10 New, Temporary Sculptures Debut on San Francisco’s Waterfront as part of the citywide Big Art Loop
Art Parade and Launch Celebration on November 6, 2025, 4:30-6 PM
Big Art Loop and the Port of San Francisco today announced the launch of Big Art Loop – Portside, featuring ten new large-scale, temporary sculptures along the San Francisco waterfront that form the bayside segment of the citywide Big Art Loop trail. A public Art Parade and Launch Celebration on Thursday, November 6, 2025, from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. will unveil the installations through a festive walking tour filled with live music, costumed performers, and artist talks.
Big Art Loop – Portside represents the first milestone in Big Art Loop's mission to bring up to 100 large-scale sculptures to San Francisco over three years, creating a 34-mile walkable and bikeable art trail throughout San Francisco. By working with existing large-scale sculptures and
managing the complex logistics of installation, Big Art Loop makes public art more accessible than ever—turning the city’s streets and piers into a free, open-air gallery that invites connection, sparks civic pride, and brings creative energy to local communities.
"Big Art Loop is bringing art out of storage and into the streets—or in this case, onto the piers," said Aliza Marks, CEO of Big Art Loop. "Big Art Loop – Portside demonstrates how public art can transform everyday spaces into destinations that inspire wonder and bring communities
together. When people experience art as part of their daily lives, it changes how they see their
city — making it feel more vibrant, welcoming, and alive."
“The Port is excited to welcome 10 pieces of unique, inspiring, large-scale artworks,” said Michael Martin, Acting Executive Director of the Port of San Francisco. “The Port believes in the power of public art to bring vibrancy, excitement, and a sense of wonder to our already
magnificent waterfront. Thanks to the Sijbrandij Foundation and Building 180 for their partnership and collaboration on this exciting effort.”
Over the next two weeks, ten new sculptures will be installed along the waterfront between Fisherman’s Wharf and Heron’s Head Park. They will be strategically placed to create a walkable and bikeable experience on the waterfront:
- Desert Shark by Peter Hazel (Pier 45) – A playful mosaic shark celebrating San Francisco's fishing heritage.
- Got Framed by NiNo Alicea (Pier 7) – A 12-foot golden picture frame designed for interaction with the skating community.
- Coralee by Dana Albany (Pier ½) – A mermaid sculpture composed of recycled glass and mixed metals.
- Echoes – A Voice from Uncharted Waters by Mathias Gmachl (Ferry Terminal Plaza) – A 55-foot life-sized blue whale installation with immersive sound.
- Corpus by Michael Christian (Pier 14) – A 16-foot steel sculpture exploring balance and emergence.
- Atabey's Treasure by NiNo Alicea (Brannan Street Wharf) – An 18-foot fish honoring the Taíno goddess of water.
- Steelhead by Bryan Tedrick (Pier 52) – A 16-foot sculpture created from salvaged materials from the 2019 Soda Rock Winery fire.
- Louis by DeWitt Godfrey (Bayfront Park) – A 21-foot hive-like structure that visitors can enter.
- Dr. Fisherian's Runaway Machine by Chris Wollard and Kevin Conran (Crane Cove Park) – A 15-foot whimsical red contraption.
- Bloom by Michael Christian (Heron's Head Park) – A 13-foot steel sculpture created for Electric Daisy Carnival.
The Big Art Loop – Portside brings together eight remarkable artists, including three based in the Bay Area—Michael Christian, Dana Albany, and Bryan Tedrick—while Matthias Gmachl, DeWitt Godfrey, NiNo Alicea, Chris Wollard, and Peter Hazel bring perspectives from London,
New York, Puerto Rico, Oklahoma, and Nevada, respectively.
“The community wanted the Y here at Crane Cove, and that means everything to us,” said Jamie Brunning Miles, CEO, YMCA of Greater San Francisco. “This neighborhood has such a creative and welcoming spirit, and Dr. Fisherian’s Runaway Machine captures that perfectly. It’s playful, it brings people together, and it reminds us why we’re here—to help our community thrive in every sense of the word.”
“The Big Art sculptures will enliven the San Francisco waterfront,” said Jane Connors, General Manager of the Ferry Building. “These installations will spark curiosity and connection among visitors and Port partners alike, adding vibrancy to the Embarcadero experience.”
