Even if you haven’t been to the annual Burning Man festivities out in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada, you may have seen La Victrola, the 35-foot tall gramophone sculpture that debuted there in 2017. The sculpture was created by a team at the late, great American Steel studios in Oakland, and also made the trip to Hardly Strictly Bluegrass that year.
But La Victrola’s travelin’ days are over, as according to its creators, La Victola is now a permanent art installation at Richmond’s Point San Pablo Harbor.
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“We are excited to announce that we have found a forever home for The Gramophone (a.k.a. La Victrola) at Point San Pablo Harbor (PSPH) in Richmond CA,” the La Victrola team says in an Instagram post. “The unique, secluded feeling of @pspharbor will make your heart say, “I’m home”, but instead of being surrounded by the Black Rock Desert you will be surrounded by beautiful San Pablo Bay.”
The installation is confirmed in a Friday, May 27 Facebook post from Point San Pablo Harbor. “Cleaned, fixed, and a new paint job, La Victrola is up at Point San Pablo Harbor!,” the post says. “Huge thanks to La Victrola Arts and everyone that helped make this happen!”
The sculpture will serve as a sort of centerpiece for a whole summer and fall of musical performances and events at Point San Pablo Harbor, which include Circus Bella, Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers, and Jazz Mafia.
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Some upkeep of the sculpture will still be necessary. The La Victrola team says in an Instagram post that “If you want to donate some of your time and/or money, please, send us an email: info [at] thegramophone.us.” There is also a donation page on their website.
