Folsom finds its ‘Heartbeat’ in public art project. Portions donated to Christian nonprofit
Folsom’s pulse will be stronger come summer.
The city’s public art project, “Heartbeat of Folsom,” put on by the Folsom Chamber of Commerce teams sponsors with local artists to create roughly 20 sculptures that will incorporate a 3.5 by 4 feet heart which will be displayed in the Palladio on June 2, according to Allsion Konwinksi, a deputy building official with the city.
The “Heartbeat of Folsom” main support comes from the chamber’s Leadership Folsom Class of 2022 and 2023, a group of professionals who gather for networking purposes, according to Jennifer Cliff, a spokesperson for the chamber.
Cliff said sponsors pay $2,500 to cover the cost of the sculpture, a stipend for the artist and a $250 donation to Powerhouse Ministries, a Christian nonprofit that aims to reverse lifestyles of addiction and abuse, according to its website.
Adrian Blanco, 42, owner of Adrian Blanco Jewelry on Natoma Street, is sponsoring artist Liliana Rodriguez, 46, because her art “spoke to him.”
“I’m in the business of love. I’m a jeweler,” Blanco said. “I’m hoping this thing will last way beyond me and for people to be able to visit it. As far as the design goal, (Liliana) and I were talking about incorporating things from my culture, I’m Filipino, my love for agave and obviously Folsom.”
Blanco grew up in Yolo County, lived in Davis and later moved to Woodland. He’s lived in Folsom since 2015, moving to his wife’s hometown.
“My wife grew up in Folsom, so my heart truly is in Folsom,” he said.
Rodriguez lives in the Sacramento area and has been involved with multiple local art projects, including a mural next to Santa Clara Hall at Sacramento State through the Wide Open Walls art festival. She said she became a full-time artist three years ago.
“I get involved with the community and we talk about what they want,” she said. “I use my artistic skills and listening skills to understand what they want in their community, and then we just meet in the middle.”
This story was originally published March 16, 2023 at 11:45 AM.