San Carlos honors its sister city with new vibrant mural

“With this project, we have transcended geographical boundaries to embrace cultural exchanges that enrich our lives and deepen our understanding of each other,” Jessica Yang, a board member of the Community Foundation of San Carlos, said. 

The mural is a collaboration between Bay Area-based artist Yucali Seki, who has a studio at ArtBias in San Carlos, and Ōmura-based calligraphist Housui Sato. The pair spent hours over Zoom planning a design that captured the essence of both cities. 

“Despite the distance, the hours of Zoom calls and shared dedication beautifully illustrate our shared values, history and commonalities of our two cities,” Mayor Sara McDowell said. 

Seki said the mural was designed to reflect each city’s unique charm, and the shared beautiful nature and rich histories, and hopes it brings warmth to passersby. 

“Art can uplift the spirit and beautify the space, but not only that, art can inspire and connect people and community and culture,” Seki said. 

The mural was crafted to reflect the friendship that has blossomed between the two cities over years of collaboration and cultural exchanges, McDowell said. Ōmura Mayor Hiroshi Sonoda, delegates from the city in Nagasaki, and Takumi Kuroiwa, vice consul for Japan’s Consulate in San Francisco, were in attendance at the mural’s dedication.

“This visit is a beautiful testament to the enduring bond of friendship that connects our two communities,” McDowell said. 

Like the sister city relationship, public art is “not only visually beautiful, but long-standing,” Kuroiwa said. 

Supervisor Ray Muller, whose district includes San Carlos, spoke to the value of celebrating an impactful relationship across the Pacific Ocean. 

“Today is a shining example of what we know at the local level, that the beauty expressed between nations is done so personally and the relationships we share between all of us,” Mueller said. 

While there are many sister cities in San Mateo County, Mueller noted that the relationship between San Carlos and Ōmura is a “deep and active” dynamic. 

“When I look at this mural, I think about the children that will walk past it and think of a larger world inspired by peace and friendship, perhaps juxtaposed so differently than some news stories they watch on TV,” Mueller said. 

Part of the sister city relationship is a long-standing cultural exchange program. High schoolers from Carlmont reflected on their experience participating in the program this past year.

Ami Dong, 15, said hosting a student from Ōmura at her home was a life-changing experience, and Sachin Bulfer, 17, visited Ōmura as a program participant last summer. Both students said the mural is a long-standing reminder of their unique and impactful experiences. 

“This exchange program has clearly provided them with invaluable experience,” Sonoda said in Japanese. “I am once again reminded of the significance of this 13-year sister city relationship.” 

The celebration ended with Sato giving a large-scale calligraphy performance to showcase the unique experience to witness the artwork live. Sato asked viewers to consider the breath and tension of the calligrapher and the fragrance of the ink.

Although translations helped share the speakers’ messages, the mural spoke to the beauty of friendship all on its own. 

“Art is truly a universal language that we can all appreciate,” McDowell said.