Hollie Felts-Howell
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Magic in Upper Rockridge

4/9/2016

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I am blessed with my favorite listing career-to-date in sharing 4614 Jacobus Avenue in the Oakland Hills with you.  This home has a main house bungalow, 3 garden settings and a guest cottage with so many designer features that visitors tell me that I am like a docent conducting the tour through this wonderful home and that the high definition photos and virtual tour cannot possibly do not do it justice because every detail was thought of in the presentation.  It is simply a symphony that effervesces with a love of life, harmony in the colors and orchestration of art with nature and wonderful interior design.  If you want a Real Estate Masterpiece for your next home, you need to see Jacobus for yourself.  To see the 360 Degree tour and drone shots, please follow these links: https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=EXRxs1Vhysw and : https://youtu.be/fNY0tLLdBo0 . 
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These Estate Gates art the entry were harvested from a Marin Mansion & have  stained glass inserts in each gate.  The colors of the house, paints on the gates and colors and design of the mosaic patio and walkways were all the brainchild of local artist, authoress & horticulturalist, Keeyla Meadows of Albany.  Keeyla integrated 10 more wrought iron fixtures and designed year-round MAGICAL gardens in the front, as well as the back Upper & Lower Gardens creating a magnificent place to relax and enjoy the wonderful climate that Upper Rockridge residents hold as their own special secret.

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The home lies in a long rectangle on the lot so it appears deceivingly smaller from the curb view.  Keeyla Meadows designed the whimsical gardens, colors of the house and front bench which allows you to sit and enjoy the filtered view of the Bay, the Golden Gate Bridge, Mount Tamalpais and Alcatraz on a clear day.  The view in the next shots is shot on an average day. 

Front Gardens are year-round with tulips under the umbrella tree slightly fading as the roses are beginning to bloom.

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There is a concert of color with the genius of the many textured mosaic tile lay-our on the patio is further accented by the matching pottery painted by Keeyla, the designer artist with the backdrop of the colors she selected for the house and trim.

The front windows have a view to the right that is wondrous on a clear day. The hardwood floors and curved archways within provide grace and elegance to the functional floorplan of the 1090 sq. ft. 2 bedroom, 1 bath bungalow ideal for all in one floor carefree living.

Open access dining area provides good floor-floor between the kitchen and living room.

The new permitted quartz & white shaker kitchen has more than double the storage from before the remodel. The stainless steel gas range and dishwasher are new. The Underneath the Pass-Through opening to the hallway is space for front-loading washer & dryer.  The pass through allows more natural light to filter into the hallway and the cabinets a 2 sets of doubled up cabinets which open on either side for ease of access & increased storage capacity. Multiple outlets on the pass-through quartz counter provide an excellent electronics charging station.

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This Art Deco Bath has an overhead light brought from Chicago Antique Store and the Lighted Medicine Cabinet is an antique from Seattle. It was remodeled in 2000 complete with a shower seat.

Each Bedroom comes equipped with California Closets inserts which maximize storage & space utility. The master has a dual-paned slider that leads out to the magic of the lower gardens in the rear. The Art Deco lighting is different in every room.

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The Guest House has a studio with built-in dresser, kitchenette with a mini refrigerator under the cabinet and microwave nook. The sink is a Sheryl Wagner of NY scalloped floral porcelain sink set into a glossy finished cement vanity top.  The overhead lamp came from a Seattle Antique store. (Don't miss the pretty stained glass window over the bathroom door.)

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​The tub surround is tiled with imported Italian Red Porcelain tiles. 

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There are 2 gorgeous stained glass windows one above the doorway to the bath and the other straight off to the right with a gorgeous view of the gardens in the Guest Cottage Bathroom.

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Public Art at the Orinda Community Center

7/13/2014

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"Mask" by Wanzin Zhang
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"Truce" by Albert DiCruttalo
Picture"Springtime Spirit" by John Toki
The Orinda Community Center and Library Plaza is rich in Public Art thanks to a great City Committee titled Art in Public Places.  They have attracted a vast variety of art on loan which will be rotated every November.  Since rotation is only a few short months away, I recommend you take the time to explore the Plaza and Library to appreciate what is available to see now before you forget.

