Figures associated with books linger in relief above entrance of old San Diego Central Library. Literature East, by famed local artist Donal Hord, 1953.
San Diego’s old Central Library on E Street was never really much to look at–in my opinion, at least. It was just a small, nondescript, almost colorless building across from the downtown Post Office. When the brand new gleaming Central Library opened in East Village, the doors of the old library were shut forever. But a few notable images–beautiful works of art near the entrance–still remain.
The classic Literature Panels at either side of the library entrance were created in 1953, when the building was new, by important San Diego artist Donal Hord, whose iconic works can be seen throughout the city. These reliefs depict readers and writers of books in human history.
Because of poor health as a child, he spent many hours in the San Diego Public Library and developed a love for reading.
Timeless art by an internationally renowned San Diego sculptor depicts books and their association with history, music and culture. Literature West, by Donal Hord, 1953.
Clock shows midnight on east side of closed San Diego library.
A lamp still burns on the vacant library’s front sidewalk.The empty sidewalk contains images once tread by many feet.Graphic on sidewalk in front of old library tells of dreams, boldness and genius.Books still line the parking lot behind vacant library.Little else remains to be seen at the old Central Library.
In Search of Earthly Delights mural at San Diego Museum of Art.
If you’re walking around Balboa Park and feeling adventurous, you can sneak into a portion of the San Diego Museum of Art and enjoy a stunning indoor mural. Just enter the unlocked door near the Sculpture Garden’s outdoor cafe! Like the sculpture garden, this area of the museum is free to the public!
The 70 foot mural is named En Busca de las Delicias de la Tierra/In Search of Earthly Delights. Created by Writerz Blok, an innovative graffiti mural organization, it was painted by young artists Sake, Daze, Izze and Krown. Pieces from the museum’s collection of Mexican modern art were used for reference and inspiration.
San Diego Museum of Art visitor walks past large indoor mural.San Diego organization Writerz Blok helped to create this amazing mural.
Mural of a rugged face seems tattered on modern building.Unique image of human face on a building in downtown San Diego.
Here are a few pics of interesting (and sometimes mysterious) faces found in downtown San Diego.
Face of Andre the Giant high on a building near America Plaza. By artist Shepard Fairey.Wide-eyed graffiti face on a downtown taco stand.Painting of female face by an artist near Seaport Village.Bearded face painted on a downtown San Diego building.Grinning monkey head on billboard in San Diego.
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South end of long Urban Corps mural on Jefferson Street.
San Diego’s Urban Corp is a nonprofit dedicated to providing a high school education and green job training to young adults. Whenever I ride the trolley to work, I usually see a number of youth in green uniforms disembarking at the Old Town station. They’re heading off to begin another day developing new skills, while working to improve San Diego’s environment.
A long, colorful mural was recently painted along Jefferson Street, right across from the Urban Corps. You can find this public art near Rosecrans at Interstate 5.
Here are some pics I took as I walked north!
Mural depicts youth bettering San Diego’s environment.Urban Corps provides valuable employment training.Eliminating graffiti is one important activity.Youth have a second chance to earn a high school diploma.Urban Corps mural shows conservation efforts.Education is the key to moving forward to success.Young people have an opportunity to earn a paycheck.Segment of Urban Corps mural near Rosecrans and Jefferson.Optimism and opportunity on a long, colorful mural.
Ancient Egypt and its symbols inspire much of the vibrant mural.
Folks heading up Park Boulevard beside Balboa Park often turn their heads as they pass the amazing, enormous mural painted on the side of the WorldBeat Cultural Center.
The WorldBeat Cultural Center, based in a former water tower, is a multi-cultural arts organization that promotes and preserves the African and indigenous cultures of the world through music, art, dance, education and technology. The center is also used as a venue for concerts and other special events.
Last Saturday I walked around the structure and took some pics of the huge, colorful mural. It completely spans the outside wall of the cylindrical building.
