Valencia Collection, Larkspur, CA

San Francisco’s Old Emporium’s rotunda, has been elevated 60 feet off the ground. It is the vision of a monumental site. Towering Dome Phase One, presents the rotunda during renovation, which has been restored, and during the fall of 2006, the Old Emporium will convert into the new Westfield San Francisco Shopping Centre. The Old Emporium’s rotunda is now hidden away and only for an individual to see once inside. But once upon a time, as seen in this painting, while walking, I observed a tall dome, solid in foundation suspended by bars. It might represent a water tower, a spaceship. This Towering Dome unites the observer to be part of its existence and part of a celebrated iconic structure.

Towering Dome Phase One, forms part of the Old Emporium Series. This painting was first exhibited at DA Arts, Patricia's Solo Show titled RECONSTRUCTING SOMA. In 2007, Towering Dome Phase One, was exhibited at Hang Art, New Faces, group show, followed by another group exhibit in 2008, titled Photography and Art Show, at the MoMo Lounge, Sacramento. In 2008, Towering Dome Phase One was exhibited at HEART OF THE CITY: Two Person Art Exhibit and Book Release - Patricia Araujo and Mark Ellinger, at the North of Market/Tenderloin Community Benefit District Corporation, San Francisco, CA. (6 months exhibition). Towering Dome Phase One is back on view and this time at the Marker Hotel, in San Francisco, to accompany a group show curated by Artspan- "Art in Neighborhoods", August 17th-November 21st, 2017.

This painting is featured in Patricia's book entitled, SOMA SEEN, published in 2008.

PRESS/REVIEWS:
Heart of the City/SOMA SEEN, ARTslant, dated January 28th, 2009, Review by Wilma Parker
Resuscitating the Heart of San Francisco, by Heather Knight, SF Chronicle, dated December 24, 2008
"Heart of the City": Structures Built to Last, by Reyhan Harmanci, SF Chronicle, dated November 27th, 2008.
Review in ArtBusiness.com, November 21st Issue, "Heart of the City" by Alan Bamberger, 2008
Tenderloin CBD Gets New Office; Art Exhibit Tonight!, by Paul Hogarth, November 21st, 2008 @ Beyondchron.org
Architecture for Bloomingdales - Patricia Araujo at DA Arts, Review by Wilma Parker, dated September 7th, 2006, @ BeyondChron.org
DA Arts Paintings Selected for Bloomingdales' Opening, by Randy Shaw, dated September 27th, 2006, @ Beyondchron.org