If you haven’t yet seen the Ocean Nomads mural in Barrio Logan, you’ll be surprised at the stunning beauty of this public artwork!
The three dimensional mosaic was created in 2013 by the Rainforest Art Project, with the help of young students from nearby Perkins Elementary School and Our Lady’s School. Hand-cut stained glass pieces glisten in sunlight, depicting a school of tuna swimming in the blue ocean off our coast.
The Rainforest Art Project, based in San Diego, works with schools in our region to create amazing works of art. Such as this!
Ocean Nomads can be found a few steps south of the outdoor fountain at Mercado del Barrio. Walk around a bit and you’ll find it!
If you want to see more great artwork by the Rainforest Art Project, check out their patriotic mosaic in La Mesa here. Or see the gorgeous art decorating their headquarters on National Avenue here. (In that old blog post I had labeled their building Farallon Design, which I believe might have been a previous occupant.)
It’s quite possible I’ve photographed more of their work around San Diego without realizing it!
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I saw that a huge new mural is now being painted in San Diego’s East Village neighborhood. Drivers coming into downtown via F Street can’t miss it! The colorful mural can be seen on the new high-rise building west of 14th Street adjacent to the Urban Discovery Academy.
And the mural’s designer is unmistakably internationally renowned San Diego artist and illustrator Rafael López!
I should’ve wandered around a bit more to explore further, but I had a specific destination this morning. If I do learn more, I’ll provide an update. If you happen to know more about this amazing mural, please leave a comment!
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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!
Wow! Have you seen the huge mural that was recently painted on the side of the Escondido Public Library, facing the new mini park?
I heard about it and had to go see for myself!
The amazing mural, presented by the Escondido Library Foundation and the City of Escondido, is titled Escondido’s Vision. It was painted by Julia Anthony in late 2021, and officially dedicated, along with the new park, last month.
The bright, super colorful artwork depicts a beautiful day in Escondido, through the prism of imagination. It’s a broad landscape where the sun shines, reading is fun, the future is hopeful, and life is good!
I took a variety of photographs at different distances…
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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!
You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!
Does anyone out there know anything about this wonderful bronze sculpture of children playing in a tree? It’s located on Third Avenue in Chula Vista, near the entrance to the San Ysidro Health medical building.
As I walked past the beautiful artwork on Saturday I took these photos. I looked for a plaque or any indication of the artist and history. Perhaps I missed it, but I all saw was the sign near its base indicating the sculpture is monitored at all times.
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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!
A beautiful fountain invites meditation near the entrance to the Dr. William C. Herrick Community Health Care Library in La Mesa. I discovered it by pure chance while walking in La Mesa last weekend.
And, to my surprise, I learned the fountain, topped by a sculpture, is by none other than James Hubbell, whose mosaics also grace nearby Briercrest Park!
This public art in the Community Health Library’s outdoor courtyard is titled Moving Circles (O’s on the plaque). Water runs from the sculpture, then drips down from rugged stonework into a blue basin, where a watery mosaic ripples in the sunlight.
Moving Circles is dated 2002. I was told this particular project by renowned artist James Hubbell was separate from his work at Briercrest Park.
If you’d like to see those nearby park mosaics, which are also amazing, I took photographs of them, too. I posted those pics here.
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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!
You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!
Nine works of art by renowned sculptor James Hubbell are coming to SDSU Mission Valley!
James Hubbell’s architect son Drew and landscape designer Glen Schmidt briefly described the public art project, as they spoke during the 2022 San Diego Architectural Foundation’s Open House.
A two mile looping trail is to be created at the new SDSU Mission Valley River Park. Every quarter mile, an artistic medallion, fashioned by James Hubbell and Emilie Ledieu (artist in residence at Hubbell’s Ilan-Lael Foundation) will mark the distance.
I also learned some of these creative trail markers will be installed in time for the new Aztec Stadium’s first game in September!
Over the years, I’ve heard many people describe James Hubbell as a true San Diego treasure. If you’ve seen his work, you might agree. His organic, award-winning mosaics and sculptures can be found all over the city, and beyond.
One of San Diego’s most beautiful community parks is located in La Mesa. It’s called Briercrest Park.
I toured Briercrest Park yesterday during the 2022 San Diego Architectural Foundation’s annual Open House event.
The winding paths I walked along were shiny wet from a recent rain. The grass was green. The air was fresh, the sun peeking out from behind clouds. Surrounding nature smelled so good. I felt at peace.
I soon learned that feeling was by design.
Our tour group gathered by an amazing mosaic labyrinth created by renowned local artist James Hubbell. His architect son, Drew, was on hand to tell us about the Hubbell created public art around the park. Glen of Schmidt Design Group, the landscape architect who designed the park some 20 years ago, was also there.
Well, you can see in my upcoming photos what an extraordinary place this is.
I’ll let my photo captions explain some of what I learned.
Walking into the park by one pathway from Wakarusa Street.
The above map near one entrance contains information about Briercrest Park, which was designed to emphasize the “healing and restorative values of green park space in an urban environment.”
