San Francisco is renowned for its artistic mosaic tile artwork. The East Cut CBD is excited to join the ranks of artful tiled stairs with the addition of our very own with the Lansing Tile Stairway project. To be completed in Spring 2025, the mosaic is designed by Wilma Wyss, the tile artist behind many of the colorful creations across the city.
Her vibrant concept encompasses themes of growth and evolution authentic to the East Cut. The baby coffee plant calls back to our rich history of coffee, and the Dahlia flowers and Western Tiger Swallowtail butterflies promise an optimistic future for our community. Set on a striking blue gradient, the mosaic will be visible to travelers approaching the Bay Bridge and provide a destination for neighborhood visitors.
The Lansing Tile Stairway is part of The East Cut CBD’s Street Life Plan projects, which were developed strategically through various community outreach efforts and public meeting approvals.
Pictured above: Artist Wilma Wyss installs tile mosaic artwork.
Artist Selection
The East Cut conducted outreach to source the tile artist for this project. Wilma Wyss, renowned San Francisco Bay Area-based tile artist was chosen and entered into contract with The East Cut on the Lansing Tile Stairway project.
Funding Awarded and Decision Process Began
The East Cut CBD was awarded $148,750 through the City’s Community Challenge Grant program and allocated $36,000 toward the project. The East Cut CBD collaborated with Wilma Wyss to ideate design concepts based on neighborhood themes and San Francisco iconography. Concepts were presented in public forums at committee and board meetings as well as a community meeting hosted at The East Cut’s office.
The two concepts developed by Wilma Wyss, “East Cut Eras” and “Nature as Transformation”, were equally preferred by East Cut stakeholders. Due to the ease of viewing the tiles on the stairs, “Nature as Transformation” was chosen for the steps. At the direction of the board, the team made an addition to the project in order to include both concepts. The dogleg portion of the Lansing stairway as well as tiled medallions reflecting the “East Cut Eras” concept, a historic look at the neighborhood, are expected to be installed on the Essex St. wall as part of a later phase. The East Cut is currently fundraising to be able to install both additional pieces.
Approvals
The Lansing Tile Stairway project is to be approved by the SF Arts Commission Visual Arts Committee and the full SF Arts Commission in the coming months.
Craft Begins
Tile artist Wilma Wyss will begin the craft process, which includes template development and sourcing of materials. Fundraising for the medallion addition and stairway dogleg will take place in tandem.
Installation and Continuation
The Lansing Tile Stairway art is to be installed and unveiled during this period. Fundraising for the dogleg and medallion additions will continue if not completed by this time.
Acknowledgments
Many thanks to our partners that have made this project possible:
Contributors:
Community Challenge Grants
Guy/Lansing Neighbors
Artist:
Wilma Wyss
