11 Mar Artist Sara Pisheh Turns Richmond History Into Wearable Art

In honor of Nowruz, which marks the start of spring and the Persian New Year, artist Sara Pisheh created this Haft-sin, an arrangement of symbolic items representing health, renewal and prosperity, for young children at the Limoo Photography studio in Santa Clara. (Limoo Photograhy via Sara Pisheh)

By Zoe Meyer

When most people look at historic buildings, they don’t often envision earrings modeled after them.

Then again, most people aren’t Sara Pisheh.

For her most recent art exhibit that was displayed at the San Pablo Community Center from mid-January through March 3, Pisheh drew inspiration from historical buildings in the Richmond and San Pablo areas — many of which are no longer standing. Pulling from historical photos, she chose 12 buildings from the early to mid-20th century to model her art after, paying homage to places that brought and continue to bring people together.

Pisheh said that she loved how her vision slowly came into focus as she tinkered. At the beginning of her creative process, she “looks at something in a fog.” Over time, it dissipates, revealing her product.

The Carnegie Library, built in 1910 and now home to the Richmond History Museum at Fourth Street and Nevin Avenue, and the Municipal Natatorium, built in 1926 and now known as the Richmond Plunge, were among the structures that inspired her work.

One pair of earrings replicates the decorative molding around the Carnegie Library’s windows. Another reflects the round stone cutouts above the windows of the Municipal Natatorium.

In total, she designed 12 pairs of earrings modeled after each historical site — all featured in the exhibit.

She describes the pieces as “wearable art” — history you can carry with you, dangling from your earlobes.

In addition to the earrings, the exhibit consisted of two other artistic expressions of the buildings: portraits made from velvet fabric and 3D sculpture models.

“The scale is intentionally altered and playful,” Pisheh said. “The artwork invites viewers to look closely, move around it, and recognize both familiar and unfamiliar buildings that have connected people across generations.”

One Contra Costa resident who visited the exhibit later wrote to Pisheh that they instantly “fell in love” with her work and “the way the light plays on the fabrics.”

Pisheh was born in Iran and developed an early passion for set design. She attended Tehran University and earned a degree in the field. After her undergraduate studies, she was hungry for more. But, to her chagrin, there was no school in Iran offering a master’s program in set design. So, in 2007, she moved to the United States where she attended UC Irvine, ultimately earning a Master of Fine Arts in set design.

Today, Pisheh sees the world in shapes, angles and stories. For her, the biggest thrills stem from watching her sets come to life through theatre, television, and film.

“If I were born over and over, I’d just want to be a set designer,” Pisheh said.

Pisheh found that words were too constricting for expression, especially when her English wasn’t as strong. And set design became a way for Pisheh to communicate beyond language.

Pisheh first got her start in professional set design in 2013, working on the reality show, “America’s Best Cook.” Currently, she works as a set designer and art director in New York City. Pisheh splits her time evenly between there and Pinole where her parents live. Their garage doubles as her studio.

Her credits include Broadway productions such as “Tootsie” and “Meteor Shower” and the feature film “Insidious: The Red Door,” as well as television series like “FBI” and “Law & Order.” She just wrapped up work on the second season of “The Hunting Party.”

But work hasn’t always been steady. During the pandemic, work in the entertainment industry ceased. To keep pace with the bills, she started two businesses: a jewelry brand and set decoration for kids’ birthday parties and events.

For Nowruz, the Persian New Year’s Day and first day of spring, Pisheh built a traditional and playful Haft-sin, an arrangement of symbolic items representing health, renewal and prosperity, for young children at the Limoo Photography studio in Santa Clara.

Pisheh also recently planned a 3-year-old’s Cinderella cartoon-themed birthday party. Everything from the table settings to cake display to floral arrangements was intentional.

Her mind, and body, never rest. In her spare time, she applies for art shows such as Into the Streets in San Francisco and Taste of Richmond, which just recently invited artists to show their work.

“I’m in the process of learning how to run a business,” Pisheh said.

She’s very much enjoying studying up on the art of self-promotion. Unlike union work in New York, where jobs come on a regular basis, her independent businesses require constant self-promotion, something she has begun to embrace.

“Most of the time, I just want to surprise people with my work. And this surprise is not always the same,” Pisheh said. “If you expect things, let me show you something else.”

Her jewelry and party designs can both be found on Instagram. Visit her website to view all her art in one place.