A sample of Sensorio is coming to Paso Robles’ Downtown City Park
Downtown Paso Robles is slated to get a few new art pieces — and visitors might find them familiar.
Sensorio, the popular open-air light and sound art exhibit off Highway 46 East, will partner with artist duo HYBYCOZO to bring three new lighted sculptures into Paso’s downtown park.
According to a project rendering, the sculptures will be designed in the same vein as HYBYCOZO’s past work, DIMENSIONS, which currently sits at Sensorio. Artists Serge Beaulieu and Yelena Filipchuk are known for their geometric sculptures highlighted from within to cast intricate shadows onto the ground at night.
“The artists’ goal is to bring light, art and community together in a highly visible entryway to downtown Paso Robles,” the document said.
The project was originally planned as a grant proposal, but the city was not selected for the grant, leading Sensorio owners Bobbi and Ken Hunter to donate the project as a “gift of light” to the community, according to Wednesday’s City Council meeting documents.
Recreation volunteer coordinator Wyatt Lund said the project would support the city’s economic strategic plan by bringing more art to the downtown sector.
City Council unanimously approved the project Wednesday night.
“I’d like to say thank you to Sensorio for this wonderful gift and continued partnership with our community,” Councilmember Steve Gregory said.
New art installation coming to downtown Paso Robles park
According to the notes, the steel sculptures are expected to be cemented in the banjo-shaped planter bed on the north side of the Downtown City Park, located in the stretch between the Carnegie Library and the park’s intersection with 12th Street.
The three geometric shapes will be lit from within using warm white or single-color lighting, casting intricate light and shadow patterns onto the surrounding environment, the document said.
During Wednesday’s meeting, Mayor John Hamon suggested exploring options to change the color throughout the year to reflect different seasons.
With Sensorio covering the cost of commissioning, creating, installing and maintaining the sculptures, the project will cost the city an estimated $1 per night to power the lights, the document said.
It will take an estimated two to three months for the sculptures to be produced, followed by a two- to three-week installation period, according to the document. Two interpretive plaques directing onlookers to Sensorio will accompany the installation.
It was not immediately clear when the sculptures would officially be installed, but a presentation during Wednesday night’s meeting gave an April or May 2026 timeline for production.
The artwork was set to remain in the city park for at least three years with an option to extend, the document said.
