“The Whales” are back, and have found a new home on the City College of San Francisco campus.
The statue has returned to public view after being stored away for almost 20 years. It’s now outside of the brand-new Student Success Center, on the eastern side, parallel to Ocean Avenue. The building is now open, so students can see the sculpture in the courtyard as they walk to class. Many see the statue as a symbol of creativity and resilience for CCSF.
The statue has a long history. Artist Robert B. Howard created “The Whales” in 1939 for the Golden Gate International Exposition on Treasure Island. After the fair ended, the orcas spent years in Golden Gate Park and later in front of Steinhart Aquarium at the California Academy of Sciences. For decades, they were a sight for tourists, especially for school kids on field trips, with many posing in front of the famous sculpture, which also had a fountain.
When the Academy of Sciences started its major renovation in the early 2000s, the whales were taken down and moved to CCSF where the statue was stored. They were left outside, covered by tarps, and exposed to San Francisco’s variety of weather. Because of this, they became rusty and badly damaged over time.
In 2019, the San Francisco Art Commission decided to restore them. The statues were carefully moved into a workshop located in Oakland, where the crew repaired the structure, cleaned off years of grime, and gave it a new refurbished look that would last. After all that work, they’ve finally come back to CCSF to take their place right outside the Student Success Center.
For many people, “The Whales” are more than just a public piece of art. They are a reminder of the city’s past. Some students shared their thoughts on these cherished statues.
“The Whales look like they are swimming towards each other,” said Jaeda Villasenor ’26. “They look like they have a deeper meaning. They show the dynamic between the two whales.”
Luke Murillo ’26 said, “It’s a really nice statue. I think it’s a nice addition to the campus. It makes it more lively.”
Even though the orcas won’t be sitting in the fountain like they used to, they now sit in the central courtyard where everyone can see
and enjoy them.
After years of being forgotten, the statue is back and looks better than ever. It brings a piece of San Francisco history to the campus and shows how CCSF values keeping art alive for future students and visitors.
