Pacific Rim nations celebrated with beautiful art.

A portion of the elegant Pearl of the Pacific, by artist James T. Hubbell.
A portion of the elegant Pearl of the Pacific, by artist James T. Hubbell.

On the southwest end of Shelter Island you’ll discover some wonderful public art titled Pearl of the Pacific. Benches, a soaring sculpture, and a circle of colorful tiles arranged around a pearl-like bubbling fountain celebrate the diverse nations of the Pacific Rim. Local artist James Hubbell and a group of architectural students worked with artists from San Diego’s sister cities Vladivostok, Russia, Tijuana, Mexico and Yantai, China, to create this very cool sight. The central mosaic of tiles, pointing north, south, east and west like a fantastic compass, includes images that represent the sister cities. Pearl of the Pacific pays tribute to San Diego’s cultural and economic relations with peaceful neighbors united by the ocean.

I’ve already blogged about several of James Hubbell’s works of art around San Diego. You might enjoy seeing his Pacific Portal, Sea Passage and Pacific Spirit.

Gazing south past Pearl of the Pacific toward the channel that leads from San Diego Bay to the ocean.
Gazing south past Pearl of the Pacific toward the channel that leads from San Diego Bay to the ocean.
At the southwest end of Shelter Island, a circle of colorful tiles is arranged about a large pearl.
At the southwest end of Shelter Island, a circle of colorful tiles is arranged about a large pearl.
The central pearl is a fountain that bubbles with water. It wasn't running the day I took these photographs.
The central pearl is a fountain that bubbles with water. It wasn’t running the day I took these photographs.
Pearl of the Pacific Park plaque describes tile images and their meaning.
Pearl of the Pacific Park plaque describes tile images and their meaning.
North.
North. An inspirational American bird.
South.
South. The mythical Quetzalcoatl of Mexico.
West.
West. A Siberian tiger from Russia.
East. A dragon representing China.
East. A dragon representing China.
Plaque reads Tijuana, Mexico.
Plaque reads Tijuana, Mexico.
One column contains a pearl-like globe of shining blue tiles.
One column contains a pearl-like globe of shining blue tiles.
A soaring sculptural arch made of beautiful ironwork.
A soaring sculptural arch made of beautiful ironwork.
A bench in the small park-like area is topped with more colorful tiles.
A bench in the small park-like area is topped with more colorful tiles.
Another artistic bench. This is a good spot to watch sailboats and ships on the nearby water.
Another artistic bench. This is a good spot to watch sailboats and ships on the nearby water.
Bits of sea shells, broken pottery and cultural motifs in a curving concrete wall.
Bits of sea shells, broken pottery and cultural motifs in a curving concrete wall.
Pearl of the Pacific pays tribute to San Diego's ocean neighbors and sister cities.
Pearl of the Pacific pays tribute to San Diego’s ocean neighbors and sister cities.

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Published by

Richard Schulte

Downtown San Diego has been my home for many years. My online activities reflect my love for writing, blogging, walking and photography.

7 thoughts on “Pacific Rim nations celebrated with beautiful art.”

  3. Pingback: Del Mar’s sculpted Journey and A River of Time. – Cool San Diego Sights!
  4. Pingback: Photos of more sculptures on Shelter Island! – Cool San Diego Sights!
  5. Pingback: San Diego’s Pacific Rim Park Friendship Walk! – Cool San Diego Sights!

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