Almost two years ago I took photographs of the Esco Alley Art project in Escondido. Dozens of murals painted by local artists had been placed in the alley south of Grand Avenue, between Maple Street and Broadway.
Since then, the project has expanded, advancing several phases. About a week ago I revisited the same alley and enjoyed more murals that now appear between Broadway and Kalmia Street! These newer works of art were revealed last year. As before, many of the colorful murals are inspired by life in Escondido.
The Esco Alley Art project, presented by the Escondido Downtown Business Association, has its own dedicated website. There you’ll finds more information, including the artists. Check it out here!
Let’s start walking east from Broadway…
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Frida Kahlo hangs out in Escondido! You can find her among butterflies next to a Mexican restaurant!
Fridas Street Tacos on Valley Parkway is the perfect place for this great mural, painted by Michelle Ruby, aka Mr B Baby. The taco shop’s parked vehicles were blocking the mural when I walked by, so I had to take photos around and between them.
I happened to run across one of the drivers, and he indicated the mural was created a couple years ago.
Awesome!
I enjoyed a long walk around Escondido a few days ago and found lots of street art! So stay tuned for much more!
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I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
Several murals with positive, life-affirming messages greet members of the community who recreate at Washington Park in Escondido. I noticed the murals during my recent walk in the area. I also found signs indicating that the two you see in the above photograph were created by local students.
Read the captions.
I’ve been told more murals are coming to Washington Park in the future.
During the same walk I photographed a new mural by renowned artist Mario Torero that was dedicated about a week ago on the other side of Escondido Creek. You can view those photos and read about it here.
Battle Scars, by Katie Daniels, Escondido Union High School Student College and Career Readiness Program. Painted by: Ashley, Ava, Daniel, Daisy, Jeidy, Joey, Johanna, Katie, Sofia, Vada and Zahhak.Wings of Life, by C. Garcia and Maria Medero, Escondido Union High School Students.A third beautiful mural. A painted hand reaches for splashes of color.
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I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
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Several days ago a fantastic new mural debuted in Escondido. Tortilla Tesoro is colorful 32′ x 8′ panel that greets customers on the east side Tortilleria Santacruz, to the left of the store’s front entrance. The mural, which celebrates the cultural heritage and diversity of Escondido’s population, was created by Mario Torero, one of the renowned co-founders of Chicano Park in San Diego.
Additional “Chicano Colorful walls” artwork has been finished on the building’s east and south side, featuring Michoacan inspired imagery. According to the project website: Participation in the creation of the murals included students of the Conway Academy of Expeditionary Learning Elementary School and “A Step Beyond”, an Escondido creative youth development organisation serving youth and their families living at or below the poverty line with free after-school dance classes, academic support, and social services.
Another very colorful mural on the building’s north side was completed earlier this year. It was painted by Charlie Mejia. I posted photos of it in late March here.
First, here’s the new artwork on the tortilleria’s south side…
The following sign provides an explanation of the Tortilla Tesoro (Tortilla Treasure) mural in front of the building.
It was designed by Mario Torero using acrylic on poly-aluminum material. The mural highlights the natural beauty of the Escondido Valley landscape, and includes notable landmarks like the San Diego Zoo Safari Park and Queen Califia’s Magical Circle. Figures in the mural portray students, athletes, musicians, laborers and dancers.
Tortilleria Santacruz was started around 1996 at a nearby location by Juan and Gaudencia Santacruz. It is a family run business. There was a shared dream that one day murals would be painted here.
Here’s Mario Torero’s beautiful Tortilla Tesoro mural…
And more new artwork, by the building’s front entrance…
Learn more about the inspirational project at this website!
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I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
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A week ago, I posted photographs of 27 very beautiful mosaic panels in Encinitas. Those were only half of Encinitas Up Close, a permanent public art installation that can be enjoyed under Interstate 5 at Santa Fe Drive.
The 3′ by 5′ panels that I already shared are on the south side of the Santa Fe Drive. There are 26 more mosaics on the north side! These were also created by local students and artists. I’ll share them right now.
Enjoy!
