Gentle Beauty

An explosion of color captures the eye on the park-facing wall of the Cultural Arts Center at 4477 Black Avenue. A black metal framed 4 x 6 ft mural is solidly affixed to the wall and yet it beckons the viewer to enter a portal and slip into a trail among the serenity of nature. A proud and undisturbed male California Valley quail pauses on a path, to raise his plume. Golden poppies announce the glory of nature. Both the quail and the poppies are state symbols of California. A solitary tree on a far-slopping hill draws your eye to a disappearing trail leading to possibility.

Artist Lynda Briggs believes “Much like life, there is an unfolding of opportunity, joy, chaos, and beauty that comes from within. Nature gives us healing power and allows us to exhale and find peace.” Lynda’s eventual career path was evident in her early years. Her 1st-grade teacher noted Lynda was drawing expressive human forms instead of stick figures. In high school, she received a Congressional Art Award from the state of Michigan obtaining her 1989 BA in Fine Art from Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa. Following graduation, Lynda volunteered her creative skills in elementary classrooms with a deep desire to inspire children to be joyfully self-expressive. Since then, Lynda has been part of global networks facilitated by spirited creative expressionist guides, Pauline Agnew from West Cork, Ireland, and holistic artist, Flora Bowley from Portland, Oregon.

Lynda’s abstract work was showcased in the Firehouse Art Center, Harrington Gallery FRESH WORKS XI Juried Exhibition, and is the 2023 recipient of the prestigious “Gary and Nancy Harrington Award”. Lynda has also exhibited at Stanford Valley Care Hospital, Wente Estate, Bankhead Theater, San Ramon Valley Conference Center and was a Bay Area finalist in Bombay Sapphire’s Artisan Series National Emerging Artist Competition. Currently, Lynda displays a collection of her artwork at Pleasanton’s Physical Therapy Specialties and participates in Pleasanton Art League’s Art Circuit, which rotates artworks throughout local businesses.

Gentle Beauty is the result of the Pleasanton Cultural Arts grant 2021-22 “Rebuilding Community Through Art” funded by the Pleasanton Civics Arts Commission. The vision was to inspire a dialogue about public art and renew Covid-damaged hope with the possibility of a better tomorrow. PCAC engaged the community to select art through personal interviews at the Library, Senior Center, city streets, social media, surveys, and the Library and Recreation newsletter. The data confirmed the concern for tomorrow stretched to a clear protection of our environment.

Lynda Briggs’s anti-graffiti coated mural is considered temporary art. Bright Light Welding and Manufacturing made the frame from specifications drawn by PCAC member, Les Duman. The frame is constructed to open and allow future art installations. Come and experience the calm and peace of this mural; feel the excitement and inspiration that nature offers to all of us!

Jan Coleman-Knight