The "Truce" piece by Albert DiCruttalo (donated to the City of Orinda) located in the Plaza really moved me.  At first the monotone structure only attracted me because of its shape, but after taking a good look at it and the title I came to truly appreciate its important message which transcends boundaries.  To me it speaks that when people are in opposition, their issues often seem vast (the wide end of the funnel) but through hard work together (the entwined hands and fingers) they can narrow down their differences and create a bond that is strong enough to hold the structure together.  Wow!  I love it!

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Joseph Farais creation "Another Day" inside the library niche near the Circulation Desk.
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"Imagine" by Amy Evans McClure
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Sculpture outside the Founders Auditorium called "Lo" by is Jo Slusky.
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"Outta Here" by Gale Wagner
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Danielle Satinover’s “Sound Explosion”
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Amy Evans McClure artist who created "Ardennais Appaloosa and Ardennais Stallion"
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"Measure of Man" by Keith Bush
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How Moraga Embraces the Arts

7/13/2014

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PictureFestive Moraga Commons Flowerbed flanked the stage

The Moraga Commons Band Stage was music filled with performances by Busta Groove both before and after the town fireworks.
The often overlooked town of Moraga is referred to by many locals as the "Best kept secret of the East Bay."  If you talk to someone in Pinole or Martinez, they may not even know where Moraga is located.  But, this family-centric town throws one heck of a fourth of July Celebration all day long. Celebrating the 4th of July well is definitely an Art in American Lifestyle.  Moraga does a really good job of putting together a real family-style celebration. The morning festivities started with a kiddie run, 5 mile run and 2 mile run to satisfy every level runner. Next was the kiddies bike parade followed by the dog parade and everything a family needs to celebrate the day continues on at the park called Moraga Commons.  The Commons has a perfect sized stage which is also the bandstand for free Thursday night music events held at the park starting in the spring and running through September. 

The Lions and Kiwanis Clubs set up food and drink  booths.  The Lions run the concession stand although the club's young Leos are really the stars of that show.  So, it leaves the elder Lions to be responsible mostly for the grilling and the libations.  Libations were terrific under the able command of Lion Andy Boggeri who brought not only beer and wine, but a full bar set-up to please the crowd.  The Kiwanis Smoothie booth soon found a great opportunity for collaboration with Rum Smoothies when the innovative smoothie purchasers brought their drinks over to the Lions Den.  It made the old fashioned kids game and Magic Show events even more enjoyable.
Of course, no 4th of July day is complete without an excellent Fireworks display.  The Moraga Fire Department never fails to please in their well supervised event which is visible in the park as well as by Country Club residents who want to pull their lawn chairs out to the golf course to enjoy the show.
PictureThe Early crowd was relaxed and enjoying local comradery.

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The Moraga Commons stage hosted children's performances and Live Music over the course of the Day.
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The Lions Den sown in front of volleyball courts in the Commons. Lions: Ray, Larry and Andy during a free moment.
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Awesome volunteer holiday grillers, Leos parents and Lions.
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How Orinda Embraces the Arts

7/8/2014

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Picture"Wheely, Whirly Peacock" by Patricia Vader

If you go to the Library in Orinda, you cannot help but appreciate some art form, if not many.  The City of Orinda has adopted a policy to have the "Art In Public Places" Committee submit ideas for street art that can be rotated annually to be shared in public places around the Community.  Fortunately, the Peacock is on permanent loan to the City.  So, that will not be rotated. a followup article will focus on the art located at the Orinda Community Center.

Vader had also created another statue called "Butterfly Gate."  I am personally endorsing for the City to install that permanently in the Theater Square side of town possibly near the light where the ramp pours traffic off of Highway 242.  It is the intention of the Art In Public Places Committee to promote art by: sponsoring loaned artwork and rotating it through public places. Their mission statement also states to promote art through artists conducting Educational Workshops as well as their  opening up their personal studios to show how the art is actually created.  Other newer art installations on that side of town are shown below and entitled: "Open-Ended", "Sardine Seat" and "Beholding."
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"Butterfly Gate" also by Patricia Vader being considered for loaned Art
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"Open Ended" by Richard Starks located in front of Citibank on the Theatre Square side of the highway.
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"Sardine Seat" by Wes Horn in front of Nations on the Theatre Square side of the Highway.
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"Beholding" by James Moore
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Ruth Bancroft Gardens Art & Jazz July 11

7/1/2014

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 If you are an art enthusiast and in town on Friday, July 11th, don't miss the Ruth Bancroft Gardens special Art & Jazz Sunset Social between 5-8pm.  Music performed by Dogbone will be enjoyed by all and there are works provided by 50 scultors on display.  This event coincides with the month-long "Sculpture in the Garden" event which has now become a tradition as it is presented each summer and has been so for the last 16 years. Advance sale tickets are discounted to $15 per person if you order on the website. Otherwise, they are $25 per person at the door.
 