The site, originally a reservoir, features a central wetland where water runoff collects. Turf mounds radiate outward from the watery center, like expanding ripples. Gentle bridges add a scenic touch. Native drought tolerant plants and trees are lush, providing refuge for the spirit.
Kids are encouraged to meander about, explore the fun playground, art and nature. Who knows what they might discover?
This butterfly glass mosaic was assembled by Emilie Ledieu, one of the artists in residence at James Hubbell’s Ilan-Lael Foundation, located near Santa Ysabel, California, in the mountains east of San Diego.One plaque on a park bench. Live Well – Love Much – Laugh Often…Many benches in the park were designed to accommodate people in wheelchairs.An herb garden, maintained by a local gardening club, provides a sensory experience. I smelled sage.The playground has numerous fun elements, including these critters.Path by the central wetlands, with lots of greenery and boulders and stone benches for meditation.An area of open grass. The unique restrooms are in the distance.Hubbell mosaics can be found on three sides of the beautiful structure, said to be the only park restrooms in San Diego with stained glass!Organic mosaic above and around drinking fountains appear a bit like a watery landscape.Mosaic on one side. The vertical blue lines are like cascading water.The other side. The flowing mosaic almost seems to have the shape of a heron.Stained glass window seen from inside the men’s restroom, made with durable resin.Tiles around another small garden space created by local school children.The very beautiful Hubbell labyrinth. One begins at water, passes through space, and arrives at the bright flaming center.Tables set up for the Open House tour visitors. That’s Emilie the artist in red. People could help build two small mosaics!One of the small example mosaics in progress.A smile!This looks like a very cool book concerning the history of this neighborhood. La Mesa’s Severin Grossmont Hills and Vicinity.We have gathered near the labyrinth for a talk at the beginning of the tour. Look at that sunlight in trees.That’s Glen Schmidt on the left and Drew Hubbell on the right, standing near a small climbing structure.Glen, the friendly landscape architect, explains concepts behind Briercrest Park’s creation.We look at one concept image board. Emphasized are accessibility, the senses, nature, serenity, and even music! I didn’t photograph it, but one area is equipped with outdoor chimes and other musical instruments to freely play.Drew Hubbell leads the way.We stroll through a very beautiful park.
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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!
You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!
Briercrest Park in La Mesa was designed for healing.
The tranquil, beautiful park is located adjacent to the Herrick Community Health Library, and near many medical office buildings in La Mesa, not to mention Sharp Grossmont Hospital.
Briercrest Park, at 9001 Wakarusa Street, was purposely designed to be wheelchair friendly. Paths winding beneath shady sycamores and oaks lead to benches that accommodate those in wheelchairs. A special stone alcove, which you can see in my photographs, was specially constructed for this purpose.
It has been demonstrated that being outside in nature promotes healing. I know that, for me, fresh air and sunshine produces a greater sense of well-being.
Nature was an important element in the design of this park. There are flowers, gentle bridges over still water, and ample opportunity for easy exploration or quiet meditation. There is also stunning public artwork at every turn.
A mosaic butterfly at one entrance symbolizes transformation and renewal. It’s placement on the pathway was intentional. The butterfly along with other park mosaics (including a gorgeous labyrinth) were designed by renowned artist James Hubbell, along with his award-winning architect son, Drew.
I learned all of this today as I toured the park during the 2022 San Diego Architectural Foundation’s annual Open House event. My next blog post will detail what I learned about the amazing mosaics, plus other unique aspects of Briercrest Park.
If I lived nearby, I would walk through this park often. To help soothe my small day-to-day hurts. To feel whole.
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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!
During my walk down Reo Drive in Paradise Hills last weekend I came upon three large, very beautiful murals. I snapped photos, of course!
I’ve since learned of Project Reo, an organization of active neighborhood families who have worked to improve and beautify the small business district along Reo Drive. Their work has included the painting of murals!
To the eyes of a curious guy walking through the community, those positive efforts are clearly successful!
You can learn more about Project Reo and the history of Paradise Hills by reading a great article here.
Large, colorful flowers greet those passing the Los Tapatios Mexican Food restaurant.An abstract sun at La Palapa Market. The title of this mural is Radiating Vibrance. It is one of three large murals painted by students and local volunteers, under the guidance of Enrique Lugo, an art teacher in Chula Vista.Painted cacti and succulents at the corner of Reo Drive and Cumberland Street.Empanada lady, painted on west side of the same building at a later time by San Diego artist Shirish Villaseñor.
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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!
The 47th Street station of the San Diego Trolley has newly painted public art! A mural along a low wall beside one platform is the work of San Diego artist Maxx Moses.
I stepped off the Orange Line today and took photographs of the cool new artwork!
According to this article, the long mural you are looking at is titled Seamless. Its theme is human connectivity through transit. I see that differently colored patterns combine and link to one another.
I’m not sure whether this artwork is completed. I’ll swing by during a future city adventure to see what might develop.
You can experience more art by Maxx Moses at three other San Diego Trolley stations, here and here and here!
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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!
You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!
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