Precita Eyes Muralists: Mosaics

Precita Eyes Muralists:
Mosaics

Butterflies Forever!
© 2021 Precita Eyes Muralists Association

Dimensions: 6" - 3.5' high by 120' wide
Location: Precita Park Playground
Directed by Susan Cervantes with Lead Artists Fred Alvarado, Julia Barzizza, Suaro Cervantes and Paola Reyes-Melendez
Funded by Community Challenge Grant

Description

On June 10, 2021 over 35 people, including 12 children, attended the Precita Park Butterfly Garden Mural Design Workshop held at Precita Valley Community Center. It was a very engaging and successful event for the community. Their original drawings for the mural were used in the fully-developed mural design. The design reflects the Precita Park Butterfly Garden and the many butterflies and plants that live in and around Precita Park.

The mural starts at the left corner with Precita Creek and a patch of Horsetail Milkweed, the host plant for the Monarch butterfly. Beyond the Horsetail is a Monarch caterpillar nibbling on a leaf of Butterfly Milkweed. As the Precita Creek flows, different seeds scatter in the wind. The sky graduates from sunrise pinks and yellows into soft blues, reflective of the Monarch butterfly’s transformation from cocoon, to chrysalis to fluttering butterfly.

Black-eyed Susans sprout up from the wall and the hills change into golden, summer hilltops. A Checkerspot Butterfly soars above the creek, surrounded by a bright yellow protective light. The Mourning Cloak drifts in the wind toward two girls covered in fluttering butterflies. Another Checkerspot meanders away from the scene and drifts into a patch of Seaside Daisies underneath the sun. A Mission Blue moth greets the Checkerspot on the other side.

Behind the moth are two stalks of Hummingbird Salvia being enjoyed by an Anna’s Hummingbird. As the golden hills begin to turn green four butterflies dance together in the breeze. They are a Buckeye Butterfly, a Monarch, a West Coast Lady, and a blush pink butterfly called the East Coast Lady. A Morning Cloak flits along the green hills.

Seated on a pink daisy is a small teal-haired fairy. She smiles at a Western Tiger Swallowtail caught in the wind.

Beyond the Swallowtail is a Monarch enjoying some Milkweed and a Green Sweat Bee seated on a very colorful stalk of Yarrow.

Nearby another Swallowtail lands on the nose of a daughter of the neighborhood. She grins widely as the wind catches her hair and scatters the seeds, led by a pair of smiling bumble bees, beyond the playground and into the world.

"Home Grown: A Story of Ecological and Social Justice"
©2021 Precita Eyes Muralists

Size: 18 x 40'
Location: East Bay Asian Youth Center, 2025 E 12th St. Oakland, CA 994606
Directed by: Fred Alvarado and Pablo Ruiz Arroyo
Created in collaboration with: the students from Roosevelt Middle School's East Bay Asian Youth Center After-school program

Description

"Home Grown: A Story of Ecological and Social Justice" is the title of the youth-driven mural for the East Bay Asian Youth Center. Designed by students of the after-school program, the mural focuses on a healthy and thriving Oakland, free of pollution and discrimination.

Pictured on the mural is a diverse group of youth coexisting in nature. The youth depicted are based on the actual students involved in the program.

Featured are Oakland landmarks like Lake Merrit, Quercus agrifolia (Coast Live Oak) trees, plants, flowers and a sunset sky filled with music sheets of note to symbolize harmony. The shining sun is a nod to the EBAYC sun icon. A hand coming down from the sky is bringing a pot with a watermelon house growing as a new future.

Nested Together We Flourish
©2021 Precita Eyes Muralists

Size: 8’ high x 14’ wide
Materials: Acrylic & Mosaic
Designed by: The Friends of Brisbane Library
Directed by: Susan Cervantes
Lead Artist Julia Barzizza
Assisted by: Deirdre Weinberg, Christy Majano,Paola Reyes, Josie Merer
Location: Brisbane Public Library, 250 Visitacion Ave, Brisbane, CA 94005
Funded by: Friends of Brisbane Library

Description

A large book opens to a page depicting the Ohlone people. The book represents the history of Brisbane and its everlasting stories. Binary code spills from the pages, representing the present and future. It spells the city’s date of incorporation: November 27,1961.

