Berkeley artist Eric Powell designed and fabricated whimsical steel gates incorporating found objects for this community park enhancement project situated adjacent to Bella Vista Elementary School. The project was a collaboration between the Trust for Public Land and the City of Oakland. The gates were installed in the fall of 2005.

This project will consist of a series of skylight murals in the public lobby of this active community center located on Fruitvale Avenue. Oakland artist Joaquin Alejandro Newman was selected to create a series of interior murals and painted architectural enhancements which honor the Meso-American and Latino cultures as well as the spirit of the two women to whom the center and park have been dedicated. The murals were installed in the winter of 2007.

Oakland artist Laurel True was selected to create a series of colorful mosaic insets for the seatwalls at newly renovated Willow Park, located at 14th and Wood Streets in West Oakland. The artist worked with youth in the West Oakland community and a fishing village Ghana to select a series of nine words of universal importance to the two communities, for incorporation into the designs. The artwork was installed in the summer of 2008.

Rockridge-Temescal Greenbelt

Oakland artist Mark Brest Van Kempen was selected to create a series of interpretive sculptures along the Greenbelt, stretching from Hardy Park to Redondo Park, off Claremont Avenue. The project is funded by the City's Percent for Art program, Friends of the Rockridge-Temescal Greenbelt (FROG) Park and Measure DD dollars, which require an interpretive component pertaining to Oakland's watershed. The City Council approved the project proposal in the summer of 2006. The work is scheduled to be installed in the summer of 2008.

The Oakland-based artist team of John Rogers and Todd Blair were recommended by a selection panel to develop artistic enhancements in collaboration with the project's landscape architects, Sasaki & Associates for the 12th Street Bridge Reconstruction Measure DD Project.The artists will develop a comprehensive plan of public art projects, interventions and integrated designs. Areas of artistic intervention inspired by the ecology of Lake Merritt’s environmental landscape may include pattern designs for the Channel retaining wall and bridge abutment walls; specialty designed top rail and railing ends over the pedestrian bridge and other areas; art elements reflecting the indigenous wildlife of the area; and a collaborative ‘gallery’ space for display of permanent, durable outdoor sculpture. The City Council approved the project award to the artist team in the spring of 2006.

The artist team of Fernanda D'Agostino and Valerie Otani (Portland, OR) have been awarded the contract for the design, fabrication and installation of a major public art project for the observation platform on the Oakland Estuary. The 66th Avenue project site, located west of the Interstate 880 freeway, at the western terminus of Zhone Way, adjacent to Damon Slough, is an important gateway to Oakland's waterfront, making a key connection between nearby neighborhoods and waterfront marshlands. The public artwork will be integrated into the planned bayfront observation platform in collaboration with the project landscape architects. The artists' qualifications were reviewed by a selection panel in the spring of 2006 and a final recommendation was approved by the City Council in the summer of 2006. The artwork is scheduled to be installed in the spring of 2008.

In the Spring of 2006 the local artist team of John Roloff (Oakland) and Lewis deSoto (Napa) were recommended by the selection panel for the Lake Merritt - Oakland Estuary Design Team Artist Opportunity. This Oakland watershed improvement initiative presents an exciting opportunity for artists to be involved in shaping the redesign of the channel between the lake and the Oakland waterfront. The channel project area is limited to the section between 10th Street and the Interstate 880 overpass; intersecting Laney College and running through the 7th Street Flood Control Station. The intent is for the improved channel walkways to eventually become a part of Oakland's Waterfront Trail and the regional Bay Trail. The original Request for Qualifications was issued in the spring of 2006 to artists with experience working on environmentally-focused, landscaping, planning and/or design team collaborations for the opportunity to collaborate with the project's landscape architects, Sasaki & Associates, and city staff to identify artistic enhancements and specific artist opportunities along the channel. A final recommendation of the Commission was approved by the City Council in September 2006. The artists' concepts were presented as part of a public meeting in October and are available to view as a .pdf file here: DeSoto - Roloff Channel Design Team Artists' Concepts.

Measure DD: Lakeside Demonstration Gardens

The Demonstration Gardens are a popular attraction at Lakeside Park. The fence and entry gates need replacement. There is strong interest on the part of Gardens supporters for two new artist-designed entry gates. Since it is important that the entry gates and new fence be designed together, Measure DD public art funds will be used to commission new gates from an artist, contingent upon the City’s ability to allocate funds to construct the adjoining fence.

Measure DD: 20th Street Gateway (At Harrison Street and Lakeside Drive)

This site is integral to connecting downtown businesses and residents with Lake Merritt. The vantage points of this site are remarkable. An artist will be commissioned to create a large scale public artwork at this intersection that will be seen along the length of 20th Street, Harrison Street, Lakeside Drive, Lake Merritt and Lakeside Park.

Artist-initiated project grants are provided for work intended to be displayed in Oakland's public spaces. Guidelines will be available in the Fall of 2008.

The Oakland Museum has over 12 major sculptures in their collection, which are in need of restoration and new locations for public display. Many of Oakland’s citizen and visitors have yet to see these important and valuable works of art. The Public Arts Program and the Oakland Museum are partnering to present a program that would allow the business and various community groups and organizations opportunity to adopt-a-sculpture at a fee that would cover the conservation and the annual maintenance of the work of art. The Sculpture will be placed in a public location recommended by the Public Arts Program, The Oakland Museum staff and approved by the PAAC. The Public Art Coordinator and staff will be acting as facilitators to bring more attention to the public art in Oakland with this project. There will be no impact to the Public Art Budget.

As public artwork is installed in City parks and facilities, there is an ongoing need for maintenance and conservation of the artwork. The Public Arts Advisory Committee has requested staff to develop a program to address these needs.