So a lot has transpired here in Long Beach. Businesses closed due to the pandemic, people in the thousands gathered in protest for the death of George Floyd and systemic racism within our society and the police department, and then the lootings, which hit Long Beach pretty hard. Many businesses were affected to varying degrees. Owners boarded up as quickly as possible, but since Long Beach has such a wonderful community of artists, many of them came to see the plywood as a blank canvas that could be transformed into a statement reflecting the time or simply as a piece of art. Following is a collection of their efforts. Credit is given to both the artist and the photographer whenever possible.
The city is now planning on giving these murals a second life by displaying them in an outdoor gallery.
Organized by Efren Luna of Cultural Alliance of Long Beach
Organized by Efren Luna of Cultural Alliance of Long Beach
Organized by Efren Luna of Cultural Alliance of Long Beach
Organized by Efren Luna of Cultural Alliance of Long Beach
Organized by Efren Luna of Cultural Alliance of Long Beach
Organized by Efren Luna of Cultural Alliance of Long Beach
Organized by Efren Luna of Cultural Alliance of Long Beach
Art by Dave van Patten
I make “sculptural things” that might tell a story, cause one to think of a story, serve some practical purpose, or maybe none of these.