Chula Vista, California — The newly installed sculpture Rigors of Flight, created by local artist Roberto Salas, now graces the heart of Sweetwater Park as a key feature of the Port of San Diego’s Tidelands Art Collection. Crafted from warm-toned aluminum and shaped like a bird’s furcula—or wishbone—the piece has become a visual and symbolic centerpiece of Chula Vista’s emerging bayfront, representing themes of flight, resilience, and collective aspiration.
The creation of Rigors of Flight was the result of months of planning by the Port’s Art and Design Committee, which leads public art coordination along the city’s scenic waterfront known as the Wonderfront. This piece was the first to be developed through the committee’s new wave of meetings focused on transforming creative concepts into impactful community installations, setting the tone for future works in the collection.
To ensure transparency and public involvement, a series of community workshops were held at Sweetwater Park, along with meetings with local artists and a public Meet-the-Artistevent. During that event, Salas shared his personal creative process. “I walked around the port. I laid on the ground. I listened… I smelled the air. I looked at the sky. I saw the birds, their wings,” he explained. “Then I asked, what is the most important part of the bird? The furcula. The furcula is the wishbone.”
Beyond its striking form, Rigors of Flight embodies the mission of the Art and Design Committee: to promote artistic expression that is both creatively free and deeply rooted in community engagement. The sculpture already serves as a landmark within Sweetwater Park and as a symbol of the intersection between art, nature, and civic participation.
The Tidelands Art Collection features a range of sculptures, murals, mosaics, and other visual works that enhance the natural beauty of San Diego’s waterfront while honoring the region’s cultural history. This public art initiative not only beautifies the coastal landscape but also encourages residents and visitors alike to experience art as a vital part of the Wonderfront journey.