Bay Area Artists Contribute Monumental Works To San Francisco's Big Art Loop

The Big Art Loop is a citywide project that, when complete, will span 34 miles and include 100 temporary installations.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 8:20am by Ben Kaplan

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In October 2025, 10 large-scale sculptures appeared along San Francisco's waterfront as part of the Big Art Loop, a citywide project that will eventually span 34 miles and include 100 temporary installations. Bay Area artists Bryan Tedrick and Michael Christian are among the contributors, with their works "Steelhead," "Corpus," and "Bloom" drawing steady attention from passersby.

Why it matters

The Big Art Loop is a major public art initiative that is transforming San Francisco's waterfront with large-scale, temporary sculptures from local artists. This project is bringing more art and culture to the city, engaging residents and visitors alike, and highlighting the creativity of the Bay Area arts community.

The details

Tedrick's "Steelhead" sculpture at the Pier 52 boat launch was created using a salvaged steel beam from the Soda Rock Winery, which was destroyed by a fire in 2019. Christian's "Corpus" sculpture, located near the Ferry Building, is an eye-catching, multi-legged vessel that people can climb inside. His other work, "Bloom," is a playful, interactive sculpture in Heron Head's Park. Both artists say they enjoy the spontaneity and fun of creating public art that sparks conversation and imagination, especially among children.

  • In October 2025, 10 large-scale sculptures appeared along San Francisco's waterfront.
  • In January, Christian was touching up "Corpus" after the king tides' flooding and rusting of its base.

The players

Bryan Tedrick

A Bay Area artist who created the "Steelhead" sculpture using a salvaged steel beam from the Soda Rock Winery, which was destroyed by a fire in 2019.

Michael Christian

An Oakland-based artist who created the "Corpus" and "Bloom" sculptures for the Big Art Loop project.

Soda Rock Winery

A winery in Healdsburg, California that was destroyed by a major fire in October 2019, from which Tedrick salvaged a steel beam used in his "Steelhead" sculpture.

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What they’re saying

“I don't really have great expectations of how people will react to it, but I do hope that they enjoy looking at it.”

— Bryan Tedrick (Patch.com)

“I appreciate that it's there, visible for people to see. It's why you make public art, so that you get the possibility to share it.”

— Michael Christian (Patch.com)

“Kids will be brutal [about] some sculptures. They'll just walk up to them and go, 'That's stupid.' And you're like, 'I can't really argue with you on that.' I love that kids will give you their honest opinion, whether you ask for it or not.”

— Michael Christian (Patch.com)

What’s next

After its residency in San Francisco, "Steelhead" will head to Soda Rock Winery, which has been rebuilt.

The takeaway

The Big Art Loop is bringing more public art and creativity to San Francisco's waterfront, showcasing the talents of local Bay Area artists and engaging residents and visitors with thought-provoking and playful sculptures that spark imagination and conversation.