Golden Gate Park’s “Naga” Wins Key International Awards for Public Art
Two coveted CODA awards go to the 100-foot sea serpent on The Golden Mile
SAN FRANCISCO — Naga, the shimmering 100-foot sea serpent who has taken up residence at Rainbow Falls in Golden Gate Park, received top honors in two different categories at the prestigious 2026 international CODAawards: Most Inspirational and People’s Choice.
The recognition places Naga at the top among standout public artworks from around the world. This year’s CODAawards attracted 302 entries from 16 countries, representing more than $84 million in commissioned artwork, with 100 projects selected by an international jury of leaders in art and design.
Created by Bay Area artist and metal fabricator Cjay Roughgarden with over 250 volunteers and installed on the Golden Mile by Illuminate, Naga first emerged at Burning Man in 2024. Since moving to his home at the base of Rainbow Falls, Naga has become one of Golden Gate Park’s most extraordinary new landmarks.
Naga was added to Illuminate’s Golden Mile installation in July 2025 after a crowdfunding campaign with over 400 donors including lead support from Big Art Loop.
“It’s wonderful for Naga and the Naga and the Captainess team to be recognized for the incredible quality work we did,” said Roughgarden. “We are honored that the jury at CodaWorx selected us as an inspiration, and thank our local fans for taking the trouble to sign up and vote in the People’s Choice awards.”
“Naga represents exactly what we hoped the Golden Mile could become — a place where art doesn’t ask you to understand it before it makes you smile,” said Ben Davis, founder of Illuminate. “Cjay created something wondrous, and San Francisco fell in love with it. We’re overjoyed she’s getting this acknowledgement and we’re ecstatic for everyone who gets to experience her work in the park.”
The Golden Mile, a 1.5-mile car-free and art-filled stretch of Golden Gate Park’s JFK Promenade, is a partnership between Illuminate and the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department.
“Golden Gate Park has always been a place where San Francisco’s creativity, imagination and sense of fun can run a little wild,” said Sarah Madland, San Francisco Recreation and Parks General Manager. “Naga fits right in. This recognition is a wonderful tribute to Cjay’s work and to the power of public art to surprise people and make a day in the park a little more magical.”
