Thanks to a reader for sending an artistic fencing wrap in downtown Walnut Creek across from the Century movie theater. Check out the Utility Box of the Day post for more downtown artwork.
Thanks to a reader for sending an artistic fencing wrap in downtown Walnut Creek across from the Century movie theater. Check out the Utility Box of the Day post for more downtown artwork.
Spotted at the parking lot vegetable garden across from the Lesher center in downtown Walnut Creek, the sign says “Love blooms here”. Is the bike part of this art piece?
The Bedford Gallery at the Lesher Center for the Arts is hosting a new exhibit called Walnut Creek Turns 100: Celebrating the City Through Art until November 16th with free admission. If you’re familiar with Walnut Creek there is plenty of artwork that you’ll recognize, like the Lawrence’s Walnut Creek Meat Co. sign and the world-renowned downtown Walnut Creek koi pond.
From their website:
Presented in honor our city’s centennial, Walnut Creek Turns 100 is an exhibition that reflects our city’s rich history, land, commerce, community, and culture, both past and present, and features artwork made by our community members. This show reminds us how lucky we are to live in a place where beauty is everywhere and it highlights the enthusiasm of our community members who contribute to the texture of our town. Join us as we celebrate our heritage and history.
More photos after the jump…
Spotted at the corner of S. California Blvd. and Botelho Dr. in downtown Walnut Creek where the pizzeria Project Pie will be opening soon.
Hand of Peace Unveiling Ceremony:
Civic Park
1375 Civic Dr, Walnut Creek
Tuesday, September 16th, 2014
3:00pm – 3:30pm | FreeThe public is invited to a celebration to welcome Beniamino Bufano’s monumental sculpture, Hand of Peace to its new location in Civic Park. Walnut Creek Mayor Kristina Lawson will lead the event.
For 43 years, Hand of Peace, a 32‐foot public art sculpture by world renowned artist Beniamino Bufano stood tucked away in the Quail Court office park in south Walnut Creek. Public art tours visited the sculpture often, but the piece, made from copper, mosaic and stained glass, was mostly hidden from public view – many residents and visitors to Walnut Creek never knew it existed.
This sculpture was spotted in front of the AAA building in Walnut Creek on Oak Rd.
A couple of years ago I noted that the Hand of Peace sculpture by California-based artist Beniamino Bufano would be displayed in Civic Park in downtown Walnut Creek for the next 25 years and the sculpture is now being displayed right next to the Walnut Creek library. It’s a lot bigger than I anticipated!
The co-owner of the Walnut Creek jewelry and gift shop Ming Quong, Nona Mock Wyman, composed a haiku to celebrate its return:
as today’s children
behold Bufano’s vision
they too shall stand tall
Backside view:
Spotted in downtown Concord near Brendan Theatres and Todos Santos Plaza on Salvio St. This is a great mural for the Fourth of July.
Driving on Moraga Rd. in downtown Lafayette over the weekend I noticed three glass murals on the side of Itrim in La Fiesta Square. They are the work of the Ellen Blakeley Studio in Santa Rosa.
From her website:
Working as a professional ceramist in 1993, Ellen stopped one day to pick up the glass from a shattered bus shelter in her San Francisco neighborhood. Vandals had shot out the glass with BB guns; it lay in glittering heaps on the asphalt. Already versed in the art of mosaic, Ellen started experimenting with the tempered glass, soon realizing that the transparent surface would lend itself to endless design opportunities. Her discovery led her into the reflective world of glass mosaic, utilizing her fine art sensibility to illuminate the transparent glass with color, rhythm and texture.
If you have a moment in La Fiesta Square I encourage you to drop by as they look incredible especially when the sun is reflecting, giving it a shimmering glow.