Art Installation
1001 4th St. San Rafael, CA
New Art Installation
Civic Wave by artist Raylene Gorum
10’ x 60’ installation at 1001 4th St. San Rafael, CA
“Civic Wave” adapts shapes from the Marin County Civic Center to create an undulating interpretation of stained glass. At car speed, the work is vibrating, waving hello. Pedestrians who approach are washed in colorful light and might recognize the Frank Lloyd Wright parts (the gates, the atriums, the exterior elipses) that make up the patterns in the piece.
“Civic Wave” feels musical, like you could run a xylophone hammer over it as you pass by and hear the unique sounds of downtown San Rafael.
"Civic Wave" adapta formas del Centro Cívico del Condado de Marin para crear una interpretación ondulante de las vidrieras. A la velocidad del coche, la obra vibra, saludando con la mano. Los peatones que se acercan están bañados por una luz colorida y pueden reconocer las partes de Frank Lloyd Wright (las puertas, los atrios, las elipses exteriores) que forman los patrones de la pieza.
"Civic Wave" se siente musical, como si pudieras pasar un martillo de xilófono sobre ella mientras pasas y escuchas los sonidos únicos del centro de San Rafael.
This activity is supported by the Downtown San Rafael Arts District, Art Works Downtown, and in part by the California Arts Council, a state agency. Learn more at www.arts.ca.gov, www.dsrad.org, and www.artworksdowntown.org
Art Works Downtown featured in the Pacific Sun
San Rafael’s Art Scene Enters New Era
By Isabella Cook, read the full article here.
Excerpt from the article:
The heart of Marin County is amid an artistic renaissance, thanks to downtown San Rafael.
“San Rafael’s artistic culture is the heartbeat of Marin County, a vibrant blend of diverse arts offerings and contemporary creativity that brings the community to life,” said Elisabeth Setten, executive director of San Rafael’s Art Works Downtown. “From inspiring galleries like Art Works Downtown and Marin Society of Artists to Youth in Arts amplifying the next generation, the city brims with opportunities to experience the arts.”
“When I think about the artistic renaissance in San Rafael, I see it as a powerful revival of creativity that touches every part of our community,” noted Setten. “It’s about creating real opportunities for artists and ensuring they’re paid for their work—because making art is work. It’s about making artist housing and studio spaces affordable and engaging the public through vibrant events.
“There’s a lot to be excited about in San Rafael right now, with several fantastic projects underway,” Setten explained. “One that’s really creating a lot of attention is the Civic Wave installation by artist Raylene Gorum. This vibrant piece is the result of a collaboration between Raylene, Art Works Downtown, the City of San Rafael and the Downtown San Rafael Arts District. We took a building that was an eyesore and transformed it into something truly beautiful.”
“San Rafael is gaining momentum as a thriving cultural hub, building on the legacy of creativity that Art Works Downtown founder Phyllis Thelen envisioned in the early 1990s,” said Setten. “For Phyllis, ‘Art Works’ wasn’t just a name—it was a call to action, a belief that art is alive, active and essential to our community.”
To learn more about the artistic scene in San Rafael, visit dsrad.org.