Pacific Flyway, by Jennifer Hewitson.3 Birds of Paradise, by Kathryn Weiss.Hands and Acorns, by Isla Rindt.Egret in Flight, by Sholeh Ashtiani.Fish Under the Sea, by Micah and Crystal Sandoval.Yellow Orchid, by Gary Timinsky, Debe Hersey.Halibut Catch, by Luke Sansone.Beach-Goers, by Mauricio Domingues, Ruby Geisler.Carpool, by Jerm, Pollyanna, Henry Soda Pop, Leucadia Jane and Olive Grace Wright.Del Sol, by Tatum Jamison Bless, NCL Del Sol Class of 2020.The Path to Our Future, by Marina Alberti, Kiki Driver, Sofia Sanchez, Sathu Jois, Ryan Adams, Eric Salvador, Alee Saneff, Catherine, Oliver and Ava Blakespear.Owl, Moon, Sun, by David Ulm.Swami Garibaldi, by Carol Wolf.Beach Bus, by Sydney Evans.Red Tail Hawk, by Timothy J Lueker.Pumpkins at Temple, by Al and Debbie Finocchio.7 Day Weekend 2, by Tyler Adams Hawkins.Nai’a, by Cheryl Tall, Elizabeth Joy Mueller, Anila Saier, Mary F McCarthy.Moonlight Boat Home, by Kendall Landwehr.Sea Goddess, by Anna Luna Engel, Tony Kranz, Kiki Driver, Sofia Sanchez, Sathu Jois, Ryan Adams, Eric Salvador, Alee Saneff, Jake Griffin.Littlest Locals, by Haley, Patty and Alec MacKenzie.Folklorico Dancer, by Naimeh Woodward, Suzie Sherwin.Sinya, by Laurie Switzer.Poinsettias, by Julie Hampton.Girls Who Kick-Flip, by Lynn Adams.Wise Tilted Tikis, by Fred, Yvette and Marty Hamud.
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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!
I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
In mid-April, community volunteers and members of the San Diego River Park Foundation celebrated Earth Day by creating another beautiful mural in Mission Valley!
A wall along the San Diego River Bikeway at Cottonwood Grove, a very short walk west of the Sefton Park Baseball Fields, was painted with colorful flowers and butterflies.
The easiest way to visit the mural is to park at the Sefton Baseball Fields (2508 Hotel Circle Place), which are visible from Interstate 8 at the west end of Mission Valley. A trailhead is located at the west end of the Little League ballfields. The long mural can be spied beyond the sign for Cottonwood Grove. It decorates a low wall that parallels the freeway.
Cottonwood Grove is part of Mission Valley Preserve, whose protected riparian environment is surrounded by sprawling urban development. Here one can find wild natural beauty. Sadly, it’s also a place where one encounters trash and graffiti (including some on the new mural that I didn’t photograph). I also observed evidence of drug activity, so use common sense and be alert if you walk this way.
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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!
I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
Perhaps you remember the birth of an amazing mural in downtown San Diego’s East Village. Almost three years ago, a beautiful, smiling face was painted by artist Carly Ealey on the old Farkas Store Fixtures building, at the corner of G Street and Ninth Avenue. You can see photos of the mural’s debut by clicking here.
Well, it’s gone. The old building has been converted into a high-rise, and the street mural was painted over. These colorful bike and scooter murals have been painted over, too.
Street art is no different than you, or me, or a building, or any other element in a bustling city. We come into this world then depart.
Live every moment to the fullest.
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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!
I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
I spotted more colorful murals in downtown Chula Vista this morning during a walk. Some of the art is old, some is very new!
Read my photo captions for any information that I’ve found…
A big mural project is underway on the east side of La Bella Cafe & Games in Chula Vista. The above art is by Shirish Villaseñor (@shirishtheartist). Three other local artists will be painting the adjacent long wall!Pizza and breadsticks give you wings! A finished mural, also by @shirishtheartist, on the south side of La Bella Cafe & Games. I’ve already shared a couple photos of this mural before it was completed.New art all over the front of Urbn Sk8 in Chula Vista!Crazy faces painted recently by @beanieboy_og.These Horrible Monster Scenes were painted in front of Urbn Sk8 about a week ago by @barfalamul.Headed north from Center Street up the alley just east of Third Avenue. I spotted this faded old mural depicting palm trees.Graffiti artwork on north wall of the same building. (I magnified that logo in the upper left but couldn’t figure it out.)A little farther up the alley, behind Irving’s at 273 Third Avenue, I spied this old mural. Never be afraid to reinvent yourself!!Colorful bubbles and butterflies painted earlier this year in front of Chula Vista Smiles by artist @kurrrents.
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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!
