Cleave is a word with two opposite meanings, to separate and to bind.

With the goal of deepening a sense of place and connection in Sebastopol's Downtown Historic District, CLEAVE reflects the round, banded forms and colors of the logos of the City, The Barlow, and the Petaluma & Santa Rosa Railway. Separated by a pathway, the two identical sides of CLEAVE allow for both community and difference.

Anchored in the earth, the flags hover over the ground, their bright colors a counterpoint to the landscape. Their steel stakes nod to the industrial architecture of the neighborhood, while their gridded layout mirrors the vineyards that surround the City. The circular arrangement evokes a sense of community, of being one among many.

CLEAVE: Over 1,500 marker flags on view through October 2025 in downtown Sebastopol.