Tiles in Avalon - Bison

by RTK Studio's - 1999

Here is another tile mural on the Casino Way walkway.  Also inspired by postcards from the 1920's & '30's, it depicts the bison that still roam the interior of Catalina Island.  This is one of my favorites.

For more details about these tiles see my earlier post Catalina Tiles.

Tiles in Avalon - Girl Riding Fish

After my last post, I started noticing how many tiles there actually are in town and all over Catalina Island for that matter and I started taking pictures.  This one is on Front Street (Crescent Ave) on the way out to the Cabrillo Mole, where the boats come in.  The plaque below the tile reads:

            "Ethel Rosin Irmas - Born June 2, 1895 - Avalon, Santa Catalina Island - This Park Commemorates      
              the 100th Year of Our Mother's Birth - Richard Irmas - Sydney Irmas - Jon Irmas Lappen".

I assume it was created and dedicated in 1995.

Catalina Tile

This is a ceramic tile representation of Sea Lions lounging at Sugar Loaf Point on Catalina Island before the Casino Building was built. The Casino was built in 1929.

I was walking down the Casino Way yesterday, admiring the beautiful ceramic tile murals along the way.  I always think, "I should take pictures of these" and yesterday I finally did.  The tiles on the walkway (including the one pictured above)were created by artists Richard Keit & Mary Kennedy of RTK Studios in Ojai, CA in 1998 and were based on Catalina postcards from the 1930's.  They were hand glazed using the authentic "cuerdaseca" technique used by the historical Catalina Potteries.

Catalina has a history of tile and ceramic making due to the plentiful clay deposits on the island.  Catalina Island Tile and Pottery was in business from 1927 - 1937.  This is a picture from the archives:

There is still a ceramic studio on the island.  Artist, Robin Cassidy owns Silver Canyon Tile Company and her beautiful creations can be seen all over town and for sale in Avalon Shops.