Rising Roses

at Miraflores, Richmond CA

Rising Roses is a large-scale public sculpture conceived as a symbol of growth, resilience, and collective care. Rising nearly twenty feet, the work transforms the familiar form of a rose—often associated with fragility—into a strong, vertical presence rooted in permanence and endurance.

The sculpture is constructed around a concealed steel structure, with branching forms that support oversized blooms and leaves. Depending on final engineering review, the rose flowers may incorporate ceramic elements—bringing depth, color, and surface richness to the piece—or a hybrid system combining steel and ceramic materials. All structural elements are designed for long-term durability in an outdoor public setting.

Rising Roses was selected and approved by City Council and will be permanently installed as a civic artwork. Fabrication is led by the artist, with installation coordinated through a licensed contractor. The project reflects a collaborative process between artist, engineers, and the City, balancing expressive form with structural integrity to create a landmark artwork intended to serve the community for decades.

Rising Roses — Project Milestones & Checkpoints

• Project Approval & Funding

  • Selected and approved by the City of Richmond

  • Grant funding and civic support secured

  • Installation coordination confirmed with City partners

• Design Development & Engineering Review

  • Finalization of overall form, height, and modular structure

  • Structural review of steel framework and anchoring system

  • Material selections finalized for outdoor durability and maintenance

• Fabrication Phase

  • Shop fabrication of modular steel armature

  • Hand-crafted ceramic rose elements produced and fired

  • Surface finishing, protective coatings, and assembly testing

• Community & Artistic Integration

  • Ceramic components informed by community participation and workshops

  • Emphasis on visibility, accessibility, and neighborhood context

• Pre-Installation Preparation

  • Final shop fit-up and quality control checks

  • Coordination with City crews and licensed installation support

  • Transport and staging logistics finalized

• Installation

  • On-site placement and structural assembly

  • Final alignment, fastening, and safety verification

  • City sign-off and public readiness review

• Completion & Documentation

  • Final inspection and acceptance

  • Photo documentation and project archiving

  • Ongoing maintenance guidance provided to the City