Oftentimes, what is left of a civilization is its public art. It is a form of identity. Public art helps define a community’s identity and reveal the unique character of a specific neighborhood. It is a unifying force. In other words, art has power. Chico's public art program is young compared to many cities but it is vibrant. Take a walking tour of the beautiful art benches located in downtown or hop on a bike and visit each public art piece in Chico. Here is a listing. Learn more about the Chico's Public Art Program. You can also check out the complete list of public Art piences here!

The artist collected glimpses of Chico from various archives, local historians and senior members of the community as well as addressing the different functions that go on in the Municipal Center Building.

Note: Take a close look at the dates and population numbers on the cast bronze shoe forms.

Artist: Lynn Criswell, Chico, CA

• Date: 1998
• Dimensions: Two 16' X 10' Panels
• Location: Municipal Center Building, 411 Main Street
• Media: Concrete, Bronze
• Funding Source: Municipal Center Building construction budget
• Selection Process: Local request for proposals. Selection Panel consisting of arts professionals, community members and project manager.

The art work refers to Chico's history as an agricultural community by abstractly depicting a plow driver, a plow and a team of horses.

Note: The steel rods in the Dwydag post-tensioning system (usually used in the mining industry) which support the basalt columns are under 190,000 pounds of tension.

• Artist: John T. Young
• Date: 2001
• Media: Basalt Rock and Stainless Steel
• Dimensions: 15' X 75'
• Location: Median at Park Avenue & Meyers Street

The art work is the artist's response to the area's history and natural beauty. The textured fiberglass includes direct casts from local farm, railroad and natural artifacts.

Note: Reach out and touch it.

• Artist: Dayton Claudio, Chico, CA
• Date: 1996
• Dimensions: Two 16' X 10' panels
• Media: Cast Fiberglass, Acrylic Paint
• Location: Downtown Parking Structure, Salem Street, between 3rd & 4th Streets
• Funding Source: Salem Street Parking Structure construction budget
• Selection Process: Local request for proposals selected by the Arts Commission

The artist sought to design a fence that would be functional and decorative as well as meaningful to the users of the park and to the neighborhood.

Note: The cut out designs on either side of the gates are enlargements of computer circuit boards.

• Artist: Eddy Martinez Hood, Paradise, CA
• Landscape Architect: Land Image, Chico, CA
• Date: 1999
• Media: Steel
• Location: Humboldt Avenue Skatepark
• Funding Source: RDA Art Fund and Humboldt Avenue Skatepark
• Selection Process: Local request for proposals. Selected by project designer, Park Director and Art Coordinator.

The concept for the art work is based on the themes of flight, movement and advancement into the future.

• Artist: James Russell, Lomita, Ca.
• Date: 2001
• Dimensions: Dimensions: 8' X 12'
• Media: Stainless Steel
• Location: Chico Municipal Airport

Using the newest technology, the artist created a mural using digitally painted photographs of downtown landmarks and events.

Note: The file for the mural was so large that the hard drive had to be shipped back east to the laminate manufacturing company.

• : Jesus Ramirez
• Date: 2001
• Dimensions: 8' X 20'
• Media: Computer Digital and High Pressure Laminate
• Location: Ringel Park, 1st Street and Broadway
• Funding Source: RDA Art Fund and Ringel Park Renovation construction budget
• Selection Process: Local request for proposals. Selected by Project Manager and Park Director.
• The sculpture is constructed of a steel armature covered with terrazzo composed of granite and marble chips mixed with cement.

Note: Images of Chico are imbedded in the surface.

• Artist: Donna Billick, Davis, CA
• Date: 2000
• Dimensions: Each Hand is 6' X 12'
• Media: Terazzo
• Location: Municipal Center Building, 411 Main Street
• Funding Source: Municipal Center Building construction budget
• Selection Process: Northern California request for qualifications. Selection panel consisting of arts professionals, community members and project manager.

Click here to view the entire collection of beautiful public art pieces Chico has to offer!