Now that’s big surf”¦How could I have overlooked PB’s biggest mural? On Mission Bay Drive near the north freeway entrance at Damon Avenue are three huge buildings owned by Price Self Storage.
Two are painted eye-popping turquoise. Riding down the center of the middle building on a bright, deep blue ocean is a three-dimensional surfer, with a frothy wave behind him. To really appreciate their size (there’s a second surfer, hidden behind trees), park in In-N-Out Burger’s lot on Damon Avenue. Awesome!
Only in PB”¦Recently, I explored PB’s more colorful side ” our penchant for murals and original art.
Another ride-around revealed additional treasures:
“¢ An ocean scene with hummingbirds hovering above hibiscus fills a fence on the north side of Grand Avenue’s 1800 block.
“¢ The original Rubio’s on Mission Bay Drive sports deep rich colors, with a small sunset mural of diners beneath a palapa.
“¢ Angel Wings ” used for a photo shoot ” remain on the wall at 4312 Cass. I’m told tourists love to pose in front of them.
Professionally commissioned works include Robin Braillsford’s mosaic octopus at Oceanfront and Grand at the lifeguard tower and the three large obelisks on Grand near Fanuel.
Mission Bay High’s Buccaneer logo received a recent odd makeover. Instead of the energetic, sword-wielding, stump-legged, hook-armed little guy (hey, our team is gonna WHIP you!), just a dour, grumpy head remains. Did the pirates’ union wail of political correctness? C’mon, we’re on the water”¦pirates ” get it?
Your turn…”We’re painting utility boxes all over PB,” says Jerry Hall, chair of PB Town Council’s Safe and Beautiful Committee. Jerry, who leads cleanups on the first Saturday of each month, is also coordinating the utility makeovers.
Down the road is an eventual public arts event of some sort. Resident and Citizens Patrol founder Jonathan West has long championed such festivities; Jerry and PB Library Arts Coordinator Mark-Elliot Lugo have also brainstormed potential celebrations.
Meanwhile, look around you. Do you have a garage door on an alley that could become a canvas? Or a fence, like the beauty on Grand? If you own a business, does it front on the main street ” say, Garnet ” but have a long, blah stucco wall that’s visible? Or if you’re a mural artist with ideas, contact Jerry at [email protected].
Jerry’s Safe and Beautiful Committee’s new arts subcommittee meets at 10 a.m. this Saturday (and last Saturdays monthly) at PB Rec Center, 1405 Diamond; or call the PBTC, (858) 483-6666.