Apr 132012
Western Addition
Page and Buchanan Street
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In 1999, with consultation and training from the organization, World Walls for Peace, residents of the Western Addition became participants in a Peace Empowerment Process. Volunteers taught a program in two elementary schools and over fifty community based organizations, focusing on tolerance, understanding, and non-violence. Participants learned ways to develop positive solutions to resolving conflicts and defusing anger. The project was developed and implemented by residents for residents—a true community endeavor.
As part of their participation, people of all ages painted over 1,800 tiles on the theme of peace, to be installed on a retaining wall that encircles Daniel Koshland Park on Page and Buchanan Streets in San Francisco.
By May 2007, all the tiles were painted, fired, organized, labeled, and photographed; the SF Arts Commission had approved the project; the retaining wall had been resurfaced and repaired in preparation for tiling. This is a photograph of the long side of the park as well as the interior stairwell.
Justine Tatarsky was the lead artist on the project, her work is really quite beautiful, you will recognize hers not only for the refinement but also the initials TOT on her work.
There is a brass plaque on the wall that reads:
This Peace Wall celebrates our community’s commitment to PEACE, and is dedicated to families that have lost children to violence in the Western Addition.
This Peace Wall stands to remind us that we have the power to be creative and heal ourselves and our community. We are all artists. May we find inspiration and strength in these messages of love.
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It is not an area that I visit much so I am pleasantly surprised by the artistic wall which follows you down the block.
A fun mural with a great message! So heartwarming to see a community create art together!
Wonderful. I hope it had some influence on the area!
Someday I will have to take a picture of the tiles in the walls along the Providence River…also done by children. This reminds me of them.
Very powerful message! I was fascinated with all the art work! I wish I were a traveler and I’d sure be out there to visit!!
What a fantastic art project. Some of those tiles are absolutely wonderful.