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Photo: Artist with a similar snake sculpture; installation set for Sept. 10
September 1, 2013 (Jacumba Hot Springs)--On Tuesday, September 10, Jacumba Hot Springs welcomes a giant striking rattlesnake sculpture by artist/designer Ricardo Breceda at the Community Park on Old Highway 80. The sculpture is constructed of welded metal and weighs over 800 pounds. It was a gift to the community from an anonymous community booster.
The artist , who is best known for his gigantic metal sculptures in the Anza-Borrego Desert, will be on site for the September 10th installation--and the community is planning festive activities all day from 9 am to 5 p.m. to celebrate the event.
Breceda will be selling signed copies of his art book/autobiography The Accidental Artist by Diana Lindsay. He will also display and offer some of his smaller sculptures for sale. Schoolchildren will visit as part of a field trip; music and photo opportunities are also planned. All are welcome to attend and join in the fun.
“We are very excited to have this unique piece of art,” says Howard Cook, Chairman of the local Sponsor Group, the community planning organization for Jacumba Hot Springs. “It complements what we are already doing to create an ‘arts-centric’ community. Breceda’s art is a proven tourist draw and, now that our hot mineral springs spa has re-opened, the statue provides an additional reason for people to visit. Jacumba Hot Springs is a mere 70 miles East of San Diego off of interstate 8 and makes a great day-trip for San Diegans,” he added.
This is not the only Breceda art in Jacumba Hot Springs. A magnificent six foot dragon graces the front of the newly renovated Chinese Castle on nearby Hill Street.
The support and enthusiasm from the community is overwhelming, supporters report. While the statue was a gift, over $1,000 was needed for the installation. Donations poured in thanks to the fund-raising acumen of local resident Sonia Kara and $1200 has been raised.
“It was easy, “Sonia says, “I just phoned the people up, told them about the statue and said, now, what are you going to give.” Over 24 people and businesses donated. The donor’s names will be on a bronze plaque embedded in the base of the installation. Other planned public art works in town include a series of murals by renowned local muralist Linda Churchill, a mosaic on the community center, also by Churchill, and a fountain by award winning local sculpture artist Kirk Gilliam.
Next year the Jacumba Hot Springs community will be celebrating its Centennial, with many more activities soon to be announced.
About The Artist
Born in Durango Mexico, artist Ricardo Breceda has lived in California for the last 25 years. He has been creating his metal animal kingdom since the release of the movie Jurassic Park III. His daughter’s enthusiasm over dinosaurs sparked his interest in the creation of these prehistoric beasts. What started as a hobby quickly became a passion to transform metal into incredible life like creations. Since then Ricardo has become a well-known sculptor / designer. His sculptures are now found across the world, from Canada to Australia.
One of his largest collection can be admired in Galleta Meadows, just outside the city of Borrego Springs California Most are life-size or many times larger sculptures of creatures that once roamed the Borrego Valley when it was a lush forest: Mammoths, camels, turtles, wild horses and giant sloths. For more information, call the artist at 951-236-5896 or email ricardobreceda@gmail.com.
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