Tile Stairway Project

The mosaic artists conceived a brilliant design that harmonizes exquisitely with the mural.  They will transform the stairway into a beautiful stream with schools of fish that assuredly will attract children. Along the sides (embankment) there will be wildflowers.  In the stream there are reflections of passing birds. There’s an orange and yellow sun (drawing on the colors of the California poppies below) featured on the flight directly above the sky in the mural.

The stream echoes a key feature of the mural, Islais Creek, which runs from Glen Canyon through Glen Park, flowing under the stairs.

BIOGRAPHY OF MOSAIC ARTISTS
Aileen Barr and Colette Crutcher

Aileen Barr and Colette Crutcher together have more than 50 years of experience creating art in various media enjoying both a private and public clientele.  They are especially well-known for their tile work. They have realized some of the most widely recognized and lauded stairways in San Francisco along with other public projects such as tiled benches.  Numerous guidebooks of San Francisco feature their work.

Aileen and Colette have a well-deserved reputation for working with diverse communities and for their responsive designs, uniquely accomplished by their hand-fabricated tiles.  Thematically, their work has included flora, fauna and cultural history.  Working large scale in the public arena allows for the creation of environments where bold design engages the public from a distance, and rewards closer observation with textural detail and richness of color.  For city landscapes these projects bring vibrant color and energy, playing a vital role in neighborhood beautification and pride.

Aileen and Colette work collaboratively and individually.  Their first collaboration began more than 15 years ago collaborating on the the16th Ave Steps project.)

Examples of public projects

  • 16th Avenues Steps (Moraga Steps)
  • Hidden Gardens (Sunset neighborhood)
  • Lincoln Stairway (30th/California)
  • Miraloma Steps (Miraloma Elementary School)
  • Aurelious Walker Steps (Bayview Hunters Point)
  • Tunnel Top Seating (Dogpatch)

For additional information including images of these projects:

www.aileenbarr.com
www.colettecrutcher.com/

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