Canal Street Blossom
Public Art Project
Bob Hart Square: Merced, 2026
Aphidoidea + Saunders
Exhibit A
Agricultural Heritage
Our intent is to create an artwork that honors the
rich architectural and agricultural history of
Canal Street.
We incorporated images of the old canal,
long lost historic buildings and
the orchards and farms of Merced.
Irrigation Canal
Photo Merced Irrigation District
Canal Street
Architecture
We are inspired by photographic postcards of
Canal Street buildings during the late 1800s and
early 1900s.
Bob Hart Square: MercedAphidoidea + Saunders
Radiating from the inner circle are sun rays
and a abstracted flower pattern. The
flower gives the work more presence and
speaks to the agricultural
heritage of Merced.
Blossom
& Sunrays
This artwork has two primary design elements. The center ring contains a panorama of Canal Street over time. The space between the arch and inner circle contains an abstract flower design and sun burst radiating from the inner circle.
The panorama will be made of steel plates set at different depths and angles to give the work three dimensionality. All design elements will remain within the 17” available band width.
Physical Description
The montage in the inner ring will be cut with a CNC plasma cutter and welded together into more complex shapes that will in turn be welded to the existing archway structure.
The artwork is a open design formate; meaning air, light and vision can go through the visual field of the work and will be constructed in such a way that it able to be appreciated from both the plaza and street sides of the arch.
We anticipate the work weighing less than 300 pounds.
Blossom and Sun Rays
Physical Description
The blossom and sun ray pattern will be welded to the
exterior of the inner circle. The blossom pattern
is proposed to be made 2” x 1” tubular
steel welded together. The linear
sun rays are ½” solid
steel bars.
The finish be
powder coated.
.
Title: The Sprouts
Date: 2025
Medium: Aluminum Composite
Panels, Steel, LED, Micro controllers
Dimensions: 16’ x 8’ x 4’
Description: We wanted to
conceptually capture the notion of
growth by creating a series of tree
canopies that take root and sprout
along the vein of water/flow.
Title: Moment in Time (Aphidoidea and
Jason Saunders)
Date: 2025
Medium: Powder Coated Steel
Dimensions: 12’ x 240’ x 6"
Description: The gateway artwork for
the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge
and the City of Ridgefield features 72
steel sandhill cranes, a species native to
the area. This artwork spans two
bridges, including 240 feet across
Interstate 5, and incorporates the city's
colors
Title: Point of Reference
Date: 2021
Medium: Carbon Steel, Concrete, LED
lights, Powder Coating
Dimensions: 18’ x 11.5’ x 11.5’
Description: inspired by the spirit of
endurance, perseverance and the
history of the region - from the
American Revolution, the westward
expansion, and the industrial revolution;
The artwork explores ideas of tradition,
old/new culture, and history. It is shaped
by the motion of past, present and
future of Erie
Title: The Wind
Date: 2023
Medium: Steel Iron, Wood, Stain, Metal
plate
Dimensions: 9’ x 6’ x 4"
Description: This eight foot tall gate is
made of hand forged iron and wood. It
depicts energy and movement in a
fantastical way.
Title: Wisdom Tree
Date: 2016
Medium: Steel
Dimensions: 14’ x 20’ x 6"
Description: This artistic fencing for a
transitional housing facility for men
transitioning out of California's penal
system. I created a dreamlike abstract
tree blowing in the wind. Artwork of
Jason M. Saunders
Title: Owl Gate
Date: 2023
Medium: Steel, wood,
Dimensions: 9’ x 12’ x 4"
Description: This twelve foot wide
double gate depicts a stylized two
dimensional owl, made of hand forged
steel and wood. Artwork of Jason
Saunders
Title: Look Ahead
Date: 2013
Medium: HDPE, Aluminum, CorTen
Steel
Dimensions: 15’ x 74’ x 3’
Description: Red Rocks College Light
Rail Station artistic canopy. The
installation is inspired by the exchange
between the campus, the transit station
and the red rocks in the region.
Title: Hello Sunshine
Date: 2020
Medium: Aluminum Composite Panels,
Steel, LED, Micro controllers
Dimensions: 16’ x 8’ x 4’
Description: This sculpture is one of
five distinct installations throughout
West Palm Beach. Individually they
each symbolize a single burst of
sunlight. Together they coalesce the
character of West Palm Beach as a full
sunrise and represent the vibrant
personality of this city.
Title: Rigalletes (Pinwheels)
Date: 2016
Medium: metal piping, plastic
Dimensions: 10’ x 4’ x 4’ (Various Size)
Description: This artwork is inspired by
the all time joyful kids toy, the pinwheel.
In Mexico, it is common for street
vendors to sell reguiletes at parks or
other places with large gatherings. We
drew inspiration from the festival
cultural history and tradition, and from
the Metro station's site conditions.
Title: The Seed
Date: 2017
Medium: Metal, Polycarbonate, LED
lights
Dimensions: 12’ x 4’ x 4’ Various Size
Description: Whoever came up with the
idea that if you blow away the seeds of
a dandelions you can make a wish? As
a child, I remember doing this; I would
run around and pick up curb side
dandelion flower and blow their tiny
seeds into the wind and make a wish.
This art piece is an homage to those
seeds wishes
Title: Spirling Droplets
Date: 2016
Medium: Acrylic, Metal Pipe, Coroplast,
LEDs
Dimensions: 8’ x 600’ x 6’ (various Size)
Description: The art work consist of
two water splashes, each containing 15
consecutive illuminated water droplets
that progressively grow in size and
shape. The consecutive evolution of the
water droplets mimics the still motion
frames of a water drop.