Santa Maria City Council to receive update on public art master plan

SANTA MARIA, Calif. -- The Santa Maria City Council is scheduled to hear an update on the city's Public Art Master Plan at tonight's council meeting.

"The City of Santa Maria has adopted back in December 2019 a Master Arts Plan, which really is a tool or a guidance for Recreation and Parks staff to move forward in creating more pubic art throughout the city," said Dennis Smitherman, Santa Maria Recreation Services Manager. "The overall goal of the Master Arts Plan is to identify public art spaces and create more public art using our local artists to really develop a culture here in Santa Maria and art being a way to unify a community, this is a great way to move forward."

The Recreation and Parks Department will provide council members with a presentation to highlight the progress of plan, which was adopted by the city in December 2019.

"We've added quite a bit of new public art to this city, including more utility boxes, an art installation at the corner of Betteravia and Miller, and really a great mural in collaboration with the Santa Barbara Art Fund and some local teenagers at our Atkinson Community Park Center," said Smitherman.

Perhaps the highlight of the plan so far is the recent unveiling of the "Valley of Light" sculpture that is located at the Betteravia Government Center.

The new structure can be seen along Miller Street, near the intersection of Betteravia Road. The sculpture resembles several trees or flowers and lights up at night, creating a colorful display.

Hannah Rubalcava, who is the Santa Maria Arts Council President, emphasizes the importance of art and the vital role it plays in helping enhance the overall image and quality of the city.

"The arts really brings a community together," said Rubalcava. "It connects people. It unifies people. It beautifies our neighborhoods and it's a great way to really showcase the tremendous amount of arts and culture that we have in our community."  

"We are incredibly pleased and happy with the arts plan and the work the Recreation and Parks Department has done so far in creating more opportunities for public art and creating more opportunities for local artists," said Rubalcava. "It's great to see these new artworks emerging throughout the city."

To view the Santa Maria Public Art Master Plan, click here. For a map of pubic art displays in Santa Maria, click here.