Front entrance of the WorldBeat Cultural Center in Balboa Park.The WorldBeat Cultural Center is based in an old water tower.A variety of bold faces gaze in every direction from the mural.Fantastic images catch the eye of people passing on Park Boulevard.Egyptian figures painted on the north side of the WorldBeat Cultural Center.The back door looks like a magical entrance to another realm.Exotic falcon with spread wings.Diverse cultures from around the world are celebrated.Image in mural similar to the Mask of Tutankhamun.
UPDATE!
After posting these photographs, I did some research and learned a little more about this amazing mural that celebrates Egyptian, African, and Indigenous cultures.
Nearly all of the artwork was created by Mike Watson, otherwise known as AIR MIKE. He was the original artist at World Beat’s first location on Hancock Street, before moving to the repurposed water tower in Balboa Park under the leadership of Makeda Cheatom.
I also learned the King Tut artwork was contributed by muralist Mario Torero and a group of students.
Here are more pics I took with a different, better camera in early 2021…
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Here’s one last group of cool pics from Chicano Park. These photographs begin near the center of the park, then we move west under the Coronado Bay Bridge.
The junkyards referred to in the above photo used to be numerous in this area.
Mural makes political statement about immigration.Zapata quote in a high nook.Chicano Park mural shows immigrants working in fields.Elaborate Aztec figure painted on concrete pillar.Various colorful images on a wall in Barrio Logan.Broom leans up against mural of students in school.Virgin Mary and shrine at foot of Chicano Park mural.Murals under lanes leading to Coronado Bay Bridge.Central dance pavilion in Chicano Park.Ceiling of dance pavilion shows natives from Tenochtitlán.Female figure on beautiful ceiling of dance pavilion.A series of murals on pillars supporting traffic lanes.Bronze statue of the Mexican revolutionary soldier Emilio Zapata.Spanish poem in Chicano Park about dancing and life.A variety of creative and amusing images.Aztec warrior and shield stand guard in San Diego.People walking through Chicano Park.All The Way To The Bay refers to 1980 Chicano Park campaign.Diverse people on a very detailed mural.Faces tell many stories in Chicano Park.Cool green masked figure.Brilliantly painted park structure near playground.Wide view under Coronado Bay Bridge reveals murals and sculptures.Environmental message on Barrio Logan mural.Mural protests toxic waste from nearby shipyards.Historical figures come alive in Chicano Park.Artwork provides a strong warning.Dynamic shapes, figures and bright colors.Bold face shows strength.Second beautiful female face.Third female face is an excellent piece of art.Fourth female face on Chicano Park pillar.More amazing artwork in the famous San Diego park.Aztec warriors come alive in Chicano Park.Abstract plant-like painting appears symbolic.Mattress of homeless person leans up against painted utility box.More colorful artwork.I Bend Like Desert Flowers Do.Please do not throw litter in the fountain.Fantastic metal sculpture in tiled fountain.Kid plays behind neglected art under Coronado Bay Bridge.Painted bases of pillars supporting the bridge.Two vibrant abstract faces.Many who are homeless camp out in Chicano Park.A world of murals can be found in Chicano Park.
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One of the most popular attractions in San Diego’s Balboa Park is Spanish Village. Here are a few pics of the colorful courtyard and the quaint studios of local artists that surround it…
Studio 29 in Balboa Park’s Spanish Village.Peering at artwork in a studio window.Lots of art can be bought from local San Diego artists.Live demonstrations by artists can be enjoyed by the public.Artist at work outside one studio in Balboa Park’s Spanish Village.Sculpture of dancers in central courtyard.Dogs from one artist’s point of view.Couple explores folksy studios of Spanish Village.Art Glass Guild’s room of shining color.People converge to see glassblowing in progress.Workshop inside San Diego Mineral and Gem Society building.
The San Diego Mineral and Gem Society has a building in Spanish Village which showcases amazing rock and mineral collections. The lapidary workshop can only be glimpsed when one inside door is open.
Joyful works of art can be found everywhere.Funny face greets those exiting toward San Diego Zoo.
On Harbor Island, just east of the Hilton, several gates leading down to the marina have metalwork that is really beautiful. Check out these images…
Lively underwater scene on a marina entrance gate.Dolphins decorate a marina gate on Harbor Island.Beautiful approach to one gate at Harbor Island marina.
Cool San Diego Sights! 