A pair of kids sit at the edge of the book; one reads and the other holds books in his lap while gazing upward at the native birds. A Red-tailed Hawk, a Swift, and parrots carry the pages of Brisbane Library’s history beyond the nest and into the world! The pages are scribed with dates important to the library’s history: the date the library opened, the date it was moved to the community drug store, the year the library grew into the largest location of its own, the year the community center and library were combined and commemorated, and the present date when the library opens new doors to another chapter!

Native plant life (Silver Lupine, California Sagebrush, Miner's Lettuce, Blue Chaparral, Poppies and Lessengia) grow around houses, and intergenerational communities gather together to create a nest around Brisbane. While some volunteer in the garden and read, others protest the construction of the quarry and the residential development on San BrunoMountain. The construction trucks encroach onto the nested city from the right side of the mural, and the Brisbane residents gather together to protect their community. In front of the construction protests, Black Lives Matter activists raise their fists and lead the march toward the viewer. A young man with a book bag holds a sign that reads, “My life matters.”Above the protesters is a Barn Owl and her chick, symbolizing wisdom and generations growing safely together.

Behind the owl is the baseball diamond and the Mission Blue nursery, overflowing with plant life and greenery. The mobile library putters in the background. Music drifts from musicians playing in the gazebo on the far left, and the notes trickle above the scene whileMission Blue butterflies flit in-between.

In the background looms a vibrant and rugged San Bruno mountain. Fog rolls over one side of the mountain, carrying an Ohlone Boat, symbolic of the Ohlone ancestors who are still here today. Treetops peak in between the wisps of fog, while a fire truck patrols up the mountain. Community members run, bike, hike, walk their dogs and work out in the park.

More houses nestle together in the distance, and Brisbane residents howl at the moon! In the far distance is the emerald city (San Francisco). Night stars twinkle over houses decorated with colorful stars. In between the houses and people are decorative fire hydrants, markers of Brisbane’s unique traditions.

In the distance is the healing quarry, surrounded by viridian, wisps of wind and trails. Kids roll down one side of the mountain in colorful derby cars! They race toward the open book, toward knowledge and lifelong learning, and the roots of Brisbane’s history.

Nested together the community flourishes, radiating warmth, resilience, and community.

The Bay ©2019 Precita Eyes Mural Center
12’ h x 40’ w, Mosaic, painted tile, glass and mirror

Directed By: Susan Cervantes, Max Allbee, Fred Alvarado, Suaro Luis Cervantes, Elaine Chu, Eli Lippert, Max Marttila, Yuka Ezoe Onodera, Marina Perez-Wong in collaboration with students from Oakland School of the Arts high school and the Academy high school in San Francisco; Hazel Brubaker, Fusako Chapman, Jake McRae, Lisa Max, Marina Rodriguez, Juan Rodrigues De Souza, Melody Sandoval

Location: Chase Center – Golden State Warriors Stadium, 500 Terry A Francois Blvd Suite 73, San Francisco, CA 94158

Curated by: Sports and the Arts

Description

The One Bay, One Way mosaic mural design makes connections across communities and cultures, celebrating icons and symbols that make up our dynamic identity as residents of the Bay Area. Starting from the center, we feature the youthful energy of kids playing basketball together among giant golden poppies. Behind the kids are images symbolizing many neighborhoods throughout our urban communities with victorian architecture, palm trees, and a background of rolling hills and ever present fog. On the left, we celebrate the Golden Gate Bridge, Sutro tower covered in fog, a large seagull passing overhead and a classic car, Chevy Impala, rolling into the foreground. On the right side, we represent the new Bay Bridge, with a Bart train with lettering that says “One Bay” on the side, and a background of Oakland cranes in front of windmills dotting the hills of the outer Bay Area region. This design is meant to both define and connect our community through a visual story about togetherness and celebration of life in the Bay Area.