Food will be provided by Willowstone Catering will be selling a Cajun style menu of food and wine will offer the perfect compliment to the festivities.  Wander the gardens in comfortable clothes and shoes and soak up all the creativity as you observe "plein air" geniuses at work while you make you way around leisurely. I can't think of a more perfect way to end the week after the 4th of July.  Hope to see you there! 
The address is 1552 Bancroft Rd. Walnut Creek, CA.  For more information call the office at: (925) 944-9352 or go to their website at:  http://www.ruthbancroftgarden.org/index.html

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This Is How WE Do It on the 4th of July

6/29/2014

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Start on the 3rd and go to:

Point Richmond for food & live music Marina Bay Park starting at 6:30pm – 10pm; Fireworks at 9;15pm

Or

El Cerrito’s celebration of the country’s diversity is a 2 Day affair starting 5pm Thurs – 7pm at Cerrito Vista Park live music; offering  a variety in choices of organic foods, rides, art, music & activities.  Inside the Park there will be a Main Stage with a variety of artists and an Art Show and sale. 

On the 4th:

Albany:
Green, Red, White & Blue Celebration starts with a pancake breakfast at 8am – 11am at the Veteran’s Memorial Building; The rest of events take place at Memorial Park; Food and Car Show 12-3; Diaper Derby – 2pm; Pet Show 3:10pm

Antioch:
Parade 11am – 1pm on 2nd Street; Contra Costa Fairgrounds has music starting at 1pm and fireworks start at 9:15pm

Concord: An day full of events in Concord: 5k run starting at 8am (registration starts at 6:45am) , parade starts at 10am at Mt. Diablo H.S. on Grant St. , Festival starts at 4pm picnic, kids carnival, food booths and live entertainment! Fireworks begin at 9p.m. Friday, July 4, 2014. 4p.m. - 10p.m. 2450 Grant St. Concord, CA 94520 (Only 3 Blocks from Todos Santos Plaza). (925) 695-7268.

Clayton:  Parade starts 10am – 12pm, celebrating Clayton’s 50th Anniversary, Oak Street in Clayton

Danville: Community Parade 9am – 12:30pm from Hartz and Railroad down to Sycamore and San Ramon Valley Blvd.  Crowds as large as 40,000 

El Cerrito hosts the World One 4th of July Festival

Hercules:  Dynamite 5K Run: at Refugio Park, must register by Wednesday, July 2nd, check-in on the 4th by 7am at ;  Parade at 10:45am starts at Redwood Ave. and goes to Sycamore and ending at Refugio Valley Park.  There is an Expo at Refugio Valley Park from  7am – 2pm


Martinez: Parade and Fireworks.  The parade starts organizing at 8am.  There are 40 entries, including many community groups which will march down Main Street.  The is the 6thAnnual Parade.

Moraga: Community Picnic in the Commons Pancake Breakfast 8-10am; Doggie Parade 9am; Kids Bike Parade – 10:30;  Family Magic Show 12:30pm; Lunch & Dinner Burgers & Hot Dogs, Music - 6:45pm; Golf Course Fireworks – 9:30pm

Orinda: Pancake Breakfast starts at 7:30; Roadrunners Fun Run 8am; and the Community Parade starts at 10am on Orinda Way and ending at Theater Square.  This includes a flag raising ceremony at 7:55am, live music and more family fun 

Pleasant Hill: Community Parade:  Hats Off To America - Firecracker 5K Fun Run at 8am, parade at 9:30am, fun at the park at 10:30am, entertainment, games and more. Fireworks begin around 9p.m. at College Park.

