Palo Alto Public Art Program

Palo Alto Public Art Program The Public Art Program oversees the permanent and temporary placement of artwork throughout Palo Alto

Discover the public spaces you never knew were public.Join artist Lisa Van Dusen Lisa Van Dusen for the final walking to...
08/29/2026

Discover the public spaces you never knew were public.

Join artist Lisa Van Dusen Lisa Van Dusen for the final walking tour of the season, exploring Downtown Palo Alto’s hidden Privately Owned Public Open Spaces (POPOS) through a participatory public art experience.

Discover overlooked plazas, pathways, and gardens while imagining what these spaces could become.

Saturday, September 12, 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Meet: Avenidas, 450 Bryant Street
Free + accessible + all ages welcome

Part of Public Benefit: Pop-Ups in the POPOS, an ArtLift-funded project of the Palo Alto Public Art Program.

CALIFORNIA AVENUE PUBLIC ART TOUR + Mural Celebration with Phillip Hua 🎉 Explore public art along California Avenue, cul...
08/28/2026

CALIFORNIA AVENUE PUBLIC ART TOUR + Mural Celebration with Phillip Hua 🎉

Explore public art along California Avenue, culminating in a celebration of Everything Changes, a new mural by Phillip Hua, with the artist present.

Thursday, September 10, 5–6 p.m. We meet at 466 California Avenue and end the tour with the mural celebration at 350 Sherman Avenue.

Moonflowers for Georgia, 2023
Olivia Losee-Unger ORLU | Muralist
477 California Avenue

Hidden Birds, 2026
Inna Razmakhova Inna Ra
California Avenue

Untitled, 2006
David Huffman David Huffman
341 California Avenue

Everything Changes, 2026
Phillip Hua Phillip Hua
350 Sherman Avenue

Keep your eyes open on California Avenue. Tiny surprises are hiding in plain sight.Hidden Birds, a new project by artist...
08/20/2026

Keep your eyes open on California Avenue. Tiny surprises are hiding in plain sight.

Hidden Birds, a new project by artist Inna Razmakhova Inna Ra brings tiny ceramic birds inspired by native California species to unexpected spots throughout the district. Look for them perched on ledges, tucked into planters, and hiding along walkways.

Each bird is waiting to be discovered. Find one, scan the QR code to explore the Bird Map, learn about the species, and share your sighting.

How many can you find?

Celebrating connection, place, and the perspectives that shape a neighborhood.A new temporary mural by Bay Area artist P...
08/19/2026

Celebrating connection, place, and the perspectives that shape a neighborhood.

A new temporary mural by Bay Area artist Phillip Hua Phillip Hua is now installed at the California Avenue Parking Garage at 350 Sherman Avenue, Palo Alto.

Developed through a community engagement process exploring experiences and perspectives of the California Avenue District, the large-scale work brings Phillip’s distinctive visual language to the neighborhood.

Stop by to see it in person!

Close-up of the artwork.

The artwork image, courtesy of the artist.

Have you spotted one yet?Tiny ceramic birds by artist Inna Razmakhova Inna Ra are landing in unexpected places along Cal...
08/19/2026

Have you spotted one yet?

Tiny ceramic birds by artist Inna Razmakhova Inna Ra are landing in unexpected places along California Avenue in Palo Alto.

Look closely at ledges, planters and walkways and you might discover one hiding in plain sight. Each bird represents a native California species, turning an everyday walk into a little moment of surprise.

Found one? Scan the QR code to explore the Bird Map, learn about the species and see where other birds have been spotted.

The ArtLift Grants Program supports temporary projects by local artists and creatives, fostering connection, joy, and community engagement. Temporary artworks and creative experiences activate locations across Palo Alto, encouraging play, belonging, and shared moments that strengthen community ties.

Happening now at Mitchell Park! Join artist Sophia Lee Sophie Sophia Lee for a hands-on ArtLift workshop and create soft...
08/08/2026

Happening now at Mitchell Park! Join artist Sophia Lee Sophie Sophia Lee for a hands-on ArtLift workshop and create soft sculptural “fortune cookies” that will become part of her public art installation, Whispers Through the Trees.

Today, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
Mitchell Park
Free and open to all!

Fortune cookie up close.

Artist Sophie Sophia Lee with two participants.

Happening now at Downtown Library Palo Alto City Library!Join The Rhinoceros Project with artists Michelle Wilson & Anne...
08/08/2026

Happening now at Downtown Library Palo Alto City Library!

Join The Rhinoceros Project with artists Michelle Wilson & Anne Beck today, Saturday, August 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a free community sewing circle. Add your stitches to a collaborative embroidered map exploring place, movement, and migration.

All ages and skill levels welcome. No sewing experience needed. Materials provided.

Part of the City of Palo Alto Public Art Program’s ArtLift Grants Program.

A whole buffet of inviting supplies 🪡

Getting started!

The Rhinoceros Project’s 1524 Map of Tenochtitlán traces histories of movement, exploration and colonialism across centuries.

Palo Alto becomes part of that story through El Camino Real, the historic route connecting California’s Spanish missions. Through community sewing circles, participants add their own stitches to the map, connecting these layered histories with Palo Alto today.

Join us for the Summer Laughter Party!Experience the benefits of laughter through a fun, guided community session design...
08/07/2026

Join us for the Summer Laughter Party!

Experience the benefits of laughter through a fun, guided community session designed to help you relax, connect, and recharge with Carla H. Brown.

Saturday, August 8
5:30–6:30 p.m.
Plaza Ramona
250 University Ave., Palo Alto

Part of “Public Benefit: Pop-Ups in the POPOS” city-wide series of public art activations with local artist Lisa Van Dusen bringing underused public benefit spaces to life.

Start your Saturday with a compliment.Join artist Lisa Van Dusen for The Compliment Dept.: Office Hours #3, an interact...
08/07/2026

Start your Saturday with a compliment.

Join artist Lisa Van Dusen for The Compliment Dept.: Office Hours #3, an interactive public art experience inviting conversation, connection, and kindness.

Saturday, August 8, 9–10 a.m.
Edgewood Plaza, 2808 Channing Avenue, Palo Alto
Free and open to the public.

Discover Downtown Palo Alto’s hidden public spaces!Join artist Lisa Van Dusen for a guided walking tour exploring Downto...
07/31/2026

Discover Downtown Palo Alto’s hidden public spaces!

Join artist Lisa Van Dusen for a guided walking tour exploring Downtown’s overlooked Privately Owned Public Open Spaces (POPOS) through art, conversation, and community.

Tuesday, August 4
5–6:30 p.m.
Meet at Avenidas, 450 Bryant St.

Free and open to all. RSVPs appreciated, walk-ins welcome. Presented through the City of Palo Alto Public Art Program’s ArtLift Grant Program.

Address

1313 Newell Road
Palo Alto, CA
94303

Telephone

(650) 329-2227

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