Designed in sparkling mosaic, gold tile, painted ceramic tile, glass and mirror. Our Precita Eyes team also involved students from the Oakland School of the Arts high school and the Academy high school in San Francisco to bridge and connect kids from both sides of the Bay to participate on this monumental project.

"Healthy Steps Stepping Stone Tile Project”
© 2019 Yerba Buena Center for the Arts and Precita Eyes Muralists

55 18"x18'", tile mosaic on stepping stones
Directed Artists: Lead Artist Fred Alvarado and Assistant by Diego Irizarry
Design and created: 150 3rd, 4th, 5th-grade students from Bessie Carmichael Elementary School
Project created through Yerba Buena Center for The Arts in partnership with Precita Eyes, TNDC's Tenderloin People's Garden and 826 Valencia.
Location: Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation's Tenderloin People's Garden, 324 Larkin St, San Francisco, CA 94102.
Funding source: Yerba Buena Center for The Arts

Description

The title 'Healthy Steps' is the motto of this tile mosaic stepping stone project. Students from Bessie Carmichael began the project with poems directed by 826 Valencia. Poems derived imageries of veggies, fruits, and herbs. Precita Eyes then stepped in to help the students transform the poems into designs. They created tile mosaics as stepping stones then installed in the Tenderloin People's Garden. The production was printed and distributed in 3 publications by 826 Valencia.

The Gift of Xochiquetzal ©2019 Precita Eyes Muralists

20-panel mosaic tile
Design and direction: Susan Cervantes
Assisted by: Suaro Cervantes on fabrication and leading the installation
Funded by: SF Art Commission Artist Grant
Location: Precita Eyes, 2981 24th Street, San Francisco, CA 94110

Description

The design or the mosaic mural is inspired by Latino cultural motifs “Xochtlquetzal” (Precious Flower), palabras (speech glyphs) Aztec calendar day symbols Mallinalli (Life) and Tzontemoc (Death). Xochitlquetzal’s spirit is coming through the front door of the center offering the sun and the four directions. She is declaring an abundance of creativity and imagination. The dualities, Mallinalli is facing the east and Tzontemoc is facing west.

Cycles of Life
©2020 Precita Eyes Muralists Association

Size: Planter boxes ranging from 1'6" - 3'2" high x 3' - 15' wide
Materials: Mosaic, Stained Glass, and Mirror
Directed by: Susan Cervantes with Yuka Ezoe.
Assisted by: Fred Alvarado, Christy Majano, Robert Louthan, and Deirdre Weinberg
Funded by: Mission Economic Development Association (MEDA)
Location: Casa Adelante, 1296 Shotwell, San Francisco, CA 94110

Description

"Cycles of Life" mosaic mural embraces the idea of aging gracefully. This is represented by the changing seasons and the interlocking rings that symbolize the cycles of life and our interdependence on each other.

Beginning on the left, the first panel depicts summer with an indigenous Huichol-inspired un, and a blooming cactus. A hummingbird in flight feeding on a native Fuchsia is continued on the second panel, carrying over the summer theme. A Hibiscus flower, a Quetzal bird, important to the Mayan people as a symbol of liberty and independence, is perched on a branch in the middle of the panel, then followed by a Marigold flower symbolic of the beginning of autumn with falling petals and leaves. These leaves turn into fall colors in the third panel. On the fourth panel, the background colors change from autumn to gray and white as fall transitions into winter, and the fall leaves transform into the wings of the native Mission Blue butterfly, a symbol of renewal and rebirth moving into a rainbow representing Spring that blends into the ocean, and is lit by the crescent moon in the final panel where the Cycles of Life begin the process again of aging gracefully reflected through the transition of the four seasons.