Ranging from 12 to 55 feet tall, the sculptures explore themes of ecology, play, mythology, balance, and transformation—each designed to invite curiosity and public interaction. Together, these works highlight the diversity of approaches and materials that define today’s large-scale
sculpture, from steel and mosaic to sound and motion. The Big Art Loop – Portside collection offers a glimpse of what’s to come: by the end of 2025, twenty artworks will be installed across the city as part of Big Art Loop’s flourishing network, reflecting a dynamic mix of local and
international voices that bring San Francisco’s creative spirit to life.
Art Parade and Launch Celebration Details
When: Thursday, November 6, 2025, 4:30-6:00 PM Starting Point: Corpus sculpture at Pier 14 Walking Tour Stops: Corpus (Pier 14) → Echoes (Ferry Terminal Plaza) → Coralee (Pier 1/2) → Got Framed (Pier 7) → Exploratorium (Pier 15)
RSVP: Free Event: Eventbrite link
The festive walking tour and launch celebration will introduce the public to four of the ten new sculptures. It will feature the Fishwives band performing sea shanties and maritime tunes, mer-folk roller skaters and dancers, artist talks at each installation, interactive activations, and dramatic reveals throughout the tour—ending at the Exploratorium's outdoor art plaza, where participants may choose to attend their After Dark event. Attendees are encouraged to dress in seaworthy and pirate attire to celebrate the transformation of the San Francisco waterfront.
About the Partnership
Building 180, the curatorial partner of Big Art Loop, manages an open call for artists with existing large-scale works and coordinates with city agencies and community partners to match artworks to suitable sites. The team handles thousands of hours of feasibility reviews, permitting, engineering, logistics, and artist coordination so that once approvals are in place, installations can move forward smoothly. Each proposed artwork undergoes the same rigorous public-art approval process as other civic works, including reviews under public art guidelines or relevant state-land oversight.
“We’ve approached Big Art – Portside as a model for how large-scale public art can be thoughtfully integrated into civic spaces,” said Shannon Riley, CEO of Building 180. “Partnering with the Port has been incredible, we’ve navigated hundreds of meetings and hurdles together to create something that reflects their deep understanding of their community. Our goal is to build a framework that’s efficient, inclusive, and respectful of place, and to carry the logistical and bureaucratic weight so artists can focus on what they do best: creating and inspiring the public.”
Upcoming Installations
Phase 2 of the Big Art – Portside will add additional installations in 2026, including monumental works at Pier 29 and in the southern waterfront.
Artists interested in submitting existing large-scale works (10 feet or larger) for consideration can apply through Building 180's open call.
About Big Art Loop
Big Art Loop is a privately-funded public art initiative bringing up to 100 large-scale sculptures to San Francisco over three years, creating a 34-mile walkable and bikeable trail that transforms the city into an open-air gallery. Founded and funded by the Sijbrandij Foundation with production and operations led by Building 180, Big Art Loop has invested over $2 million in its first year. The initiative brings existing large-scale artworks out of storage and into daily life, working with city and community partners including the Office of Economic and Workforce Development, San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, the Port of San Francisco, and the San Francisco Arts Commission. Through free, accessible art in public spaces, Big Art Loop sparks connection, drives economic vitality, and celebrates San Francisco's spirit of creativity and innovation. For more information, visit BigArtLoop.org or follow @bigartloop.
About the Port of San Francisco
The Port of San Francisco manages 7.5 miles of waterfront that is home to popular destinations and attractions, historic districts, small businesses and robust maritime opportunities. The Port works to advance environmentally and financially sustainable maritime, recreational, and economic opportunities for the City, Bay Area, and California.
Big Art Loop Media Links
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bigartloop/
Website: http://www.bigartloop.org
Open Call Form: https://form.fillout.com/t/grfaCBwmKaus
Hi-res images, artist statements, and video content available HERE
Big Art Loop Media Contact Julie Richter | julie@julierichter.co | 480.818.8022
Port of San Francisco Media Contact
Eric Young, Director of Communications | eric.young@sfport.com | 415.244.8368