New public artwork 'Reflection and Projection' unveiled in Visitacion Valley

The San Francisco Arts Commission unveiled Reflection and Projection, a permanent public artwork by local artist Sanjay Vora, at the Herz Recreation Center in Visitacion Valley on January 9, 2026. The installation, located at the new Herz community hub in John McLaren Park, is designed for daily use and aims to strengthen neighborhood ties through play and shared experience.

Vora’s piece combines mirrored stainless-steel surfaces with painted-enamel accents to create an interactive environment that responds to visitors’ movements and light. The work was conceived with durability in mind so children, families and regular users of the recreation center can touch, gather around, and move through it without rapid wear. The artist drew inspiration from his family story and broader community themes, shaping a work meant to reflect both people and place.

The Herz community hub, completed in partnership with San Francisco Recreation and Parks and local housing partners, couples the artwork with programming at the recreation center. Complementary events and activities tied to the hub will make the sculpture a social focal point rather than a standalone installation. That combination of civic art and neighborhood services follows recent city efforts to locate public art where residents already gather, reinforcing recreation centers as anchors for community life.

For Visitacion Valley, the piece represents more than aesthetics. Public artworks that invite interaction can increase foot traffic to community hubs, broaden afterschool and intergenerational programming, and create settings for neighborhood events. The presence of a durable, permanent sculpture at Herz signals municipal investment in local amenities tied directly to everyday use—play, gatherings and civic events—rather than art confined to galleries.

City agencies positioned the project as part of broader civic art investments in neighborhoods, integrating design and programming with housing and park partners to support sustainable community assets. For residents, that means the sculpture will be activated through center-led classes, drop-in play and seasonal events, turning a polished mirror surface into a practical place to meet, play and celebrate.

The installation also offers a small economic nudge: more consistent foot traffic at the hub can help nearby small businesses and informal vendors, while giving recreation staff a new tool for outreach. It is a local example of how public art can be leveraged as infrastructure that supports social and economic activity at neighborhood scale.

The takeaway? Visit the Herz Recreation Center, see how the mirrors catch the park light, and bring friends or family to the next community event—this is public art built to be used, not just observed. Our two cents? Treat it like any neighborhood asset: enjoy it, look out for it, and make it part of your routine.