“From the Garden to Beyond the Sky”
© 2017 Precita Eyes Muralists

8 mosaic tile panels, each 24” by 25”
Directors: Claire Bain & Cory Calandra Devereaux
In collaboration with: Woodside Senior Center residents, interpreters, & staff members.
Special thanks to Augustus Tagaro & Francesca Gallardo (Intern)
Funded by: Bridge Housing & Mission Economic Development Association (MEDA)
Location: Woodside Senior Center, 255 Woodside Avenue, San Francisco

DESCRIPTION:

“From the Garden to Beyond the Sky” is a collection of eight mosaic tile panels, each one 24” by 25”. This mosaic mural covers two walls in the residents’ garden at the Woodside Senior Center located at 255 Woodside Avenue in San Francisco, California. Thoughts of our natural world, and beyond our world to the sky, and even further into the universe, inspired the imagery represented in this collaborative artwork.

On the back wall, and looking from left to right, the individual plates take us on a fanciful journey with first a zebra standing in a field of daisies, and then a pair of pets (a dog and a cat) relaxing in the Woodside fog. The third mosaic ventures outside the world we know by visiting Saturn as it floats in the universe. The last panel in this sequence comes closer to home with a bright-eyed bird perched on tulip branches.

Our travels continue in the series of mosaics on the forward wall. First (and again, left to right), we see two koi fish as they navigate a pond of chrysanthemums, and sea shells (a tad odd since koi are fresh water fish, but here we take artistic license). Next a real bug lives its life crawling among the seeds and petals of a sunflower, and a few birds of paradise. As we travel the natural world of our Woodside neighborhood, a stately hawk proudly surveys the view from sweet pea branches. At the end of the mural, our worlds collide. Sutro Tower pierces the universe, and atoms spark into the great beyond. Is this the end, or the beginning of … another series of mosaic panels? Only time will tell…

"Duboce Senior Mosaic Project"
©2017 Precita Eyes Muralists

(8) 22"x24", tile mosaic
Mural Directors: Sarah Sisken and Carla Wojczuk
Location: San Francisco

DESCRIPTION:

The Duboce Mosaic Mural Project was a collaborative project with Precita Eyes Muralists (PEM), Sarah Siskin and Carla Wojczuk, residents at 462 Dobuce BRIDGE senior housing property, and Mission Economic Development Agency (MEDA). Sarah and Carla facilitated 10 workshops, with the direction and mentoring of Susan Cervantes, in which residents designed and assembled (8) 22”x 24” mosaic panels that were installed by PEM in the courtyard garden of the senior home. Residents designed their mosaics based on the theme of "garden" and "nature." The panels depict flowers, butterflies and moths, a chipmunk. a swan, a horse, landscapes, gemstones, plants, and birds.

Francesca Gallardo, an intern with MEDA, described her experience with the project: "... The process was fun and interactive, and encouraged the residents to collaborate with one another. Toward the end of the workshops, trust, friendships and a sense of community had formed. Seeing how proud the residents were of their artwork, how empowered they felt, and for them to participate in an activity that required them to use their motor skills (beneficial for their health) made this experience even more special. ..."

"Sanchez Senior Home Mosaic"
©2017 Precita Eyes Muralists

(8)22"x24", Tile Mosaic
Artists: Directed by Susan Cervantes and assisted by Fred Alvarado and Paulette Liang
Location: Sanchez Senior Home, San Francisco

DESCIPTION:

The Sanchez Senior Home Mosaic Project was a 10 session workshop where Precita Eyes Muralists led the community of senior citizens in the creation of (8) 22”x 24” individual mosaic panels that were installed in the garden of the senior home. Directed by Susan Cervantes, Fred Alvarado and Paulette Liang. participants in this workshop designed and created the mosaic pieces based on their ideas of nature and home. The mosaics where collaboratively composed and worked on. In the mosaic pieces you will find a dog and a cat sharing space, Sun Flowers with birds perched on top of tree limbs, butterflies hovering through space, spiders, mushrooms, and the images of home with a figure playing ball with his dog.

