Chestnut Underpass Public Art Input Form

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Greenmeme, the artist team for the Chestnut underpass public art project, gathered community input from Sept. 11 through Oct. 2 to help refine and narrow down two initial concepts for the artwork. Greenmeme is now reviewing input received, refine the preferred option and present an update to the Arts Commission at its meeting on Nov. 4, 2025.

Community members can provide additional feedback by attending the meeting in person or emailing arts@carlsbadca.gov by 2 p.m. on the day of the meeting.

Arts Commission meeting
Thursday, Nov. 4, 5:30 p.m.
City Council Chamber
1200 Carlsbad Village Drive

Greenmeme presented the concepts during the Arts Commission meeting on Sept. 4, 2025. For additional background, you can watch a recording of the presentation.

How the initial concepts were developed

During community outreach conducted this spring, participants mentioned several key themes for the project:

Nature and the ocean: Participants highlighted Carlsbad’s natural beauty, coastal sounds and ocean views as defining characteristics.
Barrio history and culture: Preserving and celebrating the identity of the Barrio remains a community priority.
Community and inclusivity: People value a sense of connection and welcoming environment for all.
Movement and access: The underpass is an important link used by people walking, biking and driving through the area, which should be considered with how the art is presented and how people will experience it.
Pride and hope: Participants shared feelings of gratitude, happiness and optimism for the future.

View the community input report.

About the concepts

Both concepts share some similarities, including:

A similar color story, meant to represent the landscape of Carlsbad from open space and hills, to the flower fields, to the beach and ocean
A design that leverages the raised panels now in place along the sides of the underpass, following street improvements recently completed by Caltrans and SANDAG
Artwork focused on the walls of the underpass, beneath the I-5 freeway
Specific elements shown in the initial concepts are placeholders only (e.g., specific silhouettes or hats). These elements would be updated during the next project phase.

Chestnut underpass color story

Concept 1: Community Silhouettes

This is a more literal concept, which would feature silhouettes of specific people or items mentioned by the community during outreach this spring, such as skateboards, nature, pets, people going to the beach, children playing sports, community workers and more.
The silhouettes would be created by applying a “mask” over the concrete and painting around it.
If selected, the next step to further refine this concept would be to invite the community to events where they could choose to be photographed to help the artist develop the actual silhouettes used in the artwork.

Rendering of Chestnut underpass option 1

Concept 2: Community Hats

This is a more abstract concept, inspired by the theme of community connection identified during outreach this spring.
It is intended to represent the literal or symbolic “hats” we wear in the community every day, and could represent some of the history of the Barrio and immigrants who originally settled in the area.
The hats would be made from thin metal cutouts layered together and slightly offset to create a ribbon effect.
If selected, the next step to further refine this concept would be to invite community members to submit photos of hats or visit events to show Greenmeme their hats to provide additional inspiration.

Rendering of Chestnut underpass option 2