Historical October–November 1996 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
The planning and design of the MetroLink system has included an arts component from the outset.
The preparation of a new parking lot by the Delmar station has led to another popular inclusion of the arts. Sarah Smith, director of Arts in Transit at Bi-State, approached the West End Arts Council about creating a locally-based project as part of the parking lot construction. Smith worked with West End Arts Council Co-Chairs Roy Roncal and Andy Cross and SDCC Director Laure Porterfield in planning the project. Designated Tile Link, to fit with the Delmar Link theme of the commercial area, the planning group decided to have children and adults in our area design tiles that would then fit into the walkways connecting the lot to the station and to be fit into benches placed along the way. Nancy DeBettencourt of 62xx Washington joined the group and proved invaluable in coordinating trips to schools and planning the Tile Link party. September was a very busy month.
The Tile Link task force visited New City School on September 16, Hamilton on September 18, St. Roch on the 18th as well, and Crossroads on September 19th. Many children had the opportunity to personally design a tile. Crossroads students assisted at Hamilton and older children at St. Roch assisted the younger kids there. DeBettencourt, by the way,has spent the past few years as a necktie designer for a large manufacturer downtown.
In this career, she is able to utilize drawing, painting, design and fashion.
She had previously designed some very stylish hats. Andy Cross, a scene painter, was able to introduce Catherine Magel to the project.
She is a ceramist and theme painter.
She has a degree from the Kansas City Art Institute and teaches scene painting at Webster.
Her contributions have been considerable.
In addition, Paul Casey and Carol Billings assisted.
On Saturday, September 28, a lively gathering was held in Bill Kohn’s studio. Adults and children alike paid a $10 admission charge, designed a tile, and enjoyed appetizers, desserts, and beverages. Over a hundred people attended and everyone got caught up in the spirit of the event. Many of the attendees were neighbors but some were artists from various parts of the community. Andy Cross prepared a lovely sign to mark the site.
On the following Saturday, October 5, the Tile Link group took their project to the Loop in Motion in University City. There, about 750 people made tiles for the project.
If all goes well, there may be enough tiles to put in gardens and landscaped areas too.
The actual construction of the Tile Link should take place in the next six weeks.
The new parking lot is expected to open in mid-November.
Original photograph caption
Among the dozens creating tiles for the MetroLink parking lot on September28were(from left)Emily Yonker and Alicia Webb,as Nancy DeBettencourt looks on. Photographer not credited.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, October–November 1996.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1996_10.pdf, printed page(s) 1; PDF page(s) 1.