"UCSF Medical Center Community Tile Project”
© 2015 Precita Eyes Muralists

Hand painted tiles
Directed by: Max Marttila
Painted by: Students of Precita Eyes Muralists' Urban Youth Arts Program
Founding Source: UCSF Medical Center
Location: Outdoor terraces at the UCSF Mission Bay Hospitals.

"Bernal Heights Library"
© 2012 Precita Eyes Muralists

3’-6’’ x 40’, painted ceramic and glazed tile and bronze relief
Precita Eyes Muralists Team: Susan Cervantes, Suaro Cervantes, Elaine Chu, Dan Machiarini, and Marina Perez Wong
Location: 500 Cortland Avenue, San Francisco

Description:

The new artwork is inspired by the elements in the existing mural. The concept for the new art work starts from the center out representing an open book with pages flowing out from the center transforming into the four elements. On the left is fire represented by clouds and sunset colors and earth represented by golden hills. On the far right is air, represented by clouds and sky forms and water represented by waves. In the center of the book, the flow of elements are woven into a circle representing the unity of ideas and community. The book element will be in bronze relief approximately 3” or 4” deep and 12’ long attached 2 to 3 inches from the wall, weighing 140 lbs. Color will be heated in patina fashion to the bronze and applied where indicated in the color scheme reflecting transparency. The rest of the art work will be executed in form fitted painted ceramic tile, glazed, fired, set and grouted to finish.

"Waterfall–Kenny Alley Stairway Mosaic Mural"

©2016 Precita Eyes
Tile and mirror
Mural Director: Designed and created by Kim Jensen and students from City Arts and Tech (CAT) High School. Installed by Suaro Cervantes and Felipe Hernandez
Location: Kenny Alley Stairs, between 4941 Mission Street and 4945 Mission Street, San Francisco

Description

The Kenny Alley Beautification Project is a multi-phased effort to revitalize and beautify the Kenny Alley Stairs, a small unaccepted passage located between a car lot and an apartment building on Mission Street in San Francisco’s Excelsior District. The stairs are located between 4941 Mission Street and 4945 Mission Street, and create a passage between London Street and Mission Street, providing access to Safeway, local businesses and public transportation.
Kim Jensen and students from City Arts and Tech (CAT) High School, as well as local resident volunteers played a key role in the final design selection and creation of the mosaic art panels. The “flowing water” mosaic is specifically designed in conjunction with Matt Christenson’s mural painting, which incorporates many local and unique plants, animals and marine life. Greenery and landscaping selected for the stairs and pathway planters will use native, drought-tolerant plants that thrive in our local climate.
Links: http://www.kennyalleystairs.com/the-project/
https://www.facebook.com/kennyalleysf/

"100 Years of Serving Youth"
©2012 Precita Eyes Muralists

8’ x 25’, mosaic
Mural Director: Susan Cervantes
Contributing Artists: Elaine Chu in collaboration with the Chinatown YMCA
Location: Chinatown YMCA, 855 Sacramento St, San Francisco

Description:

This mosaic focuses on the strength of the Chinatown YMCA through its community and history. It aims to unite the past and present while also representing what the YMCA means to its members. The activities and programs that bring people together are a focus as well as nature and San Francisco's Chinatown.

The right of the mosaic represents the gold mountain "Gum San" and Chinatown with the old YMCA building. The California mountains over look the bay where there is a steamship bringing immigrants from China. The view of Chinatown looks down from the top of Sacramento Street all the way to the bay bridge. There are specific landmarks like the Old St Mary's Church, the Transamerica Building, the Clarion Music School, and the Chinese Park across from the YMCA. In the street is the yellow school bus taking members of the YMCA to camp. Framing the mosaic is the YMCA main gate.

