The former headquarters of Sunnyvale Community Services was transformed Feb. 8 into a temporary art gallery for the unveiling of “Sun Flair”—26 public art sun sculptures commissioned by the Sunnyvale Arts Commission. Each sun face was decorated by a different Bay Area artist (nine from Sunnyvale) to reflect the history, values, and characteristics of the city.
It was the first and only time that all 26 suns would shine in one location. They are destined for installation in February at 13 parks throughout Sunnyvale that have no other public art. The city has 26 parks.
Each identically-shaped but uniquely-decorated fiberglass sun stands six feet high. A four-foot diameter sun is attached to a metal pole and base, like a giant sunflower with a painted face. The painted ones weigh 50 pounds, and two with mosaic tile designs about 70 pounds. One with rebar leaves weighs about 100 pounds.
“I’m an art mayor and big supporter of the arts,” said Sunnyvale Mayor Larry Klein proudly at the public art unveiling. “Art nourishes the soul and uplifts you. And after today, Sunnyvale will always be a little bit sunnier!”
After the mayor’s brief remarks outside the building, he dramatically pulled back the long black curtains hanging from a wide warehouse doorway, and Sunnyvale art lovers, city dignitaries and Sun Flair artists streamed into the “gallery” en masse.
The suns dazzled and delighted viewers with their bright colors and two-faced designs.
“They’re awesome!” said Sunnyvale City Manager Tim Kirby, who had a peek before the unveiling. “This is really cool!”
“Sunnyvale is a very diverse city, so the suns don’t look alike,” pointed out Vice-Mayor Linda Sell. “They are a beautiful reflection of Sunnyvale.”
Sell also commended “the dedicated staff that works with the Arts Commission.”
“Public art makes the City seem more vibrant,” said Cal Cornwell, a resident since 1969. “It’s good to see so much public interest in the art. These are very interesting pieces.”
The $100,000 Sun Flair project was funded through the city’s Art in Private Development program, which designates 1.1% of private development funds for artwork on public property. A stipend of $1,000 was given to each of the 26 artists whose designs were selected from 35 submissions. They had about two months to decorate their suns.
Artist Caitlin Gilbert from Santa Cruz was speaking with Marie Bernard, Executive Director of Sunnyvale Community Services.
“This [experience] feels amazing,” said Gilbert, whose turquoise and wine eye makeup matched the peacock feather on her wine-colored sun, destined for Raynor Park. “I like outdoor spaces and art together. I’m going to have a picnic in the park by my sun.”
The fiberglass suns will be on display in Sunnyvale parks for as long as they last outdoors exposed to all weather, perhaps two years. Fiberglass is a man-made material of glass fibers woven together. After painting, the suns were coated with a UV-resistant clear coat. Painted Rhino, a fiberglass fabrication manufacturing company in Riverside, Calif., fabricated them.
With more than 200 artworks that can be viewed virtually or in person, Sunnyvale has one of the largest public art collections in Northern California. The city’s 2020 Master Plan for Public Art can be downloaded from the city website.
“Art transforms neighborhoods, turning ordinary spaces into extraordinary places of beauty,” said Klein. “It can make Sunnyvale a destination city. Following the iconic suns of Sunnyvale and other public art is a fun way to explore the city.”
Perhaps its distinctive suns will become as renowned to Sunnyvale as decorated heart sculptures—such as Tony Bennett’s heart in Union Square—are to San Francisco.
Yay these art pieaces makes zero cents as to why they need to be in a park. What a waste of $100,000 when that could have been used to help the unhoused and more valuable programs no some stupid art in a park that nobody even cares about. I was at these Las Palamas park and over heard people say “waht a waste of funds” and “whats the real point of this” and my favorite “it tacky”.
Good Job Sunnyvale !!!