Form on a hill

So you’re driving to Napa and, glancing to your left just before Old Sonoma Road, you do a double-take. There on the hillside embankment fronting The di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art is, suddenly, the bright red 30-foot sculpture, “For Veronica,” by Mark di Suvero.

The work was intended for such prominent placement when the campus opened 25 years ago — a vivid statement that this was an art center, not another winery — but county planners nixed the idea, and the piece was placed in the sculpture garden.

But Kate Eilertsen, new on the job as executive director, was set on realizing the original plan of founder Rene di Rosa. She found the funding and support (including di Suvero himself) to cover the expense of moving the 9,000-pound sculpture. “We are so thrilled to be able to see this dream finally happen,” said Eilertsen (above, with the artist). “I know Mark is thrilled and I believe Rene is smiling down on it.”