“Changing the World One Piece of Art at a Time” Changing the world one piece of art at a time
Just imagine.
“There are those who look at things the way they are, and ask why… I dream of things that never were, and ask why not?” — Robert Kennedy
The San Diego waterfront of our childhood was a dramatically different place than it is today. Water taxis circled the bay, in a constant shuffle of sailors coming to and from anchored U.S. Navy ships. Giant webs of fishing nets were strewn upon the sidewalks to dry, causing pedestrians to take wide detours. For most, this was a starkly functional harbor, a place avoided by locals and unknown to tourists.
Today, people come from all over the world to stroll the boardwalk, take in the exquisite views, and to congregate around the many sensational works of public art. Art has played a pivotal role in this transformation, and continues to inspire positive change.
It’s hard to imagine what San Diego would look like without the stately bronze statues and Niki de Saint Phalle’s brilliant mosaic sculptures in Balboa Park, the art trees along the waterfront, James Hubble’s inspirational Pacific Rim Friendship Park on Shelter Island, or the magnificent Cabrillo Monument at Point Loma.
These works have long ceased to be mere objects of stone, mortar, metal and glass; they are community treasures that bring immeasurable pride, and contribute greatly to the experience of place and quality of life. From the highly detailed and lifelike sculptures at the Museum of Natural History that draw us into our region’s ancient past, to sleek polished stainless steel monuments at the Convention Center that whisk us into future space and time; art can speak to us with a gripping story of what has been and what can be.
This remarkable transformation of San Diego’s waterfront is not unique, as communities across the country are rediscovering their identity through the arts.
Winding down the Mountain Springs Grade along the Kumeyaay Highway, I am always inspired by the stone giants, like motionless sentinels at the gate of the Imperial Valley.
As the breathtaking panorama unfolds, one sees the verdant farmlands, which have been the fortunate beneficiary of millions of years of soil deposits from the Colorado River, combined with the near unimaginable vision, toil and bold optimism of its pioneer families.
This is a land of bounty and natural beauty, with a spectacular geological and natural history, a courageous human history, and a remarkable diversity of wildlife.
These are the subjects that are so important for students to understand, and fortunately, they are themes which provide great inspiration for community art projects. Here are some of the ways that Rainforest students are telling this story:
Students at the Rainforest Art Center of Seeley are working on colorful mosaic signs for the Imperial Valley Desert Museum, which depict the dramatic geology and wildlife of the valley.
Students at the Rainforest Art Center of Imperial are helping with the finishing touches on the Imperial Sculpture Garden, which was sponsored by the Imperial Irrigation District and features animals of the Imperial Valley along with the giant wind vane sculpture “Pride and Prosperity”, honoring the pioneer families who brought agriculture to the valley.
Students in the Brawley Elementary School District are helping complete the large sculptures and native wildlife mosaics at Alyce Gereaux Park.
Students at Meadows Union Elementary School will soon begin working with the University of California Desert Research and Extension Center’s Farm Smart Program to create mosaics and sculptures for their new drought-tolerant garden and landscape exhibit as well as their burrowing owl exhibit, to be located in front of the administration offices at the center.
Participation in these projects is much more than an isolated educational experience, as students take a lasting pride and ownership in their creations. We love working with youngsters, because they are not afraid to dream, and just imagine what our communities, our parks, our libraries and our downtowns can look like if we learn to dream along with them. The possibilities are endless.