Tag: public art

Giant books rise above Escondido sidewalk!

Seven positively enormous books stand along a sidewalk in Escondido as if they were filed on a library shelf. All concern the history of Escondido and nearby places.

It you’d like to have a look at these giant books, head to the corner of Kalmia Street and Grand Avenue!

These books, as you can see, are realistically painted in a big mural. The fun artwork was created earlier this year by local artist Zane Kingcade, whose murals can be found all over Escondido.

The titles of these books (which actually exist–and will fit in your hand) are: Yesterday in Escondido, Grape Day Festival 1908-1950, The History of the Hotel Charlotta, San Pasqual A Crack in the Hills, The Royal Highway, Palomar From Teepee to Telescope, and Early Escondido.

If you’re interested in reading any of these books, simply google the title.

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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 X (formerly known as Twitter)!

Alley murals at California Center for the Arts!

Should you walk down the alley that runs just south of Grand Avenue in Escondido, you might notice many of the murals that once graced the blocks between Maple and Broadway have vanished. These works of local artists, from the inaugural 2021 season of Esco Alley Art, had to be removed.

Fortunately, many of the beautiful murals have been relocated a short distance to California Center for the Arts, Escondido!

Brilliant move!

I explored Escondido’s cultural center last weekend and discovered familiar works of art mounted to several outdoor walls…

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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 X (formerly known as Twitter)!

Inspired local artists beautify Escondido!

In recent years, locals artists, many of whom belong to the Escondido Art Association, have been working diligently to beautify Escondido. Some of these artists were on hand yesterday during the Cinco de Mayo event in Grape Day Park!

A variety of community projects have been undertaken by these inspired artists. You might recall a blog post in 2020 during the COVID pandemic. Concrete barriers along Grand Avenue were colorfully painted by Beautify Escondido. Later, an alley south of Grand Avenue would turn into an amazing outdoor gallery, featuring the murals of Esco Alley Art.

Suzanne Nicolaisen (aka Zanniki), one of the leaders of these efforts, was present at the Cinco de Mayo festival. She and others were showcasing their artwork, painting live, and promoting the beautification of Escondido.

Not only does creativity flow from these generous artists, but expanding ripples of happiness and positivity. They are true community heroes!

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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 X (formerly known as Twitter)!

Flower sculptures at A Reason To Survive!

Colorful flower sculptures greet visitors to A Reason To Survive (ARTS) in National City. They’ve sprouted near the front entrance.

I happened to notice these very creative flowers last weekend. I don’t recall seeing them before–but it had been a long time since I walked this way.

A Reason To Survive is a nationally known program for youth that encourages self-confidence, growth and leadership through art. Their Mission Statement is: ARTS lifts young people in the South County region of San Diego to become confident, compassionate, and courageous community builders through the transformative power of creativity.

Over the years I’ve photographed several community projects undertaken by young people participating in ARTS. They’ve greatly beautified National City.

Do you know more about these flower sculptures? If so, please leave a comment!

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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 X (formerly known as Twitter)!

An incredible new National City mural!

An incredible National City mural was spray painted late last year on a wall at the Güdbyek bicycle shop and National City Motorcycle. Perhaps you’ve seen this stylish, very bold artwork while driving down National City Boulevard.

The artist is Arturo Parada “Durothethird,” a Toronto-based graffiti artist, designer, and lover of BMX, who has provided work for dozens of major international clients.

You can see him working on the mural here.

Pretty cool, huh?

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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 X (formerly known as Twitter)!

Murals outside Second Chance Youth Garden.

Four beautiful murals are part of a fence at the Second Chance Youth Garden in San Diego’s Encanto neighborhood. I spotted the artwork about a week ago during my walk down Imperial Avenue.

Second Chance Youth Garden describes itself as an 8-week program combining hands-on urban farming & classroom learning for low-income youth in San Diego.

These colorful murals are amazing! If you have more information concerning them, please leave a comment.

Enjoy a few photographs…

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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 X (formerly known as Twitter)!

Streetscape Art Project in Encanto restored!

Old art panels along the median of Imperial Avenue in Encanto have been replaced! I noticed the vivid, new panels a couple days ago while riding the Orange Line trolley.

This artwork originated over 30 years ago as part of what was then called the Streetscape Art Project. Local artist Eddie L. Edwards contributed 24 colorful images that depict life and culture in diverse Encanto. When I took photographs of the aged panels four years ago, they were in very poor condition.

Look how sharp the restored artwork now appears! These colorful new panels, I was told, were put up in the latter part of 2023.

Here are half a dozen examples. Notice the overarching rainbows!

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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 X (formerly known as Twitter)!

Hidden art by community garden in El Cajon.

What inspires you?

Should you walk through the park-like space just outside the New Roots Fresh Farm Community Garden in El Cajon, you might spy several instances of weathered art.

Post-like structures overlooking El Cajon and distant mountains in East County contain messages of welcome and belonging. Most of the nearby garden plots are tended by refugees. Many of these refugees are Iraqis who’ve fled persecution. By selling fresh vegetables at local farmers markets, a little extra income might be obtained.

The park-like space where this art is painted was empty when I walked down its overgrown path a couple days ago. I saw places to sit. It would be a good place to find quiet and fresh air.

The land occupied by the New Roots Fresh Farm Community Garden was provided by Kaiser Permanente a little over ten years ago. The project was completed in partnership with El Cajon’s local International Rescue Committee.

Leaves and Fruit.

Home is anywhere or any place you feel safe.

I am from: the past and the future where the present lasts forever.

Be yourself.

Environment. What have you been through?

Roots.

Welcome.

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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 X (formerly known as Twitter)!

Murals at world’s first vegan drive-thru!

Evolution Fast Food, located in San Diego’s Bankers Hill neighborhood, bills itself as the world’s first fully vegan drive-thru restaurant.

A sign near Evolution’s drive-thru window invites hungry customers to enjoy their 100% plant-based “housemade sauces, softserve, burger patties, cashew cheese, bacon, and soft drinks.”

Sadly, I must admit I haven’t eaten there yet. But when I walk or drive down Fifth Avenue, I always find myself gazing at their very colorful murals!

Enjoy these photographs, which I took yesterday.

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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 X (formerly known as Twitter)!

Free art walks in downtown San Diego!

Beginning this May, everyone is invited to join free, twice-a-month art walks in downtown San Diego!

Did you know a new 1.7 mile pedestrian experience has opened called the Bay to Park Paseo? And that the Paseo boasts over a dozen new art installations?

The art-filled Bay to Park Paseo leads from the Hilton San Diego Bayfront (rising behind the San Diego Convention Center and Petco Park) and leads north up Park Boulevard–all the way to Balboa Park!

Yes!

Ready to go on a fun walking adventure?

Free public guided tours of the Bay to Park Paseo will be available starting Saturday May 4, 10:30 a.m. and will continue on the first and third Saturday through November. The tours meet in the front of the Hilton San Diego Bayfront and end in Balboa Park at Presidents Way. Put on your walking shoes!

Self-guided tours are also available at any time using the public sidewalk along Park Boulevard. One of the installations makes use of very cool augmented reality!

To learn more about the Bay to Park Paseo, click here!

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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 X (formerly known as Twitter)!