Gifts from Mother

Artist: Strayhorn, Robin

Date: 2008

Medium: Ceramic

Artwork Dimensions: 108 x 120 in.

County Department: Parks and Recreation

Artwork Site: Ted Watkins Memorial Park

Supervisorial District: 2

Current Status: On view

About the Artwork: In conjunction with over twenty local youth, artist Robin Strayhorn created the tile mural Gifts from Mother at the entry of the Ted Watkins pool house. Strayhorn taught the youth how to create the tiles in an after-school program. The mural depicts children diving into water surrounded by a decorative border of various natural motifs and figures. Ted Watkins Park serves its local residents with swimming pools, ball fields, play and picnic areas and after-school recreational activities. Ted Watkins Park is also home to the Promenade of Prominence Walk of Fame, which celebrates the accomplishments of community leaders.

About the Artist: Robin Strayhorn, who lives in downtown Los Angeles, graduated from UCLA and taught at Markham Middle School in Watts for several years. Strayhorn has completed public art commissions for the City of Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department, MTA Metro Art, and the Ontario International Airport. Her work is characterized by rich, colorful, sometimes abstracted human forms and designs rendered in ceramic tile. She is recognized for involving community members in her projects.