The Sonoma Plaza will soon be home to more than just its famous duck pond and historic trees.
On Thursday, July 16, the city will unveil “SQUARE KEYS,” an interactive public piano installation designed to turn a familiar community space into a hub for impromptu musical collaboration.
Created by Tanner Walle, the project’s lead architect and the director of community engagement for The Sebastiani Theatre Foundation, “SQUARE KEYS” aims to transform one of Walle’s inherited pianos into an interactive, musical gathering place.
The project, a partnership between The Sebastiani Theatre Foundation and the city of Sonoma, marks a significant step for Sonoma’s Public Art Program. Unlike traditional static art installations, “SQUARE KEYS” is designed to foster connections. Residents and visitors — regardless of their musical background — will be able to sit down, play a song, or simply listen.
The piano will be placed beneath the trees near the duck pond at Plaza Park.
“I’m so happy The Sebastiani Theatre Foundation and the city can bring a renewed sense of creativity to the community, and the ducks,” Walle said.
Sonoma Mayor Ron Wellander agreed.
“One of the goals of our public art program is to make art more accessible and integrated into everyday life,” the mayor said. “’SQUARE KEYS’ is a wonderful example of how public art can take many forms, bringing together visual art, music, and community.”
Walle, a musician with experience organizing similar park piano projects in New York City, emphasized that the goal is participation rather than formal performance.
Throughout the installation period, Walle’s Sonoma-based band, LITTLE WORTH, will perform at the site periodically to encourage families and young musicians to try the instrument.
To ensure the instrument fits the aesthetic of the Plaza, Sonoma artist Leah Tumerman will spend three days painting the piano on-site, creating a visual piece inspired by the local landscape, officials said.
The project was approved unanimously by the city’s Cultural and Fine Arts Commission.
Sonoma officials said it did not require financial assistance from the city’s Public Art Fund, highlighting a model of creative partnership that the city hopes to replicate. Sonoma maintains a Public Art Fund to help support select projects that align with the goals of the city’s Public Art Program.
For The Sebastiani Theatre Foundation, “SQUARE KEYS” serves as an extension of its mission to expand arts programming beyond the walls of the historic theatre. As the organization prepares for its next chapter, it continues to focus on creating accessible cultural experiences throughout the Sonoma Valley.
City officials and community leaders have continuously supported the expansion of Sonoma’s public art initiatives, an ongoing effort to celebrate creativity, Sonoma’s cultural identity, and activate public spaces through art. The program supports both permanent and temporary installations, community-driven art projects and collaborations between artists and public agencies, according to officials.
Recent public art projects include the Utility Box Art Wrap Pilot Program, a initiative to turn ordinary utility boxes into vibrant, artist-designed landmarks throughout Sonoma, and Cycles 3, a 96-inch corten steel sculpture featuring three intersecting circular forms depicting bees, birds, and frogs. The sculpture was donated to the city by local artist Peter Hassen in June.
The interactive piano installation is free for the public to enjoy.
To learn more about the city’s Cultural and Fine Arts Commission and the Public Art Program and Public Art Fund, visit the city’s website.
You can reach Staff Writer Emma Molloy at [email protected].
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‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.sonomanews.com ’
