Just in time for Valentine’s Day, the San Francisco General Hospital Foundation debuted this year’s “Hearts in San Francisco” series yesterday at the 10th annual Heroes & Hearts Luncheon and Hearts After Dark on the field at AT&T Park. The 25 new heart sculptures feature a variety of designs by local artists. The series includes nine large hearts, five tabletop hearts and 11 mini mosaic hearts. After the Hearts events, select sculptures will remain on display in San Francisco’s Union Square.
One of this year’s large heart sculptures was created by builder, fabricator and maker, Matthew Mackie Pigman with his local studio, Mackie Builder. His sculpture, entitled “Everett’s Heart Planes,” is made of one ton of sand-blasted, powder-coated plate steel and is illuminated with solar-powered light; it stands 5 ft tall and is 5 ft, 9 in. wide. The heart was created to honor the medical community and Matthew’s son, Everett. Matthew built the heart, made from heavy steel, as a representation of the strength and beauty of his son and the heroes that helped him fight to stay alive.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Hearts in San Francisco project, which launched in 2004 as a Bay Area-wide installation for the public to enjoy. The project combines fundraising, community involvement and the nurturing of artistic expression. The jury-selected heart designs are created by the artists, then auctioned and sold to raise money for vital programs at San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center.
To view the collection of Hearts in San Francisco sculptures, visit the Gallery of Hearts.