Jul 012011
24th and York
This is another mosaic by Colette Crutcher, this time, in collaboration with her husband, Mark Roller and friend Aileen Barr. The park is at 24th and York in San Francisco. It is a wonderful little mini park in a terrific part of the Mission District. This giant mosaic statue of the Mesoamerican snake-god Quetzalcoatl and it’s playful fountain is the focal point of the park. Quetzalcoatl started as a concrete structure and then was covered with broken commercial tile, and hundreds of handmade tiles.
The park used to be a neighborhood eyesore, filled with pretty scary folks just lounging in the park, but thanks to a million-dollar 2006 beautification project, the 24th & York Street Mini Park was transformed into an urban oasis.
Across the street is the vintage St. Francis Soda Fountain, where you can get milkshakes and sandwiches like when you were a kid, or just hang out and wait for the strolling ice cream carts to come by.
This part of town is covered with murals, thanks primarily to Precita Eyes. Precita Eyes was established in 1977 as an inner city, community based, mural arts organization. I will be coming back to them from time to time as I explore the murals in this neighborhood over the next few days.
All of Quetzalcoatl with the fountain running. This is one of those fountains, that turns itself on and off and surprises you, but it is so warm in this part of town, that it is often welcoming.
Most of the walls in the park are covered in murals. Many of them by Michael Rios, who designed many of Carlos Santana’s album covers in the 1970’s. Carlos Santana and Rios grew up in the neighborhood and Rios still lives there.
These three pieces are pierced steel. They remind me of pierced steel lamps you find all over Mexico, but I could find nothing about them, nor who made them.
Hi!
This is so awesome! Love all the artist work.
Quetzalcoatl is beautiful with the fountain on. Have a great day!
Sherrie
Food for Thought
http://100sweets.blogspot.com/2011/07/fabulous-friday.html
What a cool little park! Looks like a fun place to hang.
I’ve lived in this city for so long and still haven’t seen everything. Must go check this out.
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