The Town of Moraga is fast becoming an outdoor art gallery thanks to the efforts of the Art in Public Spaces Committee (APSC). Two new installations are gracing the town along St. Mary’s Road – a pair of cement lions standing guard at the steps to the Moraga Library, and just across the street “Mirror Ball” can be seen along the Lafayette-Moraga Regional Trail. The Town Council approved the installations during its Jan.14 meeting.

     In April 2025, APSC was approached by Janice Lum Ennik with regards to the two lion sculptures weighing about 200 pounds each with approximate dimensions of 28 inches long and 11 inches wide. 

     “The two cement lions gracing the top of the steps at the Moraga Library were graciously donated by the estate of Anna and William Lum,” explained APSC Chair Holly Hartz. “The lions lived at the Lum’s house in Moraga for over 50 years. The artist is unknown. Our Moraga Library lions are in good company.  There is a great tradition of lions presiding over the entrances to other libraries,” adding that two famous lions grace the entrance of the New York City Public Library. 

     “Patience and Fortitude, the world-renowned pair of marble lions that stand proudly before the majestic Beaux-Arts building at Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street in Manhattan, have captured the imagination and affection of New Yorkers and visitors from all over the world since they were placed on their pedestals days before the building was dedicated on May 23, 1911.”  Hartz also noted that a pair of lions guard the entrances to both the Art Institute of Chicago and Boston Public Library.

     The second sculpture, “Mirror Ball,” came to APSC attention via a November 2025 Public Art Application from the artist, Douglas Heine.  The large-scale steel sculpture is painted red. Within it is a black curved structural arc with circular forms that contain a mirror ball.  Standing approximately 9 feet tall and 5 feet wide, the piece weighs about 500 pounds and took two months to create.  Another Heine sculpture entitled “Ribbons” was placed in West Commons Park last year.

     According to Heine’s application to the Town, “I learned most of my metal working skills early on by working on reactor plants in nuclear submarines. I increased that knowledge working in astrophysics at UC Berkeley by making experimental apparatus for the study of cosmic particles. I brought these skills to the art department at Cal where I was in charge of the art bronze foundry with Peter Voulkos.”

    Heine continued, “I later did a stint of teaching art students how to weld and make sculpture while in charge of the sculpture shop. When I turned 42, I took on making my own sculpture like a religion. I have expanded on to painting in addition to sculpture.” Heine is now 90 years old.

    Hartz stated, “Heine said when he had gathered the various components for “Mirror Ball,” he began to envision how the pieces might fit together, much like one fits a puzzle together.

    “The shape does not represent anything except to place the pieces together in a pleasing composition,” Heine said.  “The ball is simply a strong juxtaposition with the black circles.”