I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
In Encinitas, incredibly beautiful public art decorates the underpass of Interstate 5 at Santa Fe Drive. The project is called Encinitas Up Close. Fifty three colorful mosaics, created by local students and professional artists, greet those who pass under the freeway.
I photographed these 3′ by 5′ mosaic panels the other day during my walk in Encinitas. The joyful images reflect themes that are popular in this beach community. The ocean, nature, sunsets, people, surfing, pets, skateboarding, sunshine, history, places…
In this blog post I’ll share photos of the 27 mosaics that line the sidewalk and bike lane on the south side of Santa Fe Drive. I’ll share the north side mosaics in a second, upcoming post.
My photographs are raw and unedited–many taken in the dim light of an underpass shadow.
Koi With Lotus, by Lucy Stefanko.Nautilus, by Joyce Schleiniger.Woody At The Beach, by Kathryn Weiss.Unleashed, by KAROB, Katherine and Robert Bender.Swami’s Sunrise, by Liz and Luke Hoffmann.Bird Of Paradise, by Gary Timinsky, Debe Hersey.7 Day Weekend 1, by Tyler Adams Hawkins.Asintmah, Native American Earth And Nature Goddess, by Silvia Wiedmann.Face Of Existence, by Joyce Schleiniger.Spiny Lobster In Tide Pool At Swami’s, by Timothy J Lueker.Sea Lavender Above The Tracks, by Layla M Gunn, Deana Coveney.Koi In Shimmering Waters, by Jessica Imaz Horton.Bullet In The Back Country, by Timothy J Lueker.Memorial, by Mike Upton, Jerm Wright, Erin Grady, Karl Ensberg.Ruby The Shark, by Pietro Martinez.Skateboarding Into The Sunset, by Lynn Adams.Blooming Encounter, by Macall Deaver, Papa Faj.Sun, Sea And Lotus, by Bereket Denslow, Isabella Parrales.Carla The Poinsettia Calavera, by Morgaine McGrath, Julia Miller, Ariella Pacheco, Daniel McGrath.Seagull And Moonlight Palm, by Todd Anderson.Daisy The Whale, by Pietro Martinez.Oceanna, by Cheryl Tall, Anila Saier, Elizabeth Joy Mueller, Mary F McCarthy.Aquascape, by KAROB, Katherine and Robert Bender.Golden Hour, by Liz and Luke Hoffmann.Octopus, by Crystal and Evan Sandoval.A Shard Of Whimsical Music, by Gillian Shaver.Hummingbird With Hibiscus, by Lucy Stefanko.
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I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
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Several notable works of public art welcome visitors to Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas.
During my walk yesterday I noticed five different sculptures near the hospital entrance. One sculpture was unreachable behind a construction fence, so I was able to photograph four of them.
Each had a plaque at its base.
The first reads:
THE MAYPOLE TREE BY FRITZIE URQUHART – DEDICATED BY RALYN & NATE WOLFSTEIN 2008 – IN HONOR OF NATE’S 80TH BIRTHDAY
The second reads:
THE CALDERBERRY TREE BY AMOS ROBINSON – DEDICATED BY RALYN & NATE WOLFSTEIN 2008 WITH THANKS TO GERRIT GREVE, JEFFERY LAUDENSLAGER & COOP COOPRIDER – WITHOUT WHOSE IDEAS & SUPPORT OUR SCRIPPS ARTS FOR HEALING PROGRAM WOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED.
The third reads:
MIKOSHI BY JEFFERY LAUDENSLAGER – DEDICATED BY RALYN AND NATE WOLFSTEIN IN HONOR OF THEIR 60TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY 2008
The fourth reads:
FAMILY TREE BY THE SEA BY CAROLYN GUERRA – AS PART OF THE ARTS FOR HEALING PROGRAM AT SCRIPPS MEMORIAL HOSPITAL ENCINITAS
UPDATE!
I’ve learned there are actually six sculptures around the hospital. According to this web page: Beginning in 2008, the Wolfsteins continued their support of Scripps Memorial Hospital’s Arts for Healing Program with the addition of five pieces to the Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas campus.
What I had discovered during my Encinitas walk is one of several Wolfstein Sculpture Parks. Another much larger group of sculptures can be found around Scripps Memorial Hospital, La Jolla.
Nathan Wolfstein is the man who developed the process for purifying the life-saving drug, Heparin.
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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!
I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
Cool San Diego Sights! 