LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, Los Angeles

At LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes in Los Angeles, a row of green steel arches marks the edge of a public garden, and each arch is clad in custom handpainted ceramic tile made by ARTO. The tiles are white with bold red designs of birds, animals, flowers and leaves, set in a lively mural that wraps the columns and follows the curve of every arch. Climbing vines grow up the metal frames beside the tile, and the arches frame views of the garden, the street and the historic buildings nearby. Up close, each tile shows the hand of the painter, with slight changes in line and color from one piece to the next.