Western Addition
Steiner and Post Streets
Hamilton Rec Center
Athletics by Mary Erkenbrack - Ceramic Tile 1955
This glazed ceramic tile mural is of male figures engaged in athletic activities. It sits between the two music murals shown in this blog earlier here, and here. This tile mural has been on the walls of the rec center since it opened.
Mary Erkenbrack was born in Seattle, Washington on Nov. 30, 1910, Erckenbrack was raised in Rio De Janeiro, London, and Paris as her father, a shipping commissioner, moved about. While in France she studied art in Le Havre at Pension Jeanne d'Arc.
During 1933-35 her married name was Hennessy. In 1935 she settled in San Francisco and became active in the North Beach art scene. She soon established Mary E's Mud Shop and was kept busy fulfilling ceramic orders for Gump's, Marshall Fields and others.
That must have been a good commission for her. The 2 music murals are a bit overpowering beside it aren't they?
ReplyDeleteIt is quite a contrast in style and color to the works of art on each side although there is a musical theme in parts of the mural.
ReplyDeleteLove that center piece!
ReplyDelete