Historical September–October 2004 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
Neighborhood artist Ute Levi has created a beautiful tile mosaic to dress up the stage at the Greg Freeman Park at Four Corners, at Kingsbury and DesPeres. Ute wanted to add a splash of color to the concrete structure, and the result is a fine work of art.
This project was funded by a grant from the Regional Arts Commission, awarded to the West End Arts Council of S k i n k e r – D e B a l i v i e r e .
Some of the tiles used in the mosaic were donated by former Skinker-DeBaliviere residents Marty Cross and store owners Kevin and Michael Bowe of C a b i n e t s , Flooring, and Moore on 8008 Olive.
Some other materials were donated by Steve Schiller of Colonial Carpet, now located at 2626 Woodson Road. Still more tiles and ceramic pieces were collected from neighbors, to create a mixture of textures and materials.
The River Des Peres flows underground alongside Des Peres Avenue.
When the playground at Four Corners Park was created, the theme of the River Des Peres was incorporated into its artistic elements: the curvy pathway, the rock-lined gardens, and the stenciled ballards in the alley. Ute incorporated the playgroundís river theme as a playful design element in her creation.
She included two alligators, sea creatures, even a purple octopus within the tiles.
On the top surface of the stage, Ute created three beautiful chess/checker boards, so that tournaments could be held. Colored, plastic milk-jug caps are available to be used as checkers: blue on one team, red/pink on the other.
This beautiful and useful creation is very well crafted and will provide beauty and entertainment to 4-corners for years to come.
Original photograph caption
Neighbors Jon Parker, Ute Levi, Katrina Stierholz, and children work on creating tiles for the stage sculpture. Photographer not credited.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, September–October 2004.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times2004_09.pdf, printed page(s) 3; PDF page(s) 3.
