About Us

Our Mission:

This project is the culmination of a four-year journey to create a historic glass mural on the large wall of the Irvine Ranch Market.

What was initially conceived as a painted wall concept has evolved into something truly spectacular, a 10 feet high by 56 feet long Mosaic mural made up of thousands of 1/2 inch square brightly colored glass tiles. This impressive piece of art was created by local artist and resident, Barbara Abbott.

 

To turn this vision into reality, the Balboa Island Museum and the Mural Committee are launching a grassroots fundraising journey, allowing friends and residents to be recognized for their funding participation. We invite you to consider being part of the completion of this project. With your support, the unveiling will be at the end of September, 2024. We appreciate the support of the BIIA and sponsorship by the Balboa Island Museum.

Beyond adding a vital splash of color and history to our already vibrant and historic neighborhood, in our age of technology, QR codes may be installed as well, allowing visitors gazing upon the mural to learn the local Balboa Island history using both audio and visual material. Viewers will leave not only impressed with the artwork but impressed by the amazing history and story of Balboa Island.

Watch how an Artaic Mosiac is created!

“The creative process has been a great joy,” Abbot said. “I am sincerely proud to be able to share this urban art form with our own Newport family community, along with so many people who visit Balboa Island year-round. Most exciting and gratifying is that the mural will hopefully bring a smile to faces for generations to come.”

— Barbara Abbott