GOLDEN GATE PARK—A new sea serpent sculpture, named Naga and the Captainess, is one-hundred feet in length, twenty-five feet in height, shines from inside, has over five-thousand scales, and blows bubbles will come to be known as one of Golden Gate Park’s many tourist attractions for one year. This art installation will become the biggest known public art piece in Golden Gate Park’s history.
It is going to be situated in Rainbow Falls Pond, which is a humanmade waterfall near John Fitzgerald Kennedy Promenade nearly seven-hundred feet east of Transverse Drive on San Francisco’s Golden Mile, according to San Francisco’s arts and community organizations. JFK Promenade is located between 19tn Avenue and 20th Avenue, just north of Blue Heron (formerly Stow Lake.) The sculpture was created in collaboration by Stephanie Shipman and Jacquelyn Scott and Cjay Roughgarden.
Previously displayed at last year’s Burning Man’s festivities, it is an immersive, interactive, hand-on piece that let sightseers get a sense of the sculpture; it is not just a look-and-see piece. There is a shipwreck seating area, interactive treasure chest. Plus, there’s a watery street mural.
The installation is in collaboration with San Francisco Parks and Recreation and the nonprofit Illuminate and local artists. Plus, a crew of over two hundred-fifty volunteers are assembling the pieces together.
After the installation of the sculpture, there will be celebrations galore taking place around Naga and the Captainess. The grand opening celebration will be on Saturday, July 26, 2025, called Welcome Family-Friendly Celebration with a mermaid parade, landlubbers, jibber-jabber and more. On Monday, July 28, 2025, there is Naga Grand Lighting: Evening Celebration with music, dancing and more jibber-jabber.
