Finalists Selected To Design Redwood City Racial Equity Mural

REDWOOD CITY, CA — Redwood City has selected two finalists to design a mural representing racial equity and social justice to be placed downtown on the Jefferson underpass.

The mural project was introduced in 2020 following the racial justice protests, with the city allocating $100,000 toward it. The mural will explore Redwood City's commitment to racial equity and social justice issues.

The two finalists are Lucia Gonzalez Ippolito and Rachel Wolfe-Goldsmith. Members of the public can share thoughts on the artists' ideas here.

Ippolito’s design concept is of a conversation between a teacher and a student.

“The story begins chronologically through history as the middle school teacher educates a 7th grade boy about the Ohlone and important periods in Redwood City and moments in our country’s history that are uncomfortable or significant for people of color,” Ippolito said on the project’s website. “There are also symbols and patterns to represent different cultural groups in the area.”

Wolfe-Goldsmith’s design focuses on “a non-linear timeline where stories weave in and out of each other.”

“In researching the history of Redwood City, I continually found myself being directed to San Mateo History,” Wolfe-Goldsmith said on the project’s website. “Sure, it was possible to find YouTube videos about Redwood City Hall, when things were built, and some basic facts, but when looking for a diverse and multifaceted perspective it was harder.”

Click here for more details and to take the survey and share thoughts on the murals. The deadline is Monday.