Huge thanks is due to the hundreds of friends and neighbors of Glen Park who donated to support a tiled stairway at the cul-de-sac of Burnside Avenue.
Starting in early Spring of 2024, the brilliant team of Aileen Barr and Colette Crutcher will be crafting hundreds of tiles to make the dream of a tiled staircase a reality.
Our target for installation is September or October 2024.
Thank you for your support!
UPDATES FROM THE MURAL
June 2024 Tile Making Workshop
Burnside Mural+ Stairway Makes Waves, Bubbles, and More
With exclamations of joy and love for the Burnside mural and planned tiled stairway, budding artists of all ages from Glen Park and beyond had an opportunity to use their creative talents at a special community tile-making event on June 15th hosted by Burnside Mural+ and the Glen Park library. For inspiration, the event was held at the Burnside mural/stairway. This was an opportunity for Glen Park residents and others to literally be part of the planned tile stairway. Upwards of 100 people attended with at least half of those crowding about the tables to make tiles.
Guiding the eager group were Aileen Barr and Colette Crutcher, the insanely talented duo who made the dazzling 16th/Moraga and Hidden Gardens steps and are making the Burnside stairway.
It was a picture-perfect San Francisco day, with dozens of passersby including groups of Crosstown Trail walkers. To the surprise of many they were greeted by Bob Siegel, the founder of the trail, who expertly led them to channel their physical energy into creating tiles. Joining Bob in working the crowds was Darren Heiber from the Glen Park library, who was doing the same while spreading the word about the library’s great programs.
Little ones, side-by-side with bigger ones, together learned how to use tools for creating textures and cut shapes. With instructions to work gently, not push on the clay too hard, and assurance that all were truly artists, forms for waves, bubbles, and leaves took shape followed by smiles of accomplishment.
It was a perfect setting, perfect weather, with gleeful and grateful people.
Here are some of their voices:
“It’s a gorgeous addition to my beloved neighborhood”
“A way for our family to be part of a community project in our own neighborhood”
“An enduring and beautiful piece of art in our community”
“Beauty and community”
“Stairway to heaven”
“JOY!”
“Having the tiled staircase means connection and interweaving of the community”
And, the many who had purchased legacy tiles shared that are looking forward to seeing and touching their tiles for loved ones.
Burnside Mural+ is fiscally sponsored by the San Francisco Parks Alliance and has received support from hundreds of individual donations, Supervisor Mandelman’s office, and the city’s Community Challenge Grant.