A new piece of public art is coming soon to one of San Pablo’s busiest streets. On Nov. 3, the San Pablo City Council approved a permit for a large tile mosaic to be placed on the outside of a three-story office building at 13201 San Pablo Ave., near the San Pablo Lytton Casino and across from FoodMaxx.
The 18-by-12-foot artwork will be created by Oakland artist Debra Koppman, who also made art for San Pablo City Hall. Her design includes basket and feather shapes, arch patterns, and the words “Welcome to San Pablo Lytton Casino.” It honors the Pomo Indian heritage of the Lytton Tribe, which owns the casino and the nearby office building now being renovated.
The project meets the city’s Art in Public Places rule, which requires new or renovated commercial buildings costing over $200,000 to spend one percent of their budget on public art or pay a fee instead. The casino’s development team chose to install artwork worth $54,000.
The Planning Commission approved the project on Oct. 28, and city officials said it won’t cost the city any money. The mosaic will be finished before the building opens.
