over 70 pieces of stunning public art works ranging from memorials and sculptures to large-scale structures, each with their own unique aspects and story.
A Peek at Our Process
Regular care and maintenance of works of art ensures that they will be available for future generations to enjoy and engage with. Here is a general overview of the steps we take when caring for the art.
Inspect: We maintain a regular inspection schedule to ensure each piece is examined thoroughly. During these inspections we look out for things like wear and tear, vandalism, and/or environmental damage.
Record: During our inspection, we note our findings. Over time, these written and photographic records can provide valuable information for long-range planning and conservation efforts.
Improve: Once it has been determined that further maintenance or conservation efforts need to be made, we spring into action with our partners at ArtWorks San Diego and work to restore the piece to its intended appearance.
A recent example of this process in action is the famed Tunaman’s Memorial by Franco Vianello located along Shelter Island. The bronze sculpture pays tribute to our commercial fishing history by depicting three fishermen reeling in a large tuna fish. For a short time, one of the fishermen was missing their fishing line! Once this damage was found, we immediately took action to replace the missing rod and ensure the sculpture was back to its original glory.
Want To Get Involved?
While we do work around the clock to ensure our art pieces receive regular care, imperfections could happen at any time. If you notice one of our art pieces is due for a little extra attention, we would love to hear from you via our Service Portal.
About Our Service Portal
The Port’s Service Portal is a great way to connect with our team to let us know about damages on or around San Diego Bay. Simply let us know where the piece is, upload an image of where you’ve found the imperfection, and we’ll take care of the rest!