An Urban Tree For The Port of San Diego
By Betsy Kopshina Schulz & Hans Tegebo
Artists assisting in Reconstruction: Irene De Wattville, Christie Benniston, Judy Burks, & Carolyn McHenry

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The Port of San Diego Public Art Department sponsored a competition to design “Urban Trees”. Thirty artists were chosen to produce their tree for display for one year on the Embarcadero. The sale price of the Surfboard Cedar Survivor is $12,000.

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(1) Hans Tegebo made the Surfboard Cypress shape from solid concrete reinforced with rebar.

(2) Schulz & Tegebo made the tiles, then created a template to transfer to the concrete base.

(3) The tree was built at Han’s home & studio in Harbison Canyon.

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(4) Tegebo & Schulz sealed the grout & tiles with graphiti resistant sealer.

(5) The “Surfboard Cypress” one week before the Cedar fire.

(6) Hans Tegebo at his burnt out house/studio in Harbison Canyon Thursday October 30 after the fire. The Urban Tree is top down directly behind him.

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(7) Mario Guillian, and his crew moving the 1200 lb. Surfboard “Cedar Survivor”.

(8) Schulz & Tegebo assessing the damage in the Cruise Ship Terminal at the Port of San Diego four days after the fire.

(9) Schulz’s good friends & artists Irene de Wattville (L) & Christie Beniston (R) helped thin set the tiles back on the tree.

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(10) Judy Burk (L) & Irene de Wattville (R) two of the best artists in the world.

(11) The tiles were cleaned & thin set back on before grouting.

(12) John Jones & Todd Vogel (Port Employees) placing the tree into the planter.

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(13) Schulz applies the final tiles

(14) The tree was finished and installed November 14th, the day before the opening celebration.