Community piano unveiled in Redwood City

The piano is the first of three — two baby grands and an upright — that is part of the community project, Felicia Basques, director of administration for the Chamber San Mateo County, said. 

Not only are the pianos an opportunity for the community to play, but they’ll also be a beautiful art piece intentionally crafted by local artists, she said. 

“We chose their designs based on how much it would speak and connect with the community,” Basques said. “The creativity, the ability to communicate their work through the piano and through their art. We want it to spark feeling with the residents and the visitors.” 

Crafted by renowned Mexican artist Fernando Escartiz — whose work has been featured throughout the city including installations at the Art Kiosk located in Courthouse Square — this first piano draws inspiration from Mexican folk art and the natural world.

The intent, Escartiz said, was to celebrate the melodic sounds found in nature, from the songs made by humpback whales to the rhythmic chimes of crickets and cicadas. 

“He took this baby grand, and not only painted it but added sculptural elements to the piano,” Basques said. “He took elements from nature and animals who in their own way create music.” 

Boldly colored, the piano design features intricate paintings and sculptural details paying respect to alebrijes, which are known in Mexico to be fantastical creatures that provide protection. The legs of the piano are sculpted additions representing an elephant’s trunk and legs, and a mosquito helps prop the lid up.

“The beautiful thing about alebrijes is, with whatever materials you have, you can mix creatures, animals,” Escartiz said. “You have a lot of freedom to create whatever you want.”

Inspired by similar efforts in Davis, where community pianos are found all throughout the city, the RCIA felt this was a way to honor Redwood City’s “commitment to art.” 

While the RCIA helps keep streets clean through its sidewalk beautification committee, and has funded more “practical” items in the city such as shaded seating areas, another focus of the organization is honoring the desire for local art, Basques said.

“Infrastructure is really important, but so is the vibrancy of our downtown, and making it safe and fun to come to and spend time,” Basques said. “We have lots of families that spend time out in the city and we wanted to have another opportunity to come together, come after work, and play a little piano.”

In the unveiling ceremony, musician Shane McLaughlin christened the piano, playing Bill Withers and The Beatles, kicking off the legacy of sounds to be heard by the community. 

In addition to casual, passerby play, Basques said she hopes the location directly across from the public library can encourage opportunities for educational practice, or a continuation of local classes. 

The piano will be a sort of trial to gauge its success and viability, Basques said. 

Considering it’s not placed in a location protected from the elements, it will likely be placed indoors during the wet winter season. The piano will also be locked every night, in an effort to avoid possible vandalism or mistreatment, as well as late night playing. 

“We’re not letting the fear of potential damage stop us from moving forward with something that we know is beautiful,” she said. “If it doesn’t work, we can move the piano, it’s on wheels.”