San Clemente’s Avenida Del Mar is the heart of founder Ole Hanson’s “Spanish Village” – just the right size to enjoy wandering among the boutique shops and restaurants.  Avenida Del Mar has been a focal point of downtown’s revitalization and beautification efforts over the last few years.

San Clemente benefits from some of the most romantic and significant Spanish Colonial Revival architecture in the United States.  Guided by Ole Hanson’s vision, architects such as Carl Lindbom and Virgil Westbrook created architectural masterpieces large and small in the City’s early days.

Landmarks on Del Mar is your opportunity to help create for posterity a major work of art of the highest quality – a spectacular original tile image of one of San Clemente’s most cherished historical landmarks in the heart of the Spanish Village.  Only 14 of these public art treasures are to be installed in the floors and walls of existing “bulb-out” pedestrian rest areas along Avenida Del Mar.

Working from historical landmark photographs, each image will start as a romanticized original painting in watercolor by celebrated artist Jay Fisher.  Each original watercolor image will be reproduced and fired onto tiles of the highest quality and durability by renowned local tile artist, Michael King.  Finished floor images will be at least 36 inches in diameter, net of decorative border.  Wall images will be about 18 inches high and 36 inches wide.  Each landmark tile masterpiece will be framed in Moorish tile and accompanied with a bronze plaque identifying the historic building, year built, architect (if available) and a dedication from its sponsor.  Each tile image is expected to last up to fifty years or more.

Landmarks on Del Mar is a joint effort of the San Clemente Historical Society, the San Clemente Downtown Business Association and the City of San Clemente.  Michael Kaupp, who serves on the Planning Commission and has served on the boards of both the DBA and the Historical Society, is the prime visionary for the Landmarks project, and is instrumental in securing Central Business District funding to add tile caps and other finishing touches to help the project.  Mike Cotter of the San Clemente Historical Society secures sponsorships for selected historical images.  The City has allocated $9,500 to the Historical Society to kick-start the project.

There are eight existing bulb-out pedestrian rest areas along Avenida Del Mar.  All eight afford excellent floor locations for tile art images.  Six of the rest areas offer suitable wall locations as well.  Therefore, there are only 14 locations available for these art images:  Only 14 individuals, businesses or groups will be sought to sponsor this entire public art project.

Several of the most beautiful buildings of the Ole Hanson era (1925-1937) are still available for the public to enjoy – the Ole Hanson Beach Club, Casa Romantica, the Oscar Easley building, the Hotel San Clemente.  Others, such as Casa Pacifica, are behind gated entrances.  Many are gone, including the Bartow house.  Many residents today may not fully recognize the significance of the existing historic structures, because the buildings are scattered throughout the original parts of the City. 

For residents and visitors alike, the Landmarks on Del Mar are bound to have substantial visual and emotional impact.  These 14 high quality spectacular pieces of art celebrating San Clemente’s historical landmarks will be a source of pride for the community.  The large public art images will no doubt become famous over time and will contribute to the increasing historic charm of downtown San Clemente.  The images themselves and the stories behind them will bring enjoyment and appreciation of our Spanish Village by the Sea to thousands of people year after year.

We invite your participation in this unique, spectacular and rare public art sponsorship opportunity – Landmarks on Del Mar.

For more information, and to inquire about sponsorships, please contact Mike Cotter at (949) 322-6009.