Tag: diversity

House of Turkey fiddler in Balboa Park.

house of turkey fiddler in balboa park

Last Sunday in Balboa Park, after checking out the free organ concert, I ventured across the street to the International Cottages. The House of Pacific Relations International Cottages were built for the 1935 California Pacific International Exposition and represent 32 member countries. The little houses, situated in a picturesque cluster, are decorated and furnished in a way that recreates the unique culture of each nation.

Every Sunday (except during winter) one of the member nations features food and entertainment in the central grassy area. Last weekend it was the House of Turkey.

As I arrived, a Turkish fiddler was on stage fiddling away a merry tune while the audience clapped in rhythm. Here he is!

Turkey is one of several nations waiting to build their own cottage in Balboa Park. Here’s a pic of the nearby United Nations Building…

The United Nations Building among the International Cottages.
The United Nations Building among the International Cottages.

America’s Finest City newspaper mural.

America's Finest City newspaper mural

This large mural on the Arte Building on Sixth Avenue has become iconic in downtown San Diego. It was painted in 1989 by artists Kathleen King and Paul Naton and conveys a strong pro-multicultural message. Time has somewhat faded the once bold mural, but it still catches the attention of those venturing through the heart of the city.

America's Finest City mural in downtown San Diego.
America’s Finest City mural in downtown San Diego.

A splash of colorful art in Mission Valley!

ribbon of life mural 03

Here are a couple more photographs of the beautiful Our River mural just north of the San Diego River, east of Mission Center Road.

San Diego contains many examples of fantastic outdoor urban art, and I hope to document many of them on this blog. Stay tuned for all sorts of colorful surprises and fun!

Colorful mural on parking lot wall near Carl's Jr.
Long, very colorful mural on parking lot wall near Carl’s Jr.

More photos from the ribbon of life mural.

ribbon of life mural 02

Here are more photographs that I took of the wonderful mural Our River, which depicts a sinuous blue ribbon of life, symbol of the San Diego River.  The long blue ribbon is held up and cherished by those who live along it. The flowers, tree, cloud and happy children give this fine example of public art amazing vitality. The surprising parking lot mural contains joy from one end to the other!

Two figures hold up the long blue ribbon of life.
Two figures hold up the long blue ribbon of life.
Small portion of the Our River mural in Mission Valley.
Small portion of the Our River mural in Mission Valley.
A figure from the extensive Our River mural.
A figure from the extensive Our River mural.
Happy faces at the beach on an outdoor mural.
Happy faces at the beach painted on an outdoor mural.

Ribbon of life mural by the San Diego River.

ribbon of life mural 01

Here’s a photograph of one small section of the very colorful mural that can be found on the north side of the San Diego River, just east of Mission Center Road. The mural, Our River, decorates a long wall along the parking lot below Carl’s Jr. This great example of meaningful public art depicts the river in the form of a long blue ribbon, being held by many diverse San Diegans representing every walk of life.

This is a good place to begin a walk along the river, heading east. Shady trails run along either side of the river, offering surprisingly peaceful and beautiful views of the rippling water, green trees and assorted wildlife, including pelicans, cormorants, herons, egrets, ducks and seagulls. And you’ll see passing red trolleys, too!

A project of the San Diego River Park Foundation.
The beautiful Our River mural was a project of the San Diego River Park Foundation, completed on April 5, 2009. The artist was Andrea Arroyo.