Castro Valley Library & Castro Valley Creek
The Castro Valley Library is an important information hub as well as a multifaceted community center. The daylighting of the adjacent Castro Valley Creek restores a section of the watershed and creates more natural open spaces for recreation and education. There are five site-specific public artworks at the library and nearby creek as well as eleven framed artworks created by four Alameda County Artists. The Castro Valley Library opened in 2009.
Community Identifier Mural Projects
The Community Identifier Projects are in Alameda County’s unincorporated communities of Ashland/Cherryland, Castro Valley and San Lorenzo. The overall goal of the projects is to create community gateway markers that help support a positive and welcoming environment for both the community and visitors. These projects were managed by the Alameda County Arts Commission in partnership with the community and many project partners.
REACH Ashland Youth Center
The goal of the public art program at REACH Ashland Youth Center is to generate positive, uplifting art experiences that create a sense of place and to engage and honor youth and community. Local youth had the initial vision for a youth center and played a pivotal role in planning and making it a reality. Part of that process included their contribution to the public art program and their voices are present in the finished artworks. Youth contributed to the public art program plan and goals, provided feedback on the artwork locations, and served on committees to choose the artists. They also gave feedback to the artists about their designs and collaborated with the artists by sharing ideas and making artwork together. The public artwork contributes to a vibrant and inspiring space where youth can thrive, be creative, and cultivate positive change. REACH Ashland Youth Center opened in 2013.
Wilma Chan Highland Hospital Campus
Located in Oakland, California, Highland Hospital is Alameda Health System's flagship hospital and is nationally known for its high level of care with one of the world's most effective regional trauma centers and emergency departments. Highland Hospital was renamed Wilma Chan Highland Hospital Campus in 2022. Public artwork was commissioned for the hospital campus as part of the construction of the Acute Care Tower (completed in 2015), Highland Care Pavilion (completed in 2013) and the Koret Building (completed in 2003). Over 100 artworks are located at the hospital campus.
Alameda County Juvenile Justice Center (San Leandro)
The Alameda County Juvenile Justice Center offers youth and their families best-practices care and comprehensive services, aiming always to ensure community safety and steer at-risk youth toward productive lives. The public art program includes a diverse group of site-specific permanent artworks placed throughout the building and framed wall-mounted artworks created by Alameda County artists. The artworks include 13 large hand-painted murals in the housing pods, extensive handmade ceramic tile installations, a 20-foot-tall low-relief wall sculpture containing six oil paintings, a 165-foot-long digital tile mural, and an artist-designed terrazzo floor of 8,100 square feet, plus more than 70 other framed artworks including quilts, paintings, photographs, and mixed-media pieces. The Juvenile Justice Center opened in 2007.
Streetscape Improvement Projects
The public artwork for streetscape improvement projects in unincorporated Alameda County are in partnership with the Alameda County Public Works Agency and the Alameda County Economic and Civic Development Department. Completed projects include Castro Valley Boulevard in Castro Valley, E. 14th Street in the Ashland community, and Hesperian Boulevard in San Lorenzo.
Department of Environmental Health
The work of the Alameda County Department of Environmental Health (ACDEH) protects and enhances the health and quality of life by ensuring food and recreational safety, reducing exposures to toxics and pests, protecting the quality of our water, air, the physical environment and so much more. A renovation project for the Alameda County Vector Control Services District (part of the ACDEH) created an opportunity to place artwork in the public spaces of the ACDEH's building where members of the public visit to apply for and obtain permits and receive other assistance and services related to the programs of the ACDEH. Fifteen artworks by 4 Bay Area artists were selected and licensed for reproduction on durable materials suitable for public display.
Cherryland Community Center
The Cherryland Community Center is a space for community members of all ages to build social connections, participate in enriching cultural activities, develop life skills, and have fun. The community center was built by Alameda County and is operated by the the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District. Artist Debra Stuckgold created designs that were cut into metal panels that are part of the building’s architectural canopies covering the two entrances and the exterior walkways. Four artists were selected to create a small series of artworks inspired by Cherryland’s community, history, gardens, and the Meek Estate. The Cherryland Community Center opened in 2021.
East County Hall of Justice
The East County Hall of Justice is located in Dublin, California and houses the Superior Court of California and Alameda County offices and services provided by Probation, the District Attorney, and the Public Defender. Artist Patricia Miye Wakida was commissioned to make 10 unique linoleum block prints, which were digitized and fabricated as a series of 40 cast bronze plaques that are installed in the entrance walkways and courtyard. Thirty-six two-dimensional artworks created by 9 Alameda County artists were commissioned for the public spaces in the County side of the facility.
Behavioral Health Care Services, Cherry Hill Sobering and Detoxification Centers (San Leandro)
For this project, four Alameda County artists were commissioned through an open competitive process to each make 2-3 new artworks for the Cherry Hill Sobering and Detoxification Centers. The artwork contributes to the safe and supportive environment of the Detoxification Services Programs.
Behavioral Health Care Services, Jay Mahler Recovery Center
The Jay Mahler Recovery Center serves Alameda County residents who are experiencing a mental health crisis and who need additional support to avoid hospitalization, stabilize symptoms, and return to their previous level of functioning. With 16-bed capacity, the recovery-based program will provide voluntary, short-term services typically lasting 12-14 days, in a home-like environment to empower and support people and their families in their recovery journey. The goal is for the artwork to help create a home-like environment and to help provide a sense of hope, recovery, community and wellness.