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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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!
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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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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.
Today with modern medicine there’s a pretty good chance of beating cancer.
Cancer Survivors Park is located at Spanish Landing, across Harbor Drive from San Diego International Airport. It’s an inspiring place of hope, beauty and healing.
At the center of the park is an arrangement of bronze sculptures by renowned artist Victor Salmones, representing people from all walks of life dealing with cancer. The journey can be complicated and difficult. A walkway that meanders through the park features plaques containing useful, positive messages.
If you also feel inspired, please feel free to share.
Some people have been cured from every type of cancer.People from all walks of life can get cancer.Cancer is the most curable of all chronic diseases.Bronze forms represent people beginning to undergo medical treatment.Realize that cancer is a life threatening disease but some beat it. Make up your mind you will be one of those who do.People like you and I start the difficult journey to have their cancer eliminated.Make a commitment to do everything in your power to help yourself fight the disease.Beginning cancer treatment can be a bit scary and confusing.Find a qualified doctor in whom you have confidence who believes he can successfully treat you.Young lady begins cancer treatment, feeling uncertain.Treat your cancer promptly, properly and thoroughly and have a positive mental attitude.Happy family emerges from cancer treatment with a brand new life.Get state of the art treatment. Know all your options. Knowledge heals.Bicyclist rides through San Diego’s Cancer Survivors Park.Cancer Survivors Park is located at Spanish Landing, near Lindbergh Field.
Here are even more pics from Barrio Logan! These photos were taken on the north side of Chicano Park, from the basketball court to Cesar Chavez Boulevard, including a stretch under the I-5 overpass.
As I mentioned before, some of these images might be considered controversial. To see previous photos, click the Chicano Park tag at the bottom of this post and scroll down. I have one more batch of photos coming up. Please feel free to share anything on this blog!
Raza mural decries Operation Gatekeeper.Cesar Chavez Blvd mural under busy freeway.Arriba Mexico on I-5 underpass mural.A painted Cesar Chavez and two youth greet traffic in Barrio Logan.Aztlan mural on Cesar Chavez Boulevard.Pedestrians near Chicano Park walk past public art.Mural at edge of Chicano Park opposes retrofitting.Painted images on Interstate 5 north of Chicano Park.Utility box painted with El Corazon, the heart.Mural supports Race, opposes the Border Patrol.Elaborate mural containing ancient symbolism on a handball court in Chicano Park.Painted jaguar crouches near basketball court.A very detailed and colorful mural in Chicano Park.Aztec mural painted near chain link fence.Utility box with colorful figures, including a mariachi.Classic cars depicted on a concrete pillar.San Diego Lowrider Council mural in Chicano Park.
Vivid mural adds zest to an ordinary building on India Street.
One great thing about Little Italy, a lively neighborhood in downtown San Diego, is the abundance of public art. Should you ever walk down India Street past the many coffee shops, restaurants and art galleries, you’ll almost certainly find yourself lingering in front of a colorful mural. They seem to be everywhere.
I recently strolled down India Street and took these photos:
Two people gaze from painted mural window in Little Italy.Public mural in Little Italy is alive with warmth.Mural seems to reveal one man’s mysterious, inner life.Mural high on side of building depicts Venetian gondoliers.Artwork inside passage to stylish courtyard near La Pensione Hotel.La Pensione Hotel in Little Italy has a semi-outdoor area with lots of murals.Fragment of the Sistine Chapel on a building wall.
We’re back in Barrio Logan’s famous Chicano Park with more pics!
The mural featured here is a very long one. It’s painted behind the park’s fenced basketball court, on a low wall that borders Interstate 5. Like the other public murals in Chicano Park, it’s a colorful hodgepodge of figures and symbols that seem to share one general theme: Mexican American pride and empowerment.
The photos move along the mural from right to left.
02 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.03 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.04 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.05 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.06 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.07 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.08 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.09 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.10 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.11 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.12 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.13 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.14 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.15 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.16 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.
Fun mural in Barrio Logan shows flag, kids, fruit, a train and birds.
Barrio Logan, just south of downtown San Diego, is bursting with huge, colorful street murals. Several great examples can be found around the intersection of Harbor Drive and Cesar Chavez Parkway. The one shown in these pics is immediately north of the intersection.
This mural is fairly large, so I’ve broken it up into several photos, moving from left to right. The first part depicts kids and playful, animated fruit. This gives way to a scene of a train moving through what appears to be an estuary full of birds. A narrow panel along the side of the train is made of a shiny, reflective material.
I believe this mural was painted by Salvador Roberto Torres, who was one of the founders of nearby Chicano Park.
Happy faces of kids on San Diego street.A big friendly dog painted on building side.These animated fruit are goofing around in this fun Barrio Logan street mural.A train with silvery windows passes through scene of lagoon with water birds.Herons and an estuary in mural on Harbor Drive north of Cesar Chavez Parkway
Painted tree trunks and picnic benches at Chicano Park.
As I mentioned in my last blog post, I took a whole lot of photos during my walk through Chicano Park. Here are some images from the east side of the public park, right next to Interstate 5. A few picnic benches and unusual features can be found in this area.
Some of these photographs might cause a strong reaction. As I’ve mentioned before, this blog aims to be nonpolitical. I just aim my old camera at interesting things around San Diego…and you decide what to make of it all!
Primitive frame made of bent branches.Flower sculpture and cacti beside freeway.Colored stones ring a painted cactus in Chicano Park.Sculpture stands among the surrounding murals.Small mural near pedestrian walkway that crosses freeway.An eyeful of bright colors everywhere you turn!A monument to the sacrifices of Hispanic veterans.
This polished memorial stands apart from the murals, by a small patch of green grass.
A nearby mural depicts a moment in history.Controversial mural on the east side of Chicano Park.Looking west at freeway ramp rising toward Coronado Bridge.Chicano Park sign and Mexican flags beside Interstate 5.
Cool San Diego Sights! 