F.I.S.H. Public Art

This work of public art was created in 2009 by Donald Lipski, a Philadelphia-based artist, and centers upon a school of twenty-five longear sunfish, suspended from the interstate I-35 overpass near Camden Street. The sunfish is indigenous to the San Antonio River and many smaller waterways in Texas. The fish were constructed from fiberglass resin and then painted by hand. During the daytime, they reflect the sunlight, while at night, they are lit from within, which makes them appear as if they are glowing. The project, titled "F.I.S.H.," was commissioned and funded by the San Antonio River Foundation. The artist also created a 26th fish that is currently on view at The DoSeum, a city museum for children that emphasizes experiential learning.

As part of the Museum Reach extension of the River Walk, in 2009, the City of San Antonio commissioned Philadelphia-based artist Donald Lipski to create a work of art that would improve the rather forbidding appearance of the I-35 overpass near Camden Street. Lipski worked with John Grant Public Art Services to design and engineer "F.I.S.H.," a work of public art comprised of 25 longear sunfish, each 7 feet long. The fish were constructed from fiberglass resin by New Wave Taxidermy of Florida and then shipped to San Antonio for installation. Suspended below the I-35 overpass which traverses the San Antonio River, the school of fish catches the eye of people passing by, sparking the imagination and alerting people to the presence of a particular species fish that resides in the river. After the art was installed, it became a frequent occurrence for people to gather along the River Walk for the evening "lighting of the fish."

Longear sunfish (Lepomis megalotis) are colorful, blue-green flecked with emerald green or yellow, with the males appearing bright orange. The olive scales on the head and fins contain sky blue or turquoise undulating wave patterns. Other common names include the Pumpkinseed Fish, Creek Perch, Sun Perch, or Cherry Bream. Native to Texas, this freshwater species is found in slower moving rivers, creeks, and shallow streams where the current is not too strong, as well as thickly vegetated pools and quiet inlets that are connected to main waterways. Longear sunfish can grow up to six inches long and are known for their characteristic elongated 'operculum' or ear flap. Their range extends from Texas to the Great Lakes, as far east as the Appalachian Mountains and as far west as Missouri and Kansas. However, soil erosion and agricultural runoff have compromised their natural habitat in some places. The San Antonio River Authority works to ensure a healthy river by encouraging the incorporation of green infrastructure, such as bioswales and rain gardens, which help prevent erosion and pollution runoff from affecting the river ecosystem.

The installation of Donald Lipski's F.I.S.H. coincided with the restoration of natural habitats along the River Walk as part of the Museum Reach extension project in 2009. This included the planting of native grasses and trees near the river's edge. As noted by the San Antonio River Authority, these plants offer important sources of food and critical habitat for "many species of animals that have historically called the San Antonio River home." The Museum Reach project also lengthened the existing River Walk, extending its landscaped pathways enjoyed by bicyclists, joggers, walkers, and others who benefit from the recreational aspects of this environment. Outdoor spaces and cultural amenities, such as the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, were incorporated as part of a cohesive plan for the Museum Reach extension. Essential to the success of the project was the improvement of the 'rather forbidding' appearance of the pathway below I-35 overpass. The result was Lipski's innovative work of public art, which has since become of San Antonio's most distinctive features.

"Celebrating South Texas Natives: The Longear Sunfish", San Antonio River Authority. August 27th, 2021. Accessed March 20th, 2023. https://www.sariverauthority.org/whats-new/blog/celebrating-south-texas-natives-longear-sunfish.

Donald Lipski, F.I.S.H., John Grant Public Art Services. Accessed March 17th, 2023. https://publicartservices.com/fish-by-donald-lipski.

F.I.S.H., Coda Worx. Accessed March 20th, 2023. https://www.codaworx.com/projects/f-i-s-h/.

F.I.S.H., San Antonio River Foundation. Accessed March 17th, 2023. https://www.sariverfoundation.org/portfolio/fish-donald-lipski/.

F.I.S.H., San Antonio Dept. of Arts and Culture. Accessed March 17th, 2023. https://events.getcreativesanantonio.com/public-art/f-i-s-h/.

"Longear Sunfish (Lepomis megalotis)", Texas Parks and Wildlife. Accessed March 20th, 2023. https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/species/longearsunfish/.

"Longear Sunfish", Missouri Dept. of Conservation. Accessed March 20th, 2023. https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/longear-sunfish.

Museum Reach 10-Year Anniversary, San Antonio River Authority. Accessed March 20th, 2023. https://www.sariverauthority.org/about/history/museum-reach-10-year-anniversary.

The San Antonio River Improvements Project, San Antonio River Authority. Accessed March 20th, 2023. https://www.sariverauthority.org/about/history/san-antonio-river-improvements-project.