"Welcome to the Sunnyside" Mural

A cheerful and brightly colored mural has recently been completed on the building on the right side of the entrance to Sunnyside Dr. (3671 Sunnyside Dr., Riverside) from the east.  It is entitled, Welcome to the Sunnyside, and serves as the entrance to the drive and its grouping of murals. There are approximately 9 murals and 1 mosaic along the avenue or close nearby.  The lead painter and designer was Ekaterina Orlovie (@orlovie on Instagram) who was assisted by community members and friends. I believe that the painting is part of the Beautify Riverside initiative supported by @mayorlockdawson @cityofriverside @philipjfalcone and @eastsidearthouse.

Lancer Tile Mosaic at California Baptist University

On the wall adjacent to the Aquatic Center at California Baptist University (8432 Magnolia Ave, Riverside) is large tile mosaic of a knight charging on horseback.  The lancer, CBU's mascot, was created in 1998 by Lance Jost, a southern California artist. Additional information on the sculpture can be found in a Press Enterprise article on Jost's sculptures. [Note, the image is not in true proportion as I was unable to enter the Aquatic Center to take the photo.]   

Inspiration Sculpture at California Baptist University

A bright flame-shaped metallic sculpture is located along the walkway between the Wallace Theater and the Alumni Dining Commons on the California Baptist University campus (8432 Magnolia Ave, Riverside).  The sculpture is entitled Inspiration and was created by Frank Heyming, a local Riverside sculptor.  It was donated to the University in 2018. More information on the sculpture can be found on the CBU news website. 

The "Bronze Bible" at California Baptist University

In the northeast corner of the main quad at California Baptist University (8432 Magnolia Ave, Riverside) is large bronze Bible opened to 2 Timothy 2:15 which reads “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman who needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”  The bronze Bible was created by Lance Jost, a southern California artist, and was donated by the graduating class of 2009. Some information on the sculpture can be found in a Press Enterprise article on Jost's sculptures. 

 

The Fortuna Fountain at California Baptist University

In a small plaza surrounded by lawn on the west side of California Baptist University (8432 Magnolia Ave, Riverside), is an attractive fountain with a statue of Fortuna, a classical goddess representing luck and good fortune. The sculptor is unidentified. Apparently, the statue was originally in El Monte, California and was relocated to Riverside in 1955 when CBU established the campus. 

"The Lancer" Statue at California Baptist University

In front of the Events Center at California Baptist University (8432 Magnolia Ave, Riverside) is large statue of a knight with a lance on a galloping horse.  The statue is entitled the Lancer (the school's mascot) and was created by Lance Jost, a southern California artist.  The statue was dedicated in 2017 and was a gift of the graduating classes of 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.  More information about the sculpture can be found in this Press Enterprise article.  

"The Kugel" at California Baptist University

At the entrance of the Yeager Center at California Baptist University (8432 Magnolia Ave, Riverside), is a fountain with a floating grey marble globe that slowly rotates.  It is named the Kugel (German for ball or sphere) and at its base is inscribed a scripture (Matthew 28:19-20) in which Jesus charges his disciples to go to all nations and proclaim the Gospel. As described on the CBU website, it is a tradition for new students to touch the Kugel at the beginning of their studies at CBU. It also symbolizes the student's commitment to "live a life of purpose in accordance with his or her spiritual beliefs." The artist who designed the sculpture is unidentified.  

Feeding America Murals

Several of the walls inside the Feeding America food bank and distribution warehouse (2950 - B, 2950 Jefferson St STE B, Riverside) sport colorful mission- and food-themed murals.  The artists are unidentified.  I photographed them on a recent tour.  One can also see them by volunteering to help Feeding America distribute food to local food pantries.  

Poetic Pathway at UC Riverside

Diana Balmori, a renowned landscape architect, assisted her husband, César Pelli, a distinguished architect, who was designing the Humanities and Social Sciences Building on the UC Riverside campus (900 University Ave, Riverside). She created a pathway with thoughtful poetry from a Native American poet and a Roman poet, which winds through an orange tree-containing courtyard between the building and its wings.

On one side of the pathway is the poem Motheroot by Marilou Awiakta from her book Selu: Creation often needs two hearts • one to root and one to flower • One to sustain in time of drouth • and hold fast against winds of pain • the fragile bloom that in the glory of its hour • affirms a heart unsung, unseen.  

On the other side is a poem by Virgil from the Georgics: Take time to find out the nature of the place, its quiet of wind and weather, its well tried ways, since each spot differs in what it bears or rejects. So nature shifts for herself and trees of all species flourish in woodland, orchard, sacred grove. 

I might note that the pathway is my wife's favorite work of art on the UC Riverside campus.  

 

Grapevine Medallion Sculpture at UC Riverside

To the east of the Humanities and Social Sciences Building on the UC Riverside campus (900 University Ave, Riverside) sits a medallion-type of sculpture of a mature vine with clusters of grapes. On the base that holds the medallion is a plate and leaves on which the names of various people, families or organizations are inscribed. These appear to be donors that helped establish an Endowed Community Chair in Religious Studies about 30 years ago.  The sculptor is unknown.  

 

"Obscure Orange" at UC Riverside

A painted giant orange with a small black glass opening entitled, Obscure Orange, is sited in a small grove of orange trees in a courtyard near the Humanities and Social Sciences Building on the UC Riverside campus (900 University Ave, Riverside).  The orange was an entry in the 2006 Giant Orange Artventure hosted by the Riverside Art Alliance.  The name and design of the orange appears to be related to Camera Obscura, simple type of camera that can be created within a room or other large space.  The orange, which has faded some with time, was the creation of Georg Burwick.   

"Buscando el lado soleado" aka "Looking for the Sunnyside" Mural

On a wall along Sunnyside Drive (3680 Sunnyside Dr, Riverside) is a bright and colorful mural featuring two lion cubs peering through parted tufts of grass.  The mural is entitled Buscando el lado soleado which translated into English means Looking for the Sunny Side, a clever combination of the street name and a popular song.  The mural was painted by the prominent Riverside artist Geoff Gouveia @geoffgouveia. 

Martin Luther King, Jr. Statue

On the Main Street pedestrian mall in downtown Riverside (3900 Main St.) is a statue of the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. with a young girl and boy.  It is labeled underneath with "I HAVE A DREAM", a reference to one of his most famous and inspirational speeches.  The statue was made by Lisa Reinertson in 1999.  It is part of the peace walk of prominent civil rights leaders along the pedestrian mall. A video of memorials on the civil right walk has recently been made by the City of Riverside.  

"Lock in Your Love" Sculpture

An art monument and destination entitled, Lock in Your Love, was recently dedicated in the pedestrian walkway in downtown Riverside (3635 Main Street).  Inspired by similar destinations in South Korea symbolizing the bonds between couples, family and friends, the project was conceived by the Leadership Riverside Class of 2022 and designed and constructed by artists at Alderette Designs @alderettedesigns. A webpage describes more about the project and lists its sponsors.  Contributors received special red heart-adorned locks, a few of which are shown below.