PAAC Master Art Inventory Plan
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a subgroup of the Public Arts Advisory Commission
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Gull/Seabird Sculpture
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The Gull Sculpture was generously offered to Solana Beach in 2007. It was approved and accepted into the City's permanent art collection on March 26, 2008. The City Council worked with the Public Arts Advisory Commission, and the donor to find a fitting site for placement of the Sculpture. It fit so well with the weathered pines as a backdrop the Fletcher Cove site was established. The elegant base was designed to symbolize the ocean waves and reflect the surrounding landscape. It was truly a Community project! A Gull/Seabird sculpture is a symbolic piece of public art that the City of Solana Beach offers to visitors and residents to enjoy, discuss, and contemplate. |
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With the support of the City Council, the Public Arts Advisory Commission, PAAC, launched a pilot project to paint utility boxes in Solana Beach. The examples shown are two cases on the corner of Lomas Santa Fe and Stevens Avenue, painted in 2004 by well known artist Garret Greve. The PAAC considers design proposals for this on-going project provided it will enhance the specific location. Please direct proposals or questions to the Community Services Department at 858- 720-2454. |  |
A primary focus for the Public Arts Advisory Commission (PAAC) continues to be the Solana Beach Coastal Rail Trail (CRT) along Old Highway 101. To enhance the beauty of the Trail, the PAAC launched a fund raising plan to place mosaic tiles on eleven concrete benches located on the CRT.
Through the vision and generosity of several Solana Beach residents, the tireless work of long time Commissioner, Irene de Watteville, all eleven benches have been tiled. The benches are beautifully covered with sea creatures, seashells, turtles, and fish that are captured in smooth vivid colors designed by tile artist Michelle Griffoul. These benches are not only a convenient and pleasant place to sit and wait for the bus but are also a lively and colorful addition to the Coastal Rail Trail.
COASTAL RAIL TRAIL ARCHES
The Coastal Rail Trail, a leftover strip of land adjacent to the train trench, has been turned into an outstanding asset for the City by providing a pleasant and interesting experience for pedestrians as well as those pedestrians with wheels and strollers. Public art and community participation were incorporated into the design of the arches. The exquisite mosaic detailing on each arch depicts the history of Solana Beach. Laden with colorful hand-made tiles, natural imagery and evocative words, these arches are a creative timeline telling the story of Solana Beach.
The entrance to the award winning Coastal Rail Trail is marked by two beautifully crafted mosaic arches created by artist Betsy Schultz. In 2006 the City of Solana Beach was honored by San Diego's premier awards program for the built environment, the Orchids & Onions Awards. These awards have been influencing change to our city environments since 1974 by acknowledging the good projects with Orchids and the bad projects with Onions. Happily, Solana Beach received two Orchids. These Orchid awards recognize the Coastal Rail Trail and the Gateway Arches for outstanding design and land use.
