ENCINITAS — From one angle, it resembles a barrel from which legendary Encinitas surfer Rob Machado might emerge.
As it rotates, the sculpture also frames the Cardiff-by-the-Sea branch library and nearby palm trees. On sunny days, its glass refracts light into a mosaic of oceanic hues across the ground.
Councilmember Joy Lyndes said the location of “Luminous Wave” — a piece from the Sexy Helix series by local artist Deanne Sabeck — at the southeast corner of Liverpool Drive and Newcastle Avenue complements the sculpture’s kinetic nature.
“As soon as I saw it the first time, I’m like, ‘Oh, we couldn’t have done this any better,’” Lyndes said. “It was really serendipitous. Sometimes these things just have a magic that arrives at the moment.”
The Encinitas City Council unanimously voted to accept the donation of the piece from Encinitas Friends of the Arts for permanent display at its current location. The council also directed staff to identify a new location in the Cardiff area for a pedestal that would house a future piece from the city’s Sculpture Loan Program.
Naimeh Woodward, president of Encinitas Friends of the Arts, told the council that when the program was created, the intent was for temporary pieces to eventually be donated to the city as part of its permanent collection.
“Then we would build more stands so we can have more sculptures to celebrate our artists,” Woodward said.
She added that, finances and public interest permitting, Encinitas Friends of the Arts hopes to continue adding sculptures in other communities, including Olivenhain.
According to city documents, a plaque acknowledging the donation and installation of a new sculpture pedestal is expected to cost $10,000. Sabeck estimated the value of “Luminous Wave” at $28,000.
“Luminous Wave” was one of four sculptures approved by the council in April 2024, and the Commission for the Arts recommended accepting the donation at its September 2025 meeting.
A city poll of 299 residents found overwhelming support for the action. More than 90% supported accepting the donation, and about 80% favored keeping the sculpture in its current location while adding another pedestal in Cardiff for future works.
Deputy Mayor Jim O’Hara said the sculpture creates something “unique to this location.”
“It fits the space as much as the space fits it,” O’Hara said. “It’s an incredible spot for Deanne’s incredible sculpture.”
