"First Impression" - the Erlangen Cube

In a low tower at the intersection of Mission Inn Avenue and the Main St. pedestrian walkway (just east of 3712 Mission Inn Avenue N-4, Riverside, CA), hangs a sculpture entitled, "First Impression" also known as the Erlangen Cube.  It is a metal cube with thousands of plexiglass pieces that is unremarkable during the day but presumably much more impressive when the lights are turned on.  It was installed in 2016. As described on the Dolphin Talk website, "Dieter Erhard, German artist and proprietor of Art Center Seadrift recently unveiled a new art piece, “First Impression”, in Riverside, the sister city of his hometown, Enlargen [sic Erlangen].  The piece is a cube representing Erlangen hugging the raincross in the form of a bell. It is made of stainless steel and consists of about 2,100 fluorescent plexiglass pieces."  Update: July 2025.  The sculpture is no longer present within the display tower.  

Arete, Goddess of Virtue Statue: Woman Holding a Bird

An old statue of a woman holding a bird on her wrist standing atop a fountain pedestal is sited in front of the old museum (3582 Mission Inn Avenue, Riverside, CA) and across from the Cheech Museum.  The plaque at the base of the statue says, "Presented to the City by the W.C.T.U. of Riverside 1907.  The WCTU stands for Woman's Christian Temperance Union, an active religious and temperance organization of that era. A label on the base indicates that the statue is from the J.W. Fiske company of New York which specialized in cast iron and zinc at the second half of the 19th century.  

From a Downtown Riverside Historic Walking Guide produced by Riverside Downtown Partnership, "The Temperance Fountain, which currently sits in front of the museum, was gifted to the City of Riverside by the Women’s Christian Temperance Union in 1907. The fountain was originally placed in front of the old YMCA building on University Avenue and Lemon Street and it is likely that the WTCU chose this location in hopes that the fountain would deter young men from visiting the local saloons."

A similar sculpture went up for auction recently with this description, "Fiske garden or drinking fountain with a painted zinc figure of Virtue, standing atop a painted cast iron columnar base. The zinc sculpture of the woman, likely the Greek deity of virtue known as Arete, holding a bird, is possibly after a design by George Fisher & Bro. (1867-1901). The base of the zinc figure reads: J. W. FISKE 26.28 PARK PLACE NEW YORK." 

Mission Inn Bridge Artwork and Seals

The foot bridge connecting the Mission Inn and its Annex (3685 6th Street, Riverside, CA) is decorated with two tile paintings and series of seals.  It is my understanding that the bridge, which is no longer regularly used, was constructed in 1926 to connect the employees quarters with the Inn.  The tile painting on one side shows Christopher Columbus and the other depicts a queen with a halo, possibly Queen Isabella of Spain.  On both sides of the bridge, the seals represent (from left to right) those of the Mission Inn, the State of California, the United States, Spain, Mexico and again the Mission Inn.  It is an interesting tribute to the history of the Mission Inn, Riverside and this part of California. 

Old Mural on Mission Inn Annex

Near the roof at the top of the facade of the Mission Inn Annex (3685 6th Street, Riverside, CA) is an old and faded mural that shows a wreath with cornucopia and a banner. The words on the banner state, "A Good Head and Nimble Hand are Good as Gold in any Land".  The artist is unknown.  

The Energy of Mother Earth and Harvest Circles Murals at Saint Michael's Apartment

Two large and beautiful murals have been painted on the Saint Michael's Apartment at 4074 Jackson Street, Riverside, CA. The one along Jackson Street is entitled, The Energy of Mother Earth.  The other in the breezeway is entitled, Harvest Circles.  Both involve Southwest Pueblo images related to the earth and water.  The artist is Rowan Harrison of Two Tribes Pottery who has a webpage that gives an excellent background of the project and explains the symbolism in the two murals.  

The Energy of Mother Earth Mural

Harvest Circles Mural

Washington Elementary School mural

Along the entrance of Washington Elementary School (2760 Jane Street, Riverside) is a orange-themed mural with a drawing of George Washington in the center of an orange.  Riverside's symbol, the raincross, has been painted within the o of Washington. The artist is not identified.

American Indians and the Military Mural

On one of the older buildings of the Sherman Indian School campus (9010 Magnolia Ave, Riverside), a mural recognizing the service of native Americans in the military has been painted.  It features American Indian, American and military images and symbols.  The artist's name appears to be on the lower corner but is not legible from Magnolia Ave. from where the mural can be seen.

Mi Aldea Murals

The Mi Aldea Services store (3220 Madison Ave., Riverside) has a simple mural with a green bird with a long tail flanked by words in Spanish above its door.  Mi Aldea is the name of the shop and means My Village in Spanish. Ave Nacional means National Bird and represents the resplendent quetzal, the national bird of Guatemala. More recently, another small mural of a flower has appeared on the store.  It appears to be of the “La Monja Blanca” or the White Nun Orchid which is the national flower of Guatemala. The artist for both murals are unidentified. 

The Tienda Tz'ullma Mural on Magnolia Ave.

The Tienda Tz'uluma grocery store (9154 Magnolia Ave, Riverside, CA) has a simple mural with a green bird with a long tail above its door.  The bird is the resplendent quetzal, the national bird of Guatemala. The artist is unidentified.  

Gage Middle School Campus Murals

In addition to the murals on the outside of Gage Middle School (6400 Lincoln Ave., Riverside), there are a number of murals inside the fenced area of the campus. These focus on school pride and advice for the students. Recently, I was able to photograph them. The artists are unidentified. 

"What's Up Inland Empire" Mural

On the building behind the Angel Eyes Smoke Shop (4024 Mission Inn Avenue B, Riverside, CA) and next to the Greetings from Riverside mural is a mural asking What's up Inland Empire? I suspect that it is related to social media community news organization by the same name @whats_up_inland_empire. The artist who painted the mural is not identified. 

The ARC "National Wall of Respect" Mosaic

On the wall bordering the parking lot of The ARC headquarters (8138 Mar Vista Ct, Riverside), is an impressive mosaic entitled, The National Wall of Respect, that shows individuals both with and without various disabilities along with prominent sites within the City of Riverside. The theme is Dignity, Inclusion, Respect and Justice for people with and without disabilities. The artists for mosaic were Erin Maxwell, Greg Maxwell and Cathy Maxwell of @maxwell_mosaics. The large mosaic (43 feet long by 10 feet high) was designed, created and installed for the Arc of Riverside in 2013. More information about the mosaic can be found on The ARC website. 

"Raincross" Mosaic at the Entrance to City Hall

In front of the entrance to City Hall (3900 Main Street, Riverside) is an attractive tile mosaic entitled, "Raincross" featuring Riverside's symbol, the raincross, flanked by images of a church dome, elements from the Mission Inn and citrus.  It was made by Dominic Panziera of Arteclettica in 2009.