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About this Mural
Barr’s colorful mosaics, based on an abstracted imagery of natural forms and patterns, extend over a wide area. The Grand Stairway suggests a plant opening upwards with flowers, leaves and petals combined with areas of curved and flowing lines that loosely reference rolling hills or flowing water. The staircase mosaic, installed on 24 risers and treads, is visible to Pringle Avenue pedestrians and people in vehicles. Viewed from across the street, one can see the abstracted pattern as a whole.
Moving farther into the development, six benches on the Paseo continue the abstracted natural patterns introduced on the stairway with mosaic installed on vertical front panels. Moving beyond into the Quad, two planter benches with unique mosaic patterns surround a tree. The patterns brighten up the concrete area between buildings.
Barr combines handmade and commercial tiles, which are highly durable and easily maintained. At night, the artwork continues to be a focal point with special lighting.
About the Artist
Born in Ireland, Aileen Barr earned a diploma in Ceramic Design from Dublin’s National College of Art and Design. She has lived and worked in San Francisco for many years, where her mosaic staircases appear in several locations, including Lincoln Park and 16th Avenue. The latter is considered a San Francisco landmark.
Location: At the entrance of the Walnut Creek Transit Village paseo on Pringle Avenue, Walnut Creek CA
Image Credit: Aileen Barr, Mosaic Steps, staircase, benches, planter benches with mosaic tile installations, 2022. Photo courtesy of Shaun Roberts.