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.
Spotted on someone’s lawn in Lafayette, I’m not sure what the hand is holding behind the face, anyone know?
Spotted in the backside of Broadway Plaza slated to close for redevelopment for the next couple of years, I think this topiary is quite apt. Anyone know what animal this was?
The Bedford Gallery, located within the Lesher Center for the Arts in downtown Walnut Creek is hosting a bright new exhibit called New Neon: Light, Paint & Photography through February 23rd, 2014. Admission is $5 but is free the first Tuesday of the month.
From the exhibition website:
To brighten our winter days, the Bedford welcomes New Neon. Taking its cue from the re-emerging popularity of this distinctly Californian medium, New Neon will examine the ways in which neon has been repurposed— in both painterly and sculptural practices—to reflect the cadence and drama of our media-saturated cultural landscape.
This was a really fun exhibit to walk around with dazzling neon artwork throughout.
More neon artwork photos after the jump…
Spotted in downtown Walnut Creek at the Second to None consignment shop.
If you saw this clown art hanging in someone’s house would you:
a. Smile
b. Contemplate the meaning behind the art
c. Run like hell