San Pablo: El Portal Soccer Field celebration starts at 4pm with entertainments, kids games, food & drinks

San Ramon:
Live music, dancing, patriotic celebration, and salute to local veterans. Friday, July 4, 2014 4:30p.m. - 7:30p.m. at San Ramon Central Park-  12501 Alcosta Blvd.

 
Walnut Creek: The annual Fourth of July concert at Civic Park will not only be celebrating the Centennial but also have an art filled event by offering a "Paint Out" showing local artists works celebrating Walnut Creek.  Festivities will be running from 3pm-7pm in Civic Park at he corner of Civic Dr. and Broadway.  The concert begins at 76pm and teh rootbeer floats will be poffered from 5-6pm and 7 to 7:30pm after the concert.


If You Want to Leave Contra Costa County, you can enjoy the celebrations in Berkeley. Fireworks start at 9:30.  You can watch the San Francisco show from the Berkeley Marina, fireworks start at 9:30;  Point Isabel and Jack London Square.  If visibility favors, you can even enjoy it from Hercules.

OR

Jack London Square, Oakland 11am – 4pm  Festival of Family Fun

OR

Piedmont has a Parade that starts at 11am at the corner of highland Avenue and Park way; afterwards the community picnic is held in the Main Park and will have Big Band Music


OR

San Francisco’s Pier 39 and Fisherman’s Wharf has a spectacular fireworks show.  However, you can watch this show from within the City or outside, depending on the visibility that night.  You can see it from: Pier 39, Aquatic Park and Fisherman’s Wharf the best.  The Embarcadero is usually a less crowded alternative spot to enjoy the display, as well.


OR

Pleasanton: Fireworks at the Alameda County Fairgrounds 9:45pm

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Walnut Creek City Hall Public Art

6/27/2014

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Walnut Creek City Hall has a Treasure Trove of Public Art on the 1st & 3rd Floors
PictureLe Passant is by Luidell Deutscher and lies partly outside the building and partly inside

In keeping with the City Ordinance requiring all new construction  have 1% go towards providing Public Art, Walnut Creek's City Hall demonstrates total compliance with the policy.  The first floor contains some prestige art including 2 untitled bronze pieces by Kenneth DeStaebler, as well as the ceramic shown above in 2 pieces (one inside the building and the other outside and separated by the glass door) which was created by Luidell Deutscher (shown above right.)  

The Walnut Creek Arts, Recreation and Community Services Department administration is housed on the 3rd Floor and displays a collection of paintings by their teaching staff.  Currently on display is a large collection of paintings by Arthur Paul, as well as photography by two other staff teachers, Malcolm Lubliner & Ted Orland . This program is one of the largest Community Art programs offered in Northern California per the City website. 
PictureStephen De Staebler is a noted Cal Berkeley Arts professor, as well as distinctive sculptor,

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Ceramic Sneaker Art in lobby outside the City Coucil Chambers
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Another Untitled by Stephen De Staebeler
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1st Floor modern seating area
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"Tamalpais at Sunrise" By Suzanna Creasey
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Unlabeled Planning Department Suspended Artwork
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"For Those Who Have To Wait" by Theresa Stanley
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"Woman Holding Catfish" by Michael Carey
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"Mandy" by Joan Savo
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"Dance Lesson" By Gene Farley
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"Dutch North Sea Town View" by Frans Corsius
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Arthur Paul's "Days End"
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"Kite Hill" by Malcolm Lubliner
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"Aquatic Park" by Malcolm Lubliner
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"Playground" by Ted Orland
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Art Inside the Walnut Creek Library, 2nd Floor

6/27/2014

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After an initial tour of the art on the 1st Floor of the Walnut Creek library, I decided to waylay the 2nd floor coverage until a later date.  But since the 1% budget requirement for Public Art on new construction also applies to government buildings, I was intrigued to see what else had been done with public funds and decided to finish the tour sooner than later.

If you take the elevator up you are immediately greeted by this replica Terra Cotta Warrior acting as a Sentry and yet reminding everyone of the rich past we can discover in our library research.  

