Temporary Public Arts Program

“To the Moon” by Alex Gall is a kinetic sculpture and is placed at the Highland Drive Median. 

Creating unique large-scale site-specific sculpture and kinetic works is Alex's passion. As the artist, Alex feels the responsibility of creating art in a public space goes beyond simply showcasing one's talent. The impact of art in public spaces is immense, and artists have a duty to create works that not only beautify the space but also engage and inspire the audience. Enriching and beautifying a public space through art is crucial in creating a sense of community and belonging. Art has the power to bring people together by creating a shared experience that transcends language, culture, and social barriers. Moreover, art can transform spaces that once felt barren into vibrant and lively places that foster creativity and imagination.

“Light Me Up” by Yuriy Akopov - San Andres Drive

This piece is meant to be a symbol of hope. The artist, Yuriy Akopov created it during a dark time in his life and he needed a light that would never go out. Yuriy Akopov is an Armenian immigrant who wants to spread their art to the world and with that, his story. 

Yuriy Akopov began his career as a glass worker while working for an extraordinary artist, Niki de Sant Phalle. Working with Art Mosaic brought Niki’s creations to life and made glass mosaic sculptures, he acquired priceless skills that later in life he applied to his own creations.  As a talented artist himself, he has refined the techniques and made a unique application process.  He transforms objects into something magical and whimsical. Enjoy and let your imagination run wild! 

“Flower Power” by Ethan Blu is placed on San Rodolfo Drive. 

Ethan Blu has swiftly risen to prominence as one of the most collectible new artists in the United States. A self-taught artist with a lifelong passion for painting, Ethan began creating art as a child, often dreaming of a future as a full-time artist. Hailing from the small farm town of Peotone, Illinois, south of Chicago, he moved to San Diego in his early twenties to embrace the warmth of California and leave the harsh Midwest winters behind.

Ethan Blu uses three mindfulness circles in place of flower blooms places strategically on an abstract branch. The mindfulness circles are meant to put the viewers in a calm and tranquil place. This series inspired the artist to open Gallery Blu in 2022.

“Idaean Fingers II” by Nicholas Kantarelis - Lomas Santa Fe Median

The sculpture 'Idaean Fingers' features painted metal covered in translucent long brush-stroke-like ridges that have been finger-painted on, leaving behind the mark of human presence while also resembling plant and animal life. With intentional variations in bilateral symmetry, the artist aims to highlight the beauty of individuality within our interconnected existence. ‘Idaean Fingers’ invites viewers to reflect on their own self and our shared connection to the natural world.

Nicholas Kantarelis is a Greek American artist creating a diverse array of media. His unique creations include large free-standing sculptures, wall-hanging, and suspended installations. He crafts plush upholstered shaped canvas paintings, organic wooden sculptures, and intricate programmed silicone light sculptures. His works vary in size from large-scale outdoor sculptures to small tabletop pieces and framed works on paper. 

“Subliminal Beholder” by Max Roemer - Seascape Sur Beach Access

This sculpture is a female stone figure with wings in a golden tint. It is shaped in a primitive, raw and expressionistic style, with the head in the found shape of a granite rock. The artist thinks of his figures as inner figures or universal figures, and the piece is intended to invite peaceful contemplation - which complements the beauty of Solana Beach and its pristine coastline and views.

Max Roemer is a sculptor and painter, based in Encinitas, California. He brings out figures in shapes from found boulders, rocks, or wood. These are inner figures of angels and fools, ancient heroes and local beach bums that look like they have been excavated from nearby fields. They appear archaic yet animated, celebrating life in decayed materials. Crafted with deft dexterity and hard-won intimacy of materials, the work is highly contemporary, as it is a playful response to our technology-frenzied consumer society, or the mediated “world of made” that cuts us off from inner and outer nature.