San Francisco’s waterfront has officially transformed into an open-air gallery with the launch of Big Art Loop – Portside, the first major milestone of an ambitious citywide public art initiative. Spearheaded by CODAworx member Building 180, the project introduces ten new large-scale sculptures stretching from Fisherman’s Wharf to Heron’s Head Park, creating a walkable and bikeable art corridor along the bay.
Developed in partnership with the Port of San Francisco and the Sijbrandij Foundation, Big Art Loop aims to bring up to 100 monumental artworks to public spaces across the city over the next three years. This first segment sets the tone, celebrating creativity, accessibility, and civic pride through artworks that spark imagination and invite community engagement.
The sculptures themselves offer a delightfully eclectic experience. Visitors can encounter mosaic sharks, steel mermaids, and even sound-sculpted whales, each piece encouraging moments of play, reflection, and discovery. By reimagining familiar waterfront spaces, Big Art Loop underscores a simple but powerful idea: art belongs to everyone, everywhere.
With its Portside debut, Big Art Loop is already reshaping how residents and visitors move through—and connect with—San Francisco’s iconic shoreline.
Learn more here: https://www.bigartloop.org/
