Redwood City joins "Building Community through the Arts," the theme through which the San Mateo County Office of Arts and Culture and the Arts Commission will present the first countywide Arts and Culture Celebration throughout the month of August.
The theme, "Building Community through the Arts," focuses on highlighting the exciting and diverse programs, activities and events taking place throughout the county.
The month-long celebration will culminate on Saturday, August 27, from noon to 3:00 pm.
"All are invited to share in the joy and delight that these diverse and talented artists and organizations bring to our community," the City Council noted in a statement.
The Mural Project
A key component of this month-long event will be the creation of a participatory mural commemorating San Mateo sculptor Ruth Waters and her contributions to the arts community.
The goal of the mural project is to create a collaborative space where community members can contribute equally to the creation of art, as well as build community bonds and social belonging through a shared experience of self-expression.
This mural will be 8 feet tall by 8 feet wide. It will be completed by people adding their voices about what art means to them in 256 smaller squares created at art events throughout the county during August 2022.
The final mural will be assembled and unveiled at the August 27 event in San Mateo's Central Park. It will then be displayed at multiple locations throughout the county over the next year.Those interested in more information about the event and the artists, as well as a calendar of August events throughout the county, can visit the event's website giving click here.
Ruth Waters
For decades, Ruth Waters, a leading Peninsula artist and community builder, dedicated her life to encouraging other artists and connecting her work with the public. Waters passed away unexpectedly at the age of 88 on June 13.
"She supported the marginalized, she was someone who was very interested in inclusion. There was nothing that rocked Ruth's world at 88 years old...Ruth lived for the present and for the future. She supported women in the arts, she just wanted to be that voice for them," said Stephen Seymour, San Mateo County Arts Commissioner and colleague.
Beyond connecting through art, Ruth Waters wanted to connect people. She spent the last 45 years working to build spaces where artists could share their work with the community while teaching their skills to future generations of artists.
Ruth will be remembered for her work in the development of the Peninsula Art Museum and, more recently, the establishment of AZ Gallery and Art Studios in Tanforan.
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