Elmendorf Lake Park

Project Type

Mosaic tiles; ground mural

Project Location

Elmendorf Lake Park in San Antonio

Completion Date

2016

The San Antonio River Authority (SARA) commissioned me to enhance Elmendorf Lake Park with mosaic artwork. I created an organic, undulating design for a series of benches that run through the park, as well as a 24' diameter ground mosaic mural in the plaza, and mosaic enhancements to various structures in the park including entranceway signs, light posts, and a couple of bus stops. My team and I hand-laid all the tiles.

Close-up detail of mosaic tile bench sculptures in Elmendorf Lake Park in San Antonio

Mosaic tiled bench in a park in San Antonio Texas with a lake and foliage in the background.

A mosaic tiled bench in a park in San Antonio Texas. Two cyclists are in the photo, with their bicylces. One is sitting on the bench, the other is straddling his bicycle.

Mosaic tile ground mural in a park in San Antonio Texas. The word Rejuvenation appears on the mural, both in English and in Spanish; two children on bicycles are in the background.

Mosaic tiled bench in a park in San Antonio Texas.

Close-up detail of a mosaic tiled ground mural in a park in San Antonio.

A MESSAGE OF REJUVENATION FOR A RESTORED PARK

SARA didn’t have a theme in mind when they approached me, so the design direction was really my decision. I was inspired by SARA’s efforts to restore the native flora and fauna and wanted to reflect that in my art — so the theme of ‘rejuvenation’ seemed perfect.

I see my abstract forms in the murals as microscopic life thriving in the restored verdant creek way. These abstract paisley-like forms appear to float above and in front of the flowing horizontal fields of cool color. The green glass beads on the upper part of the benches blend in with the surrounding greenery and create that Gaudi-inspired undulating curve on the single height benches.

For the three months that I spent on this project, I witnessed life come back to the park and the lake as the new improvements were initiated and installed.