Utility Box Makeovers for San Ramon and Dublin

In San Ramon's call for Utility Box design submissions the following was noted “increasing diversity and growing population implies a need to continue developing a greater sense of community connectedness by showcasing different cultures to enhance cultural understanding and unity.” Under the pilot project five boxes will be awarded along Crow Canyon Road. It is requested that artwork designs should relate to the selected theme of the pilot program which is: Celebrating the Arts. The application deadline for the San Ramon artwork designs is March 30, 2018.

Meanwhile on an overcast morning in Dublin, the eye-catching artwork of Sarah Lee captures the attention of passing motorists. Sarah was awarded one of eight utility box projects by the City of Dublin.

Designs submitted for consideration were required to reflect the character, diversity and activities popular to communities living in Dublin. The Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission reviewed the applications and recommended designs to the Dublin City Council.

Sarah Lee's design features Finches and she said her aim was to incorporate the natural elements and environment that can be seen in Dublin and surrounds. Birds are common sights in backyards and they tied in with the “New American Backyard” theme that the City of Dublin is promoting.

When asked about being given the most oddly shaped utility box for her design Sarah said she had absolutely no problem with it as she knew the bright and bold colors and the images of the birds would still be captivating. Sara is both a sculptor and a painter. She is a first generation Korean-American and thought it was quite a coincidence that she was painting the utility box closest to the traditional Korean martial arts school, Kuk Sool Won.

Sarah Lee is a Dublin resident and attended school in the area as well. She received her BFA in Illustration Design at Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles and Masters from California College of the Arts in San Francisco. Sarah says she enjoys using animals as symbols of humans to echo the voices of the underrepresented—women, minority groups, and people of color—and to reveal their shared histories.

She recently had a large-scale single piece installed in the Grand Atrium Lobby of the Harrington Gallery at the Firehouse Arts Center in Pleasanton. The piece named “Imperial Woodpecker” is approximately 6’ tall and 12’ in length. The exhibition ended on March 10.

Her exhibitions in 2017 included 1. Detritus, curated by Kevin B. Chen, Lisa Ellsworth and Lordy Rodriguez in San Jose, 2. Sweet n Low, Bedford Gallery in Walnut Creek and 3. Echame Aguas, curated by Glida Posada, Galeria de la Raza in San Francisco.

Opportunities for local artists to display their talents through public artwork or art displays where they reside are constantly being sort. The Utility Box projects provide one option to recognize the skills of artists while giving the general public artworks to admire during their daily routines.