The City of Napa is excited to announce the release of the “Circulation” video describing the Downtown Napa Public Art Roundabout Project, scheduled for installation in early 2024. The heart of this project is “Circulation,” a sculpture that will adorn the southeast corner of the roundabout on 1st Street and California Boulevard in downtown Napa.
Working closely with artist Ana Teresa Fernández, the City of Napa presents, in video form, the story of “Circulation” in Ana Teresa’s own words. This piece, a powerful emblem of community interconnectedness and the rich tapestry that is Napa, has been carefully designed to portray a gateway of prominence. View the full video, and learn more about the project, here: www.cityofnapa.org/roundaboutart or click the image below.
“The City of Napa is excited to move forward with this groundbreaking public art project. It serves as a visible representation of the diverse makeup of the Napa community while maintaining the road safety that roundabouts were designed to provide,” said Katrina Gregory, Recreation and Public Art Manager.
"'Circulation’ is not just a work of art; it is a reflection of Napa’s rich history and its vibrant future, capturing the spirit of diversity and inclusion that defines Napa’s community,” said City Manager Steve Potter. “We look forward to bringing this project to life next year, showing how we can use funds dedicated to public art to highlight the story and landscape of people and symbols so integral to our City.”
Public Safety & Artwork Planning
Ensuring public safety has been a key factor in the project’s planning. “Circulation” will not only serve as an engaging focal point beside the roundabout, but also as a traffic-calming mechanism, enhancing safety for all road users. The intentional site selection and design placement, which is adequately set back from the roadway and sidewalk, establishes suitable visibility and sight lines for vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians.
Roundabouts have historically produced a 75% reduction in injury crashes and a 90% reduction in fatality collisions compared to intersections controlled by stop signs or signals. The incorporation of public art in this context not only increases the aesthetic value but also contributes to the broader goal of traffic-calming. The public art’s intent is not to distract, but to enrich the community’s visual character and facilitate safety enhancements and slowed traffic leading into the roundabout.
About the Artist: Ana Teresa Fernández
The chosen artwork, “Circulation,” is the creation of San Francisco-based artist Ana Teresa Fernández. The sculpture will be crafted from polished aluminum with fabrication and installation support from Juliana Sommer, founder of Priority Architectural Graphics. Its design is inspired by the diverse landscape and network of Napa, taking the form of the Opuntia Prickly Pear Cactus —a symbol within Napa’s ecosystem and a tribute to the immigrant families who have played a vital role in Napa’s agriculture and wine industry.
Ana Teresa Fernández, born in Tampico, Mexico, brings her unique perspective as an immigrant to this project. Her practice explores dismantling both physical and psychological barriers. She explores the intersectionality of places, people and politics to create connection in hopes to transform people’s outlook on themselves and their surroundings. To gain a deeper understanding of the artwork’s symbolism, the City of Napa invites residents and visitors to watch the project’s video, which explores the inspiration behind the prickly pear cactus motif and the significance of the vibrant green color.
“The lines in ‘Circulation’ represent the invisible constellations of people from various parts of the world, working together to sustain and nurture life,” said artist Ana Teresa Fernández. “The neon green is reminiscent of the safety gear worn by workers in Napa’s fields. The sculpture will soon serve as a gateway to the community, highlighting the often invisible but invaluable contributions of our labor force.”
About the Art: "Circulation"
The ‘gateway’ nature of this piece aligns seamlessly with the City of Napa’s goals to enhance its image as a world-class art destination and foster a sense of local community pride. The artistry adds to this vision and demonstrates the City’s commitment to providing important representation and celebration of Latinx culture and the connections between all who support the sustainability and success of the industries that put Napa on the map.
This project will be fully funded through the Public Art Fund. The fund, established in conjunction with the City’s Public Art Ordinance, ensures that commercial developers dedicate 1% of the project construction costs (exceeding $250,000) to public art on their project site or allocate the 1% into the Public Art Fund. These funds are exclusively dedicated to the support of permanent public art throughout the community on city property.
The City of Napa takes pride in its rich cultural heritage, diverse community and thriving art scene. With a commitment to public art and community development, the City continues to invest in projects that enhance its identity and celebrate the talents of artists like Ana Teresa Fernández.
For more information about Napa’s “Circulation” public art project, visit www.cityofnapa.org/roundaboutart