San Clemente Times - Colors of the City

Colors of the City

by David Zimmerle

Apr 22, 2010 | 214 views | 0 | 7 | |

Betty Woods cuts the ceremonial ribbon Monday as (L-R) Mike Cotter, Michael Kaupp, Michael King, Jay Fisher and councilmembers Lori Donchak and Wayne Eggleston look on. Photo: David Zimmerle

San Clemente celebrated the completion of two more tile murals along Avenida Del Mar Monday, April 19.

The series known as “Landmarks on Del Mar” had its third and fourth murals installed as the event was celebrated with a ribbon cutting ceremony by local dignitaries from city council, the historical society and the downtown business association.

The two landmarks–San Clemente’s historic Casino ballroom and the 1926 office of city founder, Ole Hanson–are now set as a tiles in the bulb out, or walking rest area, in front of Carbonara’s Trattoria Italiana, 111 Avenida Del Mar.

“This is a perfect example of the long term partnership between the city, the historical society and the downtown business association on this project,” Planning Commission Chair, Michael Kaupp said. “The spaces have become more human and usable and these tiles are absolutely spectacular.”

A total of 14 tile murals are planned and sponsors are needed to complete the project. Mike Cotter, of the San Clemente Historical Society, said the total cost of the installation is $22,000 with the floor image $18,000 and the wall image $10,000.

“Out of the that, the historical society is trying to raise $6,000 for its capital fund,” Cotter said.

Betty Woods, in light of her $10,000 donation in memory of her late husband James, made the wall mural of the Casino possible and cut the ceremonial ribbon on Monday. The historical society sponsored the floor mural.

In February 2009, the first two tile murals in the series were completed–as they sit right in front of Café Calypso, 114 Avenida Del Mar–and are across the street from the ones celebrated Monday.

The next two tiles will be in the rest area further down the street in front of Griffin Optometric, 140 Avenida Del Mar. According to Cotter, a ground mural will depict the Ole Hanson Beach Club, but an image for the wall mural has yet to be selected.

Completing another cycle to this classic project, watercolorist Jay Fisher painted the works from images he obtained from the historical society, and artist Michael King translated the works to tile. David Ochoa then spearheaded the installation of the murals.

The project started in 2004 with the Downtown Business Association wanting upgrade the seating areas on Avenida Del Mar.

“Over time the project evolved into what you are seeing today with these beautiful historically correct tile murals, reminiscent of the murals on Catalina or in Santa Barbara,” Kaupp said. “This will be an asset that the community can value for generations to come.”