An updated design for public art at the Chestnut Avenue I-5 underpass is now available to review. The design reflects community input gathered earlier this year and will be presented to the Arts Commission this week.

What’s new

More than 300 community members shared feedback on the earlier concept. The artist team used that input to refine the design, with updates that:

• Add more color and variation across the artwork
• Strengthen connections to Carlsbad through locally recognizable plants and design elements
• Incorporate coastal references
• Better reflect Barrio history and culture through plant selection and storytelling
• Include specific plant species suggested by the community

The updated concept uses layered plant forms to reflect Carlsbad’s landscape and how movement and migration have shaped the community.

View the updated design concept

About the proposed design
The proposed artwork features layered, sculptural panels inspired by native and cultivated plants that reflect Carlsbad’s coastal setting and community identity.

• Combines plant forms from different time periods and cultural influences to show how the area has evolved over time
• Incorporates community-suggested species such as bird of paradise (Carlsbad’s city flower), ranunculus from the Flower Fields, native succulents and coastal elements like sea kelp
• Introduces a broader range of colors and layered metal panels to create a more dynamic and welcoming experience
• Uses durable materials designed for long-term performance in the underpass environment
• Located on all four exterior corners of the underpass

Arts Commission meeting
On Thursday, April 2, city staff and the artist team will present the updated design to the Arts Commission. The commission will review the design and consider whether to recommend it to the City Council for approval. 

Arts Commission meeting
Thursday, April 2, 5:30 p.m.
City Council Chamber
1200 Carlsbad Village Drive

The agenda and staff report are available on the city’s website.

All Arts Commission meetings are streamed live on the city’s website and on the city's cable channel Spectrum 24 and AT&T U-Verse 99.

How to provide input

• Attend the meeting and provide comments in person
• Email comments in advance to arts@carlsbadca.gov by 4 p.m. on Thursday, April 2

How input shaped the design
Community feedback directly informed several updates to the design. For example:

• Community members asked for more color: The updated design includes a wider range of colors and layered elements
• People wanted stronger ties to Carlsbad: The design now features locally meaningful plants, including the city flower and Flower Fields varieties
• Some asked how the ocean would be reflected: Coastal elements such as sea kelp and ocean-inspired tones were added
• Others wanted clearer connections to the Barrio: The design emphasizes cultural history through plant selection and storytelling
• Many shared specific plant ideas: Several of those suggestions were incorporated into the final concept

Read the full public input summary.

Next steps

• The Arts Commission will review the design at its meeting on Thursday, April 2 and consider whether to recommend it to the City Council for approval.
• If recommended, the City Council will consider approval of the final design at a future meeting.

More information
Chestnut underpass public art
Community input report
Art in Public Places Program