Burlingame To Unveil Artwork Celebrating City's Namesake

BURLINGAME, CA — The first permanent public artwork in Burlingame is slated to be unveiled on Wednesday at Washington Park.

The piece, titled “Anson Burlingame and the Principles of Eternal Justice” by Bay Area artist John Roloff, is intended to convey the values of Anson Burlingame — the city’s namesake — and his lifelong pursuit of equality of people and nations, according to a news release.

The artwork consists of two large sculptural portals that represent the United States and China. Burlingame served the first U.S. Ambassador to China and later as China’s envoy to the U.S., leading to the landmark Burlingame Treaty.

There are also six benches containing quotes on courage, tolerance and equality, along with a pathway mural.

“Burlingame's historical and global voice is needed now more than ever,” Roloff said. “That’s why I decided to literally carve Burlingame's words of equity, justice, and cooperation into the two anchoring Eastern and Western portals, and add complementary inspirational quotes on the benches in between.”

The event begins at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday. Click here for details.