The Laguna Beach County Water District building is home to this mosaic mural which was created by artist Michele Taylor in 2006 as noted on the mosaic. The mural depicts a view of Laguna Canyon, which served as an access route and water source for early residents. It was a
Community Art Project, one of dozens in and around Laguna Beach which promote 'Art in Public Places.' This mosaic mural was dedicated to Bruce R. Scherer for 30 years of service in the Water District (says so in small print on the bottom of the mosaic mural).
I was able to locate an online article that highlights this piece and reads:
Artist fills a niche
Michele Taylor's mosaic will be unveiled Thursday on an exterior wall at the Water District office.
July 28, 2006|By Candice Baker
A long-empty niche at the Laguna Beach County Water District will finally be graced with a piece of art that reflects the history of both the district and Laguna.
"It's taken almost a year," said artist Michele Taylor of her "Canyon Preserve" tile mural, which will be unveiled Thursday at 6 p.m., during the August First Thursdays Art Walk.
"The niche has been sitting for so long that it really needed something to complete the building," Taylor said.
Arts Commission vice chair Mike Tauber noticed the empty alcove at 306 Third St. across Loma Place from the new "People's Council" sculpture and approached the water district regarding having a piece of art by Taylor installed in it.
Water district officials held a meeting and discussed their requirements with Tauber and Taylor. They also gave final approval of the design.
"We let Michelle know that we wanted her work to reflect the district's past without being an advertisement," said Christopher Regan, a spokesman for the water district, which agreed to co-sponsor the work with CAP.
"It was a quick sketch when I presented it," Taylor said, "but they were very happy as I was happy and fortunate to get this project going. The district was absolutely professional and so warm. They were all very receptive. It's been a joy."
"When we saw the final design, she just captured the canyon in such a great light; even that is going to fit so well with the building," Regan said. "The image is a timeless depiction of the canyon."
"Mike and I have worked on a lot of projects together," Taylor said. She and Tauber, who acted as her project manager, then met with the Community Art Project and showed them the design.
"I thought it was absolutely marvelous," said Julita Jones, president of Community Art Project (CAP). "It's going to be a wonderful addition to the city and couldn't be in a better location. People will be able to sit at the sculpture in front of the fire station and look at the mural from there," Jones said.
"She's one of my favorite artists anyway; I have a couple of pieces of hers in my collection," she added.
"CAP became very excited about it, and we're very excited about it," Regan said. "That inset has been empty for quite awhile."
The project cost $14,000, the costs for which were split evenly between Community Art Project and the water district. CAP used a grant from the city's hotel bed tax as part of its contribution.
Another online article mentions the passing of Bruce R. Scherer in 2015 for whom this mosaic mural was dedicated to.