The Carlsbad City Council on Tuesday approved the design for public art to be featured at the rebuilt Fire Station 2 in south Carlsbad. The station is undergoing a major rebuilding project that will be completed this fall.

Arts and culture are among the core values in Carlsbad’s Community Vision, which helps guide City Council goals and other decision making.  

• The new public art piece was designed by artist Mary Carter Taub in collaboration with firefighters, the community, the arts commission and the city’s Cultural Arts staff.

• It will be made of vibrant illuminated kiln-fused glass, unlike any other public art we have in Carlsbad.

• The glass panels are a “map mashup” of aerial views of Carlsbad with colors inspired by beach sunsets, the Flower Fields, Batiquitos Lagoon and homes in Olde Carlsbad. The lines are actually a map of our major streets plus an outline of the shape of the lagoon.

• The artist chose to focus on curved lines and vibrant colors to complement the more linear design of the fire station.

• This project is part of Arts & Culture Master Plan and public art program. The program is designed to expand residents’ appreciation of art, improve quality of life and help enhance and identify Carlsbad as a unique community.

Fire station next steps

The old Fire Station 2, built in 1969, was demolished last year to make room for a new modern station. The new station will occupy the same footprint as the old one but has about 7,000 more square feet. That’s enough space to accommodate up to five emergency response vehicles, including a 60-foot ladder truck, fire engine and an ambulance.