Queen Califia Magic Circle

Upon entering the Queen Califia Magic Circle, one wonders, How could we humans live without music and art?

These expressions feed the soul, inspire and enthrall us.

One of my favorite artists is Niki de St. Phalle, who spent her last days in La Jolla.

Her legacy lives on in large mosaic installations near the San Diego Convention Center, Balboa Park and the UCSD campus.

But there’s a grouping of her sculptures in a very unassuming place that even many locals have never even heard about.

Queen Califia Magic Circle, in Escondido, California boasts a sculpture garden that is second only to a garden of de St. Phalle’s work in Italy.

Kit Carson Park, which houses the sculpture garden, is only minutes off of Highway 15 (north of San Diego). What a great place to spend at least half an hour! Here are a few images from de St. Phalle’s sculptures:

Mosaic Goddess Riding a Phoenix by Niki de St. Phalle

 

Two Mosaic Snakes Conversing by Niki de St. Phalle

 

Happy Totem by Niki de St. Phalle

 

Yellow Mosaic Face

Snakes and Totems

 


Patty Mooney is a VP, Video Producer, Sound Technician, Teleprompter Operator and Video Editor at award-winning San Diego video production company, Crystal Pyramid Productions.