Sisterhood Gardens Debuts New Mosaic Stairway

San Francisco has a new mosaic staircase for the public to enjoy.

Sisterhood Gardens, a community garden operated by the Chinese Progressive Association, with help from mosaics artist Kim Jensen and the community, installed a nature-inspired mosaic mural “Together We Bloom” along the 24-step staircase connecting Ramsell Street to Brotherhood Way on July 13 and 14.

The work depicts native and ornamental flowers and plants like California poppies, California Pipevine, dahlias, matilija (fried egg) poppies and sunflowers. It also shows some of the wildlife that regularly visits the garden like bees, butterflies and caterpillars, and has a row of five different skin-toned arms at the bottom that are reaching upwards with hearts in their palms.

“Community projects such as these can really help to not only beautify their communities but also help them connect with their neighbors,” Jensen said.

The background for this piece starts with dark green and changes throughout the remaining seven tiers from lighter green to shades of oranges and reds and ends with sky blue. The flora are colored in their respective natural colorways in shades of yellow, green, white and red. There are also small mirrored tiles throughout the piece that are from an exhibit at the Exploratorium on superstitions.

Funds for this project came from a $30,475 Community Challenge Grant from 2021.

The project was initiated during the height of the pandemic and left many community members concerned about racial violence and dealing with isolation due to quarantining and the switch to remote working and learning, Civic Engagement Director for the Chinese Progressive Association and garden staff member Tiffany Ng said. She added that the idea came after members of the garden’s steering committee shared a strong interest in creating a collaborative public art installation on the stairs.

“Engaging community members in spaces like Sisterhood Gardens, as well as creating spaces for people to discuss and reflect on issues that affect them and collectively develop community-oriented solutions are a critical part of creating a safer community,” Ng said.

Leading up to its installation, Sisterhood Gardens hosted three community input sessions for the design and several community work days to assemble the pieces. Over 20 volunteers lent a hand during the two-day installation process.

“Every community project I have been a part of has always been led by residents in the neighborhood so if you ever feel you want a gorgeous mosaic or mural in your community, it's absolutely possible with commitment, patience and passion,” Jensen said.