Jun 222012
Western Addition
Steiner and Post Streets
Hamilton Rec Center
Athletics by Mary Erkenbrack – Ceramic Tile 1955This glazed ceramic tile mural is of male figures engaged in athletic activities. This tile mural sits between two painted murals names Blues Evolution I and Blues Evolution II
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This tile mural has been on the walls of the rec center since it opened.
Mary Erkenbrack was born in Seattle, Washington on Nov. 30, 1910, Erckenbrack was raised in Rio De Janeiro, London, and Paris as her father, a shipping commissioner, moved about. While in France she studied art in Le Havre at Pension Jeanne d’Arc.
During 1933-35 her married name was Hennessy. In 1935 she settled in San Francisco and became active in the North Beach art scene. She soon established Mary E’s Mud Shop and was kept busy fulfilling ceramic orders for Gump’s, Marshall Fields and others.
That must have been a good commission for her. The 2 music murals are a bit overpowering beside it aren’t they?
It is quite a contrast in style and color to the works of art on each side although there is a musical theme in parts of the mural.
Love that center piece!
This is the superb resource. Dangerous check out just as before.
I am a relative of Mary Erckenbracks..and have some of the tiles meant for this mural. 3 I believe. Nice to see it again all together. She worked in tile, sculpture, functional pottery, paintings as well of mainly the northwest..a few of San Francisco in the 30s-40s. I did find a nearly complete dinner ware set some time back which I had to have. I was raised on all her seconds of plates etc. Wonderful woman…wonderful life.