The reference desk was well positioned in the center near a balsa like aerial art form called "The Trap" by Gina Telacocci.  There is a room for anyone to escape to whether they seek a Business & Career Center, Teen Zone with Tatoo & Skateboard Art, or Historic Significance is addressed by a Walnut Creek Historical Society Exhibit end of the building overlooking the park.  There are many retreats also available in the Black Oak, Blue Oak and  Live Oak Rooms providing enjoyment of the quietude.

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"Via Pemelero" by Mauricio Catellini, gift of the City Of Noceto, Italy to Sister City of Walnut Creek
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"The Book" by Norie Cato
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"The Trap"
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Ian Johnson Miller's, The Quintet" (I count 4) Skateboard Art
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"Untitled" by Laddie John Dill
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Top and Bottom 2 of 3 pieces in the Descent Series by Peter Tonningsen
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Tatoo Girl
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"Portmanteau" by Cathereine Courtenaye
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Walnut Creek Historical Society exhibition
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My personal favorite, "The Journey of the Bottle" by Marta Thoma Hall
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Walnut Creek Celebrates Centennial And Installs the "Hand of Peace" in Civic Park

6/23/2014

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You cannot walk the Street of Walnut creek without seeing banners announcing the celebration of the City's Centennial.
On June 8th, Walnut Creek celebrated its 100th Anniversary with a picnic at Heather Farm Park.  The Centennial celebration will continue with a Art & Jazz event at the Ruth Bancroft Garden on July 11th from 5-8pm. Tickets for the Garden Tour with music by "Dogbone" are $15 in advance.  Call: 925-944-9352 for more info.
I  was glad to see that when I went to Civic Park last Friday  that the "Hand of Peace" Statue by Beniamino Bufano was finally installed.  The City had been preparing for its installation for May 15th, but it was a late arrival on June 23rd.  

This copper based artwork took 5 years to create and has colorful transparent finger nails which allows the sun to sparkle through them.  At its original acquisition there competing bids from organizations hoping to install it at the San Francisco Airport, as well as from Ghiradelli Square site supporters. It's original cost in 1967 was $50,000 and was originally part of the Quail Court Office Park and has been loaned to the City for the next 25 years by its current owners, the Chang family.
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The "Hand of Peace" as seen in Civic Park.
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The " Hand of Peace" as seen from the Walnut Creek Library.
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Art Inside the Walnut Creek Library

5/8/2014

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Front of the Walnut Creek Library on the corner of Lincoln and Broadway.
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"Shhh" by Christian Moeller flanked by "Portrait of 12 Volumes of Gray" by the same artist.
The City of Walnut Creek adopted an ordinance called the Public Art Master Plan requiring that 1% of the budget for new construction projects exceeding 25,000 square feet be designated to providing funding for projects for Public Art for citizens to enjoy.  Some projects do not have sufficient space or design flexibility to install Public Art within the property.  So, the City created on In Lieu of Installation Find which was used to finance part of the installation of the 2 new fountains in the downtown area. Even public buildings have to meet this funding requirement.
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Landscape With Watermill, ascribed to J. Maris
These three Dutch Oils were generously donated by Dr. Jan and Mrs. Mary Ann Beekhuis to the City of Walnut Creek and hang on the first floor to the right of the Children's Wing.
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Landscape with Farm, Anthonius Henricus Koster


The Children's Wing is graced with creations by Joyce Hsu Called "Flyway."
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Lorene Anderson's "Baucis" is more spectacular than this picture depicts.
The walking tour of Street Art in Walnut Creek left me a little disappointed that there was no major piece of art decorating the outer entrance of the New Library. But tour guide, Jane Emanuel quickly dispelled those feelings by taking me inside.  It is filled with Art galore!  Since it cost $42 million dollars to construct the library, the city had an obligation to follow the 1% Fee Requirement and budgeted enough to house 40 separate pieces of art within its walls.
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Mother and Child At Table Near Window, Jan Simon Krikker

The Walnut Creek Theme is everywhere in the design of the building with the carpet pieces resembling bubbles from the stream.
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Ends of each Bookcart depict the waves of Walnut Creek
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"Journey of A Bottle" Recycled Art by Marta Thoma
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Hollie Felts-Howell DRE:  # 00856384
a.k.a. Hollie Howell

Keller Williams Realty - East Bay
DRE: 01277896
201 N. Civic Dr. Suite 130
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Phone: 925-934-2900
Fax: 925-934-3422

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