The left of the mosaic is framed by a tree that opens up to a Chinese landscape with a Chinese junk with the surnames of different families who have immigrated here on the sails. Below the Chinese mountains is the ocean that flows into a river that leads into a camp scene with children. The children sitting by the river are each wearing a different color rag to represent the different challenges for personal, and spiritual growth.
In the center of the mosaic are people arm in arm united by a rainbow and campfire. In the rainbow it depicts the YMCA principles of Spirit, Mind, and Body in English and Chinese. In each ray of the rainbow there represents a different part of the YMCA that correlates with Spirit, Mind and Body. Underneath Spirit, it depicts raggers, and the crab feast, which represents the spirit of family and community. Underneath Mind there is reading, art/ music. And under Body there is hiking, sports and swimming. Each person depicted also represents the members of the YMCA from children, young adults, adults and elders. The campfire in the center shines light on the people and is symbolic of the memories that many people have of Y camp growing up. The people arm and arm also gives a sense that the YMCA is a place to be a part of and where all are welcome.

"Charles Drew Elementary School Tile Mosaic and Acrylic Painting Project”, 2011
© 2011 Precita Eyes Muralists

Size: 9.5' x 19', Tile Mosaic and Acrylic Paint on stucco
Muralists: Lead Muralists Missy Ablin and assisted by Peter Frauenfelder.
Painted by: Charles Drew Elementary School K-3rd grade students
Location: Charles Drew Elementary School, 50 Pomona Street, San Francisco, CA

"Scholars Soaring to Success", 2010
©2010, Precita Eyes Muralists

Exterior mural, acrylic on stucco
Mural Directors: Missy Ablin and assisted by Peter Frauenfelder.
Contributing Artists: Designed and created by 2nd and 3rd grade classes.
Location: Charles Drew Elementary School, 50 Pomona Street, San Francisco, CA

Description:

This mosaic was designed by a group of thirty 2nd and 3rd graders at Charles Drew Elementary. The students decided the theme should be based on their school’s core values which include the idea that learning can be fun in a positive and supportive environment.The imagery depicts the Drew “Scholars” as leaders, studying, playing, cooperating and ultimately soaring out of this world.

"Crocker Amazon Playground"
©2008 Precita Eyes Muralists

Four concrete benches 10’- 35’, concrete boat, over 400’ sq ft. ceramic tile.
MURAL DIRECTOR: Susan Cervantes in collaboration with the Excelsior District Community.
CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS: Designed and created by 2nd and 3rd grade classes.
LOCATION: Crocker Amazon Playground, Moscow and Italy at Geneva Ave, SF CA

"Americana Tropical"
©2007 Precita Eyes Muralists

10’ x 20', painted tile and mosaic
Location: 24th Street Minipark, San Francisco, CA

Description:

Designed with families and children who use the 24th Street Mini Park. The concept is a tropical fantasy to bring more enjoyment for the children that play there. From left to right includes a gorilla, children peeking out from a plant, a quetzal bird above the waterfall, a pochole tree from Costa Rica and an elephant below a radiant sun.

"Hillcrest School Mosaic Mural"
©2007 Precita Eyes Muralists

12’ x 20’, mosaic
Mural Director: Susan Cervantes
Contributing Artists: Suaro Cervantes and Missy Ablin in collaboration with 50 students, parents and faculty.
Location: Hillcrest Elementary School, San Franscisco

"Community Peace Mosaic Mural", 2002
8’ x 30, mosaic

Mural Director: Susan Cervantes in collaboration with artists, children, youth and community residents
Location: Precita Park, San Francisco

Description

Description: 700 individual painted tiles on Memorial sidewalk and bench. Painted Tile mosaic and bench.
Funded by: Friends of Recreation and parks and Precita Valley Neighbors Association, SF, CA

"A Flower Inside Us Grows"
©2002 Precita Eyes Muralists

5’ x 65’, mosaic tile
Mural Director: Designed and Directed by Susan Cervantes, Peter Carpou and Carolyna Marks in collaboration with over 200 youth at the Larkin Street Youth Center
Location: Otis and Mission St, SF CA

Description:

700 individual painted tiles on Memorial sidewalk and bench. Painted Tile mosaic and bench. Commissioned by the San Francisco Municipal Railway

Precita Eyes Muralists:Mosaics

Precita Eyes Muralists:
Mosaics